Milwaukee Ice fishing show

[Double_J]

Anybody know if there are any deals there or is it just a show of ice fishing stuff? I am looking at getting some new bibs and wonder if its worth going. I'd be happy to even save 10%.

[Shack man Shoney]

Check Amazon or Ebay... and cyber Monday is coming always find a deal somewhere online.

[52isntbigenough]

I went last year and some of the shanty reps were offering discounts. I didn't see any Clam, Frabill or Striker deals on bibs/parkas.

[Double_J]

Thanks guys!

[32footsteps]

Deals can be had.  Scored an LX7 there last year at a lower cost than I've seen most used LX6's.  Sunday is typically the best day to go because vendors might be eager to send you home with something instead of having to pack it up and take it back with them.  I wasn't looking at suits last year so I can't offer any insight there but I would imagine that any of the larger retailers who are there might be able to work with you on something.  When I bought mine I lined it up with clearance sales and other promotional offers which beat any black Friday or cyber Monday price one could find.  If a suit isn't an absolute must have item for you right now and you can be patient, it might be worthwhile to hold off until late February or Early March when stuff starts dropping in price big time.  Regardless of that, shows are cool and worthwhile just to see what types of neat things the mom and pop type vendors have that you might not be able to find at a retail location.  Support those guys.  They are there selling a labor of love instead of trying to meet a goal set by investors or a corporate board. 

[FilletShow]

Well put footsteps.  Sometimes corporate greed is unbelievable.  i might have to make the drive from Mad town for this one. 

[32footsteps]

I'm heading over from Madison.  My sister and brother-in-law live a block or two away from State Fair Park.  Wife has something going on that day so I'm bringing our kid along.  She can spend a few hours with her aunt while my bro-in-law and I head to the show.  I'd say hop in and we can ride together but I might be spending the night over there.  Those plans haven't been finalized yet. 

[Double_J]

Got a deal on bibs and a coat from Gander, but think I will still go to the Milw. show just to look around.
 Thanks for the replys!

[Gillgrabber]

I've been to the Milwaukee show and the St. Paul Show.  You would think that since the shows are both put on by the same company that they'd be about the same, but I thought the St. Paul show was larger with more booths, more displays, better seminars, and better deals but they also had bigger crowds.  It's also 5 hours from my house compared to Milwaukee which is only 1.  While I think the St. Paul show is worth the drive, the timing of the St. Paul show doesn't look good this year so I'll probably just go to Milwaukee instead.  They both had good deals and I agree with the earlier post that said you might find better deals on Sunday as the vendors don't want to haul stuff back with them.  Another piece of advice is DON'T buy what you want at the first booth where you see it.  Prices can vary greatly from vendor to vendor so make sure you shop around especially if it's an expensive item like electronics or 2 piece suit.  You should also take time to see some of the seminars as a goof like me always learns something new. 

[52isntbigenough]

Well, how was it? I got some reports of, "meh".

[blitzfish]

I didn't go this year as I thought last year was "meh". I heard the same again this year. A few odd shops that sell hard to find jigs and such, but otherwise I was really kind of unimpressed myself. The best of it is the talks really.

[Team_Reload]

I went. I will agree that it is meh. It would be great if you needed a shanty or electronics or a nice ice rod but if you already have all of that or your going on a small budget, like myself there isn't much to look at. I had fun listing to one of the Clam guys talk for a while and it was kinda cool see so many ice fishing enthusiast in one spot but the show was small. Overall, unless I'm looking for something specific next year I most likely won't go.

[Double_J]

Listened to one of the clam guys, he had some good stuff to say. Also went to the Great Lakes salmon presentation by Haataja which was good. Saw some guys with an battery powered auto jigging device that was $500+, it was cool, just not $500 cool. Interesting to see what people come up with for new products. Glad I went, not sure i'll go next year unless there is a presentation I want to see.