St. Paul Ice Fishing Show.

[reddsixx]

This year will be my first time going to the convention.

Are the prices there any cheaper than the gear in the stores?

The reason I ask is I have a list of gear I want for this ice season and I'm wondering if I should hold out for the Ice Show prices or just purchase in the retail stores when they come out. As I'm sure with most of you, money is tight this year.

Thanks!

[DTro]

There are some deals to be had, but I think the best part of the show is having everything under one roof. You can compare prices/brands/features and check out some new things for the year. Not only that, but a lot of product reps to bounce questions off of.

I wouldn’t go there with the expectation of saving a ton of money.

If you add up the gas to get there and back, parking, admission, and beverage or food, it’s tough to come out ahead.

[leroy77]

what are the dates for the ice show this year

[zooks]

Dec 4-6. Just search for "st paul ice fishing show" and it should be the first result. It's usually been the next weekend after Thanksgiving, which is the case this year.

[harvey lee]

I would agree with Dtro. A great place to check out all the new gear. I never plan on getting any great deal on larger ticket items but one can pick up a few smaller items for less and typically one can find it all there.

[zooks]

Yeah, I did get a good deal on a Yukon through Thorne Bros at the show, but that was in 2006 and haven't heard of many deals like that since.

[CJH]

You go more to check stuff out than to get deals. You can find a few deals, but as mentioned above, when you figure in gas, admission and any food/bev, its going to take a heck of a deal to make that up.

[zamboni]

The Strikemaster booth is a great place to get deals. From sweatshirts marked way down from the prices on their HSOforum, to tshirts, auger extensions, etc. I got a $150 coat there 2 years ago for $50, they had a copyright mishap and were forced to sell all their jackets. Best winter coat I own.

[dfv87]

ZAmboni hit it right on the head... Strikemaster has good deals on their stuff at the show, I bought a hoodie ($10 I think) last year. Just nice to show support for a local company. "Hot Rod" and the boys do a great job at SM!

[ericb]

Custom cottages will be running show deals or nov 15 show pricing will start !!! Come see us there we will have 2 units smoken deals there

[Loogie]

A lot of the dealers out there will negotiate with you if you try. I got a smokin' deal at the reeds booth on a h2oc last year.

[rushlakeboy]

ditto. you really got to work the sales guys. i got some really good deals.

[leech~~]

Hey don't forget the Crown booth was giving out free shots and a try at a free hat! I got both last year!

[The Woods Man]

I can't wait last year I got some pretty good deals.

[minndonn]

I found it great for getting deals. Last year I bought an ice auger, LCD marcum camera and a Marcum LX5. I compared prices between vendors and bargained. In the end one beat their best price and gave me his best price on what was higher elsewhere. I saved about 200 doing it. I tried to get similar prices both before and after the show with no luck.

[jwhjr]

Looks like I'll miss the show again this year. I've been up north on the ice that same weekend the last 3-4 yrs. I think that's a fair trade-off

[leech~~]

What I do is check out the prices of things I really want at a few of the stores before I go to the show and then have a good idea what kind of deals they are offering!

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

You will have to work at it and you will get a great deal. It is like every one has said. I made out on a eskimo with a cover and saved over 200 on the next to last day. The deals will not land on your lap but they are there if you take the time to seek and find. I can not wait to go this year because I already know what I will be searching for.

[Lure Lightning]

If you love ice fishing this is a great show to attend. You get to see so many products and talk with pro staff under one roof. We have been a vender at the show for quit a few years now and have always done well and have a great time talking with all of the other die hards.

[Sonicrunch]

if you're a smooth talker, you can get a 100 bucks off a clam 6800. ;-)

[opsirc]

missed it last year because of work, hoping to make it this year. any place to get discount tickets?

[ROOOOSTERFISH]

Minnesota Outdoors Magizine usually has coupon the week before the event.

[IceJohn]

Who had the best deals on Tica reels last year I cant remember who I got mind from.I got some good deals with Thorne Bros.Its a great time there.Hope to see a bunch of you this time.ICE JOHN

[Northlander]

There is always deals to be had if you do your homework before you purchase. Every year I go and work the Otter booth and check stuff out. I keep saying I dont need anything but always seem to come home with some goodies. Last year it was a new Thorne Brothers deadstick and shimano Sedona 500 reel at a good price.

Stop by the Otter booth and say HI. Im the tall ugly one.

[zamboni]

missed it last year because of work, hoping to make it this year. any place to get discount tickets?

The shows sponsor has $1 off admission coupons on their site you can print off