Ice Fishing Show...

[KatoMike]

Is it worth going to if you want to buy a flip style house? (2 man - $400 price range) Don't really want to drive up and fight the crowds if I am not going to save some money...

Thanks for any input.

[harvey lee]

My question would be what type or brand name are you looking for.

[Borch]

You will find some deals there. Although many prducts have price protections built in so finding a super deal may not happen. But you never know. What really nice about the show is you can sit in and compare many different set ups and get questions answer by folks who really know their products.

Plus you will find deals on stuff that you suddenly find out you need that you might not have even known existed prior to the show.

[nitroant]

If your going to make the drive, make sure to stop by Joe's store on Saturday or Sunday. 10-20% off everything in the store, its there once a year sale like this. The specials will not be available at thier booth at the show, only at the store.

[BIG DS]

The show is a great place to visit. You can see all the new stuff, compare all makes and models of houses and gear. One thing to keep in mind, you will not be able to purchase the "big ticket" items at the show any cheaper than you could at the dealers around the kato area. They are all price protected. I'm not trying to cause trouble, but one of our sponsors here, Reel Fishing and Tackle in Madison Lake charges the same price everyday as what they call a sale price at the show. Definitely go to the show! It's worth the trip even if all you go to do is compare brands. There is a lot of good deals there on gear and tackle, however.

[nofishfisherman]

From what I have seen at shows like this is that most of the good deals come from some of the smaller brands. Sometimes the little guys have more flexibility on pricing.

[fishinalot]

Cabelas has a great sale going on with Fish Traps and the 2 man Traps! About $100 off

[BIG DS]

They are last years model hold overs, but nothing has changed.

[Eastwind]

KatoMike,

Like everyone else said, you won't get the big name flips, Otter, Clam, Frabil, etc for any less at the show than anywhere else. The manufacturers have to price protect the corner sporting goods store in mine and your neighborhoods from being put out of budsiness by the big stores like fleet Farm, Cabelas etc. If they didn't why would the little guy bother to carry half the stuff they do. If you have not compared one to the other the show is an excellent forum to do so in and you can talk to the people that really know the product, manufacturers reps. I own an 05 Otter but, as a few people have posted, I would take advantage of the $100.00 off on the Clam 2 man flip and be done with it. Both Otter and Clam are very well made. Just so I don't hurt anyone's feelings, some of the other brands are also well made but I can't type fast enough to list all of them and have only owned an Otter flip and a Clam Classic.