Just got back from MSBA Fishing Expo at Stonehill College.
Great show, good food and prices. Sports Complex is fantastic
venue for show. Saw rods and reels at unbelievable prices. The
two seminars I attended were standing room only. Doors open Sunday at 9AM. Who's going???

Nice venue. Congrats to the organizers. Felt good to get immersed in fishing for a day.

I'm going tomorrow ,,, hope I sleep tonight .. :btu:

Great time. Picked up a couple of the new Salty's. Didn't see any Chocolate stripers?:huh: Got to play with the Lami Super Surfs, awesome rods, plan on picking up one eventually.

I had a Great time just wandering around and talking with the vendors. I picked up a St. Croix Tidemaster inshore dirt cheep. stocked up and shot the %$%$%$%$ with the PT jude boys. enjoyed DJ's seminar. managed to get a new Hat from the Van Staal guys. Joined up with the MSBA. really good show

I had a great time, great location, food prices were resonable, seminars informative and entertaining. I found stuff I didn't know I needed. Lets hope MSBA has found a permanent home for their Expo.

Great job to all that were involved. Thanks.

Al

Awesome show, DJ's seminar was awesome, and I really enjoyed RoyL's shark fishing from shore, my favorite seminar! Picked up two Salty needles and my dad got a Fathead swimmer, that looks killer. I love the MSBA display they set up every year too. The S-B seminar series was great, and the plug display looked great too. Fun day for sure!

good time...talked with Andi from the OTW booth, then chatted with Ron for a little.

also picked up two salty's needles, sand eel and jointed copper :) yup that was me...young kid in a black north face with a lamiglas hat and the gold rusted hook

It's great to hear the good reviews, I had kid duty today but tomorrow I'll be there and hope to catch the 1st tuna rigging seminar :kewl:

I volunteered helping the vendors in at 7 am this morning. Snow was coming down pretty good. I was quickly sent over to help out Johnny on the history table. It was pretty neat to hear him talk about how his sister handstitched all the letters on to the MSBA banner. Now that is dedication (how many letters in Massachusetts?). When I first went over Johnny needed someone to stand on a table to hang some photos and he thought I was too heavy. We had a pretty good laugh when I told him he would have a hard time finding someone under 200 lbs in this club. There was a 54 pounder on display (down the table from Charlie's) and someone asked Johnny the name of the fish and he said "I just call him stupid" (for getting caught). I do have to say I was very impressed with this venue. When I first walked through the doors a smile came to my face because I was was so impressed seeing row after row of vendors. If you haven't stopped by yet and need that mid-winter fishing fix it is a great take. I am going tomorrow with my son. I volunteered a little but my hat goes off to the guys and gals that put in countless hours to pull this thing off - GREAT JOB!!! - THANK YOU!!!!

also picked up two salty's needles, sand eel and jointed copper :) yup that was me...young kid in a black north face with a lamiglas hat and the gold rusted hook

Show is great! I wish some guys would introduce themselves with their internet names too it's great to put a name with the face!


^^^

Talked with Joe and Jeff (PJude).
Got to meet Dave (aka canalman) and was intoduced to some of his fine lures including the hammerhead.
Attended Steve's (aka flaptail) seminar on Striper Structure and learned a bit more. Got to find out more about the Little George lure. John R had to come to the rescue on a computer problem (cd drawer had popped open).
Learned to rig a hogy (coutesy of OTW staff.)
Talked with the lamiglas guys about guides for a custom lami.
Picked up some more tackle.
All in all, a nice way to spend the afternoon.

agreed great show. the seminar on big bass form the surf was well done. i picked up a saltys danny and 4 bucktails all the colors imaginable, even black which you dont see to much.

Great show all around, Glad to meet some new faces as well as seing some old ones. Every one kept saying how much they enjoyed my seminar, I just hope it;s true. For any of you guys planning to attend it tomorrow you will have a bonus. I will be playing 12 minutes of shark video, with some good close calls and alot of shark wrestlin.

Thank you all

I agree the show is great this year.
I got a chance to see some of Roy's shark video .This is VERY COOL. You don't whant to miss it.

jeff

i was at the otw booth sat w/ the crew. right next to the pretty blond jenny. did anyone notice me ??? did'nt think so. what i did like was how roomy and spread out the venders were . food was good ,shows were steady comming ,lots of faces from this site. the msba work there a$$$$ off to pull off..good show on a $hity day....

Thanks for all the nice feedback. Thanks for coming. Tell all your friends and let's hope for a bigger crowd Sunday for our sponsors speakers and vendors. We need to keep you all happy and them happy and coming back. It sure was nice to talk fishing as the season is just around the corner. Our guys and vendors and sponsors have worked hard and done a great job and deserve a great turnout on Sunday.

Bill
MSBA President

Very good time. Arrived ~1015am and stayed until 430pm. Attended multiple seminars; Roy's Sharking, Teddy stories or live/dead bait & more, Terry's walkthrough a seaon. Met and chatted with a lot of folks, old and new. Good venue, lets hope it stays here for years to come....

Show was great! Talked to alot of old friends, Roy's seminar and this sites were awesome! Thanks DJ and John! I couldn't walk ten feet without bumping in to someone I knew. You have to see Roys shark video!!!!:bounce:

Great Show I thought the MSBA did an excellent job this year. The venue is WAY beeter than Gillette IMO. Much more user friendly. All in all a great job.

Patrick you guys did some great work!:wave:

Great place for a show .. took me 10 minutes to get there.. Lots of Striped-Bass buds there. Food was good .. I missed the Hatteras booth and seeing Big Dave ..

Good show. Lets hope it stays there for years to come. Maybe now more vendors will be back. Scott.......talking to everyone? No way. I don't believe that. I had a chocolate striper !!!! Good chocolate.

What Karl said.

Well done by MSBA volunteers, your hard work shows.

This was a great show. It's the first one, I've done and I really enjoyed it. I tried to do my part to make it enjoyable for others. Thats why we had the RIPTIDE GIRLS :heybaby:

http://riptidecharters.com/RG2.JPG

http://riptidecharters.com/RG1.JPG

Good show, but going to the MSBA website to get directions?

Someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE fix that ABORTION of a website.
Its laid out like a spastic 6mo puked on a page.

And animated gifs? Whats up 1996?

Great show :claps: !! And I found the directions with no problem on the MSBA site (I think they're fishermen not techies).
The tuna rigging seminar with OTW was very interesting.
Some of the best info I got was speaking with Don from the Laura-Jay sportfishing boat, this guy has been there and done that, no BS just good info.

Well done MSBA, thanks for your efforts.
Ready or not, I want the fishing season to start.

I was there Saturday. I had a great time. Always fun to spend money!! Good deals.

Me and my father made it there sunday, great time, real laid back and convenient. 40 min drive not to bad, and snacks didnt clean out my wallet : )

I thank everyone that volunteers their time to put together an event like this, really informative and friendly. Plus it may very well tide me over till striper time.

I guess I didnt win the kayak though... ohh well

I had a great time. Nice putting names with faces. Kayak Fishing represented well at the show. Thanks JohnR for hooking me up with a well designed presentation and asking me to participate
and represent the kayak fishing portion of the Striped-Bass.com Seminar Series at MSBA. It was an honor and pleasure.

MSBA staff was professional and courteous. Help was always there. Stonehill College has a great facility. Now, if MSBA could secure the Olympic Pool for Kayak Demonstrations, Plug Demo's, Skishing, etc, that would be something extra that no show that I know of has. Think of the possibilities.

Great seeing everyone, thanks for all of the help :btu:

Big thanks to the people that came and spoke! Jeff - people loved the "passion" - I'm glad you did it both days - people loved it :btu:

Matt & Mike - thanks for helping out doing what you did on the One on One's - we'll kick it up a couple notches for next year :hihi: - Matt - thanks for coming in sick as a dog too! Mike P - thanks for manning the booth as much as you did!

Steve - :thanks: - that artwork is sweet too

Long distance award goes to DJ & Anna for busting arse coming up from New Jersey - Speaking, then off to mountains, and coming back again today. Show was great :btu: Look forward to the book

Captain Bruce Macomber from http://www.howlinwolfcharters.com came in and did a shark fishing presentation, hooked one of his guys up in a harness, and had a 12 year old kid from the audience "fighting" the guy on shark gear - pretty humorous - definitely worth seeing again

Scott had a nice & informal plug building demo to wrap things up on Sunday. I just wish I had more chance to sit in on these demos than I did...

And a sincere thank you to the MSBA guys - lots of work making that happen. I really like that venue and would like to see that for some time to come - Thank You All :kewl:

I just want to thank everyone, S-B, MSBA & patrick for setting things up, Kadir,ect...... just everyone for making me feel like I belong. And more importantly thanks to all that came by the booth and bought a raffle ticket. Im glad you all ejoyed the shark seminar and video.

Thank You,

Roy

I went today and had a great time. Thanks to all involved for making it such a great show for the attendees. Nice seeing again and meeting some of the guys from this site. I hope they keep the same location for many years to come. It couldn't have been any more convenient for me. Took less than 10 minutes including a stop at the ATM on the way. And, I picked up enough stuff today to tide me over until the RI show in April.

Good show, but going to the MSBA website to get directions?

Someone PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE fix that ABORTION of a website.
Its laid out like a spastic 6mo puked on a page.

And animated gifs? Whats up 1996?

Likwid,

Ease your rudder. In defense of Jim at Mass Bass, whom I don't personally know yet, and I believe handles the website. He volunteers his time to keep it updated. I'm sure he has other more important things to do on a daily basis. If you can do it better why not join Mass Bass and volunteer your skills?

Great seeing everyone, thanks for all of the help :btu:

Big thanks to the people that came and spoke! Jeff - people loved the "passion" - I'm glad you did it both days - people loved it :btu:

Matt & Mike - thanks for helping out doing what you did on the One on One's - we'll kick it up a couple notches for next year :hihi: - Matt - thanks for coming in sick as a dog too! Mike P - thanks for manning the booth as much as you did!

Steve - :thanks: - that artwork is sweet too

Long distance award goes to DJ & Anna for busting arse coming up from New Jersey - Speaking, then off to mountains, and coming back again today. Show was great :btu: Look forward to the book

Captain Bruce Macomber from http://www.howlinwolfcharters.com came in and did a shark fishing presentation, hooked one of his guys up in a harness, and had a 12 year old kid from the audience "fighting" the guy on shark gear - pretty humorous - definitely worth seeing again

Scott had a nice & informal plug building demo to wrap things up on Sunday. I just wish I had more chance to sit in on these demos than I did...

And a sincere thank you to the MSBA guys - lots of work making that happen. I really like that venue and would like to see that for some time to come - Thank You All :kewl:

Big John, anytime and sorry I could not do both days. Thanks for the sched change. Though it didn't work out as my called and me and Stifftip had to drive to Cambridge from the show and pick up daughter number two who was sick and needed to come home to see the Doctor on Sunday.

I was really proud of S-B.COM dojng what it did weith the tent, next year we need to put up some sort of booth with a display of what S-B.Com is all about with Plugfest, TCTFFN, ETC ETC. it really is the best site on the IT highway and a great group of people.

And last but certainly not Least, Massachusetts Striped Bass Association is one hell of an organization and anything that they put thier hand to is always top notch. It's always an honor to be involved in an event they put on. Thanks MSBA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I have to admit that reading this is bringing some tears to my eyes. Thank you all for the great comments as I know many of the committee members will be reading this thread.

After nine years of serving as chair of the expo I stepped back to the role of "operations" and a lot of people stepped up. A committee of over a dozen worked their tails off to plan and bring you what you saw this weekend. I can not say how proud I am of what we accomplished this year and need to let you all know that it is only because of the involvement of the whole MA fishing community that this even remains so special.

John R did a great job in a short time of getting s-b into the event and too many individuals to mention came through to add to the overall great atmosphere.

Ever since we lost the Kingston location we have been uncertain if we would find a home that would work. Gillette was not the best location but it was the best available at the time.

We love Stonehill and have already begun the process of locking this location up for at least next year.

Once again thanks to all involved.

Great Job MSBA .... remember the armory ? .. I just feel lucky to be alive after spending the day with the Proffesor ,,who arose from his death bed to attend the show ..

Great seeing everyone, thanks for all of the help :btu:

Big thanks to the people that came and spoke! Jeff - people loved the "passion" - I'm glad you did it both days - people loved it :btu:

Matt & Mike - thanks for helping out doing what you did on the One on One's - we'll kick it up a couple notches for next year :hihi: - Matt - thanks for coming in sick as a dog too! Mike P - thanks for manning the booth as much as you did!

Steve - :thanks: - that artwork is sweet too

Long distance award goes to DJ & Anna for busting arse coming up from New Jersey - Speaking, then off to mountains, and coming back again today. Show was great :btu: Look forward to the book

Captain Bruce Macomber from http://www.howlinwolfcharters.com came in and did a shark fishing presentation, hooked one of his guys up in a harness, and had a 12 year old kid from the audience "fighting" the guy on shark gear - pretty humorous - definitely worth seeing again

Scott had a nice & informal plug building demo to wrap things up on Sunday. I just wish I had more chance to sit in on these demos than I did...

And a sincere thank you to the MSBA guys - lots of work making that happen. I really like that venue and would like to see that for some time to come - Thank You All :kewl:

John-
YOU are the one that deserves kudo's, not me and Anna. I was amazed by how hard you worked, how good you treated everyone, and was actually amazed that YOU survived TFCTF to show up on Sunday a.m. :buds: (BTW- I was surprised I showed up on Sunday :buds: :rotf2:)
Anyway -it was good hanging out with some of the great Mass people, including Patrick...who totally buried NY and NJ in a 15 second blurb that left me mortified and giggling all the way home, as well as Janet and the Vineyard crew who were shear delight!
I met some real cool people...I also missed a few that I wanted to catch up to. Finally caught Canalman (I'm going to buy my lottery tickets right now)! He's slipperier than an eel.

I felt the entire show was well run and the facility was perfect for the show.
Thanks for everything!!

On behalf of AquaSkinz, thanks to everyone who visited us and spent time chatting, looking, asking and sharing their experiences.

We always enjoy doing this show. It is well organized, the MSBA members are second to none when it comes to making the transition from set up to break down the easiest it can be - THANK YOU for all your help.

It was great to see so many familiar faces but just as great to meet a lot of new people.

The venue was excellent, wide aisles, high ceilings, airy,well lit a lot of parking and the food court was not only a bargain but the food was actually pretty good.

Kudos to the MSBA, thanks for all your efforts and for putting on a great event.

On behalf of AquaSkinz, thanks to everyone who visited us and spent time chatting, looking, asking and sharing their experiences.

We always enjoy doing this show. It is well organized, the MSBA members are second to none when it comes to making the transition from set up to break down the easiest it can be - THANK YOU for all your help.

It was great to see so many familiar faces but just as great to meet a lot of new people.

The venue was excellent, wide aisles, high ceilings, airy,well lit a lot of parking and the food court was not only a bargain but the food was actually pretty good.

Kudos to the MSBA, thanks for all your efforts and for putting on a great event.


Always good to have a chance to see, and chat with, you and Danno, buddy.

Same here Mike. I look forward to our twice a year chats since you have moved to MA. I hope to see you again in a few weeks. Stay well.

Kadir

I had a great time. Nice putting names with faces. Kayak Fishing represented well at the show. Thanks JohnR for hooking me up with a well designed presentation and asking me to participate
and represent the kayak fishing portion of the Striped-Bass.com Seminar Series at MSBA. It was an honor and pleasure.

MSBA staff was professional and courteous. Help was always there. Stonehill College has a great facility. Now, if MSBA could secure the Olympic Pool for Kayak Demonstrations, Plug Demo's, Skishing, etc, that would be something extra that no show that I know of has. Think of the possibilities.

My brother and I attended Jeff's seminar. That was informative for the person just getting started, which we are as related to night fishing in saltwater. I hope the future will get into some tactics of locating fish, fighting, and landing/releasing in the future. I did learn that a rudder, even on my 12 foot Redfish, would be an asset. I hope to find some seaned veterans to allow us to join them sometime. We are in the Cambridge area and are flexible in traveling to locations from RI to north shore and PI.
Regarding the show, it was great, and with the new location can even grow. It seemed like fewer plug builders were there compared to last year and some booths attracted little traffic, but people were friendly and helpful. I ordered custom surf rod from local rod builder Local Hooker., picked up some salty's, tattoo's, T&W set-up, and more. Great group of people in this community.

I had a great time. Nice putting names with faces. Kayak Fishing represented well at the show. Thanks JohnR for hooking me up with a well designed presentation and asking me to participate
and represent the kayak fishing portion of the Striped-Bass.com Seminar Series at MSBA. It was an honor and pleasure.

MSBA staff was professional and courteous. Help was always there. Stonehill College has a great facility. Now, if MSBA could secure the Olympic Pool for Kayak Demonstrations, Plug Demo's, Skishing, etc, that would be something extra that no show that I know of has. Think of the possibilities.

My brother and I attended Jeff's seminar. That was informative for the person just getting started, which we are as related to night fishing in saltwater. I hope the future will get into some tactics of locating fish, fighting, and landing/releasing in the future. I did learn that a rudder, even on my 12 foot Redfish, would be an asset. I hope to find some seaned veterans to allow us to join them sometime. We are in the Cambridge area and are flexible in traveling to locations from RI to north shore and PI.
Regarding the show, it was great, and with the new location can even grow. It seemed like fewer plug builders were there compared to last year and some booths attracted little traffic, but people were friendly and helpful. I ordered custom surf rod from local rod builder Local Hooker., picked up some salty's, tattoo's, T&W set-up, and more. Great group of people in this community.