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catch.and.fillet · #1 01-09-2010, 06:47 PM

Here's the best I can do next to postin' a fishin' report:

- Just got back after 6 hours of walking around at the show. Air was clear, temp about 72*, incoming tide, most activity around cold beer stands near the center of the arena. Pretty crowded but it was better about 3 years ago.

- Talked to HR&G, Captain Tom, and 'berry Charters. All worried about this cold and low water. Fish kill on Big Lake? Most said not likely but grew worried when I told 'em about the Youtube video of the 2" in Galveston West Bay.

- Looked at Shearwater, Everglades, Haynie, Ranger, Blue Water, Nautic Star, Triton, Champion, Cape Horn. Haynie's look fast and expensive for a spackled bottom boat. They're proud of the Shearwater. Everglades and Ranger 23 had the Nautic Star type rear console seats that look like a wet ride in a chop with a cross wind. If I had a spare $50k, I'd probably buy the shallow water 21' Shearwater with the wide gunnels and the 250 Verado. Or the Haynie Big Foot.

- Sweetie thought it would be great if we pulled up to the weirs in a nasty wakeboat with some AC/DC blaring, catch our limit, and then haul arse out of their. The wake boats are sick with their sound systems. I think it would be funny to pull up in the little Whaler and go right under them weirs....

- Wish I had my SC hat and long sleeve T-shirt to wear around the show.... W- where's my stuff?

- The Corvette boat was there as it is every year. Who's got the stones to buy such a thing and run around and burn gas??

- Looked at a Ranger bass boat with integrated, built-in lowrance fish finder and GPS next to the trolling motor (with a built-in transducer). This is a nice set-up that no saltwater rig offered - why not?. Talked to sales guy - said he'd hook me with a large gimble mount for the front of my boat. I'm pretty sure I want.

- Looked at kayaks and they are way cool. Definitely in the plans for 2010. Thinking maybe tow or haul to an area, launch and head out and then come back to the mother ship. Sweet!

- I seem to remember more lure companies exhibiting in the past.

- A lot of Alaska guide services. That's a long way to go in my opinion.

- Not many TU sweatshirts. Sweetie wore her LSU National Championship Sweatshirt and got a "Geaux Tigers!" everywhere she went.

- Made one purchase - a new rod for my new Christmas Curado. Went with the American Rodsmith's Team Series 6'9 Medium Trout Casting with the Winn Pro Tour Grip. Can't wait to try it out. Like below but in blue. It's the 2010 model.

- The camper dealers are hurtin'. Most were offering show deals 30-40% off.

- The kids loved the robot. The fishin' tank, all the campers, and jet ski simulator, too. The bay boats and boat lift manufacturers, not so much.

- There was a line to get in and look at one humongous, 50'+ sailboat yacht. Sweetie said one day we'll live on one. I can't wait....

shellman · #2 01-09-2010, 06:56 PM

Thanks for Houston Boat Show report. I plan on going next week.....

speckdaddy · #3 01-09-2010, 08:15 PM

thats w's ol boat in the top pic!!!! lmao the porpoise

catch.and.fillet · #4 01-09-2010, 08:28 PM

Man I could see a midget launching that thing at Hebert's and asking for a fresh quart of swimp in a Wizard of Oz Oompa Loompa voice so he could catch some small trout and fight hardheads.... I'd really be Laughing My Arse Off!

11' long with a 40 horse Merc. I bet it flies!

catch.and.fillet · #5 01-09-2010, 08:29 PM

Lord, I apologize for talking about the midgets with all the starving pygmies in Africa. Please forgive me. Amen.

"W" · #6 01-09-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catch.and.fillet

Lord, I apologize for talking about the midgets with all the starving pygmies in Africa. Please forgive me. Amen.

Ray · #7 01-09-2010, 10:16 PM

Just got back from the Lake Charles boat show. Going back tomorrow from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Then going to the Houston boat show Tues. and maybe Wed.
I gotta bring my truck into the brake shop Monday. They ain't working too good.

catch.and.fillet · #8 01-09-2010, 10:25 PM

If you're there Wed afternoon or Thur, PM me. I may go back and if I do, I'll buy you a cold one.

Ray · #9 01-09-2010, 10:35 PM

I have no special days to go, I just don't want to go on a weekend.
I will PM you when I go.

PUREBAY2200 · #10 01-09-2010, 10:42 PM

I'm gonna have problems fishin for trout n day boat!!!

catch.and.fillet · #11 01-09-2010, 10:44 PM

Deal. Look forward to it.

By request per PM, here's some pics of the new rod. It's a 2010 model Medium Fast Team Inshore.

speckdaddy · #12 01-10-2010, 07:47 AM

im askin,it looks heavy(the handle i mean)

mikedatiger · #13 01-10-2010, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckdaddy

im askin,it looks heavy(the handle i mean)

handle is heavy (heavier than a cork style that is) - definitely not the lightest rod in the world, but they are SWEEET! Josh and I each bought one. Cajun Phil was our salesman...

jlincecum · #14 01-10-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckdaddy

im askin,it looks heavy(the handle i mean)

dude, they weigh a ton.....you should stick with the billystix, don't try these

speckdaddy · #15 01-10-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlincecum

dude, they weigh a ton.....you should stick with the billystix, don't try these

mikedatiger · #16 01-10-2010, 11:15 AM

Here is my 6+ hour Houston boat show breakdown as well:

"W" is semi-famous, especially with Hackberry Rod & Gun. I spoke to several vendors about sponsoring the tourney and people all the way down to the Shimano reps were aware of his stardom May have a few "surprise" big name sponsors in the upcoming days, but I emphasize maybe. Most of the tackle/rod companies said that times are still very tough.
Cajun Phil is one of the nicest men in the world. We spoke to him for at least 30 minutes and it was great to hear all of his stories. The new grip on the american rodsmith rods are awesome.
Don't hate on Texans fishing Big Lake. Hate on guides promoting Big Lake to Texans. I think LA guides outnumbered TX guides 2 to 1. (if you have a problem with this at all)
It pays to walk around the boat show with a load of competitor rod gear and then run into the guy whose wife owns Castaway...Hopefully more to follow on this.
In my opinion, Haynie boats are one of the best bangs for your buck - catch, you must have been looking at those high end tourney boats that they had displayed...
I would like to thank "W" for being my Haynie guinea pig. Thanks to him I designed a FAR SUPERIOR rig that is only about 7 MPH faster.. BTW, I looked at all the boats and then came back to Chris. During the design, I started asking: What about trim tabs? jack plate? on board charger? etc.. and the answer was always, that it is already included.
Lastly, for reasons which I will not print, the CCA booth was by far the best