I joke that my wife shops all year, while I shop in January and February.
That’s because it’s the season for boat, fishing and outdoors shows across South Carolina and much of the Southeast. That’s a man’s opportunity to really go shopping.
I go to a lot of these shows as part of my occupation, but I’ve also gone to them for years as a consumer. Boat shows are a great time to buy a boat. Fishing and hunting shows are great times to see the new products that manufacturers are bringing to the stores, and I love to sit in on seminars and try to learn something.
Boat shows are probably the best opportunity that a fisherman has to get a boat that he really wants at an affordable price. Companies debut their new models of boats or engines at boat shows during the winter, so you get to see what’s out there. Plus, instead of going to individual dealerships where you’ll see one or two or three lines at the most, you can see almost every line in one place at a show.
Usually, a boat company will make sure its newest designs are on display and sale at shows. For instance, Triton will have its 20- and 21-foot X-2 boats at shows this year. There will still be the 20- and 21-foot models from last year, but the X-2 is a little easier to drive.
Price-wise, it’s probably the best time of the year to buy a boat. When you have a lot of dealers in one place competing with each other, it’s a good time to make a deal. If I was in the market for a boat, I would try to go to the show with an open mind. You will have a price range in mind, and some features you’ll want, and you can look at everything on the floor of the show, compare prices and features, plus other things dealerships might have to offer. You can narrow your search down and make it a little easier to make that final decision.
At a show, to really get the best price, you’ll have to take one of the “package boats” dealers will be selling. If you really want something that’s not on one of the package boats, a dealer can get it for you. I’ve heard Earl Bentz of Triton say that he’ll build a pink boat if that’s what somebody wants.
When you go to a fishing show or a boat or outdoors show that includes fishing, you’re looking for two things: the newest baits that are coming on the market, and baits that you think you’ll need for the coming year.
Most lure manufacturers will make sure that their new models will be at the January and February shows, because that’s where a lot of sales are made. For me, it’s really neat to see the new crankbaits and spinnerbaits, jigs and plastics, the rods and reels. And with the price of gas being what it is, instead of going to a dozen tackle shops, you can go to one show and have the chance to shop at as many as 20 different retail outlets.
Before you go to a show, it’s a good idea to go through your tackle and lures and see what you’re missing or what you know you’re going to need this year.
Everybody knows they’re going to need green pumpkin lizards — you might as well buy them at the show, because the prices will be as good as you’ll see all year. You know you’re going to need them, so go ahead and shop around and get them. The same thing with other baits; if you know you’re going to be fishing at a certain lake in June when the crankbait bite should be great, pick up a handful of baits you think you might need — especially if you don’t already have them. If you are missing a certain color, you can likely find the color.
You are going to get the price of admission back in the first $50 you spend.
I love to sit in on seminars at the shows I attend. I love to hear other fishermen and hunters talk about how they do things — even other bass fishermen. When I work a show, I try to sit in on other seminars, because I think you can always learn something from a person who might do things a little bit different than you do. I love to sit in on seminars at hunting shows. And when I’m working a show, doing a seminar, I love to answer questions from the people who are there. Never be afraid to ask a bass pro or any kind of fishing pro or hunting guide a question at a show if you think it might help you even the least little bit.
A perfect example of the kind of show I like to attend will be the outdoors show that comes with the Bassmasters Classic, which will be in Greenville in late February. You will have distributors there for all the major companies, all of the new models that manufacturers want to show off, and plenty of top-drawer experts to talk about them. You won’t see the president of Owner hooks anywhere in South Carolina this year except at the outdoor show at the Classic. That’s just one example. It will be unbelievable the amount of knowledge that will be there. Pros will be working booths, answering questions, giving tips, talking about products they use.
If you’re in the area, try to get by for at least a day. And don’t miss the opportunity to attend any kind of outdoors show that comes to your town.
Davy Hite is a 42-year-old native of Saluda who lives in Ninety Six. He has fished professionally since 1993. He was the BASS Angler of the Year in 1997 and 2002, and he was won the 1999 Bassmasters Classic and the 1998 FLW Tour Championship. He is sponsored by Triton boats, Evinrude outboards, All-Star rods, Pfleuger reels, Pure Fishing (Berkley), Owner hooks and Solar Bat sunglasses.
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