San Mateo ISE - Major Disappointment

[fishyhead]

I just got back from the ISE Friday night. Even though the show is reduced to two buildings, there was still a lot of empty booth space. After I walked the show(which did not take long) I kept asking myself, did I miss something?? Sadly, the answer was NO. Also I didn't see Hi's or Coyote Tackle there this year. Unfortunately the economy has taken a big toll on the industry. Save your money and time this year and skip the SM ISE, perhaps the ISE out in Sacramento will be worthwhile.

For those of you that did attend, I would like to know what you thought of the show.

[kb]

Yes the San Mateo show has seen some downsizing with the economy and all the changes in the bay area outdoor market but we want you guys to come out and with this seminar schedule on the Ultimate Bass Demonstration Tank it won't take you long to get your monies worth with a smaller show you will get the chance to talk fishing with the guys, ask questions and get some great information. This weekend in San Mateo or next week in Sacramento we hope to see many of you stop by and say hi and let's talk fishin.

If you want to save a couple of buckS on your admission go to www.ultimatebassradio.com to print a discount coupon.

There is also a great opportunity to stop by the Bass Tackle Depot booth and talk swimbaits with the guys that make them like JSJ, Black Dog and TyLure. These guys are awesome artists and bait makers and have a great deal of information to share.

Saturday Jan 16

10:30 Tony Franceschi Bass in Clear Lake
11:30 Gary Dobyns Winning tips from the U.S. Open Champ
12:30 Bub Tosh Heavy Cover to open water bassin tips
1:30 Andy Cuccia Cooch’s Fishin Tips
2:30 Kent Brown Ultimate Bass Fishing
3:30 Randy Pringle The Delta with the Fishing Instructor
4:30 Gary Dobyns Reaction Baits for Bass
5:30 Bub Tosh Swimbaits for Trophy Bass



Sunday Jan 17


10:30 Zack Thompson Bass with the FLW National Guard Angler of the Year
11:30 Gary Dobyns Tips from the U.S. Open Champ
12:30 Ultimate Bass Roundtable:
Gary Dobyns, Zack Thompson, Jimmy Reese, Randy McAbee, Ish Monroe
1:30 Ish Monroe Fish with Ish
2:30 Randy McAbee Crankbaits for Bass
3:30 Jimmy Reese Tournament winning techniques

[D-Man]

I was there for most of the day Friday and there is a lot of evidence of the down economy.

On the upside, the exhibitors, pros and lure makers are very receptive/available and have more time to discuss fishing in general, fishing gear, boats, boat maintenance, etc....

It's a great opportuntiy for one-on-one interaction with the top people in there fields.

[StogieMan]

Last year I made the mistake of venting becasue I thought to rasie the admission price over 2008, in an economy that was struggling was a mistake.

Mr. Brown took issue with me over my comments, in effect saying I was discouraging people from attending the show because of my personal bias and I was not being fair to the fishing community (retailers etc) by doing so.

I won't comment on the price to enter this year, if you went you already know.

I went and I did enjoy the seminar by Gary Dobyns, the only one I stoped to hear. Gary always put's on a good show, thanks Gary.

I too would agree that the show was a major disapointment, embarrasing is probably a better description.
But if you were interested in a new Wake Board Boat it was the place to be, there were about 20 to look at and oh yeah, 3 bass boats.

[bantam1]

I was told that ISE Sac is sold out for booth space. I bet it will be as good as it normally is.

[blkdog812]

that new 2010 red white wake boat was only 90k...............
58k for a bass boat doesnt look that expensive now does it.....hahahahah

[kwikfish]

I was told that ISE Sac is sold out for booth space. I bet it will be as good as it normally is.

The ISE in Sac gets a big boost by all the hunting outfitters, etc. Which, is really a indication about the demographics of the Central Valley vs. the SF Bay Area.

Prior to leaving the SF Bay area after living there for 35 plus years, it was pretty obvious to me that there are fewer people that I would call 'enthusiasts' in either fishing or hunting. Lets face it, you have to be a real 'enthusiast' to attend the ISE show in this economy. The late 90's and early 2000's attracted a lot of peripheral attendees motivated by a lot of well paid bay area employees looking for a hobby.

The question is: What is the purpose of the ISE? Is it to attract new 'enthusiasts' to fishing and hunting? If so, how do you do that when the natural resources (fish and game) are bordering total collapse and cannot be properly managed or enhanced by a hamstrung politically controlled DF&G?

In summary, a more notable negative message about the poor attendence of the San Mateo ISE is how few Bay Area residents really care about fishing and hunting vs. lets say, MAC World, etc. And, that transcends down to how people view the importance of our fisheries or other natural resources that are on the brink of disappearing completely.

p/s Bad economy aside, with a 3rd year in a row closure of salmon season, limited rockfish season, MLPAs, insigificant striped bass population and the all out assault of their very existence, plus toss in a decades long sterile South Bay, there is really nothing inviting about the ISE to even the sub SF Bay Area 'enthusiast'.

[kb]

I will address a few of these posts and hopefully you guys will understand them. Due to the fact that the Northern California Marine Association has had to cancel their annual show in Pleasanton, there is no other boat show in the Bay Area ISE and NCMA had joined forces and allowed the wake board dealers in the show.

They actively tried to get every bass boat dealer in that area from Modesto to Stockton and more to participate in the show. None of them with the exception of C&C Marine in Modesto showed up. Richard did sell some boats this weekend and I am happy for them that is what they came for.

We had a great roundtable seminar, Jimmy Reese, Randy McAbee, Gary D, Ish and Zack Thompson. BTD had a good selection of products.

Yes the San Mateo show has shrunk, so has our industry, There is no more Salmon fishing in the bay and inland, MLPA's cutting off areas to fish in the ocean, restrictions on rock fish, restrictions on trout planting and an economy that has a different boat dealer going out of business every month that show is bound to shrink.

I for one hope that sport and boat shows aren't a dying event that will all go away. Anti hunting and anti fishing groups alike would love to see that. There is something for everyone at the shows and over the years we have seen the Cow Palace Shows go away, I worked the Cow Palace shows when the fire marshall closed the place down because you couldn't get anymore people in there.

Many of us do take offense when we put alot of work into our presentations and programs and one guy jumps on the internet and says it sucks, many of you would take offense if someone did that in your job. If you couldn't get $15 worth of information from the seminar speakers on the tank alone if you are a bass fisherman you are way too good to be spending your weekend at a sport show you needed to be at Shasta kicking Ehrlers butt......

Been to the movies lately, Disney on Ice, a concert, bowling, minature golf with the kids it is all expensive. The San Mateo Event Center gets 100% of the parking, concessions, drinks and a steep rental fee for the facility.

Sacramento will be an awesome show, it always is and I look forward to it every year, that week is long and kicks everyone's butt and we love every minute of it so come on out and join us. Most of the manufacturers have had to slim down and pick one show in the North and one in the South. They do Sacramento and Long Beach. All the manufacturers will be in Sacramento, Lowrance learning center, and more.

For a discount coupon to the show you can go to my webpage www.ultimatebassradio.com and print one off and that will save you a few bucks.

Weather is gonna be bad for the week so make plans to come to the show and say hi......

kb

[Nate G]

Hey KB,

Your thoughts are right on and thx for sharing the insights into why the show was downsized. I personally wish there would have been a lot more tackle and bass boats to look at, but I found a few things to buy anyway and I really did enjoy and learn quite a bit from the demo's and the roundtable so thanks for running that. I think we all knew the show was going to be different this year, but like anything it is what you make of it.

[Wolfeman]

I'm with Nate G.
The show was about the same as last year, and while it wasn't the killer shows of past years it was still fun.
I enjoyed the roundtable discussion...Yes Ish, we know how much you've won. , but Gary's won more.
All the guys on the panel were forthcoming and provided some good stuff.
KB played the role of Ryan Seacrest to perfection. Just kidding Kent, you did a great job of guiding the roundtable discussion, as usual.
Thanks for that.
Personally I'm glad they still had it. It always feels like it's the symbolic start of the new fishing year.
- Wolfeman (Rick Wolfe)

[FIVEtenthz]

IMO if the bass demo tank had been at Bass Jam, it would've been better than the San Mateo ISE, then again, free admission vs $15?

[Mike Reidy]

I attended the San Mateo show on Thurs. evening and Sat. afternoon. The show has downsized and it was not as crowded as years past. I did attend many of the bass tank seminars and picked up some great tips from Tony Francesi, Andy Cuccia, Randy Pringle, Bub Tosh, Gary Dobyns, and Kent Brown. One thing I noticed and appreciated very much was how willing all these anglers and more like Jeff Huth and Aaron Coleman were willing to share tips. These anglers were always around and it was very easy to get some uninterupted time with each. Another observation was at the Ranger boat display how the reps and pro's answered questions and discussed boat operation and rigging without trying to push sales. I also bumped into many anglers from past and current competition and shared some good laughs. I for one got my monies worth and enjoyed my time at the ISE San Mateo. Yes it has changed but I hope it stays around !!

Mike Reidy

[Mike]

I got my moneys worth just staring at that TOAD in the demo tank for 4 hours!! I want one of those in my bag this year!

[Wolfeman]

I'm with you Mike on the lunkers in the tank.
Wonder what slough they tased them up out of?
Probably Cooch's backyard.
- Wolfeman (Rick Wolfe)

[b2customrods]

After paying that entry price plus the parking fee I will not be attending next years San Mateo show.

I did spend a bit of time memorized by those bass in the tank.

I did want to come back to let my three Golden Retrievers play in the pool. I would have to pay that entry fee again though and that aint gona happen.

[Jeff Huth]

Mike,
Thanks for the nice comments and everyone needs to remember, downsized or not , those vendors, speakers, reps, and show organizers etc, etc, have to work just as hard to put on a show no matter how big it is. Also I'd like to add that most of the seminar speakers and pro-staff members even like the slower shows because it gives us more time to interact a little more with everyone. There is no doubt that it's exspensive to go and pay for admission, parking and food and all, but compared to say like going to the movies !, it's still a great value in my opinion. Keep up the good work KB, and I hope to see everyone in Sac..

[Mike Reidy]

I heard those fish were from Stockton area. That 13+ would be great on any day !!

[gabuelhaj]

They should forget San Mateo in the future and have the big show in Sacramento. I don't like paying the bridge tolls anyway....

At any rate, to all who work the shows, a BIG thank you!

Good luck!

[WackySenko]

I went to the show on Sunday with my wife and daughter (Yes they both love to fish, Thank God). I thought that it was great. We did not mind the fact that there were less booths and vendors. We had no wait time at the booths to see what we wanted to look at and ask questions about. There was really no wait time to talk to the people that we wanted to. We spend alot of time at the Bass Tank listening to the seminars and the 2 hour Round Table (Great job Kent, Thank You). I never felt that the Pros and vendors I talked with were in a hurry to finish with me and get to another person. The cost was not bad. Not counting purchases we spend less than $75 (bridge, parking, entry and food) for a day together.

[acm95301]

I'm hoping to make the Sacramento show, I had to work during the San Mateo Show. Last year I missed the lowrance class, hoping to hit that this year...maybe Saturday!....wife is going to kill me, she wants to go skiing.

[kwikfish]

I agree with Kent B. I am also thankful for those that keep the 'light' burning thus keeping sportfishing on life support.

I've been trying for years to get family and friends to attend the ISE in San Mateo with the very idea of sparking interests in fishing and hunting. And, that was in the good economy!

IMO, I think anyone who was interested in fishing and hunting sold and moved from the Bay Area replaced by 'you know who'.

IMO, the writing is on the wall...... If I can't get people to attend an ISE, how do I get them to write a letter to oppose political pressure to stomp out what is left of our fisheries and game?!

Create an Apple Ap, that's how!

[bassinbillmc]

I wish that I could have gone. Due to my mom being critically ill I was not able to attend this year. This is the first one I have missed!!! While I always enjoyed looking at all the new tackle and boats, the demo tank and seeing old friends like, Kent, Gary, Tony and many others was always the highlight for me.

I will not be able to make the Sacramento show either, but look forward to going to the ISE next year.

Bill McGuigan

[Gary Dobyns]

I am very sorry to hear about your mom. Just know you had several friends wondering when we would see you. Best wishes for your family.

[sTony]

Also missed you at the show Bill. I hope the best for you and your family.

sTony

[kb]

Sorry to hear about your mom as well Bill. Yell if you need anything up this way I am pretty close to Placerville.

kb

[TonyL]

Are they having the Lowrance class this year ? Wasn't it last year-they did away with it and were directing people to a separate (more in depth) class at the hotel for a fee ??

[Kentuck]

I used to look forward tot he San Mateo show every year. Essentially, ever since they moved the date from the first of February. Kudos to KB for putting together a great line up of speakers, but one of the reasons I always went to the show was looking for deals on tackle and talking to various manufacturers about equipment I may be interested in. Shimano and Okuma weren't even at the show. Only one bass boat dealer, two big tackle shops weren't there and everything non-fly fishing was in one hall, including the Junior section. I for one, also do a lot of hunting so having a large section of hunting outifitters and equipment is a plus for me. I guess from now on the Sac show will have to be it. I really don't see the San Mateo show lasting much longer at this point.

[Jay Rowan]

I heard those fish were from Stockton area. That 13+ would be great on any day !!

Just north of Stockton. About a 5 min run at 30 MPH from Paradise Pt.
The two big girls went 11-9 and 12 even. That 12 looks bigger. They were with-in 50-75 feet of each other in nice big pockets in the weeds, 3-4 feet of water...

[bassinbillmc]

Gary, sTony and KB:

Thanks for the kind words. My mom is back home with full-time care and hospice. I sure do miss not being at the shows but family has to come first.

Gary, my buddy John said that he saw you today at Sacramento today and relayed to you why I wasn't there. Heard that KB was giving the sturgeon guys some tips when he wasn't at the bass tank. FYI - I did make contact with Mike Reidy and we are planning on fun fishing one day when I can get away.

sTony, BassWest USA is looking great. I really enjoy the magazine. Keep up the good work.

Your guys are true sportsmen and ambassadors of our sport. I am glad to call you friends!

Sincerely,

Bill McGuigan