looking to attend some of the winter/spring sportsmans show but time if a factor, maybe a show or two. Which one gets your choice for sportsmans show>

The RISAA show in Providence is pretty good.

hopefully I can make both see you thier. Is it spring yet:conf::conf:

I used to go to all of them Now I just go to one RISAA

RISSA and all the SWE shows i plan on going to

Tired of all them, except the RISAA show. Pretty much a strictly saltwater fishing show. Gotta go, I'll be working the shop's booths.:btu:

MSBA show for me. Free parking, entry $10, great food at
good prices, and most relaxed atmosphere of them all.
March 7 and 8 at Stonehill College in Easton, MA.

Risaa first, MSBA second.

Reasoning for me personally, as stated above, Risaa is saltwater show only, and secondly I might be looking more for some tuna rods/gear.
Will consider SWE, just don't know details.

Plum Island Surfcaster Show
Makes for a good day and it benefits the clubs junior program.
Speakers:
Zeno Hromin and Gene Bourque
Saturday February 21, 2009
Door Opens at 8:00am
Newbury Fire Hall
3 Morgan Ave
Newbury, MA
$7.00 club members/ $12.00 non-members
Extensive Raffle Table, local exhibitors, lure makers, FOOD

Junior's Program Rod & Reel
GRAPHITE One Piece 9' Custom Rod with a PENN Reel
$1.00 each .........Book of six $5.00

I used to hit most of them but I'm getting tired of seeing all of the birds of prey and the wonder mops though. Probably either RISSA or MSBA. Seeing my job is in limbo funds are low this year.

I think I'm going to make the drive down to the SWE this weekend for DZ's presentation. I usually spent most of my RISSA pocket money at the SWE anyway so I get to shop with an extra.

I do wonder if there will be some values to be had this year given the need to do a little extra to attract the consumer.

RISSA is top notch.

RISSA for me! :lama: cant wait

NO SHOWS. They're way too much work and destructive. Luds is right, don't even call what we're doing this winter a "show". It's just a fun get together for fisherman...:btu:

:cool:Pete, Ya took the words right outta my mouth. Your gig has always been more of a chatfest than a show each time I went, and always well done. Steve, Howlin' Wolf, RonZ & I had a good old time last year. Thanks :cheers2:

I am very depressed that BigFish Bait Co. will not be able to attend any of these fine shows this season but maybe I personally will be able to attend to enjoy them for all the fine things that each of them has to offer! The Plum Island Show has been a favorite of mine for the past 2 years and this season I had to back out!:( This show is very small and very personable with great speakers always (has had Steve McKenna and Alberto in the past as well as Steve Papows who are all among the finest around) as well as having some fine vendors (#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& and Point Jude Joe to mention a couple....not sure if they will be there this year??? Hope so?) Plum Island also has a great cause at heart and the chowder itself is worth the trip as well as the chili! MSBA is a fantastic show and has always been.....they cater to "The Fisherman".....all fishing all weekend with no fudge, no cookware and no BS! Great speakers and an atmosphere of fun and fellowship among those who wet a line as many gather there to chow down, have a cup of "Joe" and chew the fat about our sport! Free parking, ease of access and a reasonable door fee......you can't miss with this show! RISSA......a great show for its huge size and scope and the amount of vendors and selection, great speakers as well!!! I plan on hitting them all if I can!!:tooth: I miss the SWE show??:bc:

I'll definitely be at the MSBA show again this year. It's small enough to not get overwhelmed and there are good vendors. Best of all, it's in my town so I don't have to plan to be there for the whole day.

I've been to the RISSA show for about the last 5 or 6 years and I'll be back at that one. Always has good seminars and plenty of stuff to buy or just dream about buying. It's also a good place to meet some of the guys from this site like #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, Canalman, Point Jude Joe, etc...
And, it's a great excuse to grab a bite at Federal Hill and/or take in the "performing arts" scene in Providence.:devil2:

I probably don't attend enough shows to know what qualifies as a good one versus a bad one, but I attended the Salt Water Expo at the Garden State Exhibition Center in NJ a couple years ago and pretty much walked around like a kid in a candy store. I'll probably go to it this year. I think it's in March.

...
And, it's a great excuse to grab a bite at Federal Hill and/or take in the "performing arts" scene in Providence.:devil2:


:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:...

Forget sportsmans shows, just a plain old gun show.

Mar 7-8 Wilmington, Shriners Auditorium NewMart Promotions, 914-248-1000
Mar 14-15 West Springfield, Eastern States Expo, NewMart Promotions, 914-248-1000
May 30-31 Militaria & Gun Show" West Springfield, Eastern States Expo, NewMart Promotions, 914-248-1000
Sep 19-20 Marlboro, Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center, NewMart Promotions, 914-248-1000
Oct 3-4 West Springfield, Eastern States Expo, NewMart Promotions, 914-248-1000
Dec 12-13 West Springfield, Eastern States Expo, NewMart Promotions, 914-248-1000

when is the rissa show?

Rissa show is April 3,4,5. I will be at the Plum Island show,Mass Bass show and the RISAA show with fun new stuff. Please bring your avatars so I know who the 'ell you are.:D

Pete, so no SWE show this year, I had a great time last year.

Sorry to hear Bigfish Larry won't be showing his latest and greatest at the shows this year. Hope all is well. I too will be attending PISC fundraiser this year, being a member myself. They get great speakers and the scaled down atmosphere is great to meet and greet. The MSBA show last year was an imporovement over Gillette as well. The RISSA show is the big one and offers all kinds of interesting seminars and speakers. I hope to attend these three to support the sport and meet more and more of our growing fraternity. I hope the economy doesn't spoil them and both vendors and visitors coninue to attend. They sure help pass the last two months before the rods are out and used again.

John

for me it is:

RISAA, huge and worth every minute.
loaded with seminars, TONS of saltwater sheeet,
great time to put faces and names together and
touch base with sum surfamigos and see some of the
living legends, even shake their hands and bend their ears.

MSBA, much more intimate and all about FEESHIN'.
great guys, good food, everything is more reasonably priced,
easy in and easy out, and run by an EXCELLENT group.
MA residents should join, well worth the investment and
their Club has a storied Striperin' Tradition.

SWE Show, was awesome,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it will be sorely missed!!!
BUT, as per usual, the Boyz at The Edge are not to be outdone
and choose to remain on the cutting edge by offering a series of Surf Days
for the '09 Season,,,,,,,,,,combining seminar and vendor in one day.

Surf Day 1 is this Sat 1-4, at The Edge w/DZ "The Snowstorm Blitz" and HABS JR. Surf Day 2 is Feb 7th 1-4, at The Edge w/Zeno and AH Custom Plugs. Surf Day 3 is Mar 7th 1-4, at The Edge w/DJ Muller and Surf Asylum Plugs. should be outstanding and is more like a series of mini-shows allowing for some real facetime with Legend and Vendor alike!! sounds promising and for me IS must see/be there winter attendance.

Pete, so no SWE show this year, I had a great time last year.

Yeah, not this year. A long list of events at the new shop though. I do already have a new plan cooking for next year. A new way to do the show that works better, hopefully for everyone.

We just can't shut down like we used to, but that's a good thing.

Our one day show shuts us down completely for 4 days, RISAA for 6 days. No phones being answered, no web orders shipping, etc. When we get home our inventory is fried from theft and other issues, product that sold on the web while we were away was sold at the show so orders can't ship and customers are pissed. I won't even bother to make a list of the carnage it causes, it would be way too long to bother reading.

I found a great location for a possible show next year tonight though, right on the water and centrally located. Our show has never been about selling stuff although people DEFINITELY come ready to spend. We appreciate that of course but moving the store is what causes the problems so I'm trying to come up with a plan to get around having to bring any inventory. The best parts of the show (I think) aren't what we brought to sell anyways.

Long Island Recreational Fishing Expo. Farmingdale -Starts tomorrow.

Saturday seminars- John Skinner, Doc Muller, Bill Wetzel, Zeno

exhibitors:

Aquaskinz vs. Jimmy --Hunter Surfcasting Gear- Bag wars--lets get ready to rumble. :fury:

VS v. Zeebass-

After Hours vs Jinski vs Super Strike vs RI Poppers vs Lordship Lures.

Paulies of Montauk vs Johnny's of Montauk :fury:

Lami vs St Croix


Is an up and coming show. Lots of buzz in New York on this show. I will be there.

The shows help all the organizations as they are fund raisers and are really a place for you all to get a bargain.

There are door prizes and raffles and deals.

We all have volunteers who would love to see a great turnout for their efforts.

We will have 6 or more months worth of great speakers in 1 location.

As President of MSBA I must say please come to the MSBA EXPO. Stonehill is a great venue, it is easy to get to from the South Shore. RI, western MA and Boston. $10 admission, free parking, great vendors , great speakers.

Our vendors are tops and focused on fishing, as Patrick says "no knifes and jerky (but I do love jerky), just stuff for fisherman" and there will be great deals. We really believe in supporting our local tackle shops, vendors, and plug builders.


You will not find better speakers.

You will see old friends and meet new friends. Stop by and see Johnny Cherico at the MSBA history display, meet Charlie Cinto who is usually hanging with John, arguably our most famous member and a great resource to speak to.

Maybe we can post at the raffle table on a white board who on Striped-bass.com is "in the house" so you know who is there.

Come to our show, hear our speakers, support our vendors and support us. We really try to be the eyes and ears and support for the recreational angler in MA. This is a political time with threats to access, but 1st of all WE ARE A FISHING CLUB.

I look at our EXPO in March as the "START OF THE SEASON" as the days are getting longer and it is time to start getting our gear ready.

By the way our 700th MSBA Meeting Celebration is now 2/25 (go to MSBA.net for details).

GO to all the shows, support the clubs and vendors, you will learn and you will be a better fisherman, which is really what it is all about.

Thanks,
Bill

To say that I attended few shows last few years would be an understatement.
I'd have to say that they all are good in some ways. For us on Long Island who don't have a single show to go to all winter (except one that is dying quickly) the new Recreational show is a place to see old friends in a dead of a winter. It will take time to build following.
For strictly "shopping" purpose you cant beat RISAA. That show is incredible. Although I have to say that if you are a plug whore those two flea markets in NJ,Asbury and Berkeley will blow your mind with guys lining up at 3 am. I am wondering how much effect this economy is going to have on them. I think more then people realize but I guess will have to wait and see. I am looking forward to Plum Island show, never been that way and always looking forwards to seeing Mr. Bourque and meeting new people. Never made a massbass show yet ,I always seem to be booked by the time I get invited. I am looking forward to visiting them at their May meeting for many reasons.They are a great organization and they deserve your support.
having said that, my favorite shows are usually small in nature. Rivers End and SWE were intimate gathering where everyone seems to know each other.

There are only two shows to attend........MSBA and RISSA. The rest are pots and pans and ShamWOW.

Travel for me is difficult these days. I'd like to attend Somerset, NJ, as well as the MA show, but these days they are "A Bridge too far".

I've been able to tag along w/ Friends to the RISAA show the past few years. It is a great SW show, limited outfitters and other non tackle related vendors. While I respect their right to earn a living; as we all have that right , I feel they are out of place at a venue dedicated to Salt Water Fishing. I believe those exhibitors would be proper to a generic "outdoor exhibition".

That being said, depending on your geographical location, If there was one show to attend, it would be RISAA. Quality exhibitors, willing to listen, offer help, and share their expertise.

If you know what to look for, there are some very good "show specials".
I've made some good friends there, and you'll always run into someone you've met on the beach.

The seminars are always informative. I usually come away w/ a different way of doing things as well as remembering things i've forgotten over the years.

Second place would go to Pete at SWE. He and his crew go all out. It's kinda like a mini RISAA. Shame it won't happen this year, but his reasons are very understandable


gw :cheers:

I'll be hitting the PISC show in a couple of weeks and then MSBA and RISAA.
I love them all, but I love the pilgrimage to providence to go to RISAA, plus it's in April, so we can almost smell the season getting ready to start up