Toronto Sportsmen Show?? Thoughts

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iJay

iJay

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We recently started thinking about 2014 and the shows we plan on attending. The Toronto Sportmen show came up in discussion this year was our first year attending. With mixed thoughts and feelings on this show I wanted to ask others who have attended what thier thoughts are?

This year I found it more of a "flea market" as oppose to informative or even entertaining. There were WAY more vendors than attendees and infomation booths. Anyting from lottery tickets to sushi was for sale. I did manage to find a couple good deals, I am just not sure if it was worth the $20 tickets and $20 parking.

What are your thoughts?
 
I actually won tickets from a small contest in Mississauga and I attended with my brother and dad. My view, I really wanted to go before I even won the tickets BUT from going in the past, my pops wasn't really into it but since it was free we both went.

Long story short.... it was ALRIGHT. We came, we saw..... we kept seeing things.... and more things.... and more.... and left lol. Didn't buy anything, thought the prices were no different, lots of boats and thats about it. By the end we didn't really learn anything, buy anything but it was just a trip that really pertained to our interests but nothing too much else.

I give it 5/10 just because it was something different to go to and not an everyday task. Food is expensive and parking too. so yah, thats the value for me!
 
I go every almost every year, and its become just a big flea market, it can be worth it though because you can sometimes get some deals. Its cool to see whats new for that year from all the big manufacturers though.
 
^


I really didn't see anything new or exciting. There was a 100 yard fly casting station. There were some really cool toy haulers but I agree on becomming a Flea market. The only other show I remeber attending was back in 95 (I was 10) it was at the International center. There seemed to have been alot more information, they even had a fly tying station, fishing simulator ect.
 
good for kids...some free stuff but i believe it's usually first come first serve...
 
Yeah i won ticket too through twitter of all places. Buddy and i went. There were deals from the smaller vendors but the larger ones really only had save the tax deals. Nothing was absolutely outstanding. Good selections from everyone so you could walk 30 feet to the next vendor if the first one didnt have what you wanted. I'm thinking of checking out the Spring Fishing show instead this year
 
unless other wise you are going to shop for rods and reels, or planning to spend few hundred, it is waste of money. unless other wise you don't live anywhere near a good fishing store i would save my money. i went this year for line and few other things. i bought 25 dollars worth of stuff and paid 17 dollars for entrance. i could not find anything i wanted.
 
Trade shows have seem to gone downhill altogether.. I got the same perception last time i went.. Just a glorified "Flea" market with expensive parking...! Now i just save my money and go to the Spring fishing Event they hold at Bass pro... Still have all the merchandise with good deals, "Aquarium display" which the Sportsmen use to have, and lot's of good guest appearances and demos.. Always look forward to seeing Dave Mercer do his seminar...

Oh and ya... Free parking.. and the food court has better food for cheaper! Don't have to fork out $8.00 for a slice of pizza and can of pop! lol
 
I attended this year's show, but found that there wasn't much in the way of information, or even gear. Lots of boats, lots of outfitters, but not enough of a selection of gear manufacturers. I would have loved to have a variety of gear and tackle to browse and purchase at a less-than-retail price, but I found very little selection, and no real bargains. Some items, I noticed, were actually much more expensive than can be purchased at the local tackle/outdoors shop. The highlight for me was a pair of duck-tolling retrievers at one of the booths. Gorgeous dogs. I spent almost an hour chatting with their handler.
 
It usually is very informative for guests but yes, the flea market idea seems to be more current the past years. I will be in a couple of booths this coming event and I will post more info on it later on but I hope to see some OFF members come by and see me!
 
i used to like it, now it gets boring it always seems the same. plus i cant even catch a trout in the trout pond ! its become an overrated flea market like others have said, i still go last year my dad got a shimano rod for half price, there are some good deals to be had
 
I Went to the last one a buddy of mine had free passes.My son enjoyed the dirtbikes and sitting on the boats but I found it hard to find what I was looking for but I did end up finding my center pin and got it for a fairly good price
 
I wish it was a flea market, just a bunch of booths with retail priced stuff. The one thing it is good for is checking out fishing clubs, there are a few there and it's fun to talk to them.
 

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