Need Help Please 2010 Rod Show Dates?

Fuji_Pedler · Jul-04-2009, 02:02 PM

Since a good many of you are either involved in, or visit the West Coast Custom Rod Show in Costa Mesa, we'd like your opinion on the date before we lock in 2010. The first Saturday in May looked like a good choice because it was after a number of other local and regional shows, but before people were out hardcore fishing. Builders displaying had a shot at filling orders before customer's trips, etc... Seemed good.

Now with two of these shows in the books, we've found a couple of flaws in the date. First, our Saturday is the same day as Aftco's "Day a the Lots", parking lot sale. For many customers this was kind of a bonus as the Rod Show is only a few minutes from Aftco's Irvine facility, allowing them to hit both events on the same day. The downside is that several other vendors who set up displays at Aftco and have expressed interest in displaying at the WCCRS, can't be in two places at once. Plus, we don't want to take anything away from Aftco. Rock and a hard spot...

Second, the first Saturday in May is right after the Trout opener. huh? Trout? lol Yup... Believe it or not, FAR more Fly & Freshwater rods were sold both years than Saltwater rods. There are several reasons for that including the fact that Salt guys often prefer their stuff to be tailor made rather than ready made. BUT, much of the emerging technology in today's Custom Rods is coming out of the freshwater side and being adapted to saltwater rods, believe it or not. We REALLY need to include this market for a well-rounded show, but to many a hardcore freshwater angler, we might as well have picked the week between Xmas and New Year for our show, because either way, they have plans already!

There flat out isn't a "good" weekend between the first of the year and the first weekend in May, then not again until June. Easter, Mothers Day weekend, blah, blah, blah... If there isn't a show somewhere on a weekend before June, there's a Holiday. If we go the first Saturday in June and the WSB erupt, did we just lose half of you guys? Are we going to screw up your fishing plans putting it back till June?

Then, there's the Fall. This is when a LOT of Rod Building kicks into gear. No conflicting shows on the radar. Many fishermen are hanging it up for the season, making repairs, replacing rods that broke, etc... On the other hand, they're not necessarily in a hurry to do it, which might mean a lot of tire kickers for the rod builders displaying, rather than guys hungry for gear that they need ASAP.

Chew on that, but throw this into the mix... We're broadening the mix next year to reflect more of a "custom tackle" theme. Specialty tackle that you won't find at Wallyworld or even most Tackle Shops. Handmade Lures, Flies, Spreader Bars, Rigging, Reel Blueprinting, etc... This stuff ALL goes hand in hand with our fishing rod customers needs and wants, plus it gives otherwise un-interested fishermen who might not have come to a "custom rod show" a reason to visit. How would a fisherman know about the benefits of a custom rod if he's never been exposed to them? You can't tell me that a guy coming to see custom lures or rigging won't get caught by the eye candy in the rod builders booths.

So now you know our dilemma! What do you think? We value your input and agreed that we should just lay it out and get your opinions.

Three choices...
1.) Keep it the first Saturday in May
2.) Move to the first Saturday in June
3.) Move to the first Saturday in October

**SALTYDAWG** · Jul-04-2009, 02:28 PM

I vote for keeping it in May, I have fishing trips June - November

bigeyeGuy · Jul-04-2009, 02:53 PM

Tuff call for sure.
But no matter what date is was,I'd be there.

graya · Jul-04-2009, 04:58 PM

May sounds good to me like you stated if gives rod builders time to complete orders taken at the show but either way i will attend on any date that is more convenient for you guys

Zombie · Jul-04-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeyeGuy

Tuff call for sure.
But no matter what date is was,I'd be there.

No doubt, Mr. Lucky.

Red Monster · Jul-05-2009, 08:50 AM

May, the weather is cooler.
June , getting ready for rock cod opener, halibut is in full swing in S.F. Bay.
October , right in the prime for fall striper run in the Delta.

I vote May

BuonaForTuna · Jul-05-2009, 01:31 PM

I say have more then one. Have one in May and one in Nov. Start of the season and ending of the local offshore season, that we can buy stuff before it starts locally as well as purchase stuff for the LR season.

OSiDE FiSHER · Jul-05-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuonaForTuna

I say have more then one. Have one in May and one in Nov. Start of the season and ending of the local offshore season, that we can buy stuff before it starts locally as well as purchase stuff for the LR season.

That would be sick!

BuonaForTuna · Jul-05-2009, 08:48 PM

Its smart for business. I think. I mean we get to see these guys once a year and its hard to give them business because of distance ect. So we end up buying stupid crap, if you had it two times a year you could always hold off till the next show a few months away and spend money on stuff you will be happy with at the end.