CTFishTalk.com: Went to fishing show at htfd conv center - Connecticut General Topics ( CT General Topics ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

chud059 · Joined: 29 Mar 2011 Posts: 413 Location: Manchester

...and it was kind of boring... sadly. I've been going for the last 3 years and every year I hope for a little more. Maybe a little more smaller boat/kayak/canoe company's. Less deep sea charters and more freshwater stuff. I don't know... even the stuff they had "special" prices on like lures and reels and stuff like that wasn't that great. I'm glad that I live 2 exits and 6 minutes from cabelas cuz that's where I always end up after!!!!

SeaDog1 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 2629

Hi,

Yeah! These sporting shows are getting poorer and poorer each year.
It's getting much more expensive for exhibitors and all the good deals they use to give sportsmen at these shows on products has also disapeared.

I live in Winsted so I have the option of driving to Cabelas in East Hartford or to Gander Mountain in Kingston, NY. (1 hour + either way)

Prefer to go to GM
Cabelas was founded in Nebraska and primarily on hunting products.
GM was founded in Wisconsin (Great Lakes area) and on fishing and boating products.
I've found GM has a much better and extensive selection of fishing products and and that their prices are much less than Cabelas.(even in NY)
Usually I can buy 1/2 again more for the exact same amount of money at GM than at Cabelas.
Also the way GM has their products organized and displayed -> It is so much easier to find what you want vs Cabelas.

Heard Bass Pro may be opening a store here in New England -> That would be nice -> and give Cabelas some competition! Smile

SeaDog1

fishville · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 87

You're right it seems the sporting shows are mostly hunting guides or those as seen on TV booths. Cabelas gets the big thumb down for fishing. Most of the local shops have a better and appropriate selection of gear for your fishing spots. I will also second GM they have alot of the gear the local shops can't bring in and profit on.

chud059 · Joined: 29 Mar 2011 Posts: 413 Location: Manchester

There is a Bass Pro in Foxboro, I am on vacation this week, I may take a ride up there. SD, I lived in Winsted in the last half of 1989...worked at a supermarket that just opened up at the time. Used to fish there when I was a kid a lot with my father. I like to drive there and hit some ponds and lakes. I lived right off of rt44 on old county road, there was/ is a bar on the corner of 44 and the road to get to the street I lived on. A quick story if ya don't mind.. I was only 19 when I lived there but the first bar I even went to was on main street..and I got terribly drunk also.. I think the bar was called benny's? next to a bowling alley? I don't think it's there anymore though. That was my story..LOL..sorry, it just made me laugh..what a long time ago that was but still some fond memories.