Author Topic: Well, how was the Ice fishing show? (Read 1368 times)

KevinWI · « **on:** Dec 07, 2012, 05:10 PM »

for those that attended, how was it?

paullo19 · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 07, 2012, 07:45 PM »

I was there early today. There were plenty of vendors and some nice deals,depending on what you were looking for...The 2nd room should have been planned out better! Gottta go through this room and this "path" leads to nowhere! One vendor had a wall that dead ends! WOW someone should have done a bit more planing...Just saying...Overall a nice show with good parking and got more stuff than I wanted or needeed!!! I hope they have it again next year! Paul

Gillgrabber · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 07, 2012, 11:27 PM »

I made the 4 hour one-way drive to Wausau, spent the day, and just got home. I thought it was worth the trip. Got to see a couple of interesting seminars and had a good time browsing the vendors. I found some good deals, but of course, when you add in the gas up & back the deals probably evened out. It was worth the drive for the opportunity to ask questions of some of the sales reps and pick their brains. I'll probably be going back next year.

da man cave shack · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 12:14 AM »

Good to hear I am heading to it a 9 am and have a 2 hr drive but I cant sleep since I am so excited.

markrazzy · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 08:42 AM »

Yeah, I thought the layout could have been better... but overall, it was awesome to see so much ice fishing stuff. I was like a kid in a candy store. I went into the first room, and it was mostly the guides and smaller businesses, walked through, and thought, crap, this can't be it... looked at the map and realized there was a 2nd room! The Ice Castles were pretty sweet, never seen anything like it. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I don't really need anything, so I bought some jigs, some 1/2 oz PK flutterfish (only can find 3/8 around here), some 5mm fiskas, and the new book about Dave Genz signed by Dave Genz. Talked with vendors, guides and reps . Drove 2 hours up, spent 2 hours up there, 2 hours back, and I'm hoping to do it again next year... maybe with my dad or some buddies.

da man cave shack · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 03:44 PM »

It was awsome

and I spent too much money.

transplantfromMN · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 04:15 PM »

Aqua Vue had their new handhelds marked down by $100.00, My buddy saved over $100.00 on a new otter cabin, and I found there were some great deals on jigs and such. I had a blast at the show.

zip7111 · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 04:43 PM »

Quote from: Old Goat on Dec 08, 2012, 04:02 PM

was there any good camera deals

They still had the vexilar cameras for 299. I had a great time.

QuickFlip 2 · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 06:40 PM »

The show was great! There were great deals all over the place. After spending around $400 I just have to leave before I would find another great deal to hard to pass up.
I like the fact you can compare everythng under one roof. Instead of driving across town or just looking at it on the internet. Many of the sales people were knowledgeable and had experience using the product. Look forward in going next year.

WhiskyCrappie52 · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 06:46 PM »

Went today for a few hours and had a blast, talking with some of the vendors and they all said it was super busy and way more then they thought it was going to be so thats a good sign.There was some awesome deals Eskimo had on their pop ups and I would think if you went tomorrow you could get a steal of a deal.I came back with a new hat and 20 jigs my bro got a good deal on a rod. Will definatley attend next year if they have it again!

WI Hardwater King · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 07:27 PM »

Plenty of deals depending what you're looking for. I picked up a Jiffy Pro 4 for $439 from Reeds and a Marcum LX6 from Joes for $499. Pretty sure the Marcum cameras at Joes were discounted quite a bit too. Definately will be back next year just won't have as much to buy.

diabetik11 · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 08, 2012, 08:46 PM »

does anyone know that went if they had the Nils hand augers on sale? that is the reason i was going to go. to see if they where on sale i am looking at getting one? im not able to make it now though

addicted to ice fishing · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 06:39 AM »

Had a great time spent several hours there. I was not in the market for any big items, so I did not really look at the deals. Got a first look at Marcums lx9, and the rep told me the lx7 is being heavily discounted, but I never asked how much.

I bought some jigs and a few other things. I really enjoyed talking to the guides, and resort owners. Really thinking about several spots as destination trips.

Overall great show! Well worth the $6.00 admisson fee. I definitely would go back.

As far as Sunday deals, I left at 6 pm, (show closed at 7 pm), they still had tons of stuff, not sure if the Nils hand augers were on sale, or not. Walking past a vendor, I heard him say $150.00 but he may have been talking about the Nils ice saw. Didn't pay attention to see which one they were looking at.

QuickFlip 2 · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 07:06 AM »

diabetik11, They were some Nils at the show but not a whole lot. Discounted maybe 10% of the ones I saw.

premfarm · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 07:33 AM »

I live here in wausau and went with my wife, she won't come out on the ice to fish but she enjoyed looking at everything. the show got the wife seal of appoval.maybe I can get her in the sport ,which means I get new toys.

Gillgrabber · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 10:09 AM »

I wasn't in the market for any large purchases this year as I bought a new LX-6 a few weeks ago. I did pick up a Performance Pack for my Troller for $40. They even threw in a free battery worth $25.
The show was full of little deals like that if you were willing to look around and talk to the vendors. I'll definitely be back next year.
For those of you who attended both shows, how did the Wausau show compare to the St. Paul show this year? I have to expect the Wausau show will only grow in size as more people learn about it.

jignjam · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 10:33 AM »

I have been a long time attendant of the St. Paul Ice Fishing show and I must say that for the first one out here it was very nice. I have a feeling with more promotion they will need a bigger venue. There were some deals to be had and it was nice to be able to talk to the Reps. One bad was the placement of the food consesions.

icebrad · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 07:56 PM »

i went today and really enjoyed it. bought some new jigs and it was very interesting seeing all the new stuff. i hope it comes again next year

TChix · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 08:04 PM »

Made the trek up there today too. I thought it was very good show. Seemed to be a good crowd even with the weather. There were some deals to be had on the big ticket items. Wasn't in the market for anything big, but if I am next year that'll be where I get it. Lots of vendors, lots of info, had a good time chatting with everyone. I'll go next year.

KevinWI · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 09, 2012, 10:08 PM »

I didn't end up going....simply out of economics....wanted to do more fishing and less buying...I think I have enough for now....so I refrained from attending...but I thought about it quite a bit and almost jumped in the truck more than once.

FishingIsLiving · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 11, 2012, 08:28 AM »

Me and a buddy went over on Friday night to check it out. Overall, I thought the show was okay. I would also have to agree that the second ballroom with the big box retailers was not set up very well. We found ourselves walking in circles. It was cool to see all of the new stuff - hands on - but if you stay current with magazines and such you've already seen all of the new stuff. I was only there Friday night but the highlight had to be at the Joe's Sporting Goods booth - Did anyone else see that smoking brunette in yoga pants that was running the register? I know I am a sucker for them yoga pants but she was working 'em! Best in show.

dab65 · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 14, 2012, 04:51 AM »

I went on Saturday. Thought it was good. The vendors were more than willing to talk to you, unlike what I have read on some sites about the St. Paul show. Saved 10 bucks on camera panner, found some othe good deals. Reeds Sporting goods were great to work with. They spent time talking to you and gave great deals. I spent alot more than I planned but the deals kept coming. I had to get out before I spent any more money.

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Author Topic: Well, how was the Ice fishing show? (Read 1368 times)