THE ICE FISHING SHOW IS HERE!!

[icefishingmn]

ok thnx

[kapp]

seems like timing for this event is not the best, ice is here, best fishing is now, I know its always been this weekend, I am no market expert but in my opinion this should be held earlier in the year, have fun all

[MNCPRGUY]

Ok but will they have rods to purchase or just order? I don't wanna drive down there, pay to get in etc. then find out I have to order one and wait.

Picked up a custom tripwire from Thorne Bros at the show today. They had a nice selection but I was there in the first hour of the opening. I'm glad I won't be fighting the crowds tomorrow!

[smallieobsession]

I was at show today and canvas craft was not there. I wanted to take hard look at their houses so I was disappointed. Niles Master is not there either nor was artic armor.

[bigshooter23]

Just got back from the show and bought 3 rods from TUC. they said at this rate of ppl buying rods they would be out by noon tomorrow. Good deals on reels also at the show. Picked up a new rod case from ice fishing innovations. They were kinda hidden in a corner by reeds. almost missed them

[fishinnut_3446]

MNCPRGUY,May I ask what you paid for the Tripwire?

Got 1 last yr.at the store and was $100 with the REC guides.

Same question for bigshooter23,have not looked at the TUC and I hope they will be at the Wausau show.

[hanson]

Anyone at the show come across any good deals on electronics... specifically a Vex FL-28?

[castmaster]

Went to the "early bird special" this mornibg. The BEST $6 I have spent in awhile! I really hope they dont do away wwith it due to the low interest this year. I just dont think it was really advertised enough. Much much nicer strolling around with no crowd, actually having the time for folks to really talk with me vs being in such a rush during regular hours. Plus the extra deals were worth it. Had bought a new Aqua Vu micro plus last Friday. The owner of Aqua Vu was generous enough to give me the 4 free rattle reels as I would have gotten if I had bought it at the eearly bird deal.

Ordered a new rod from Thorn Bros and got a free hat. Free hat and decals from 13 fishing with a Black Betty 6061. Got the 6061 for show price of $80 and got the vendor to toss in a free fender with it as well.

Overall a great show and if they offer the early bird tickets again next year I will happily pony up the extra $6.

P.s. Nils Master was there but Canvas Craft was not.

[Jeff M]

I saw those $80 6061s on my way out of the show. It was the best price I saw, but I was out of money by that point.

[SwivelDigger]

Its finally here! Its like an early christmas for me. I cannot wait to get in there!

Who else is going and what are you planning to get this year?!

If I make it out of there spending less than $700 I will feel like I have failed.. lol

Made it this a.m. Got a HB 597 ice, the chip, a Tuned up custom, a Black Betty and a couple other trinkets......nope didn't fail

[20lbSloughShark]

I went this morning. I didn't see anything that I would consider an amazing deal. At most, things were maybe 10% off. There are no shortage of cheap rods or inline reels, they are at what seems like every booth. I was hoping to see Nils, but did not.

[IamZombie]

I was there this afternoon. It was packed, and I made the mistake of keeping my jacket on.

I picked up the Clam double sided rod locker for $80.

http://clamoutdoors.com/ice_fishing/tackle/tacklestorage/double-side-rod-locker.html

I didn't really save a whole lot on it since I paid $10 for parking and $8 to get in.

[amateurfishing]

I went to the show 2 years and quite honestly just don't understand the hype of it. Its great for seminars, fluff, & such but being packed in there like sardines, endless lines, vendors running out of product extremely quickly, & then if you want a high end purchase trying to pick vendors against each other for better prices, sorry but I have better things to do with my time especially with the parking/admission fees. Sales should be minimum 20% but they don't have to be with the lemmings that flock there every year. Blaine was free parking, no lines, and very easy hassle free shopping. Not saying Blaine is better but definitely less hassles. Besides, everything is always on sale at some point, just have to be willing to wait for your price point, although going and talking to the "guys" can be priceless but can also be had at other shows.

[amateurfishing]

Made it this a.m. Got a HB 597 ice, the chip, a Tuned up custom, a Black Betty and a couple other trinkets......nope didn't fail

[MaxGoldman]

The location reeds had their vexilars seemed annoying for someone who wanted to buy one ha, right at the bottom of the escalators facing the first steps every person took as they entered. The deals for the most part weren't impressive, occasional 20% offs, but for the most part right around 10% is what I saw. Everyone seemed more relaxed friday as far as willing to deal but today they gave you the price and if you didn't like it sorry but there's other people waiting. The real deals are at the wausau show (from my experience), smaller show and less buyers. But if you don't live close you lost that in gas! In the end you don't gain a whole lot from the shows when you look at what you saved vs what you paid for gas/food/ticket/etc. I'll still fork it over every year just because I enjoy looking at that much ice fishing equipment in one room!

[castmaster]

I went this morning. I didn't see anything that I would consider an amazing deal. At most, things were maybe 10% off. There are no shortage of cheap rods or inline reels, they are at what seems like every booth. I was hoping to see Nils, but did not.

Nils was there, spent a good 15 minutes chatting with them.

[SwivelDigger]

The guy standing there said $589. Then I grabbed a Navionics lakes north chip and stood in line to pay. When it was finally my turn the gal asked how much I told her 589......she asked a " manager" and he said 579 and then she only charged me 89 for the chip, so yeah I think I got a good deal.

[DTro]

Founds some sweet bobber stops upstairs (SmartStop). Can't wait to try em out.

Had a pretty light bag headed out the door, and then Northlander had to go and show me a smokin deal on some TOF rods over at Marine General.

[TLH713]

Went down yesterday and battled the crowd. The isles are pretty narrow for THAT many people. My only other complaint is that I was at the Thorne Bros. booth and really wanted to get a look at the "custom" rods they had for sale. They had a small rack of them and there was an employee blocking them, when asked about rods, I really got no response from him so they lost the sale of one for sure, but probably a couple of their rods.

On the bright side, got a deal from Marine General on a DD100 for the FL20 for $40 tax included. Also got a screaming deal at reeds on the Otter Sportsmans Box (rod case) retails for $99.99 and Jason Durham authorized a deal for me and a buddy to get 2 for $120. That was worth the trip for me. Lots of neat stuff and deals to be had if you asked! Don't just take the marked price on what they have if you want a deal on something ASK! Most places are willing to wheel and deal some.

[castmaster]

Thinkle,

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience trying to get a TB rod. I think with as crowded as it was the employee was just trying to make sure none of those rods "slipped away"! I can attest first hand that Thorne Bros customer service is top notch.

From what I have heard its one of the biggest issues for vendors at these shows. To easy for folks to just walk off with stuff.

[TLH713]

Exaxctly what I figured but putting someone with knowledge in front of them would have been a better bet. I will still make a trip down to the store and talk more in depth there about one and see if they will honor the 10% off they were offering at the show. If not I'm not above paying asking price for a quality product. (but always want to take the cheap road out if I can)

[DTro]

I think the frying saucer was one of the best new things I seen there this year. I kinda wish I would have bought one.

[castmaster]

The frying saucers have been out for quite a few years now. They work awesome for outdoor fish fry's. I just wish they would make a smaller stove top unit for use inside.

The prices on them at the show were very good as well, plus looked like they were tossing in some extras as well.

Another decent deal was the "Better Breader"s. I got the holiday gift pack, which included the breading container and 4 packs of breading for $19.

[Gus]

I was extremely disappointed that Canvas craft was not there.

I just bought a wheel house and went to the show specifically to talk to them and Catch Cover looking to outfit the house with accessories.

Picked up a bobber stop tool from some guys I'd never come across before. Allows you to tie slip bobber knots without cutting main line. I thought that was a pretty ingenious idea. Cant tell you how many times I've liked to have had that in the past.

Visited with a few resorts and saw pretty much the same old elsewhere. I've been to every show the last few years including the Blaine show this year. So not much else jumped out at me.

I'd still go again next year. It's a big candy store for ice lovers.

[otterman91105]

I have had a frying saucer for a couple of years and love it for outdoor cooking. I was there yesterday and i seen canvas craft had a wheel house there back towards clam it was there house that had a canvas shell on it.