The Reel in the Sunshine Fishing Expo, which will be held Feb. 4 at Sunshine Ace Hardware in Bonita Springs, has announced a charter captain Chris Argiro and fishing expert Benny Ortiz as this year’s event speakers.
Reel in the Sunshine, a family-friendly event for recreational and novice anglers, features vendor-led product demonstrations, hot-off-the-grill BBQ samples prepared by Sunshine Ace’s grill masters, numerous giveaways and exclusive discounts on fishing gear and apparel only available during the event.
Two keynote speakers include:
• Chris Argiro, Inshore/Nearshore Fishing: Argiro is a charter caption and owner of Sea Reaper Fishing Charter on Fort Myers Beach. A second-generation captain, Argiro is on the pro staff for St. Croix Rods and specializes in river, nearshore, reef, flats, wreck and back country fishing.
• Benny Ortiz, Slow-Pitch Jigging: Ortiz is a pioneer of slow-pitch jigging, a discipline of fishing that uses a center-weighted jig mimicking a wounded bait fish. Ortiz, who is sponsored by Shimano and AFTCO, demonstrates the technique through one-on-one instruction, seminars and media platforms aimed at anglers of all levels.
“Reel in the Sunshine is a great opportunity to learn about the different types of rods, reels and baits used to fish Southwest Florida waters, but probably the part that attendees enjoy the most is learning from the experts,” said Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. “Not too often can you sit down with a charter captain and learn how or where to fish, or have a dialogue with a manufacturer about their products.”
The 7th Annual Reel in the Sunshine Fishing Expo will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Sunshine Ace Hardware in Bonita Springs, 9100 Bonita Beach Road SE. Admission is free, but guests can participate in a raffle and charity luncheon to support Captains for Clean Water, a nonprofit with a mission to restore and protect aquatic ecosystems for the use and enjoyment by all.
About Sunshine Ace Hardware
Family-owned and operated since 1958, Sunshine Ace Hardware is one of Florida’s largest family-owned home improvement retailers. The Naples-based company operates nine locations in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Pinellas counties, as well as two Crowder Bros. stores in Manatee County. A new location in Founders Square in Collier County is opening in 2023. Each store is staffed by friendly, knowledgeable associates known for going the extra mile to help commercial and residential customers find the right tools for their jobs. Sunshine Ace is the region’s go-to source for power equipment, paint, hardware, fishing gear, plumbing products, electrical supplies, gifts and home improvement products, including name brands like Benjamin Moore, STIHL, Milwaukee, Scotts, Weber, Big Green Egg, Penn and Shimano. Through its Helpful Hub, Sunshine Ace provides services like screen repair, key cutting and color matching, as well as delivery and assembly for grills, power tools and more. Sunshine Ace offers three convenient options to shop: in-store, curbside pickup and online with home delivery. Sunshine Ace also brings its helpful service to your home through its Ace Handyman repair services. For additional information such as operating hours, handyman services and locations, please visit SunshineAce.com.
