Electrification and hybrid propulsion
What electrification and hybrid propulsion means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo is the premier event for fishing enthusiasts, taking place from January 8-10, 2027 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. This expo will feature over 130 local, regional, and national exhibitors showcasing a wide range of fishing gear, including tackle, boats, and apparel.
Attendees can participate in seminars led by top anglers and enjoy various activities designed for all ages. Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo takes place in Raleigh, United.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo runs January 8-10, 2027 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC.
- 2Scale and Focus: This expo features over 130 exhibitors showcasing the latest fishing gear and services.
- 3Organiser: The event is hosted by Southeast Productions, known for quality fishing expos.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include fishing enthusiasts, retailers, and industry professionals.
- 5Entry / Access: Tickets are available online and at the door, valid for all three days.
Why visit
Visitors will gain access to exclusive deals on fishing gear and the opportunity to meet industry experts. The expo features seminars that provide valuable insights into fishing techniques and gear usage. Attendees can also enjoy hands-on experiences at the Favorite Fishing Trout Pond, making it a fun outing for families.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at the Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo offers unparalleled access to a targeted audience of fishing enthusiasts and industry professionals. Vendors can showcase their products to thousands of potential customers, network with other businesses, and gain valuable exposure in the fishing community.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Fishing enthusiasts looking for the latest gear
Retail buyers seeking new products for their stores
Families interested in fishing activities and seminars
Local fishing clubs and organizations
Outdoor recreation professionals
Fishing guides and charter services
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Bass tackle and lure manufacturers
Saltwater tackle, rod and reel suppliers
Boat dealers for bass boats, bay boats and marine craft
Fishing apparel and outdoor lifestyle brands
Fishing charter and guide services
Tackle retailers and marine accessory distributors
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Fishing tackle and accessories
Boats and marine products
Fishing apparel and gear
Fishing electronics and gadgets
Outdoor recreational equipment
Fishing guides and services
Location & Facilities
Venue
Halls & areas
1North Carolina State Fairgrounds
North Carolina State Fair
4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Facilities
Parking
North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at North Carolina State Fair for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
: Friday10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Adults
14Seniors 65+ & Military
12Jr. Anglers (6-12)
6
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Raleigh, United States
Why it matters
On 2027-01-08 to 2027-01-10, Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo in Raleigh covering Fishing tackle and accessories, Boats and marine products, Fishing apparel and gear, Fishing electronics and gadgets, Ou gives marine buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Connected helm and telematics
What connected helm and telematics means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainable materials and refit
What sustainable materials and refit means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Experience-led watersports demand
What experience-led watersports demand means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Supply-chain regionalisation
What supply-chain regionalisation means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
RDU is the practical arrival point for the Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo. No official airport-to-venue shuttle is documented in the provided capture, so plan a rental car, rideshare, or hotel shuttle
TBA
to venue
Approx. 15-30 minutes by car to the fairgrounds depending on traffic and exact hotel location; confirm with your hotel or rideshare app
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Holiday Inn Express Raleigh-Durham Airport by IHG
2-star
Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) area4.4
USD 175–236 / night
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh Airport - Brier Creek by IHG
2-star
Brier Creek / RDU airport corridor4.1
USD 175–236 / night
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh West - Lenovo Center by IHG
2-star
West Raleigh near Lenovo Center4.0
USD 175–236 / night
Holiday Inn Express Holly Springs - Raleigh Area, an IHG Hotel
3-star
Holly Springs, south of Raleigh4.2
USD 115–145 / night
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh North - Wake Forest, an IHG Hotel
2-star
North Raleigh / Wake Forest4.1
USD 175–236 / night
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh SW NC State by IHG
3-star
Southwest Raleigh near NC State University4.5
USD 115–145 / night
Holiday Inn & Suites Raleigh-Cary (I-40 @Walnut St) by IHG
3-star
Cary, off Interstate 40 at Walnut Street4.0
USD 115–145 / night
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Rideshare or taxi
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forRDU airport and Raleigh hotels to the North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Hotel shuttle
Estimated costOften complimentary where offered; confirm with the property
Best forAirport-area Holiday Inn Express properties to the fairgrounds
Rental car or personal vehicle
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forHotels in Cary, Wake Forest, Holly Springs and Brier Creek to the fairgrounds
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from RDU to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forRaleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to North Carolina State Fair
Weather
Raleigh in early January is mid-Atlantic winter: expect cool days and cold nights. Open-Meteo air-quality forecast for the Raleigh coordinates (public API, not on-site measurement) showed US AQI around 27 and PM2.5 around 4.3 µg/m3, which is good; sensitive groups should still check local advisories before travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Expo dress code
This is a consumer fishing show, so dress is casual and practical. Expect anglers and families in outdoor clothing, boots, and layers; comfortable shoes are useful for walking tackle aisles and boat displays.
Fishing-show etiquette
Exhibitors are used to direct product questions about rods, reels, tackle, boats, and local fishing conditions. Ask before handling rods or reels, and check whether show specials include cash-only pricing.
Payments and tipping
Cards are widely accepted in Raleigh, but carry some cash for parking, concessions, and small tackle vendors. Table-service restaurants typically follow standard US tipping of 15-20 percent.
Local travel rhythm
Raleigh traffic can be busy around Interstate 40 and west Raleigh near the fairgrounds. Allow extra time for the drive, parking, and entry lines, especially on Saturday of the show weekend.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Google Flights for New York JFK to Raleigh RDU on 8 January 2027 flagged prices as currently high and showed the option to fly from HPN from $108. Return-date tracking in the capture used 8-12 January 2027. Fares change continuously, so re-check live prices before booking.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Raleigh-Durham International Airport: Approx. 15-30 minutes by car to the fairgrounds depending on traffic and exact hotel location; confirm with your hotel or rideshare app. Allow road or rail time to North Carolina State Fair; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near North Carolina State Fair: Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) area: Holiday Inn Express Raleigh-Durham Airport by IHG; Brier Creek / RDU airport corridor: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh Airport - Brier Creek by IHG; West Raleigh near Lenovo Center: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Raleigh West - Lenovo Center by IHG.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Raleigh; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: The capture pack contains no Raleigh transit route or fare data for the fairgrounds. Treat a car, rideshare or hotel shuttle as the default plan and verify any public bus option locally before relying on it.
Parking: On-site parking is available at North Carolina State Fair; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: January 2027
Temperature: Early-January Raleigh conditions are winter-cool; the evidence pack did not return a temperature forecast, so check a local forecast closer to 8-10 January 2027.
Seasonality: Raleigh in early January is mid-Atlantic winter. Typical daytime highs are around 50 F (10 C) and overnight lows around 30 F (-1 C); rain, sleet, or a rare snow shower can occur. The Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo is indoors at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, but parking lots, shuttle waits, and venue entry lines are outdoors, so pack a waterproof outer layer, a warm mid-layer, and comfortable walking shoes. Check the National Weather Service Raleigh forecast 48-72 hours before travel and allow extra time if winter precipitation is forecast.
Packing: Pack layered winter clothing, a warm outer jacket for evenings, and comfortable walking shoes for moving between fairground buildings and outdoor exhibit areas.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Day 14
Confirm the 8-10 January 2027 dates and the North Carolina State Fairgrounds venue on bassandsaltwaterfishingexpo.com, then buy tickets: USD 14 adult, USD 12 seniors 65+ and military, USD 6 Jr. Anglers ages 6-12.
Day 10
Book a hotel in the RDU airport, Brier Creek, or west Raleigh corridor; ask about cancellation terms, parking, and any airport shuttle before locking the reservation.
Day 7
Book flights into Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and reserve a rental car or plan rideshare; the fairgrounds is a short drive from RDU and most Raleigh hotels.
Day 5
Review the exhibitor list and floor plan when posted; shortlist bass tackle, saltwater inshore gear, rod and reel, boat and kayak, and fishing-travel booths you want to visit first.
Day 3
Check the Raleigh forecast and pack winter layers, a waterproof shell, and comfortable walking shoes; parking lots and entry lines are outdoors even though the expo halls are indoors.
Day 2
Confirm ticket delivery or will-call pickup, show hours, and parking details; download the venue map and set a meeting point for your group.
Day 1
Arrive at opening, collect credentials, hit must-see tackle and boat displays before crowds build, and keep receipts for gear purchases.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at North Carolina State Fair
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo registration concourse
North Carolina State Fair
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
North Carolina State Fair
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · Adults
USD 14 / per person
organiser_published
visitor_ticket
visitor · Seniors 65+ & Military
USD 12 / per person
organiser_published
visitor_ticket
visitor · Jr. Anglers (6-12)
USD 6 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Adults | USD 14 / per person | organiser_published | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Seniors 65+ & Military | USD 12 / per person | organiser_published | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Jr. Anglers (6-12) | USD 6 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Fishing tackle and accessories and Boats and marine products solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo in Raleigh.
Min. budget
$636.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Fishing tackle and accessories and Boats and marine products products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,862.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Raleigh show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is the Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo in Raleigh?
It is scheduled for 8-10 January 2027 in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Check bassandsaltwaterfishingexpo.com for gate times and hall assignments before travelling.
Which airport should I fly into for the Raleigh fishing expo?
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the main international gateway listed near Raleigh. Regional fields such as Raleigh Regional Airport at Person County and Johnston Regional Airport also appear in local airport listings.
Where should I stay for the show?
The captured hotel set covers RDU airport and Brier Creek, West Raleigh near Lenovo Center, southwest Raleigh near NC State, Cary, Wake Forest and Holly Springs. Airport-area and southwest Raleigh properties give the shortest drive to the fairgrounds side of the city.
Do I need a visa to attend from outside the United States?
The capture pack contains no visa guidance. International visitors should check current US entry rules for their nationality with the nearest US embassy or consulate well before January 2027.
How do I exhibit at the expo?
Exhibitor booking is handled through bassandsaltwaterfishingexpo.com. The capture pack did not include stand pricing or a booking form, so request the current exhibitor prospectus from the organiser.
What is there to see for bass and saltwater anglers?
The show targets bass and saltwater fishing tackle, boats and marine gear, rods and reels, apparel, charters and outdoor lifestyle products, with exhibitor rows spanning tackle manufacturers, boat dealers, apparel brands and charter operators.
Glossary
- Bass fishing
- Freshwater angling for largemouth and related black bass, the freshwater half of the show's product mix.
- Saltwater fishing
- Inshore and offshore angling in coastal and ocean waters, covering the tackle, boats and charters shown on the saltwater side of the expo.
- Tackle
- Rods, reels, line, lures, terminal tackle and accessories sold by tackle manufacturers and retailers at the show.
- Charter
- A guided fishing trip on a crewed boat; charter services exhibit to book anglers directly at the expo.
- Boat dealer
- A dealership exhibiting new bass boats, bay boats and related marine product lines.
- NC State Fairgrounds
- The Raleigh fairgrounds complex where the expo is held, with multiple exhibit buildings and outdoor space.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Raleigh Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo 2027
- Raleigh Bass 2027
- Saltwater Fishing Expo Raleigh 2027
- Raleigh United States
- Fishing tackle and accessories
- Boats and marine products
- Fishing apparel and gear
- Fishing electronics and gadgets
- Trade show B2B Trade Expo Raleigh
- digital transformation expo
1 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
Sources
1
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
1
Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo
- event_website
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.