‘Eager and excited’: Grand Strand Boat & Sportsman Expo returns after one-year hiatus

After a one-year hiatus, the Grand Strand Boat & Sportsman Expo is back and raring to go with the fresh start of a new year.

The annual early-January show featuring regional boat dealers and boating and fishing-related vendors is set for this weekend, Friday through Sunday, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

“After missing the ‘21 show, all the vendors and dealers are eager and excited to get back into the boat show mode and show people what they’ve got,” said expo coordinator Kevin Bennett. “This is the first show in the Carolinas of the boat show season.”

It’s been an interesting last few years for the boating industry in the Carolinas, with boats in high demand but in short supply as outdoor activities have become even more popular in the times of the COVID pandemic.

“There was a shortage in early spring last year and there wasn’t a lot of inventory,” said Bennett. “Some of the dealers have more stock now than they did six months ago.”

A wide range of boats will be on display, from pedal-driven kayaks to center consoles with two, three, even four, outboards geared for the long runs south and east from the Carolina coast to reach the offshore fishing grounds. Under the same roof will be related vendors, offering the opportunity to check out all aspects of boating and fishing in one location.

“It’s the one-spot shop deal where you can get a boat, finance, insurance, fishing gear, terminal tackle,” said Bennett. “We’ll have vendors to outfit a boat from the purchase to getting it into the water.”

Seminars on a variety of fishing and boating topics are always a popular aspect of the expo.

“From the river to inshore or offshore, our fishing seminars will cover the spectrum of fishing in the Grand Strand area,” said Bennett. “We’ve got some really exciting seminars, and one specialty seminar for inshore kayak fishing. Mike Eady (kayak fishing guide), we have people call and ask for him. Capt. Mike McDonald (of Gul-R-Boy Guide Service) will have inshore fishing techniques. (The seminar speakers) are all people persons.”

While Eady and McDonald are regulars among the seminar speakers, there will be a newcomer this year.

“We are pleased to have Capt. Melvin Holt on board as one of our new saltwater fishing pros,” said Bennett. “Capt. Holt will offer three seminars to discuss offshore bait-and-tackle rigging and offshore fishing.”

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center located at 2101 N. Oak Street in Myrtle Beach.

Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors age 65 and over and $5 for children under age 12. Children under age 3 are admitted free of charge.