Went to the show this am with the kids for a bit... Worst show in years IMO. Very few tackle co.'s in attendance, and way less vendors... very disappointing year. Dont think I'll be attending it anymore as it continues to go downhill a little more every year.
Kids enjoyed "fishing" in the trout pond, and caught a few minutes of Ralph Wilkins of Wicked Tuna seminar. Other than that... big waste of time.

Thanks for posting. Too far to drive for crap

Its happening to a lot of the "sportsmen" shows...

They simply charge too much to attract many companies and vendors we are interested in. You get few, if any plug builders, and about a dozen "please give us all your personal info so we can sell it for a chance to win a carribean vacation that doesnt exist."

No thanks

Attended this AM. This show is among the worst I've attended. Each year the number of vendors decreases. Don't waste your time attending. Even the "snake oil" vendors were a bore.

Saw on another forum that there were zero kayaks in the building? No kayak reps at all??? Wow what a shame! Pretty much good with fishing shows these days anyway! Easier to just buy from my local bait and tackles and keep them green!:uhuh:

that WAS a good show.....20+ yrs ago.

I still remember going to the Centrum show in the morning/afternoon with dad and then going straight to the old Fair store fishing show on Rt. 20. Used to see the guys smelt fishung by lantern light on Lake Quinsig. Man time flew!
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The internet sales machine has a lot to do with the decrease in shows. Its not all based on the cost. Ive been involved with the MSBA show and this is by far the hardest we have had to work to book vendors.

We do have Yaks and some plug builders as always, and NEVER any snake oil vendors.

Very disappointed. I used to look forward to this show. It helped to get through a tough month. Save you gas money.

Saw on another forum that there were zero kayaks in the building? No kayak reps at all??? Wow what a shame! Pretty much good with fishing shows these days anyway! Easier to just buy from my local bait and tackles and keep them green!:uhuh:

Absolutely agree on all counts. I stopped going to the RISAA ripoff 3 years ago and haven't been to any shows in 2 years. I get everything I need from M&D, CMS, RedTop and Scotty at Salty's.

As an aside, I was going to go to the RI Boat Show but, since they raised the ticket price to $12, I said screw them. $10 to park, $12 to get in. $3 for a cup of bad coffee $10 worth of gas. So for $35 all I get is aggravation. No thanks. I think the day of the sportsman shows, with the advent of the internet, has come and gone.

MSBA show…10 bucks, free parking, tavern in building….wicked affordable and supports the most active organization fighting for your fishing opportunities in the area!!!!!!

I hear you Pat. Problem for me is that it's a 200+ mile round trip. $40.00 in gas just to go somewhere to spend money doesn't make economic sense anymore.

I also, used to enjoy this show. It was very well run, attracted all the major tackle co.'s, and had just about something for everyone. And for some it was the only show they attended due to distance. But it has continued a downward spiral for many years, with more and more co.'s and vendors pulling out each year, it just isn't worth the price of admission... which continues to go up by the way. When you have major tackle co.'s such as Shimano and the like, forgo appearing and losing all that exposure, it speaks loudly to the credibility of the show. Hopefully there will be enough negative feedback that they will revamp the show, because if it stays on it's current course, as someone eluded to earlier, it's days are numbered.
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