By Jason Duran
When the Alabama Bass Trail 100 launches its season on Smith Lake this January, the spotlight will not be limited to what happens on the water. For the first time, the Ultimate Fishing Expo will run alongside an ABT 100 tournament weekend, creating a rare convergence of elite competition, industry innovation, and community hospitality in Cullman, Alabama.
A Vision Built for Alabama Anglers
Show producer Jeff Shelton, owner of Spanker Jigs, has spent decades traveling to fishing expos across the country. Along the way, he noticed something missing.
“Alabama didn’t have a true fishing expo like the ones I’ve been attending for years,” Shelton said. “We’ve got the anglers, the lakes, and the industry, but not a dedicated event built specifically for fishing.”
That changed when the Omniplex began taking shape. Shelton secured dates before the building was even completed, confident that Cullman’s location, lake access, and community support made it the right fit. The result is a sold out show floor with nearly 200 fishing companies represented, ranging from industry leaders like Daiwa, Shimano, and Strike King to small independent lure builders anglers rarely get to see in person.
The Expo will feature hourly seminars covering bass, crappie, catfish, electronics, and forward facing sonar, along with live demonstrations including soft plastic pouring and on site boat wrapping. Scheduled appearances include Jordan Lee, Wes Logan, Brandon Lester, and Hannah Barron, alongside a wide range of regional and national brands.
Adding to the excitement, Shelton has built an aggressive giveaway lineup highlighted by a Ranger RT188P, awarded Sunday afternoon through a live draw down. Every ticket holder is automatically entered.
“If you love fishing, you don’t want to miss this weekend,” Shelton said.
A Strategic Fit with the ABT 100
What makes the weekend truly unique is how seamlessly the Expo aligns with the Alabama Bass Trail 100 tournament on Smith Lake, an event that brings together 100 of the best teams in bass fishing for one of the most competitive team tournaments of the year.
The ABT 100 field is intentionally limited and highly competitive, featuring elite teams competing for a 25,000 dollar first place prize and a total payout exceeding 100,000 dollars at the event. With only three ABT 100 tournaments held throughout the year, each stop carries added weight and significance. The Smith Lake tournament serves as the opening event of the ABT 100 season, immediately placing Cullman at the center of top tier team bass fishing.
As part of that alignment, competing ABT 100 anglers and their families will receive a private VIP preview of the Ultimate Fishing Expo on Thursday evening, providing early access to the show floor before it opens to the public. The preview offers anglers a first look at new products and technology, while creating valuable opportunities for direct interaction with sponsors and manufacturers during one of the most important tournament weeks of the season.
That alignment reflects Cullman’s growing role as a host city for major fishing events.
“I am excited to bring an Alabama Bass Trail event to my new hometown of Cullman, Alabama,” said ABT Program Director Kay Donaldson. “Since moving here, I have really immersed myself in the local culture. We have some of the best festivals, and the support organizers receive is incredible. From the tourism office, parks and recreation, and elected officials, everyone goes out of their way to make events like the Alabama Bass Trail successful.”
Cullman Ready to Host
For Visit Cullman Executive Director Harmony Heard, the pairing of the Ultimate Fishing Expo and the ABT 100 represents a milestone moment.
“This is fireworks,” Heard said. “Two major fishing events aligned in the same weekend, centered around Smith Lake and the Omniplex. It could not be a more beautiful alignment.”
The impact extends well beyond tournament headquarters. Hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions across Cullman County are expected to be full as anglers, vendors, and fans experience a community many first time visitors do not realize exists beyond the lake.
“The impact is exponential,” Heard said. “Visitors fill our hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores, and then they come back.”
At the center of it all is the Omniplex, a new multi use facility already gaining national recognition for its ability to transition from sports tourism to large scale expos. The venue provides Cullman with infrastructure few Alabama cities can match, allowing it to host events of this scale with ease.
Local Businesses Lean In
That momentum is already being felt by local businesses like the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites, owned by Eddie Canaday, who also operates nearby dining destinations including Wissota Steakhouse and Cotton Creek’s Half Shell Oyster House.
“For us, it’s about awareness,” Canaday said. “A lot of anglers come to Smith Lake and never realize what Cullman has to offer. Events like this change that.”
Located minutes from tournament activities and the Expo, the Cobblestone offers convenience, ample boat parking, and on site dining, while Half Shell Oyster House brings a well known Gulf inspired seafood experience to downtown Cullman.
“We want anglers to come back,” Canaday said. “Not just for tournaments, but with their families.”
More Than a Tournament Weekend
Smith Lake has long been one of Alabama’s most distinctive fisheries. This weekend showcases its broader potential as a destination for elite competition, industry engagement, and future family vacations.
For ABT 100 anglers, it is a championship level tournament paired with rare industry access. For fans, it is the largest fishing expo Alabama has ever seen. And for Cullman, it is a statement moment highlighting what happens when community, competition, and the fishing industry align.
As Shelton put it simply, “This is just the beginning.”
The 2026 Alabama Bass Trail 100 Series is made possible through partnerships with industry-leading brands: Phoenix Boats, AMFirst, Larry Puckett Chevrolet, 13 Fishing, Rapala, VMC, CRUSHCITY, Buffalo Rock, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Jack’s, Garmin, Thompson CAT, Pirnah02, Alabama State Parks, Halo Fishing, Snag Proof, NetBait, Bait Fuel, Scum Frog, Alfa Insurance – Thomas ALFA-MAN Shelton, TH Marine Supplies, Power-Pole, Pro Guide Batteries, Yamaha, E3 Sports Apparel, FishAlabama.org, Sweet Home Alabama, and Alabama Mountain Lakes.
The Alabama Bass Trail 100 is run by the Alabama Bass Trail and is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.
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