Fred Hall LB! What did you get?

[Denis_Ruso]

For me it's not really about the deals or scores either especially when you are paying 18$ at the door and 11-15$ per beer. It's about seeing some people/charters you've fished with, booking slightly discounted long range charters, making connections in the industry and really picking the brains of much more seasoned fishermen than myself.

I always walk away having learned something new and that's what it's about. Whether its how to tie a new knot, how to fish a jig, ideas for destination fishing or just seasons and techniques.

But I did walk away with a couple of Kicker Jigs, Bomber Sunglasses and 1$ sabikis.

[Hunters Pa]

I have been working the show for Promar/Ahi for the past couple years so I have my admission covered with an exhibitor badge. The show, for me, is also about seeing old friends and a place to put faces with online names I have not yet met.

Deals/specials were about the same as last year. I really don't need much more gear (shhhh, don't let my wife hear that) but I did get some things I have been wanting:

Glock 19
Couple of Hawaiian shirts for casual days at work
Big ass kill bag in the extremely rare chance I might need it

Oh, and this INCREDIBLE, one of a kind painting from our own Tattuna:

[goldenglory18]

Originally Posted by Denis_Ruso

For me it's not really about the deals or scores either especially when you are paying 18$ at the door and 11-15$ per beer. It's about seeing some people/charters you've fished with, booking slightly discounted long range charters, making connections in the industry and really picking the brains of much more seasoned fishermen than myself.

I always walk away having learned something new and that's what it's about. Whether its how to tie a new knot, how to fish a jig, ideas for destination fishing or just seasons and techniques.

But I did walk away with a couple of Kicker Jigs, Bomber Sunglasses and 1$ sabikis.

Let me know what long range trips you've planned. I'm gonna have PTO to burn this year.....

[ProfessorLongArms]

Loaded up on old irons from SD Tackle Traders @5 for $20.
They also had some great prices on Owner hooks.
Turner had pretty good prices on a Californian med-heavy spinning rod for 40 bucks.

I bugged the Lowrance guys for a while and weighed upgrading to the new hook2. Really nice interface changes. Told the Avet reps how useless I think their SX is.

Also enjoyed chatting up all of the spearfishing guys.
I find the idea of apnea and hypoxia to be insane, but enjoyed learning from them about the training for free diving.

Beyond that I found it fun to wander around for a couple of hours.

[dpricenator]

Originally Posted by ProfessorLongArms

Loaded up on old irons from SD Tackle Traders @5 for $20.
They also had some great prices on Owner hooks.
Turner had pretty good prices on a Californian med-heavy spinning rod for 40 bucks.

I bugged the Lowrance guys for a while and weighed upgrading to the new hook2. Really nice interface changes. Told the Avet reps how useless I think their SX is.

Also enjoyed chatting up all of the spearfishing guys.
I find the idea of apnea and hypoxia to be insane, but enjoyed learning from them about the training for free diving.

Beyond that I found it fun to wander around for a couple of hours.

Those Californian Rods are nice. I have 2 9 foot deckhand rods for the longer range boat trips. 1 is a 20-40 and the other is a 40-60 or 70. They look great and have handled everything they have caught, so far. Really good feel on the 20-40, when dropping the flat fall or the yoyo.

[Denis_Ruso]

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

Let me know what long range trips you've planned. I'm gonna have PTO to burn this year.....

Didn't book any this year. But I do need to commit to a couple early before all the good dates get booked up. I'd probably be up for booking something August-October.