Well, What did you think Day 1 Bass-A-Thon

[split172]

Lets here about the deals and opinions from Day 1.

[split172]

Saw some major price cuts on some boats, some new tackle exposed. Seemed a bit smaller than last year. I went to get the BBZ Jr., but unfortunately they weren't in. Met some new people and saw some old friends.

I think Sunday is the day to really experience.

[DaveH]

You forgot to pole this one, Stayed home and went fishing...

[bigbass111]

To me it seemed smaller than in the past. Alot of the baits weren't really marked down for the event but thats cool. In all I think it was great and it was nice too see ALOT of old friends.

I want to Thank Rick for putting it on and all who helped..

[N.A.R]

The economy is hitting all of us. You could feel it this year at the BAT. Like a friend told me today, with the new technology (Internet, instant pictures etc etc) the whole buzz about waiting 3 months to see a new bait is over.

With that being said this years B.A.T. had more information to gather than any year I have ever been there.

The folks at Lowrance were superb. I can bet 99% of the HDS owners don't even know how to properly turn off their units. This booth had 5-6 guys going non stop. You could compare Insight to Navionics, the simulator was one of our local lakes not some lake in Oklahoma. Bring your unit in and leave with it completely updated. They went back and installed all the updates to my units. They had a fully installed Hds system installed, that you could play with.

Bills seminar on shadows and how a bass relates to shadows and how bass and bait use shadows was simply priceless.

Scott Martins talked about punching from beginner to advanced. I could go on and on and on but if you walked in with an open mind and visited each and every booth you would of left with a wealth of knowledge.

I would rate it a success from a stand point of a fisherman.

[westcoastbass]

Bass A Thon was pretty cool. Got to speak to some nice guys, learned a lot, and purchased some new stuff that isn't even out yet. Went to the lake after and did pretty well on some of the baits. There definitely was not the buying buzz going around from what I could see, but it was still packed as always.

[Schneider Fishing]

I haven't been there yet but after looking at the results I'm thinking that there is just no making some people happy. WOW!!

I hope tis thread gets nuked.

I off to the BASS-A-THON now.

[mark poulson]

First of all, let me put one lie to bed right now.
Kent Brown DID NOT fall off the stage, but he was funny, anyway, and a terrific MC.
I hope the Jackall people lock up their stock at night, because Kent
was drooling like a teenager with a Playboy over some of their stuff.
And the guys he knew who left early must have burning ears right about now. I'd hate to get on his bad side.
I got a chance to talk for a while with Greg Hackney, about his experience down in New Orleans with Katrina, and it's aftermath, and he talke to me like he'd known me his whole life.
Brett Erhler and Scott Martin were great, each sharing his own knowledge and techniques, and experiences.
All three of them gave great seminar's.
And meeting Dave Gliebe was a treat. Another down to earth, real person. He is fishing history, and a true legend.
N.A.R.'s right about Bill Siemental's talk. It was almost Castaic specific, and the audience ate it up. No one ever tells the truth about what they do there, but he did.
If you guys already knew that stuff, it may not have seemed that big a deal, but to a lot of us it was pure gold. His system of breaking down the lake, and using structure, including shadows, was an eye opener.
Bill even "gave up" his newest "secret" bait, that won't be out until next July.
That alone was worth the price of admission (I know, it was free ).
Mike Long gave what had to be the best big bait, hands-on workshop I've ever seen or heard.
He had us put the chairs around his table, showed us all how he rigs his baits, and talked about how he fishes them and why.
And he stayed after to answer every question.
He and Siemental are real class guys.
And it was great to see a lot of people I don't get to see that often.
I saw Don Iovino at the Lowrance booth. Is there anything about sonar he doesn't know? And he just keeps getting younger.
Black Dog had a great lineup of baits, with their new baby bluegill, and some new paint job and finishes. They had some of the Japanese painted Punkers there, and they are beautiful
They also had some with Billy Egan's photo finishes, and they were amazing. I got bit by a flea off one of his rat photojobs.
Billy was there in person and had a lot of other baits that he'd put photo finishes on, and they looked real. Period.
I don't know how he does it, but he's a witch!
And Tylures has a buzz bait you have to see to believe, and the rest of their swimbaits just keep getting better and better.
I'm sure I left a lot of people out, and I apologize.
Everyone involved in putting on the West Coast's best fishing show should be congratulated.
All in all, another great day.
Thanks again Rick and Cindy Grover.

[split172]

This is all some great stuff. Lets keep hearing about your experiences. Sounds like some killer seminars that should not be missed. Invaluable info.

[Rod Wynn]

BAT gets a thumbs up from me..

IMO, most of us are so spoiled by the internet and the ability so see and watch just about anything with a click of the mouse..
So that decreases the WOW factor unless something just jumps out at us..
N.A.R. and Mark Poulson both made great points..
Having said that, it was a nice event put on by Rick Grover and the entire AM Staff..
Looking forward to next year already!


PS..I was also one of the people who was also looking forward to getting a new BBZ-1 Jr. and I was let down to find out that they were not going to sell them..

[Ricky-S]

I learned more at this BAT than any other that I have ever been to.

Just having the factory support from Lowrance helped my fishing. I learned more in two days that would have taken months to figure out.

I won't event talk about the conversation and stories that I got to hear from anglers that are the BEST in the WEST.

Great job to everyone.

[Schneider Fishing]

I agree Ricky. This one was very informative.

[Gary Dobyns]

Well there was some happy customers. 12 boats sold during the show. Two used ones but mostly new stuff. We sold plenty of rods. Diamond Valley opening back up is sure to be a good shot in the arm for them. Heard plenty of positives from the show.

I missed it and was in Idaho for Ranger Boats but my staffers had a great time.

[mark poulson]

Well there was some happy customers. 12 boats sold during the show. Two used ones but mostly new stuff. We sold plenty of rods. Diamond Valley opening back up is sure to be a good shot in the arm for them. Heard plenty of positives from the show.

I missed it and was in Idaho for Ranger Boats but my staffers had a great time.

Not to rub it in, but there were free donuts.

[Keith Tripp]

Dont worry Gary I saw KB eat enough donuts for you and me...In fact he filled out that Mercury shirt pretty well.....so he is following your strict diet pretty well.....My thought is he thinks if he grows up to be "big" like you he will fish as well......hate to tell him.....NOT!!!!!

The Bass A Thon was AWESOME as always..great to see the guys... Rick and the staff as always did another first class job. Seminars were great with old school vs new school and World Champs as well.....ok ok ok even KD did a great job......there I said it.....

Thanks so much Rick and all the guys at Anglers Marine for putting this on and thanks for having Ranger Boats a part of it!!!!!

[kb]

Were you there Tripper????? Funny I tried to introduce you to the crowd several times and you ran the other way like you were on the witness protection program and at the end of Bass A Thon I tried to have you come up on stage with all the other guys and you were nowhere to be found. Must of had your watch set on Arkansas time......

Thanks Tripp and good to see everyone down at Bass A Thon!

kb

[jrbasspro]

Damn work anyway,
I missed it again! but I tried! boss didnt bye the fake cough