Anybody else hear about a new boat show in the works for next year? I heard a rumour that something is in the works that will include Trotac, Wise Buys and will be more accessible to smaller manufacturers. Please tell me this is true because as we all know, this years boat show was as terrible as i've seen.
So any more details on this rumor?. That’s not much info really, but it would be good to see competition and more local inclusion with another or expanded show and I look forward to it, if this is anything more than a rumor.
As for this years Victoria Boat and Fishing Show. I thought it was good, considering its smaller size and low cost of attending, especially the included fishing seminars. Cheaper than driving all over VI to visit boat dealers to have a look at their current offerings and motor sale prices. I did notice that you could now buy tackle directly from some of the booths such as Delta tackle.
We went early on Friday to get our Fathers Day Derby tickets and there are some tricks for getting good deals on tackle. For example, some restock the tables from boxes underneath so ask questions if you don’t see the flasher you want up on the table, ask. We noticed that Delta had a box full of 150 feet of steel downrigger cable spools for $15. Not in itself a great deal but when I mentioned we use much longer amounts of downrigger cable they said “there are some 400 ft spools, none left out” and restocked. We bought a bunch of 400ft spools also for $15. a spool and that is a great deal.
One of my fishing buddies picked up a deal on a Loomis rod for just under $200. which was a worthy match to the new Islander MR3 he got recently. All of the flashers that Delta was selling were of the more expensive type with the Sampo on both ends, not the cheap barrel swivels on the lure end. Some were seconds with very minor paint flaws such as the three lemon lime UV Flashers we got for $10.00 total and some were first quality like the moon glow flashers we got for $6.00 each. Also all stainless extra large crab traps with zinc for $110, the regular size one was much cheaper and mesh bait bags for $3. etc.
The Rhys Davis booth had, overstocked, discontinued, test model or 2nds teaser heads with very minor paint flaws for 5 for $5.00. which is a third of retail price on the better chrome and new painted fancy glow types. We always stop there and pick up a bunch and I wonder since Rhys Davis has now been sold if that will be the last year for those great deals. I think the money raised from the RD teaser head sales went to a good fishery related cause. PS if the good ones have been picked over they also restock from a container, you can always ask.
Lots of other deals, you just need to look closely, ask questions, bargain and it helps to go early in the show while they are still well stocked.
