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Posts: 36
| What can I expect at the Chicago show. What are some things I should do and what should I expect to see. Want to make the most of the time that I am there. Thanks. |
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Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | First tip that comes to mind (beyond making sure you go to the Swap Meet Saturday night) is to make sure NOT to be upset that Saturday is going to be MAD CROWDED. Not only is this time always crowded, but with the Bears playoff game on Sunday, plan to be wading through a sea of muskie fisherman during Saturday prime-times. |
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Location: Illinois | The walk from the parking lot can be a bit lengthy, and the weather is icy- wear warm clothing. Once you're in the show, take off a couple layers and put them in a backpack or garbage bag- it is pretty warm with everyone hyperventilating over the custom painted Medussas and New Double Dawgs.
Having the massive selection of new toys to buy, set yourself a budget, and then add $250. You will be broke but happy at the end of the day.
Wear earphones so that you can better ignore folks peddling raffle tickets.
Take your time. Enjoy the show. See at least one seminar, and if you want to have a seat for the Poolside lure demo, get there 1/2 hour or so early. Don't wear any Bears gear, the Wisco vendors look for that and then charge extra. Don't wear any Packers or Cubs gear, either. That last one isn't so much specific to the Muskie Show, but life in General. |
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Posts: 3156
| bring a hardside bag/brief case so you dont poke yourself in the leg with hooks carrying lures around in plastic bags, alot of the lures are sold open with no packaging
leave your coat in the car
if your thinking of a trueglide bait head there first he always sells out.
dont test the 'no parking'
you can sometimes deal with baitmakers by buting multiples 2/3 for??? so partner up with you buddy/s
if you get a floor layout you can mark the booths that have free candy jars and swing by several times
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| Step one...pull into the Harper lot and see more pickup trucks and WI plates then you can find in entire rest of the state combined
Step two..you will walk in and not be sure exactly where to go...Follow the guy with the flannel shirt and beard, he probably isn't headed to the library
Step 3...Walk in and you will naturally head right. Upon looking at some basic gear a nice Asian man will tell you how his hooks are the best. Respecfully nod and tell him you will be back later
Step 4...Do not look left into Bob M's eyes..legend says you will turn to stone
Step 5...get your cash ready for the rollie and helens setup, you won't be able to say no to all of it
Step 6...head down resort row...yes, apparently the "Muskie Capital of the World" resides in 4 different states and a province
Step 7...yeah that guy is definetely wearing hemp and beads...no you can't buy any...
Step 8...go to a seminar or two...a good time to rest your wallet and you at least get a partial breather from being sold stuff..well, kind of
There's pleny of more steps, but that will be a good start
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | when I go to the show I like to walk around and look before I buy unless I see something that won`t be there later,remember you can get most lures at a later time,custom baits or show colors only.Try to get there at a early or late time,middle of the day will be packed with people,if you want to see a seminar get to it early or there will be standing room only.Musky shows can be very cool but very expensive,bring plenty of money if you want to buy alot,200 doesn`t get much at 20-30 a lure. |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | Grow a third hand. That's what I did for my first show.
Kevin |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | Don't expect to come on Sunday and pick up the custom color baits for big discounts, as you will likely be able to see the pegs where they used to be displayed! |
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | MuskyHopeful - 1/10/2011 4:29 PM
Grow a third hand. That's what I did for my first show.
Kevin
Which your wife still appreciates.  |
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Posts: 2865
Location: Brookfield, WI | tuffy1 - 1/11/2011 10:10 AM
MuskyHopeful - 1/10/2011 4:29 PM
Grow a third hand. That's what I did for my first show.
Kevin
Which your wife still appreciates. : )
I unfurl it on special occasions.
Kevin |
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Posts: 183
Location: Grand Forks ND | Get out of your vehicle. Walk around at the show for several hours. Get back into your vehicle and leave. |
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Posts: 294
Location: Bloomer, Wi | happy hooker_"bring a hardside bag/brief case so you dont poke yourself in the leg with hooks carrying lures around in plastic bags, alot of the lures are sold open with no packaging"
or worse hook yourself in the tip of your d*** with a 5/0 hook from a susie sucker...man that was embarrassing.
But honestly walk around a good potion of the show before buying anything. there is a great chance you could blow all your money before getting through one row. also doesnt hurt to make a list of your must have items try to stick to that but make sure you budget for a few other baits cuz you will always find something you HAVE to buy.
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Posts: 726
Location: Eau Claire, WI | If you go with kids, especially young ones, watch them like a hawk in some of the booths. Some vendors display baits with exposed hooks at kid level. Crowded booth, little kids, low hooks = Not good! |
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Posts: 256
| Jono - 1/11/2011 1:31 PM
If you go with kids, especially young ones, watch them like a hawk in some of the booths. Some vendors display baits with exposed hooks at kid level. Crowded booth, little kids, low hooks = Not good!
Great advise! We are trying to figure out how we are going to protect our 2 year old this year. We are leaning towards taping mittens on his hands. |
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Posts: 463
| If I was going to bring kids it would not be on saturday. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | That is one of the reasons I put the hooks on after the lure is sold, it is a little more work at the show but is a whole lot safer. |
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Posts: 1220
| I will ditto the tip on leaving your coat in the car, the Saturday crowd will test the limits of your anti-perspirant. I am a bit surprised about the prediction of a poor Sunday attendance when the Seahawks are scheduled to administer a fairly predictable drubbing to the DaBears. I think the bigger impact will be us Cheeseheads leaving the place early Saturday so as to not miss a moment of the Green and Gold (now with running game) knocking off the #1 seeded Falcons. Serious tip: bring only the money you are willing to spend and no extra because you will spend every cent you have there! Marty Forman |
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Location: Illinois | Junkman - I am a bit surprised about the prediction of a poor Sunday attendance when the Seahawks are scheduled to administer a fairly predictable drubbing to the DaBears. I think the bigger impact will be us Cheeseheads leaving the place early Saturday so as to not miss a moment of the Green and Gold (now with running game) knocking off the #1 seeded Falcons. One game against an average run defense and suddenly Starks is a star!  I agree with you though, the Packer backers won't want to miss their teams final game of the year! 
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Posts: 393
Location: Hopefully on the water | Have fun, see as much as you can, and talk with people. It is a great way to meet people and learn somethings also.
Money wise, as said before bring only what you plan on spending and if you have a list ahead of time it does help. Don't buy anything the first time walking through. Your list may change when you see a new video, bait, rod, reel, or what ever. |
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Posts: 87
| Do most vendors accept debt cards? |
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Posts: 107
Location: central illinois | Just bring cash. I bought a rod last year from one of the small vendors with my credit card since I ran out of cash. I was charged an extra $20 credit card fee since they didn't have a machine for it. Maybe the bigger retailers Like Rollie and Helen's and Thorne Brothers have them. |
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Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | I bought some stuff from Thorne Bros last year. They took the card with no extra fees. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | A lot of the small vendors do not take plastic (me for one) but I believe there is an ATM there someplace. |
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| If you charge something you are more than likely going to get charged state and county taxes plus the additional 2-3% that the credit card companies charge to process the transaction. If you have cash, well it just makes things easier with the smaller companies. |
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Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | dway, $20 credit card fee?!? Wow the fee is only 3% to process a credit card. I for one do not even add that in to the final tally. Cash is KING though. |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | Slammer Crankbaits' booth will take credit cards but not debt cards.
Another piece of advise, come to the show at opening time or stay until closing if you would like to get one on one time with vendors or industry personalities. |
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Location: Chicago, IL | FYI......
The Cook (more like Crook) County sales tax rate is 9.75% where we are located (60619) in the city limits. The processing fee of 3% bringing the total to 12.75%....... OUCH!
Unfortunately, it is the reality of doing business.
With that said, we will be accepting credit card transactions in the Stealth Tackle booth......Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Stop by and check out our dive & rise jerk baits, EZ-E Riser & Curl-E Riser : show special, $20.00 for 1 , $35.00 for two.
Stealth Tackle will be introducing new product this year too.
Stop by and say hello to John and myself.
Look forward to seeing everyone.
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Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | In short: bring cash. AND, stop at an ATM from your bank on the way, then you won't have to b* and cry about the fee. Or, if you can't do this, go to the bank today and take out cash. |
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Posts: 107
Location: central illinois | Yup, $20 is what they charged me. I still wanted it though, nobody's fault but mine. This year I will have more cash. Just want to warn others. |
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Location: Chicago, IL | I forgot to mention that Glowin Outdoors will be at the Stealth Booth too.
Come and meet the infamous Dan Okray in person, founder and owner of GO
"Get Glowin' Today!
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Posts: 476
Location: WI | Not sure how happy the college would be for me to say this, but.....bring a padlock and lock up your jacket and goodies in the bathroom/locker room. Best way for sure.
Dan O
Edited by GOTONE 1/12/2011 9:25 AM
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Posts: 360
Location: Tinley Park. Fish Cen IL. Bass & Vilas Cty.Muskie | Don't go to the show during the Packer Game (they still playin ?). The Hall will be empty. I looked game time up. 8pm Saturday....Hall will definitely be empty.
Edited by basscaster 1/12/2011 12:03 PM
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Posts: 360
Location: Tinley Park. Fish Cen IL. Bass & Vilas Cty.Muskie | If they win the game, run out and buy a Packer jersey and you will get many discounts. |
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Posts: 909
| Wear a Yankees hat and tell John at Stealth Tackle that Brian sent you! LOL! Then run for the nearest exit! 
Brian |
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Posts: 576
Location: Elk Grove Village, IL & Phillips, WI | "Don't go to the show during the Packer Game (they still playin ?). The Hall will be empty. I looked game time up. 8pm Saturday....Hall will definitely be empty."
Not a problem, show closes at 6:30 on Saturday.
Ditto on bring the lock and use a locker!!
Edited by KenK 1/12/2011 12:38 PM
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Posts: 143
Location: Lake of The Woods | Have not been to a show yet and was suppose to be there this year. sounds killer |
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| And don't be suprised by how little in stature all of the big names look (well, not all ... but alot). Just seeing pictures or videos or TV shows makes them look different ... they are fairly short and skinny (again, not all). |
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Posts: 8828
| TootallJones - 1/12/2011 2:32 PM
And don't be suprised by how little in stature all of the big names look (well, not all ... but alot). Just seeing pictures or videos or TV shows makes them look different ... they are fairly short and skinny (again, not all).
As a big fat guy I'd have to say that that makes a lot of sense. You're not going to be fat and out of shape very long if you're putting the kind of time in on the water that these guys typically do. Besides, it helps to be short and thin if your profession is muskie fishing - it makes all the muskies you catch look huge! |
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| where is the lure swap at and what time |
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Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | muskieman42718 - 1/12/2011 4:54 PM
where is the lure swap at and what time
See attached document.
Starts at 7, but people start setting up around 5:30PM (ie. if you want to sell/trade, get there early to get a table).
Official's TimeOut - see you there!
Attachments
----------------
 11th_swap.pdf (193KB - 203 downloads)
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Location: Northern Wisconsin | is the swap meet shoulder to shoulder crowded like the show can be? |
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Posts: 463
| Yeah but by that time all the deodorant has had time to wear off and the funk is in full effect.
Edited by chasintails 1/12/2011 6:55 PM
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Posts: 12
Location: La Crosse, WI | Custom Spinners Unlimited LIQUIDATION!! I will be selling off almost all of my muskie components ($15,000+): Blades, Bodies, Beads, skirts, etc. Most of my stock will be at 50% off or more including finished products and personal baits. I will be in Chicago this weekend and will try to get into Milwaukee and Michigan depending if I have anything left. I will not be in MN. See you there.
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| Bring a camera and take lots of pictures/videos for those unable to make it. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | A flatbed full of new Tuffys has been spotted headed South!!! I haven't even seen the 21 footer, and I have 4 footitis already!!!!! |
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Posts: 360
Location: Tinley Park. Fish Cen IL. Bass & Vilas Cty.Muskie | The show is small but specialized. I go there to learn, get seminars times and go to a few. They might start right away.In between try and learn something from every booth. How was fishing last Summer, how was fishing last Fall ?? If you see a madhouse at a booth, ask someone who is coming out of the Hundle what the commotion was about. If he saids its about a special lure, ask him if you could see it and where he's going to use it? There is alot of good information at the Show if you listen and ASK a good question or two. Let the venders talk, It is your time to Listen... |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | If you prefer smaller crowds, you may consider coming to the show on Sunday morning, through the early NFL Playoff game where they are trying to determine who will be playing the Packers next week.
There will be many large screen TV's with the game on it, so if you have interest you still can keep track of how the Bears are doing. |
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