Indiana Boat Sport Travel Show

[DADto4]

What a dissapointment, In years past you could actually get a deal when you went to these shows.

Now with the economy and all you even get less "goodies" when you walk around the vendors.

I went with intentions on buying a rod and reel, and three of the Big name tackle stores that were there, were 10$ higher than there own internet price!!!!

When I asked why;  I was told by two of them that it must be a typo on the site.

For example Diawa Tierra on net  129.95 at show 139.95 with a sign that said "marked down from 149.95 ,,,,,CAN YOU SAY SCAM!!!

That's just one of many examples!

Now did I enjoy going...YES

Did I buy anything... NO

Will I go back......Yes

Will I stop my rant now ....YES

[BASS fisherman]

The Pittsburgh show was a disappointment too.

2 of the 3 dealers who I go to see weren't even there!

And the one dealer who did show had such a crappy selection of lures I only bought 4/$10.00.  Last year I spent over $300.00 at that guys booth.

Last year they had it at a different venue where you had the oppurtunity to park for free.

This year it was at one of the Pittsburgh convention centers so you don't have much of a chance for free parking.

I ended up paying 17.50 parking and cover just to walk in the door!

Not even close to worth it IMO. >

[cart7t]

The St Louis boat show isn't much different.

It's easily $18 to walk in the door unless you want to park further away and walk down some dark streets after hours.  

Fewer tackle sellers offering good deals like they did in the past.  The place is absolutely loaded with big boats but fewer bassboats.  I used to go to get local catalogs for some of the lakes but the entrance price isn't worth it anymore.  I haven't been in 2 years now and honestly, I don't feel like I've missed anything.

[FishTank]

I go to this event every year and the secret is to go on the last day of the show.  If they don't have what you want, you can always get online but the only deals to be had are on the last day.  I have always found something.

[FishTank]

When I asked why;  I was told by two of them that it must be a typo on the site.

For example Diawa Tierra on net  129.95 at show 139.95 with a sign that said "marked down from 149.95 ,,,,,CAN YOU SAY SCAM!!!

There was a booth that did this last year.  They had Lucky Craft lures for $15.99 on sale originally $20.  He also had a few bargain bens with Mann's -1 and Storm cranks for $4.00.  Not for sure but he also looked like he was selling used reels as new.  Most people left his booth laughing  .

One other thing he would do is have his buddy dress in a pro angler shirt (one with lots of decals) and act like he was selling him some reels.

I'll be going March 1st.  I'll check to see if it's the same guy from last year.

[SMSRTC]

The Oklahoma Tackle Show was really disappointing...it was cancelled.   Most vendors cited the economy and reduced marketing budgets.  I would have actually thought vendors would make money at such a large show (at least they claim it's one of the biggest), but apparently not.

Both my brother-in-law and I had been looking forward to that show for months, much the same way a child looks forward to going to Disney World.

[cart7t]

The Oklahoma Tackle Show was really disappointing...it was cancelled. Most vendors cited the economy and reduced marketing budgets. I would have actually thought vendors would make money at such a large show (at least they claim it's one of the biggest), but apparently not.

Both my brother-in-law and I had been looking forward to that show for months, much the same way a child looks forward to going to Disney World.

As I understand it, these show producers really sting ya on the price for a booth at these boat shows.  For some places like resorts at lakes, it's worth the money since they can book up the summer by being at several of these shows, for the tackle dealers I wonder if they even break even.