Bass-a-rama

[basspro48]

I went to the bass-a-rama show today, if you live in VA you probably know what bass-a-rama is, I picked up a SWEEEET new Pfleuger Supreme casting reel and a couple bags of sweet beavers, also got to meet and talk to Guy Eaker and Bernie Schultz. But overall I was kinda dissappointed, compared to last year it was really small, seems like there's fewer venders every year :'(. Anyone else go to bass-a-rama?

[flip_pitch]

was going to go but a buddy who went yesterday called me and said don't bother! he said the same thing, seemed smaller than last few years. maybe having a basspro in virginia is killing interest???

[basspro48]

I think a lot of the vendors are just calling it quits, because of the packing up, setting up, lodging and food costs, and travel expenses. I guess they're just not making that much of a profit, it is really a shame to see it go down like this.

[BassKinG]

Ya, Its kinda sad to see any event that involves fishing to start falling apart, I wish I could find more events here in Minnesota that deal with bass fishing but I cant find much.

[basser89]

I've never been to Bass-a-rama but there's a show in Timonium, MD that used to be real good. The past two or three years I haven't been impressed with it. They used to get at least one higher profile pro to come in for a couple of seminars (last decent one I saw was Curt Lytle) but lately it's just been guides. Now there's nothing wrong with guides and I enjoy some of their seminars (the ones that know how to present). The vendors haven't been as good as in the past either (I used to be able to go there and find at least a couple real good deals!). Not even sure if I'll make that run (over two hours away) unless they give me more of a reason to go. So I do share in your pain basspro!

[Jeff_NHBA]

I just got back from Bass-a-Rama.  Seemed smaller than last year wrt vendors but I usually go for the seminars anyway.  Today we had Woo Daves (2000 BM Classic Champ), Marty Stone, Guy Eakers, Woo's son Chris Daves, Ken Penrod (a local fishing legend and author of regional fishing books), Teddy Carr (Another excellent guide.), Steve Chaconas (Guide, author, local outdoors radio show host) and one other pro whose name escapes me right now.  I wasn't really there for the stuff so much as info (although the bait monkey talked me into some Chatterbaits.)

Marty Stone and Woo will be there again tomorrow for sure.

I particularly liked the new way Woo showed us how to rig a trick work.  Kinda sneaky and sure to be the hottest thing this spring on Kerr and Gaston.

[p-funk]

I went today as well and was pretty dissapointed.  I had never been before and was expeciting more products.  Seemed like 3/4 of the place was buzzbait and spinnerbait manufactorers.  I did pick up a couple chatterbaits as well, that was one reason I went down there, and a pack of the 10" worminator lizards.  They are some pretty expensive plastics but I liked how they had the megastrike attractant in the plastic and the larger sizes of worms and lizards.  I may order more soon.  Other than that I was pretty dissapointed I guess because I was expecting more "deals".  I did go to the Greentop sale and picked up a couple of lucky crafts.  They had 10% off all LC's and they are pretty cheap I think to start with.  More than likely I won't be attending Bassarama next year after what I saw this year.  

[basspro48]

I particularly liked the new way Woo showed us how to rig a trick work.  Kinda sneaky and sure to be the hottest thing this spring on Kerr and Gaston.

Woo showed us that same thing at Bassmaster U last weekend. Mike Iaconelli does the same thing with a french fry style bait.

[dave]

I am fortunate enough to be able to go to both the Bass Expo in Timonium, MD. and to Bassarama in Richmond.  Although the Timonium show is getting smaller, it is still better vendor wise that Bassarama.  I usually go on Friday but,  this year had to go Saturday and was expecting terrible crowds.  The show is overall pretty disappointing.  This was my 4th year and it was the worst yet.  I did like the seminars.  I have heard Ken Penrods seminars so many times I could probably do them, jokes and all.  But I still sit through them every year.  I did enjoy Guy Eaker.  I have never seen anyone cast like him.

[topwtr81]

basser89 Marty stone, terry scroggin's and jeff coble were all at timonium this year, but in general you are right. I've worked that show for ten year's for my spinnerbait sponsor and it is headin down a slippery slope, no bobcat's this year :'( Woo had a tift with the promoter last year so he didn't come

clyde's wasn't there, the fishin shop had guide's in their booth man it is getting sadder every year

[shortbasser]

Went last year and eventually wound up ordering my new Skeeter. Heard that it was going to be near nothing this year so stayed away. Best one I ever attended was several years ago in Hampton, Va. Before it went back to Richmond. I agree, the close proximity of BPS in Hampton more than likely killed it or is causing a slow death.

[ARCHER]

I used to attend bassarama every year, making the 1 hour drive from Williamsburg, but it just became a place for vendors to unload last years baits. I thought a trade show was a place to showcase "THE NEW", thats why I went each year (plus I'm usually bored to death in January).

The seminars do a lot to educate fishermen, so they're the real draw. Also, if you are looking at bassboats, you can still see the latest models there.

I think the booths are very expensive for the vendors and the competition is stiff among them, I guess its hard to make money under those circumstances. I quit going to bassarama years ago, I think they need to do something to revitalize the event.

Archer

[Sam]

From what I have heard from some of the old time vendors, the guy running Bassarama was not a "pleasant" busnessman and therefore they decided not to be a part of the event.

It seems this thinking is spreading although this year I was told the guy was a little nicer.

With the Bass Pro Shop fishing sale right around the corner (February 25) I did not purchase much this year.  And I did not win the Ranger boat, either!

I hope the event continues but unless the organization makes it more attractive to the vendors it will just fade away.