Sports Show!!!

[MRWALLEYE2005]

Any free lures, rods, line, or other fishing deals at this show?

[Fat Rap guy]

Anyone?

[Corey Bechtold]

I was at the show last night and wasn't really impressed with the specials. There were some good deals but you needed to spend a lot of money if you wanted to get something for free. The good thing about the show is that I came away with a lot of good tips and gear to try for this year. I might make it to the show again with the kids later this week. Let me know if you find any good "cant pass up" deals.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[Deitz Dittrich]

Part of the problem with not getting free stuff is that its soooooooooooooOOOOOOoo costly for those exibiters.. they have to sell a LOT of product just to break even!.. When it used to be a 10 day show it was easier to break even..but now that its only 1 weekend instead of 2, they really need to do well to break even!

[hip_hop_fisherman]

I went down there today and thought the deals at JRs Tackle were fair, 5 for 10 cranks, 5 for 5 spinners, and they have a good selection of jigs to mix and match. Lost a good chunk of change there. Wasn't overly impressed with too many of the other exhibits as far as deals, as I stopped at Gander in Forest Lake on the way home and saw a lot of things cheaper there than at the show. Thats the only rough part for us, $9 to get in and look, especially if you have any kind of drive to get there, you want some deals. I also see it from the dealers perspective though, them booths aren't cheap!

[JohnMickish]

I wasn't overly impressed either. I went there with the intentions of picking up the Lakemaster software and got a good deal on that, along with a new bucktail from Thorne Bros. I was going to also buy a new spinning rod but couldn't find the deal I was looking for so I left with the two items.

Still had a good time and will go again next year.

I did overhear two other fellas talking about the show and one said "did everyone just give up and let Cabelas take over?"

I hope that's not true cuz they might have more stuff but their not any cheaper, and I like the knowledge I can get from the small shops.

[The Yeti]

I was there last night and stopped in at the Midwest Rods and Reels booth. Al and I forgot the other guys name. Very nice to deal with. I'm possibly looking at a 6 1/2 foot spinning. Very nice rods.

[Fish Head]

mnfishinguy- I might be picking up the new Lakemaster chip or the new Navionics chip at the show Saturday. If you don't mind my asking, where did you get your deal and how much did you pay?

Other things I could end up buying in case anyone knows a good deal there: Original Rapalas, a MODERATELY priced Musky Rod &/or reel (one that could double as a flipping stick for bass), jigs and some musky bucktails. I better stop there before I need a 2nd mortgage.

[cheektowaga]

Went last night as a first timer, so I had no previous expectations. I thought it was a good time.

JR's did have some good deals and is worth checking out. The bigger outfitters booths were pretty packed so I didn't check them out much. Good deal on retractable leashes at the northwest tool and equipment booth ($3, they go for over 25 at petco, plus my retriever tends to chew through them so I got 3!)

Other than that I fell in love with a Skeeter, and left a puddle of drool inside for the reps to deal with

Anyone got 29 grand they can part with?

[JohnMickish]

Fish Head, I got mine right from the lakemaster folks. Located on the back wall, right around the middle I think. I got the gold package cdrom for $109. It's got the 1 foot contours of Minnetonka and Mille lacs on it. I was looking at some of the lakes I am familiar with today and realized I am not that familiar with them. Can't wait till I can get the boat in the water now!

I "only" have a Garmin 72, no mapping capabilities so I have to use paper maps for now. Compared to the alternative I can live with it.

[Corey Bechtold]

I was at the show again with the family and my 2 nephews. We had a great time running around in the new boats, ATV's, and Truxstor had some cool trucks to look at and sit in. It would be nice to have DVD's in the headrests of my truck. Once again I was able to chit chat with Bill and Al from Midwest Rod and Reel, the Berkley Pure Fishing guys, and the Fish Fever team. So many good people at the show to talk to! I also made it to the Lakemaster booth where I picked up a new Lowrance H2O and their Pro Series chip. I can't wait to get on the water and give it a try! If you have the chance to go to the show it's well worth the price. There is a lot of good information there and the people are very friendly.

Have fun at the Show!

Corey Bechtold

[FisherMissis]

Talked the hubby into taking me out on a date to the Sports Show tonight! I've never been there before, so don't quite know what to expect... I plan to stop by the midwest rod and reel booth to say "hi". (Is that the unofficial gathering spot for FMers to meet each other at the show?)

[EJ]

Spent 6 hours there yesterday. Returned the Navionics chip to Reeds for the new Lowrance chip then promptly spent the extra $100 on a Fig Rig rod so we didn't have to mess with the credit card! Bought a Stowmaster net which they are throwing in the travel bag for free at the show($24 value) and extended the Walleye-Insider subscription for 3 years to get a free "fake" Leatherman and T-shirt. Oh yeah, I had a couple awful $5.50 Buds.

EJ

[Daze Off]

Was pretty disappointed in the show this year - every year the tackle section seems to get smaller and smaller - even the Gander display was much smaller than in years past. Not much for RV's or Canadian fly-in's (too expensive) so had only the boats to check out beyond the fishing tackle.

Also noticed that there are no seminars on bass fishing and many of the other side attractions are gone - the bear and the rattlesnakes, etc. that provided alternatives to look at for awhile.

One positive - Capra's is carrying the soft plastics (Sweet Beavers and Smallie Beavers) that I have been searching for....

If I was not working at the Fed booth tomorrow night I would not likely go back...stop by between 6-9 and say hi if you have a mind to....

Daze Off

[Down to Earth]

I was there on Wednesday afternoon, and found out it wasn't geared to much for what I was looking for, but at least gave me a good starting point to do more research. I was really looking for a lot of Minnesota Resort info, but instead found a lot of Canada, Lake of the Woods, Minnesota-Canada border water, Alaska and Lake Michigan info.

As I indicated I did get a good starting point for more research as many places had representatives form their Vacation Bureau, etc representing the area as a whole. I can see how this saves resorts time and money, so I will do some research now and send out emails requesting info.

[DARK30]

Sure would like to be a millionaire. Lets see...the boat, the camper, the truck, the four wheeler, the tackle, and all those gadgets and do-hickeys etc. Its a good thing money can't buy happiness ...But then again..I think I a guy could cry more effectively in a new Sierra than in a rusty Vega.

Did everybody see that flying boat!!?

[Lost]

The more I read, the less I want to go. And to top it off, I can't seem to find any of the $2 off admission coupons anywhere. Without two of those, most likely I won't go at all.

[squeedunk]

The coupons are no good on the weekend anyway. I may not go either, maybe just a trip to gander and thorne bros. I could get a lure or two for what I would pay just to get in to the show!

[Lost]

They worked for the weekend last year. Yeah, I suppose it really won't be worth going. My buddy wants to go and get one thing. He can probably find it at a boat dealer and save money on gas, parking, and entry into the show.

Thanks for sharing your experiences online everybody!

[Deitz Dittrich]

If you dont come?.. who am I gonna get to talk to?... HOnestly.. its stil good to go... you get to see the new stuff from each of the companies. See stuff you want..see stuff you don't want.. see stuff that is too expensive.. see stuff that isn't worth the packaging that its sold it.. But you see stuff!!!!!!! Its worth it just to be there and get the spring fever juices flowing in full swing..

If you go, stop and say hi!!! I'm at the Twister/Mepps booth and the Midwest Rods guys are right across the isle from me...

[The Yeti]

Not sure about ya'll from these posts....but.... We got our Petey's seasonings, my wife got some great beef jerky, We got some ideas for boats, saw some people in the Mn. fishing industry that I've worked with in the past, spent time with my best freinds trading fishing thoughts and dreams, a few cold beers, tasted some samples and all around had a good time this week. Another successful show in one mans opinion.

[priorbass]

yeti tell them all about that nice new rod you bought...its going to be sweet...again thank-you for buying from midwest rod and reel...will see you in a few weeks to pick it up

[Northlander]

Yeti got a new Midwest Rod? Oh man are you going to like it Yeti! Have a blast with it. I know I love my Midwest Rods!

[The Yeti]

6 1/2 foot medium light.. and I am putting "The Yeti" on it.

[bucketmouth64]

I was there Friday and was thru the show in about 3 hours. Usually it takes me longer, but I wasn't looking for a vacation destination. I too was disappointed at how much smaller it has become from years past. Remember when it was on 2 levels? The seminars were a disappointment too. Nothing about bass. I think the shrinking trend is gonna continue. I think more local resorts are advertising thru Chamber of Commerce from their region. Costs less and their brochures can be picked out amongst others. Also, I think the internet has cut down on resort owners going to shows. Most, if not all, resorts now have a HSOforum you can connect to or be connected thru some other HSOforum such as Up North.com. The best booth to get resort information (regionally) is the Minnesota Explorer booth. Whole state is covered plus they have info. on state parks, trails, camp grounds. I too noticed at the large amount of out of state booths not only from Canada, but Alaska, Dakotas, Montana, and other countries. I was disappointed too at the lack of deals from stores. Don't get me wrong, I did find some great deals on Fenwick and Berkely fishing poles. Gander practically had nothing there. Probably better off visiting their store and any other store(Capras, Trails End and the such) that was there. Gander was promoting their boats. By the way, what did you think of the Gander Mountain sportsman rig? How sweet was that.