Sacto Sportsmen expo Friday

Heading to the Sacramento Sportsmen's Expo Friday around lunch

Hoping to find some deals, some giveaways, and get suckered into some stuff as I always to at fairs

anyone else going?

planning to pickup some $3 discount coupons at Big O Tires or O'Reillys later today

see ya,
Brian.

https://www.sportsexpos.com/attend/sacramento/

let us know what you see over there. I was considering going on Sunday. Enjoy!

-Yao

Just got back from the Sportsmens Expo in Sacto.

tl;dr  fun getaway, better than work, excellent if your ready to make a big purchase: boat, equipment, trip/guide

I arrived at the expo around opening time 1130A, fair amount of folks walking in, lots of camo, handed some extra discount coupons to a couple guys and paid my reduced $13 entry fee (on top of $10 parking).

made the hike back to the expo area.  Hunting was the first section, I didn't even poke my head in - just not that into hunting right now.  Large fly fishing section, very nice, a couple clubs a may need to look into.  Also a good number of nearby flyfishing CnR lakes, ponds, and river access.  A number of folks doing fly tying demos - which I really enjoy.  Made my way through, no purchases.

Next was the outdoor boat section and food court.  My gut rebelled just looking at the food court options, I heeded the advice and moved on.  Spent some time looking at boats.  Kayak City was out there. I looked at a number of yaks, and spoke with the Hobie rep 'Tim' - cool guy, told me about all the logistics issues they've had and the terrible backlog - he expects '22 to be similar to '21, I agree, so get a boat now if you want one.  Kayak city were not offering any discounts, but instead throwing in a bunch of stuff with the purchase.  They didn't have a lynx on display, and only one Kayak City rep.  All this helped me avoid buying a second kayak for my son or others to use.  I was mentally prepared to buy a 'Yak, I think KC lost a sale today.

Power boats, hard not to lust after some of the nice fishing boats, North River are the target of my boat lust these days.  They are pricey critters, but also nice and useful.  I had no plans to purchase a big boat today, but always fun to look.  I honestly prefer fishing from the 'yak tho.

next was the Pavillion...it's the furthest and where the Sports fishing stuff is.  I was hoping to maybe find some cool giveaways, or some too hard to pass deals, but none of that.  But it was worthwhile.  The tractor trailer bass fishing is always fun, those dang bass are sooooo big, and beautiful.  Pitbull tackle were there, and they seized some of my cash, some baits and a serious piece of fish game clip.  A ton of guides and places to fish, I'd say 1/2 from Alaska. If you want to do a guided trip, my guess is this is the place to arrange it.  Stopped in at the Fishermans Wharehouse mega-booth, dropped a few more dollars there.

Also spent some time talking to the nice folks from various counties, cities etc.  Got some good material to plan some future fishing/camping trips.

I was walking out the doors around 245P.  I'd go again if I'm going to make a big purchase OR if I'm planning a guide trip....or...more likely if it's the middle of January, and I have a Friday that I can play hookie

See ya,
Brian.

more pics

Thanks for the report. I almost went yesterday, but decided not to go.

I'm going tomorrow.  I'll try to post as well.

looks super fun....I may ditch work to head over there tomorrow.

Went Saturday morning. It was packed. Should have gone Sunday from the pics, lot less people. Had a gift card burnin' a hole in my wallet since Christmas. Picked up a     
 Abu Garcia MAX-LP-DLC From the Fishermans Warehouse booth. Great way to spend 4 hours before the Playoffs.

I went on Sunday, from past experience I always know sundays are deal days. Most vendors dont want to haul their stuff back. So what deals I got:
Spirelite rod - 25% off and bargained for no tax
Pit bull tackle - bought 2 flashes with hoochie they threw in a sinker release, bought 2 line cutters discounted additional $8 off, all this no sales tax.
Lamiglass- picked up a $450 surf rod, xcc kwick salmon rod $369, and a Kokanee rod $104, all for $400 out the door. (Best discount of the day)
Picked up a bunch of small to medium swim baits @ 20 cents each.

I am going on Sunday march 6th to the Fred hall show. I am looking for 3 shimano terez rods.

I went Saturday, it was way slower than the last couple years before the covid shutdown.  I liked the toned down crowd but there was noticeably less buzz. 

I went with a couple other tackle gurus and we each had some specific stuff we were targeting.  I wound up with a killer discount on an Accurate Tern (they’re releasing an updated version soon and the old model is getting cleared off shelves). The Seeker booth also delivered, got my paws on a couple blanks that normally gotta be hunted down in SoCal.  Those were the big scores, outside of that I picked up some swimbaits and reel covers.

Overall I think it worked out for us, with the exception of Penn not having their new rod lineup at the show.  If you were there to casually shop or look for deals on tackle, probably not the best for that kinda action. 

I am going on Sunday march 6th to the Fred hall show. I am looking for 3 shimano terez rods.

I cancelled my trip to the Fred Hall this year, if you check out the vendor list its missing all the primo retailers and some major manufacturers.  Reportedly.....inventory issues or drama...depending on what online stories you believe lol.  Call around to the bigger shops and retailers, some of them are still having "fred hall" sale pricing in their stores.  Expect some lines to get in though.