Welcome to the BIG GAME ROOM!  This year's Big Game Room Hall of Fame Inductee is John Brownlee (Note: New date & time for the award ceremony—Friday, February 17 at 6 p.m.)

John Brownlee is an accomplished and passionate angler, having spent most of his life fishing around the country and the world for numerous inshore and offshore species. He was selected for his dedication and passion to the sport of Big Game Fishing and fishing conservation.

He's also a committed conservation activist, having served 2 three year terms on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Brownlee also sits on the board of many conservation organizations, including The Billfish Foundation, The Coastal Conservation Association and the Fish Florida specialty license plate organization which raises money to provide fishing tackle to children. He's also served the IGFA as Upper Keys representative. Brownlee played a key role in the Save Our Sealife Net Ban constitutional amendment in 1994.

Brownlee is the current editor in chief of Salt Water Sportsman magazine and makes his home in Islamorada, FL with his wife Poppy, an equally passionate Angler.

Join us on Friday, February 17th at 6 p.m. for the Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony.

Shark Men— Meet Chris Fischer & Capt. Brett McBride from National Geographic Channel's Hit Series 

We look forward to bringing back Chris Fischer, Expedition Leader and Capt. Brett McBride of the National Geographic Channel's hit series SHARK MEN. Chris & Brett will be in the Big Game Room on Friday, February 18 at 5 p.m. discussing the catch, tagging and release of Great White Sharks. 

Chris and Brett will move to Convention Center Drive on Saturday at 6 p.m. for a personal meet and greet along with photos and autographs. Meet Chris and Brett and hear first hand how they catch, tag and release Great White Sharks!

Learn more

Bait Rigging Station — Back by popular demand!  Sponsored by Reel Tease Custom Teasers

Hosted by Capt. Tony DiGiulian of Saltwater Professional Consulting, each session will last an hour and the instructor’s name, time and subject will be written daily on the blackboard. Attendees will receive “hands-on” training in the presence of a pro. You’ll learn how to rig traditional ballyhoo, trolling mullet, strips, offshore lures, mackerel rigging, squid rigs for sword fishing, use of teasers, wind on leaders and proper techniques for sharpening hooks and much, much more.

Check the daily schedule at the show for times and techniques and talk with pro Tony DiGiulian on his vast fishing experiences.  

Reel Tease Custom Teasers is proud to be sponsoring the Big Game Room Bait Rigging Station at the 2012 Progressive Miami International Boat Show. Reel Tease builds the most effective, realistic and innovative teasers and lures on the water today. Hand made in the U.S.A, Real Tease Custom Teasers feature hydro dynamic slots for an expanded smoke trail and unmatched stability in the water. All of our products are rigged with the finest materials available. Machined polished aluminum end caps, Lindgren and Pittman monofilament leader material, tumbled aluminum crimps and high pressure plastic chafe gear are all standard and make for strong, durable connections.

All teasers come in a hand painted version and a vinyl wrap version. We can custom paint or wrap any of our products to look like any bait fish you desire. Come check us out at the Bait Rigging Station in the Big Game Room and ask about our new product, The Game Fish Kandy.

IT'S THE MIAMI MARLINS

Sunday, February 19 is MARLINS DAY!  Meet Miami Marlins players on Convention Center Drive along with Billy the Marlin. Take photos and get autographs signed by your favorite players. Have some fun in the Marlins Interactive speed pitch and t-ball plus the Miami Marlins street team will be on hand all day with great prizes. The schedule for Marlins Day is:

• Marlins Street Team, prize wheel and giveaways: 10am–8pm
• Marlins Player Autograph Session: 12pm–1pm
• Town Hall Q & A with Marlins Broadcaster host: 1pm–1:30pm
• Join us for fun all day on Sunday — Marlins Day! 

Exhibitor Prize Giveaway Returns

Back again this year is the popular Exhibitor Prize Give Away. Big Game Room exhibitors have donated prizes to be raffled off daily. Just fill out your ballot in room B 214 in the Big Game Room and wait for the call. Our list of prizes will be available soon. Look for prizes from your favorite exhibitors like David Wirth, Karen Rhodes, Carey Chen, and the Bimini Big Game Club.   

Entertainment by Pluto

Pluto Shervington, also know as Pluto, is a reggae musician born in Kingston, Jamaica. He is a talented bass guitarist and singer. He is best known for his single, "Dat" and will be performing daily on the Big Game Room Seminar Stage from 3:30pm to 7:30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Marlin Bar and Lounge

Meet your friends, relax, have a drink and share your favorite fish stories. During Happy Hour, 5–6 pm daily, show staff will give out special promotional items donated by our exhibitors and sponsors.

Located in room B 214 near the Big Game Room Seminar Stage.

Suddenly In Command USCG First Mates Class Returns for 2012

The Big Game Room welcomes back for the 3rd year, "Suddenly in Command" the popular First Mates class taught by USCG personel Joel Aberback, Mitch Adler and Tom James.  This class will be taught Saturday and Sunday mornings from Noon to 1p.m. at the Big Game Room seminar stage.  Space is sure to be limited so arrive early to go over topics such as boaters language, safety equipment, waterway marker system, basic navigation, basic radio and GPS, getting out of trouble, homeland security and environmental protection.