Mark Martin to be inducted into Hall of Fame at Ultimate Sport Show

Michigan’s Mark Martin to be inducted into Hall of Fame at Ultimate Sport Show – Grand Rapids

Mark Martin to be inducted into the Freshwater Hall of Fame at the 2015 Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. — Mark Martin of Twin Lake, Michigan, has been known as an incredible fisherman since his “Monster Walleye” nighttime guided trips on White and Muskegon Lakes in the 1980s.

When the early professional walleye tournaments began it was only natural that he would take part in and win the original championship of the Professional Walleye Tour (PWT) in 1990, earning him immediate national recognition.

This year, his talents and accomplishments are being recognized at the highest level as he will be inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, located in Hayward, Wisconsin. The special induction ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the Ballroom at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids during the Ultimate Sport Show. Jimmy Gretzinger and Michigan Out-of-Doors TV will film the ceremony.

“Since 1990, Mark Martin has performed seminars at every ShowSpan-produced sport show including those held at the Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit’s Ford Field, Novi Expo Center, Lansing Center and his “home sport show” in Grand Rapids. That’s 75 sport shows in total,” said Ultimate Sport Show Producer Henri Boucher. “It is only natural that his induction into the Hall as a Legendary Fisherman be performed at the Ultimate Sport Show-Grand Rapids.”

Martin has enjoyed an outstanding career as a professional tournament angler, is an accomplished outdoor writer, author of three books and also runs the Mark Martin Ice Fishing Vacation School.

His fishing career spans more than 50 years and includes 47 top-10 finishes in professional tournaments. Since 1985, Martin has qualified for every professional walleye tournament championship – PWT, Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC); Ranger, Crestliner and Lund tournament trail (RCL) and the National Walleye Trail (NWT) – except one, which he missed by mere ounces. He also has won the prestigious Rapala Angler of the Year award.

Mark Martin’s longtime friend Gary Roach will present at Mark Martin’s Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame induction at the 2015 Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids

Martin’s longtime friend, mentor and original partner, Hall of Famer Gary Roach, is flying into Grand Rapids to present Martin with his prestigious Hall of Fame plaque. The two will then present a special joint seminar at the Show on Thursday night.

The Ultimate Sport Show-Grand Rapids is at DeVos Place March 19 to 22. Show hours are 3 to 9:30 Thursday; 11 to 9:30 Friday; 10 to 9 Saturday and 10 to 5 Sunday.

Admission is $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 14 and children 5 and under will be admitted free.

The Tony Gates/MSAH Food Drive will take place on Thursday. Bring a minimum of four pounds or six cans or boxes of non-perishable food items to the RV parked in front of DeVos Place and get into the Show FREE. The food will be collected by Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger volunteers and donated to God’s Kitchen and other needy organizations.

Discount coupons are available in the Grand Rapids Press and at Wendy’s.

Visit www.UltimateSportShow.com for more information. You can also visit the Ultimate Sport Show Tour on Facebook for the latest updates.