Fred Hall fishing show wraps up Sunday at DM Fairgrounds

There are plenty of fish in the sea, but at least for this weekend, lots can also be found on the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It’s all part of the 36th annual Fred Hall Fishing Tackle Boat and Travel Show, which includes portable fish tanks big enough for outdoors sportsman to show their skills indoors.

The show, which ends today, also includes boating and hunting vendors and displays, with diving set to be added next year.

Bart Hall, son of the late founder Fred Hall, said the economy has really taken a toll on the boating industry. He said in 2007, roughly 450,000 boats were produced, but last year, only 50,000 were made. Hall said the show would continue to be successful, progress and do what it has to do to remain the keynote consumer boat show in San Diego County.

“I’m pretty excited about being the only boat show left, we worked hard to achieve that category over the years,” he said. “No one does fishing like we do.”