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Posts: 300
| My father and I will be going to our first Minnesota Muskie Expo coming up here in the next few weeks. I have been to the Ohio show before, but I know the Minnesota expo is bigger and a bit more prestigious.
Anything you guys recommend doing? Any new baits out that we should check out? I think we will be there Saturday. Just looking for some season vets to give us some ideas on what to look for and what to do.
We are going in their with cash and leaving the plastic at home.
Edited by jvlast15 3/2/2018 9:09 AM
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | I recommend checking out all of the booths before purchasing anything.
I usually have a set amount I want to spend with some ideas in mind. I like to see what all is there before I spend my budget on the first two booths. |
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Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | If you're going Saturday, I'd definitely suggest attending the swap at O'Gara's that night. It's a blast and good opportunity to spend that leftover cash on baits you definitely "need." Enjoy, and stop by the North Metro Muskies Inc. booth and say hello.
Steve |
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Posts: 1516
| Bring cash and leave CC at home is my advice. I don't follow it but I think about it |
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Posts: 408
Location: MN | I've been to a couple now and here are my bullet points:
- Seminars: some good presentations with useful information, and you can ask questions. If you think of a question after the seminar, go see them in their booth.
- People: many muskie people you can talk to, all in one spot. Guides, lure manufacturers, reel repairmen, resort representatives, people from Muskies Inc, etc. Interested in a new lake or area - go talk to a guide that fishes that area or a resort on the lake. Have questions about an article in a magazine - go talk to the guy who wrote it! Interested in a reel - go handle one, then ask the guys at the store about it and talk to Pikemaster about any problems or feedback he has.
- Equipment - see virtually anything muskie related in-person. Hold rods and reels in your hand to see what they feel like. Only thing better here would be a pool to actually try casting rods/reels and working baits.
- Reel cleaning: Abu and Shimano guys clean one reel each for free. If you haven't done it yourself before, you can watch and learn. Even if you have, you might learn something.
- Swap meet: Saturday night swap meet nearby- have a couple beers and some crazy deals or unload some baits you want to get rid of.
- Deals - many items can be 15-25% off, some better deals out there too |
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Posts: 1126
Location: Minnesota. | I dare not go to a Musky Expo w/a bloody credit card... I know me!
My two other hobbies have taught me that. |
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Posts: 3136
| Most years Thornes,Reeds,and Blue ribbon try to out do each other and duke it out and you can get some really,really good deals,some times they just go crazy with a special,this is the last muskie expo of the year and they want to move some things so walk around first to see.
Go check out the kids tackle work shop even if you don't bring a kid it's very cool to
watch.
If your looking to get a trueglide,fat bastards,Kramer tail or Barfighter better get in those lines first.
Don't forget to bring your Abu and shimano reels for a free cleaning and also there are some repair guys that have booths if you need more then that work, you can drop them off with.
Stop by the musky innovations booth and for fun count how many times you hear
Dennis Lappen say in a five minute period "should I tell ya something"
Also this show they bring more pounders to then any other so if your in the market for one or a nice show color this is it.
Gambling??,,before you get to entrance bet if Todd Cleveland will be outside smoking. This is akin to betting red or black on roulette wheel at any given time.
Don't forget Brett Auction Sat afternoon
Don't forget swapmeet Sat nite and your welcome to bring stuff.
Seminars are the best part attend many.
Long range projection is weather looks good no snow storms.
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Posts: 770
| I miss the Mn expo every year! Wish it ran for 2 weekends
Edited by T3clay 3/2/2018 1:53 PM
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Posts: 833
| Always look for that weird both with something unique. Each year I find some new and interesting bait, and it isn't always the latest hype lure. |
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| 14ledo81 - 3/2/2018 10:05 AM
I recommend checking out all of the booths before purchasing anything.
I usually have a set amount I want to spend with some ideas in mind. I like to see what all is there before I spend my budget on the first two booths.
Very sensible ledo but retailers don't like folks like you :>). Alt that time setting up a display to create impulse buys and you want to check everything out first and then only buy what you can use. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | North of 8 - 3/2/2018 2:21 PM
14ledo81 - 3/2/2018 10:05 AM
I recommend checking out all of the booths before purchasing anything.
I usually have a set amount I want to spend with some ideas in mind. I like to see what all is there before I spend my budget on the first two booths.
Very sensible ledo but retailers don't like folks like you :> ). Alt that time setting up a display to create impulse buys and you want to check everything out first and then only buy what you can use.
Ive learned that one the hard way.
"Dang...I want that, and that, and that...why did I spend all my cash...?" |
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Posts: 95
Location: MN | One thing I thought was cool was the Spanky booth. You basically get a custom lure on the spot and it's reasonable for price. If I were able to go this year, I'd certainly stop there for one. If you want a reel or rod, this is a great place to try them (like everyone else said already) and see if you can get a great deal on them. It can take a few minutes to get in the door sometimes, so just be patient. |
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Posts: 1080
Location: Aurora | All good stuff above but i'd also consider grabbing some chow first thing, that way while you're walking around with your hands and mouth full, you won't be so apt to pull out your wallet for anything until you settle in.
Something else to consider is stopping by the Ghosttails booth.
They're a super friendly family business that's been making handmade bucktails for over 30 years. They know the water you're fishing and give spot-on "non-pushy" recommendations and advice freely and they love to talk fishing.
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Posts: 1664
| Anybody know what Steves seminar is about?
This will be O'Garas last swap for a bit. They are knocking the building down and building a new one. I'm guessing it won't be ready for next year.
If I'm in town I just might stop and see what all the fuss is about. |
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Posts: 41
Location: Rochester, MN | Does anyone know if the seminars are recorded and posted online anywhere? I doubt this but really wish it would be considered. |
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Location: Latitude 41.3016 Longitude 88.6160 | Pimp My Rod and Reel will have a Booth at the 2018 Minneapolis Musky Expo, drop off 4 or More Bait Casting Reels to be Detailed, Tuned and Relubed get a FREE POWER HANDLE for one Reel. Still only $25.00 a Reel to have it Professionally Detailed. All Reels Droped off at the Expo, I’ll get them Back to you by Opening Weekend !!!
Stop By and let’s Chat about Reels !!!!
Edited by PIKEMASTER 3/5/2018 12:44 AM
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | Brian Hoffies - 3/2/2018 4:13 PM
Anybody know what Steves seminar is about?
This will be O'Garas last swap for a bit. They are knocking the building down and building a new one. I'm guessing it won't be ready for next year.
If I'm in town I just might stop and see what all the fuss is about.
Has the construction been approved? The swap will run deep into the night so you can catch both easily. Besides as people get drunker the prices tend to fall dramatically. |
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Posts: 300
| Does anyone know if Kramer Bros has any of their original Windowmakers at the shows this year? I have not hopped onto the Revolution band wagon yet, and I am wanting to restock on windowmakers. |
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Posts: 3136
| I was just at the waseau show two days ago on saturday,,Kramer was there and they did have regular dbl blade models in 12,10,8 and mini. |
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Posts: 3136
| How many guys are gonna try to get barfighters?? I'm wondering if I should play pick up basketball this week and brush up on my rebounding blocking out and sharpening up the elbows techniques to deal with you guys in line. |
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Posts: 3136
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Edited by happy hooker 3/5/2018 4:02 PM
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Posts: 1516
| Which booth has bar fighters? And how much are they? I’m talking about the lure not some of the mugs I have seen at these shows |
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Posts: 1080
Location: Aurora | happy hooker - 3/5/2018 3:55 PM
How many guys are gonna try to get barfighters?? I'm wondering if I should play pick up basketball this week and brush up on my rebounding blocking out and sharpening up the elbows techniques to deal with you guys in line.
Go with the 12" Suick or a big foot depth raider instead, unless of course yer one of those eBay re-sellers, in which case I say good day to you and.. SHAME!
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Posts: 1198
Location: Walker, MN | Pepper - 3/5/2018 4:44 PM
Which booth has bar fighters? And how much are they? I’m talking about the lure not some of the mugs I have seen at these shows
Dan Altmann guide service booth I hear. I might grab one, some people collect expensive postage stamps... |
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Posts: 3136
| Phew!!! Dodged a bullet there,,if storm would have hit this weekend lots of outstate people would have had to be disappointed not to come,,people wanted it moved from April to March but this is what you risk. |
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Posts: 1039
Location: North St. Paul, MN | I for one, loved it in April for exactly that reason. You could walk in without a coat and usually be good to go in shorts and a t-shirt. Oh well, at least the snow came and went this past weekend and we'll have clear skies for the expo.
Concordia has turned out to be a really nice venue and the O'Gara's swap never disappoints. |
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