WHAT WAS IT REALLY LIKE AT THE REALLY BIG ICAST SHOW IN LAS VEGAS?
Unbelievably so many good products. There were several new designs for hook keepers…one a magnetic, one a keeper for drop shot weight. Decal booths were plentiful. We saw a new idea and that was a lightweight product shaped like a butterfly that attached to the end of all lures and it held the scent for lures like top waters, cranks etc. Not sure what the gizzmo material might have been. Then there is the new Shimano Calais with a spiffy price tag of $600 plus. It has four categories with sub selections in each category. Hmm, I'll have to go back to college to understand it. Just kidding. I know we are asking ourselves this question, "will anybody pay that much moolah for a freshwater reel?" Silly question, of course, we all will.
Who would've ever thought we would pay the dollars we do for boats now days or trucks? It is kinda a shock for sure. But, you know, we are all looking for that little bit of an edge. Does that reel guarantee we will catch more fish? Nope! But we think it will and that is the key. Confidence. Or is it that we like to have the latest and greatest boat, truck and tackle so we will be admired? Not sure. It does not matter, anglers will spend what ever they think it will take to help them catch that new lake or State record. And we just can't have too much tackle!
We saw a lure with a light on it. Another lure called a Woodie and I won't go there with that one. We saw all the greatest and latest baits possible. And all testifying that buyers needed them for their stores, the baits would catch the fish.
There were many media folks in search of a hot story and buyers investigating the most useful product to make them the most money. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 media attendees.
The show was all bright lights, glitz and glamour, and colorful. It was huge. The large companies had many many booths rented while little guys like us had a 10×10 booth rented. It really didn't make any difference where you were located, the attendees were all over the place.
We had visitors in our booth from New Zealand, Russia, and Austrailia; besides the USA. We had large company buyers as well as the little companies visit with us. We did learn from some of our guests that there is a real concern for the individual sporting good store owners of being put out of business and they feel the need to be extra creative and are researching ideas to retain their customer base and not go under. Some owners stated they had been in business for many years and always felt secure, now they must be selective with their product buying decisions.
We saw lots of exhibitors who had heart, determination and absolutely wholeheartedly believed their product to be the best or they would not have spent enormous amount of money and effort to be there.
All exhibitors are winners for even taking the huge step to share their ideas with the fishing community. We believe we were winners just for being there and we are pleased for the opportunity to share our special products we developed for anglers. It was a very exciting week and we chalk it up as "very successful".
I believe every exhibitor received some sort of attention and publicity and went home with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment. We sure did.
Lake Fork Tackle Repair
