Madison fishing expo?

Anyone ever go down to the Madison fishing expo that’s coming up. I’m thinking about going down. What can someone except?

I haven’t been to the show in a couple of years but the last time I was there it was a good time. They have a lot of seminars and raffles. They have a lot of vendors selling tackle and rods and reels. If your into musky fishing it is pretty heavy on that. I haven’t decided if I’m going this year or not.

Nice thing is it is all fishing boats and pontoons. No Baja’s, jet ski’s, etc.

It’s not to bad a show. Especially for the venue, compared to the much bigger ones. A person can get some good deals on rods, reels, combos and tackle from a wide variety of vendors. There’s a lot of boats to see, too. Most of the bigger name boats are there. I wasn’t able to go last year, so I don’t know who had what for boats there. I’d like to see a few other ones, than the major players. I’d like to see the Backtroller and Recon lines make an appearance. A few of us from our walleye club always get together and car pool down to it. It’s a good time, overall. It’s worth going to, in my opinion.

Good show. I usually spend maybe 30-45 minutes there. Mostly at Tommy Harris’ booth. I think my wife only goes so i dont buy his whole booth.

:???:Outside of meeting James and a few other IDO members years ago at the expo personally I have been disenchanted and stay away. Half a decade ago or so you used to be able to buy all the stuff you saw and liked but with complaints from resellers stuff like Fin-Tech jigs haven’t been available for sale. I’m not a muskie fisherman and the expo is heavy in the heavy gear – guess that’s where the money is. If I want to see, feel and touch a product I’m interested in I feel I’m personally better off at Cabelas and I don’t have to pay $8 or $10 or whatever the outrageous parking fee is now. The expo is also always the last weekend of excellent walleye/pike ice fishing on most lakes. Let’s see, pay to go to an expo to talk fishing or go fishing free – tough choice there.

I haven’t been involved in the madison Expo for years. Not sure who is organizing it anymore- or if its still the same guys I knew did it back then.
BUT – just from the experience back then, I was always interested in sorting through some of the feedback. By far, the most requests were for seminars and speakers for a specific body of water. The big names in the industry will always have a draw, and I think that is more of the celebrity/curiosity factor. But guys wanting to learn will seek out the most informative speakers related to what they want. This was a direction the EXPO was following.
As an example, last year at Bass Pro Spring Sale Classic. KVD was there, and the room was filled. KVD did his thing, and discussed a few really good points on working cranks. Then, a few guides from (I think) Fox Lake Chain dis a seminair and the room was packed. That spilled over from the stage area to the isles where customers were still learning more…Vs getting a selfie or autograph.

As for products, everyone wants a “deal”. You see such a verity of start up companies to old established lines and every marketing plan in-between.

There were plenty of good deals in the earlier years of this show. Especially when it come to lures, rods and other assorted tackle.
That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. I’m not saying there are no more deals to be found at this show, but I will say, your going to have to look a lot harder to find them.

It’s still a fun show. I always enjoy stopping by the B’Fish’N Tackle booth and saying hello to Bob, Blue and ecnook. This is also one of the booths where you can usually find a deal on something whether it be a close out plastic or discontinued jig.

Last year we stopped and talked with Bob Blosser who was helping out with the Skeeter boats on the floor. He had some really good insight to share. Things I wouldn’t have thought to ask but found to be very, very useful.

There’s plenty of other little gems hiding at shows like this. It’s not always about spending money. Sometimes it just fun to get a chance to talk with someone who’s more knowledgeable and willing to share his thoughts.

I will be there saturday and sunday. When I am not talking about trout, I will be with Wali and the Capt at Ultimate Outdoors Radio Booth. Stop by and say hi.

Decided to do something different at the Madison Fishing Expo. I am going to give a small trout tackle box with lures to a kid in the crowd on Saturday and Sunday after my seminar. Panther Martin has donated spinners for the box and so will Mepps. I plan on getting a zip lure and countdown rapala to even out the box. Midwest Outdoors supplied the boxes.

Way to go Len, your a great ambassador for fishing!