Well it's that time again.
I've been to the last 4 and I really enjoy them.
To be fair I personally haven't made any major purchases but I usually end up with some "bits and bobs".
It's great catching up with folks I've not seen for years.
The new innovations some of the talks / presentations / video's are interesting.
Fingers crossed 🤞 I'll enjoy it as much this year.
Cheers Mike
I've been to the last 4 and I really enjoy them.
To be fair I personally haven't made any major purchases but I usually end up with some "bits and bobs".
It's great catching up with folks I've not seen for years.
The new innovations some of the talks / presentations / video's are interesting.
Fingers crossed 🤞 I'll enjoy it as much this year.
Cheers Mike
In reply to Post #1
I'm looking forward to it. I really enjoy the shows. I think whatever part of our hobby interests you the most, there's a bit of something for everyone.
Who doesn't like to chat about fishing all day.
I'm looking forward to it. I really enjoy the shows. I think whatever part of our hobby interests you the most, there's a bit of something for everyone.
Who doesn't like to chat about fishing all day.
Busy day yesterday doing set up. This looks to be a good show again this year with all the big names in attendance from what a could see. If you are coming to the show this weekend , make sure you pop along to the JAG stand and say hello. It's always nice to meet people from the forum.
Even if you aren't in the market to make any big purchases. Come and see us for a hook sharpening demo and if you've got your kids with you. They might find they end up with a few nice hand sharpened hooks to take away as a little bonus.
If you can't make it and there's a product you need pictures of, then ask me on here and if I can post up a picture for you I will. I know last year some guys wanted a look at the new aqua pioneers etc. Or if there's a bit of info you need. If I get five minutes I will try to speak to that manufacturer for you.
Even if you aren't in the market to make any big purchases. Come and see us for a hook sharpening demo and if you've got your kids with you. They might find they end up with a few nice hand sharpened hooks to take away as a little bonus.
If you can't make it and there's a product you need pictures of, then ask me on here and if I can post up a picture for you I will. I know last year some guys wanted a look at the new aqua pioneers etc. Or if there's a bit of info you need. If I get five minutes I will try to speak to that manufacturer for you.
In reply to Post #3
If you get a second to check out those Byte alarms please do so Wayne
If you get a second to check out those Byte alarms please do so Wayne
Could someone that's going tell me what deal Trent Baits have on please? 
In reply to Post #1
Wont be going again, the debacle of waiting 1.5 hours to get in in the freezing cold put me right off last year and with the forecast for driving wind and rain this year its not for me.
Wont be going again, the debacle of waiting 1.5 hours to get in in the freezing cold put me right off last year and with the forecast for driving wind and rain this year its not for me.
here now,Eric's and tot fishing tackle not being here has left a big hole in the bargain searches, angling direct not doing anything special on the deals..quite a few tat stalls,cheese and cake stands,badge stands,pictures of dogs stand...wtf that's to do with fishing I dont know...noticeably quiter than last year I think...I think thus will be my last one for a couple of years....at few of the big names missing.
In reply to Post #5
Trent we're doing a 25kg deal which worked out at £5.60 a kilo.
Trent we're doing a 25kg deal which worked out at £5.60 a kilo.
In reply to Post #8
Thanks mate much appreciated
Thanks mate much appreciated
In reply to Post #5
Trent were also doing a deal. 50kg for the price of 40kg. Rolled fresh so you give them the date you'd like it delivered.
Trent were also doing a deal. 50kg for the price of 40kg. Rolled fresh so you give them the date you'd like it delivered.
Thought the show was ok today , only queued for about 10 mins this morning which is better than usual , glad there wasn't any rain though because it is a fair trek to the car .
As said there were a few usual stands missing although overall I was glad I went , plenty of good bait offers on , and plenty to look at
As said there were a few usual stands missing although overall I was glad I went , plenty of good bait offers on , and plenty to look at
In reply to Post #1
Quead for an hour with my young son only to be told that there is a separate que for pay on the door as we were the first to ask for this, surely it would be easier to sign it up and have two queues one for ticket and one for pay on the door.angling direct were offering a sonik dominated reel at a show price of £45 apparently cheapest you can get them, a quick search on go outdoors revealed them for £33.50... say no more
Quead for an hour with my young son only to be told that there is a separate que for pay on the door as we were the first to ask for this, surely it would be easier to sign it up and have two queues one for ticket and one for pay on the door.angling direct were offering a sonik dominated reel at a show price of £45 apparently cheapest you can get them, a quick search on go outdoors revealed them for £33.50... say no more
In reply to Post #1
We arrived at 10.10 am and walked straight in,
As others have said not much in the way of bargains....still managed to spend a good few quid though.
The bigger manufacturers seem to have changed tack a little with the demise of Erics with a few of them now having their stall and then a dedicated stall selling their own stuff too which imo is better.
Only niggle is the usual being shafted for food and drink but that seems to be the way of things these days.
I can't think for the life of me why the likes of Fox, Daiwa, Free spirit don't attend this show...I can only think they already have enough money
I think having Kevin Nash on a video link was a bit odd...bit like an actual hot line to god judging by the size of the audience
Anyhow spent a good few quid found a new French venue which I've just booked onto and the highlight of the show for me was looking at the new Ridgemonkey bivvy which everyone on here seems to have given a good slagging off but I think looks brilliant....Miles different to the Oztent on which it's based and far better imo.
I'll be back next year for sure
We arrived at 10.10 am and walked straight in,
As others have said not much in the way of bargains....still managed to spend a good few quid though.
The bigger manufacturers seem to have changed tack a little with the demise of Erics with a few of them now having their stall and then a dedicated stall selling their own stuff too which imo is better.
Only niggle is the usual being shafted for food and drink but that seems to be the way of things these days.
I can't think for the life of me why the likes of Fox, Daiwa, Free spirit don't attend this show...I can only think they already have enough money
I think having Kevin Nash on a video link was a bit odd...bit like an actual hot line to god judging by the size of the audience
Anyhow spent a good few quid found a new French venue which I've just booked onto and the highlight of the show for me was looking at the new Ridgemonkey bivvy which everyone on here seems to have given a good slagging off but I think looks brilliant....Miles different to the Oztent on which it's based and far better imo.
I'll be back next year for sure
In reply to Post #10
Thanks mate really appreciate that.
Thanks mate really appreciate that.
I seen a lad getting marched out by a bloke off a stand,caught him stealing...the lad was.trying to diffuse the situation by saying calm down but that just made the bloke off the stand worse and rightly so.
In reply to Post #12
Went a couple of years ago with my lad, hadn't been for a while and the time before you went through the main hall area to get the in
Walked over to find the queue massive in a big loop going in through the back, it was about 9.30, a guy supervisor asked if we had advanced tickets, no we haven't. You'll have to wait over there until these have gone in
After a while there was a group of us standing waiting, queue outside just getting bigger, i seen another guy and said what we had been told about having to wait until they went in and it would be well after 10 as the queue is just getting bigger
Next thing he was leading us past the queue inside to queue at the cash lanes, 10 am came and got straight in
Went last year with mate who said feck sake look at queue, just said follow me, just walked past again and queued inside, 10 am again and straight in
Badly organised to get in, unable to go this one. At work which maybe is a good thing
Went a couple of years ago with my lad, hadn't been for a while and the time before you went through the main hall area to get the in
Walked over to find the queue massive in a big loop going in through the back, it was about 9.30, a guy supervisor asked if we had advanced tickets, no we haven't. You'll have to wait over there until these have gone in
After a while there was a group of us standing waiting, queue outside just getting bigger, i seen another guy and said what we had been told about having to wait until they went in and it would be well after 10 as the queue is just getting bigger
Next thing he was leading us past the queue inside to queue at the cash lanes, 10 am came and got straight in
Went last year with mate who said feck sake look at queue, just said follow me, just walked past again and queued inside, 10 am again and straight in
Badly organised to get in, unable to go this one. At work which maybe is a good thing
Iv been to most of the the NAS's but not all . I feel it has gained momentum year on year and Iv always really enjoyed the day . This year however I feel it had declined slightly. Seemed to be less stands and the crowds also seemed slightly smaller . My main gripe though , it's just too much of the same and has lost its magic a little bit with me . I will potentially have a year off next year
In reply to Post #17
yup I tend to agree, it wasn't as busy
I did enjoy it, more of a social seeing folk I've not seen for a while.
I think Erics & Total Fishing did leave gaps so the competion was not as fierce as in previous years.
I could not believe the Carp Society stand. OMG - it was just a tombola with mainly Naff "prizes"
How the mighty have fallen. They would not have looked out of place at an older persons jumble sale!!! Very sad,
Vale Royal Angling were there in force & had a good display as was angling direct.
And with the weather being so horrible it was a good day out.
Mike
yup I tend to agree, it wasn't as busy
I did enjoy it, more of a social seeing folk I've not seen for a while.
I think Erics & Total Fishing did leave gaps so the competion was not as fierce as in previous years.
I could not believe the Carp Society stand. OMG - it was just a tombola with mainly Naff "prizes"
How the mighty have fallen. They would not have looked out of place at an older persons jumble sale!!! Very sad,
Vale Royal Angling were there in force & had a good display as was angling direct.
And with the weather being so horrible it was a good day out.
Mike
In reply to Post #18
One thing I found out while talking on the greys stand was they were actually standing on behalf of Angling direct. I use angling direct and have friends who work for them so this may seem a little hypercritical but I really don't like how they are monopolising the angling scene.
One thing I found out while talking on the greys stand was they were actually standing on behalf of Angling direct. I use angling direct and have friends who work for them so this may seem a little hypercritical but I really don't like how they are monopolising the angling scene.
In reply to Post #19
It was the same with the aqua stand. The guy I was talking to was saying they were from the AD Preston store.
It was the same with the aqua stand. The guy I was talking to was saying they were from the AD Preston store.
In reply to Post #20
Had the same on the nash stand. Asked a price for a T1 and they said see the guys at AD
Had the same on the nash stand. Asked a price for a T1 and they said see the guys at AD
In reply to Post #21
I've been to every single one of the NAS since they started. Agree that they have continually gained momentum but this year just felt a bit lacking.
Herd the stealing was rife again (Aqua had one of their new atom rods pinched).
I went at 12pm on Sunday - walked straight in and just walked around looking with a mate whilst we had a catch up.
Was impressed with the tempest brolly that was taller but same footprint (think it was the 150T), Like the large ridge monkey bivvy but one for Europe as I don't think make pegs will take something that big over here. Not my thing but was blown away with the British bait boat stand - the kit and technology is unreal.
Again I didn't spend a huge amount and by 3pm got some bargains - Monster particle near enough giving tigers away, CC moore chuck in some pellets on a pop up deal, and rigde monkey knocked a fiver off a new toaster for me.
I've been to every single one of the NAS since they started. Agree that they have continually gained momentum but this year just felt a bit lacking.
Herd the stealing was rife again (Aqua had one of their new atom rods pinched).
I went at 12pm on Sunday - walked straight in and just walked around looking with a mate whilst we had a catch up.
Was impressed with the tempest brolly that was taller but same footprint (think it was the 150T), Like the large ridge monkey bivvy but one for Europe as I don't think make pegs will take something that big over here. Not my thing but was blown away with the British bait boat stand - the kit and technology is unreal.
Again I didn't spend a huge amount and by 3pm got some bargains - Monster particle near enough giving tigers away, CC moore chuck in some pellets on a pop up deal, and rigde monkey knocked a fiver off a new toaster for me.
I'll definitely give it a miss next year, it's obviously an out and out carp show now,apart from guru there was little to no match gear. apparently event city is being knocked down to make way for a water park,the show is moving to near the go karting place near the football ground(not sure where that is)
In reply to Post #23
Its about a 5 min drive from where it is now.
It will eventually be moved to where DW Gym is now next to the Indoor Ski Place apparently.
Its about a 5 min drive from where it is now.
It will eventually be moved to where DW Gym is now next to the Indoor Ski Place apparently.
In reply to Post #24
Does anybody know what the deals on the Toslon bait boats were like?
Does anybody know what the deals on the Toslon bait boats were like?
In reply to Post #13
Hi just out of interest what where he difference between the ridgemonkey and oztent? thanks
Hi just out of interest what where he difference between the ridgemonkey and oztent? thanks
In reply to Post #4
Hi yonny
I popped along to look at those byte alarms, unfortunately their guys weren't on the stand so I couldn't get an actual demo, but my impressions of seeing them in the flesh is they are about as subtle as a sledge hammer. The picture of the receiver unit doesn't really do the size of it justice. The whole lot looks like an right jumbled mess of cables and boxes. Interesting concept. But absolutely not for me. Plus that's gonna be an expensive crack off. If I'm honest seeing it in the flesh it's up there with the heated blanket. Seems to solve a problem that I'm not sure I've ever noticed that I have.
With regards to the guys who were commenting about it being quiet. We were the complete opposite, we had a really busy show, especially on Saturday. We sold out of lots of products and our new rod lockers went down a storm. We weren't the only ones, loads of other traders had really busy weekends as well.
Also the actual people we had visit our stand were spot on, loads of nice people who enjoyed a chat and took time to watch our demos of new products and hook sharpening. It made for a really enjoyable show for all of us. We were five deep at one point on Saturday. As far as I'm aware we didn't have a single bad customer and I don't think we lost any stock to theft. All in a great show, lovely vibe and plenty of people actually spending.
Banging Chinese in the Trafford centre on Saturday night helped!!
Hi yonny
I popped along to look at those byte alarms, unfortunately their guys weren't on the stand so I couldn't get an actual demo, but my impressions of seeing them in the flesh is they are about as subtle as a sledge hammer. The picture of the receiver unit doesn't really do the size of it justice. The whole lot looks like an right jumbled mess of cables and boxes. Interesting concept. But absolutely not for me. Plus that's gonna be an expensive crack off. If I'm honest seeing it in the flesh it's up there with the heated blanket. Seems to solve a problem that I'm not sure I've ever noticed that I have.
With regards to the guys who were commenting about it being quiet. We were the complete opposite, we had a really busy show, especially on Saturday. We sold out of lots of products and our new rod lockers went down a storm. We weren't the only ones, loads of other traders had really busy weekends as well.
Also the actual people we had visit our stand were spot on, loads of nice people who enjoyed a chat and took time to watch our demos of new products and hook sharpening. It made for a really enjoyable show for all of us. We were five deep at one point on Saturday. As far as I'm aware we didn't have a single bad customer and I don't think we lost any stock to theft. All in a great show, lovely vibe and plenty of people actually spending.
Banging Chinese in the Trafford centre on Saturday night helped!!
In reply to Post #27
have a look at the byte alarm thread,I've put some info on there about the byte alarms after chatting to them
have a look at the byte alarm thread,I've put some info on there about the byte alarms after chatting to them
In reply to Post #27
Banging Chinese in Trafford Centre on Saturday night helped!!
What was her name
Banging Chinese in Trafford Centre on Saturday night helped!!
What was her name
In reply to Post #30
I went this year for the first time as I would normally go to the Big One but fancied a changed.
I went on Sunday and arrived for 9.30 and walked straight in basically. Thought their was a good selection of companies but def agree that with erics and total not their the chances of grabbing a proper bargain had reduced as Angling direct were not really offering that wide of range of products.
I did see one guy who sat on a Rod Hutchinson bedchair snap the frame in half which I found hilarious at the time, wont be buying one of them !! lol
Food was ok, not a huge selection, the general vibe was good.
If I was going to go to another show then I would be going back to the Big one I think as I only really go to shows for the bargains haha
I went this year for the first time as I would normally go to the Big One but fancied a changed.
I went on Sunday and arrived for 9.30 and walked straight in basically. Thought their was a good selection of companies but def agree that with erics and total not their the chances of grabbing a proper bargain had reduced as Angling direct were not really offering that wide of range of products.
I did see one guy who sat on a Rod Hutchinson bedchair snap the frame in half which I found hilarious at the time, wont be buying one of them !! lol
Food was ok, not a huge selection, the general vibe was good.
If I was going to go to another show then I would be going back to the Big one I think as I only really go to shows for the bargains haha
In reply to Post #30
Who said anything about it being a her?
Who said anything about it being a her?
In reply to Post #32
In reply to Post #13
Can you expand on that a bit more D, interested to hear what you liked
Can you expand on that a bit more D, interested to hear what you liked
In reply to Post #34
When I have seen the Oztent in numerous different vlogs and reviews it looks like it simply has a completely flat front on it whereas the Ridgemonkey one has like a foot or more of dipped porch area extending down to the floor,
I also liked the way the flysheet velcroed across the bivvy extending over the back creating a covered portion behind the bivvy which you can access from the inside...plus I like the way you can close all the windows from inside too.
The crash out mesh at the front is a great idea and the zip off whole front is a bonus too.
I also roughly measured the One man compact against the Titan T1 and was surprised that the Compact one man is around Two feet narrower that the T1.
I reckon for one person you would probably need the One man not the compact for a session bivvy but all in all built quality was very good and materials used looked very good too....at £699 all in for the compact and 100 quid more for the One man I'll be looking at chopping in my T1 when they come out around May/June time
When I have seen the Oztent in numerous different vlogs and reviews it looks like it simply has a completely flat front on it whereas the Ridgemonkey one has like a foot or more of dipped porch area extending down to the floor,
I also liked the way the flysheet velcroed across the bivvy extending over the back creating a covered portion behind the bivvy which you can access from the inside...plus I like the way you can close all the windows from inside too.
The crash out mesh at the front is a great idea and the zip off whole front is a bonus too.
I also roughly measured the One man compact against the Titan T1 and was surprised that the Compact one man is around Two feet narrower that the T1.
I reckon for one person you would probably need the One man not the compact for a session bivvy but all in all built quality was very good and materials used looked very good too....at £699 all in for the compact and 100 quid more for the One man I'll be looking at chopping in my T1 when they come out around May/June time
In reply to Post #35
Bloody heavy at 30kg all in though
Bloody heavy at 30kg all in though
In reply to Post #36
Very true but surely these are viewed as a session bivvy 🤔
Very true but surely these are viewed as a session bivvy 🤔
In reply to Post #37
Yeah,need a couple of days to recover lugging the thing around the lake
Yeah,need a couple of days to recover lugging the thing around the lake
In reply to Post #35
Thanks for the feedback mate I can't imagine my Frontier weighs much less than this with it's extension on, so as a session bivvy it's looking very good, though I'll still probably hold out for some reliability feedback over time.
I don't get the weight issue and can't remember the last time I saw a poor Carp angler lugging heavy gear around a lake without the use of a barrow. Most Carp anglers I see use barrows, even for day sessions, as for weekend sessions I see plenty of lads with 12 or 24 packs of beer so the weight arguement doesn't wash with me.
Personally for me I'll stick to a lighter shelter for day only sessions, if I had the RM I wouldn't hesitate to take it for a overnighter as long as it was quick and easy to put up and take down.
Thanks for the feedback mate
I can't imagine my Frontier weighs much less than this with it's extension on, so as a session bivvy it's looking very good, though I'll still probably hold out for some reliability feedback over time.I don't get the weight issue and can't remember the last time I saw a poor Carp angler lugging heavy gear around a lake without the use of a barrow. Most Carp anglers I see use barrows, even for day sessions, as for weekend sessions I see plenty of lads with 12 or 24 packs of beer so the weight arguement doesn't wash with me.
Personally for me I'll stick to a lighter shelter for day only sessions, if I had the RM I wouldn't hesitate to take it for a overnighter as long as it was quick and easy to put up and take down.
In reply to Post #39
Did anyone pick up a toslon baitboat? I'm interested to know what the deals are like at the shows versus buying online...
Thanks!
Did anyone pick up a toslon baitboat? I'm interested to know what the deals are like at the shows versus buying online...
Thanks!
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