***OFFICIAL 2006 ST PAUL ICE FISHING SHOW THREAD***

[LMITOUT]

In past years there are typically posts all over the forum regarding the ice fishing show in St. Paul, so I thought it would be easier for everyone to post their experience and comments about the show here to help keep the information in one location.

Thanks!

[JohnMickish]

Was going to go after work today (3:30) and couldn't find a open parking ramp that was close enough. Needless to say I probably won't be going back this year.

[Sonicrunch]

How much is admission?

[Zzapp]

$7.50 at the door, print out an online coupon from agievents.com for $1 off

TJ

[Pary]

any good deals for portable ice houses or ice fishing poles other then retail prices?

[LMITOUT]

So did everyone rack up some big bills today or waiting until tomorrow? I was contemplating heading down there but have too much to do this weekend. Gotta get ready to hit the ice next weekend!

[harvey lee]

No big bills but I did get another of those great Thorne Bros rods[walleye sweetheart] and a Tica reel along with a Ready Rig auger bag along with numerous smaller items. Saw some old FM friends and also met a few new ones.GREAT day.

[Kylersk]

St Paul streets are a major pain in the rear.

Parking near the excel center is a major pain in the rear.

St. Paul officers are not helpful in any way.

Arrived at down town St Paul at 4:15. Drove around the excel trying to find a ramp that was open, but couldnt find any. I must have drove by the Capital 3 times, because I ended up on a street and couldt turn around to go back. Then I got so turned around, I had no clue how far I was from the Excel. My daughter now has to go to the bathroom. I decide to take the very first open ramp or parking spot I can find. I see a spot, but not sure If I can park there. There was a cop on the other side of the street, and he flashed me his lights. I rolled down my window and he said I couldnt park here. I asked "Where the heck can I park in this darn town! I've been driving around forever trying to find a place and my daughter has to go to the bathroom" He says, we'll do what you gotta do, but dont park there. I finally find a ramp and squeek my truck just under the height requirement. I arrive at the ticket window at 5:33. That's over an hour and 15 minutes after I arrived to down town St. Paul!!

Other than that, I had a good time at the ice show.

[DinkADunk]

Picked up a Thorne Brothers Dead Stick and Walleye Sweetheart rods plus a Shimano Sahara reel and the Icearmor bibs. Also booked a few days fishing on LOW over New Years.

[harvey lee]

DinkADunk

Sounds like are going to take your eye fishing serious.Congrats on the great new rods and have a great eye trip.

[nytelyter]

i thought the show w3as another great expierence as usual. lots of great people and some dang great values. i picked up a stone legacy revolution bag from matt johnson at the thorne bros booth. 10%off cant wait to fill it later today and ready it for ice fishing next weekend. lots of eye candy at the show in both the booths and also the isle as well. some of you guys have knock out fishing partners. hehehehe

only sour note i have from the event is the fact that the science museam had the river center ramp colsed for anyone except those that wanted to go to the body works display on the last weekend in town. so as kylersk said parking was at a premium. i had to park in a private lot and paid $15. i dont understand how a hold over event would take precedence over an already scheduled event. it just plain sux. but overall i as always did enjoy the show and will make it another annual event for my yearly calander. it5 is really worth the drive to town. just be prepared to expect delays and a few parking hassels. ... paul

[hugonian1]

Went down about 6:00 Friday night. I'm guessing the work crowd was gone by then and the Wild crowd was just starting to come. We were able to park right in the River Center ramp. Took about 15 minutes which wasn't bad but took 15 bucks which was. Had a great time. Saw some new things. Spent most of my $$$ at the Thorne Bros. booth. Picked up a walleye sweetheart, a perch sweetheart, 2 Tica reels, and a Ice Armor Extreme suit. I better be careful here, the wife might check my posts.

[walleyedude]

I found the best deal in the show 2 Chubby Darters for 5$. i picked up the last few

[harvey lee]

Thats is a good price for Chubby darters for sure. I guess I didnt look around hard enough.

[hanronson]

I went to Greg "The Prowler" Wilczynskis' seminar last night at the show and thought it was fantastic! It even inspired me to buy a St. Croix Legend spring bobber rod at Thorne Bros. (which came with a $20 cap at the St. Croix booth) Overall, I thight the show was very good, as usual.

[Ears]

Does anybody at the show have the 07 Lakemaster Chip on sale??

[Fat Rap guy]

I thought the brandy booth was cool. I'd have thought was against some kind of law to give away cups of brandy the way they give away samples at a grocery store, but I guess not. Duey Johnson's spearing talk was good too. He threw a new decoy to anyone who answered a question. He must have gave out ten of them. He had some good thoughts on dealing with the DNR, too.

[Scupper]

Ears,

Reeds had them for $80.00. Lakemaster had them for $90.00.

[Borch]

All I can say is that it was packed Saturday morning. I worked the Nils Master booth and had a great time talking with folks along with touching base with a few FMers. I didn't have much shopping time but did make it over to Thorne Bros. to pick up a Sweet Thing rod, spring bobber and a Tica reel. Other than that I picked up some Saber 100:1 Amsoil. Wish I had more time for talking and shopping, but that's the way it goes.

The I was off to Cabelas to meet up with Dietz and Joel.

Now I'm off to a fancy ball with my wife. Overall a great day.

[G_man]

Myself & 3 others made it down & enjoyed ourselves for a couple of hours. The Reeds booth made my day with the best deal on new bibs.

[Ears]

Thanks Scupper!! I'm gonna pick one of those up, so Amsoil, hopefully a craddle or 2 for the H2O, and of course lost of other goodies, but the wife will be along so I'll have to keep it in check.

[chris63]

What are the show hours for sunday?c63

[navigator175]

Picked up a thorne bros. dead stick and a couple rod bags plus got a chance to chat with Matt,great guy.

[McGurk]

Busy Place! I also met up with Matt and made a Pre-Christmas purchase of a Thorne Bros Spring Bobber Rod and Tica reel (for me ). Thanks again! I also met Borch (wearing a FM shirt) and talked with him a minute.

BUSY morning, make sure you get to the floor as soon as possible to get your tickets; people were lined up in the skyway to get tickets, where they could have come down some stairs closer to outside and gotten in a MUCH shorter line. Good Luck and don't forget to print off a coupon and have $6.50 in exact change ready (really speeds it up!).

[Sutty]

I picked up a H20 C and a ram mount for it, Reeds gave me a good deal. I also picked up some amzoil for the auger. I think I am too chicken to run it 100 to 1 but we'll see.

Oh and I think they open at 10 tomorrow. Thats when they opened today. I parked on the street only about 3 blocks or so. I am too cheap to pay for parking! I'd wrather spend it on fishing stuff thats a lot of jigs.