Ice fishing show

Did I miss all the talk about this years show? What kind of deals did some of you find?

John Timm wrote:

Did I miss all the talk about this years show? What kind of deals did some of you find?

was wondering also. Did Reeds beat Cabelas prices on Garmins ?

I came across some good deals this weekend, seems like it was more of a buyers market compared to the last few years. In general traffic was down in my opinion and I also think all the other satellite and retail location shows are hurting the main expo scene as a whole. Good for attendees but bad for the vendors.

I stopped and chatted with a bunch of people and captured it on video.

Went Friday afternoon. It was nice to be able to walk around without bumping into people in the aisle. The stores that were set up there…Reeds, Marine General, Throne Bros., had quite a bit of traffic. I’m sure the lower attendance in general was due to people fishing on Red. Wasn’t looking for anything in particular, other than tackle. The show is ok…the next time I would probably go is when I’m looking for a big-ticket item to get a deal.

I thought about it, but took the boat out instead, beautiful day!

i used to go to the ice show a fair amount in years past. not anymore. i really dont need anything worth driving there for. i live west of st cloud. by the time i drive there and back, pay for parking, admission………i could just drive to st cloud and get what i want and be money ahead!!!!!!

I worked the show all three days – Otter – Booth, Thorne, Marine General, and Reeds.

Friday – Slow but a steady flow of traffic, good buyers
Saturday – 8-10 VIP slow steady, 10-2 was outstanding, and 2-7 steady and tapered off. Great buying.

Sunday – 9-1 medium traffic, ok buying mostly looking for deals. 1-4 slow and only deal makers.

If you’re looking for a major purchase, it’s still the place to get a good deal. Lots of retailers are looking to empty their warehouses. I did see a good amount of IDO hoodies in the crowd.

Got there at around 11:30 Friday morning, just in time to pay the extra $10 for a VIP pass that really wasn’t a very good deal. I thought it was pretty crowded for that early on a Friday. I have an Active Target and use a Summit 3D printed shuttle. I was surprised at all the shuttle manufacturers at the show, there must have been 10 or so, quite innovative, including the new carbon fiber pole. Just put mine together last night and was thinking it’s so bulky, I wished I had upgraded, next years project I guess. Was nice to see all the resorts there, especially from Canada. Asking why the show, one commented that the fisherman haven’t returned after Covid, as well all of their traditional customers are dying off and the young kids would rather spend their money in Mexico, got a lot of ideas. Had to laugh as I have an AquaView I haven’t use yet, but took the box out of the wheelhouse, thinking what do I have this for? Well I saw it in action and the light bulb came on, damn too much stuff! My 2012 wheel house frame rusted very bad and in 2022 brought it to a repair shop and spent about $10,000 on the repair. After looking at an equivalent house at the show, it was money smartly spent. Heck a 7 hole skid house, a few amenities, was $27,700, uffda. I think there were some pretty good prices all around, as stated got my FLX38 there at a pretty good deal that included a rebate. Hope the Northwest Sports Show will have the same excitement as they were down to 3 domes at the Minneapolis convention center last year.

Great vid, Dtro !

-J.

Tackle was always tackle but I went just to meet people.

Oshkosh WI has an ice fishing show this weekend – Oct 13-15.