NW Sportshow?

Anyone going? I’m in the market for a dock and thought of heading down there, but other than the resorts what would anyone possibly have a deal on?

I’m gonna go. I had to pick between the NW Sportshow and the Deer/Turkey Classic. Can’t do both.

I walked down after work last night and roamed for an hour or two. Seemed to have 20% off most fishing rods/reels and tackle but pickings are still slim on some items and some new for 2022 items are not really very available yet. A bit smaller footprint than most years also.

I was starting to get tired of the show with all of the same booths in the same places hawking the same products, etc. But with this long winter and also the gap during COVID, I am going to go just for something to do and to start dreaming about open water.

My guess is that like the boat show, the boat dealer presence will be down. No reason to even try to make sales unless people are willing to wait until next year for a boat.

Maybe I just haven’t noticed, but the advertisements for it seems to be down this year, too. I used to see it on all the billboards around town, TV ads, etc.

I went today. I was surprised how many vendors were there. Not quite as many as the past but it’s worth the trip.

All the major boat brands were there, too. Even a handful of Yarcraft.

Gotta but your tickets online….that threw a lot of people off looking for a ticket booth.

It’s a good show. Lots of vendors lots of big names.

Just got done working down there. Very slow today. For all the complaints of people not finding electronics sure seamed like everybody had them. Even saw some ice augers and such. Less resort booths than normal and obviously less boats, but most manufactures there.
No Frankie’s I noticed.

I was going to stop in today. Is there much for atvs? Stayed at the millennium last night and had some cocktails with a few garmin reps.

Some wheelers there not many. Was odd seeing it empty there tonight.

No Frankie’s, no Boat center.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I was going to stop in today. Is there much for atvs? Stayed at the millennium last night and had some cocktails with a few garmin reps.

CF Moto had a big display. I think Polaris and can am, too. They list all the vendors on the site.

https://www.shieldtrailers.com/

We all need an enclosed boat trailer.

There was also a guy selling a fish landing contraption. It was like a piece of channel iron hooked to the side of the boat that you reel the fish up. Can’t find details on him though.

Fridays are usually pretty slow for most shows. I’m sure the lack of inventory isn’t helping.

That enclosed trailer is a cool concept. Practical in about 6 boat ramps in MN however. I could see the Pros using these however as they spend a lot of days on the road.

Ripjiggen wrote:

That enclosed trailer is a cool concept. Practical in about 6 boat ramps in MN however. I could see the Pros using these however as they spend a lot of days on the road.

No need for winter storage

Was surprised almost the entire far half of the auditorium was filled with boats. I assumed there wouldn’t be many… Also surprised vendors are selling rods/reels/lures at 20% off. With he high demand and low supply I didn’t think they’d have to..

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ripjiggen wrote:</div>
That enclosed trailer is a cool concept. Practical in about 6 boat ramps in MN however. I could see the Pros using these however as they spend a lot of days on the road.

No need for winter storage

More important to me is just not having to worry about putting a cover on it and the inevitably low point on all covers where the rain pools. No rock guards needed.

That said, that’s a lot of wind resistance pulling that around everywhere. And I wonder if you are limited to boats under a certain beam. And hard to communicate with the truck driver if you have one.

Interesting idea though and I bet this will catch on.

I went on Thursday night and found some 13 fishing rods for 50% off, but I expect that those are gone by now.

Picked up a Tatula SV Limited for $100 off too.

Worked in the Lowrance Booth Friday and Sunday. Sunday was pretty slow. Saturday felt like things were getting back to normal crowd levels but still not 100%.

Was fun to be back in the show setting though again.

Chris Messerschmidt wrote:

Worked in the Lowrance Booth Friday and Sunday. Sunday was pretty slow. Saturday felt like things were getting back to normal crowd levels but still not 100%.

Was fun to be back in the show setting though again.

I spoke with a friend who has worked at the show for over 20 years. He said it was pretty dead and sales were not good. He also said attendance and vendors have been trending down even before the pandemic and recent supply chain/inflationary issues. He wondered how much longer the sport shows will last.

I went Saturday morning. Bought another Loomis I didn’t really need. I went looking for a deal on Livescope, but didn’t really find one, buddy was looking for a deal on a Helix 9 he also left with a couple rods but no electronics. So bought the rod and a reel and a box of 9mm.

The wife and I drove over to Fargo and caught it. Had a good time but man pontoon prices are crazy high! I think it makes perfect sense to put a 400hp on a boat that has a designated bar area!

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Many of the fishing boats on display were sold units and not available for sale. But all in all, I think people who wanted to see the models first hand were for the most part, able to do so.

There’s no way I will not laugh at someone who buys an enclosed boat trailer. Those are beyond ridiculous.

^^^i used to think the same thing about a full size house inside an enclosed trailer.

If you can afford it and find landings that you can launch from, I would not be laughing at all. I would be walking over and saying good for you! Not having to put the cover on and having your boat in a secured trailer is a win win for me.

Ripjiggen wrote:

^^^i used to think the same thing about a full size house inside an enclosed trailer.

I think the idea is great. I had seen these before, but they were down South. I think they have had them for quite a few years.
Starting at $45k though is ridiculous to save on putting on putting a cover or not have to worry about storage.

Chris Messerschmidt wrote:

Worked in the Lowrance Booth Friday and Sunday. Sunday was pretty slow. Saturday felt like things were getting back to normal crowd levels but still not 100%.

Was fun to be back in the show setting though again.

My buddy was supposed to be working the show, but had a massive stroke and didnt show up. They found him at 1030. Apparently he went down to get breakfast at 630 and then didnt show up at the show. They got into his room at 1030 and found him.
I hear he is breathing on his own now which is good, but I dont think he is real alert yet. Praying for a quick and full recovery for him. Hes a good dude and huge bass fisherman.

Matt Moen wrote:

We all need an enclosed boat trailer.

That’s a great idea, but seems like there should be a cheaper way to accomplish that. Or I should say, the market would reward a cheaper way to accomplish it. And by market I mean me, and by me, I mean my hypothetical boat.

BigWerm wrote:

And by market I mean me, and by me, I mean my hypothetical boat.

LMAO

CaptainMusky wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Chris Messerschmidt wrote:</div>
Worked in the Lowrance Booth Friday and Sunday. Sunday was pretty slow. Saturday felt like things were getting back to normal crowd levels but still not 100%.

Was fun to be back in the show setting though again.

My buddy was supposed to be working the show, but had a massive stroke and didnt show up. They found him at 1030. Apparently he went down to get breakfast at 630 and then didnt show up at the show. They got into his room at 1030 and found him.
I hear he is breathing on his own now which is good, but I dont think he is real alert yet. Praying for a quick and full recovery for him. Hes a good dude and huge bass fisherman.

I saw the post about it on the MNBassheads page. Sorry to hear about that. Also had a young tournament angler that many people knew pass away in a car accident Saturday. I think he was 18. Rough weekend for the bass community.