Thinking of making a trip over to the dark side this weekend for this. Never went when it was in Brentwood. I believe this is the first time at the new venue at North Weald Air field. Had a look at the exhibitors list. Not many of the big names by the looks of it which dont bother me to much to be honest. Quite a few exhibitors who I haven't heard to much about which is interesting. Anyone going? What's it been like in previous years. 
In reply to Post #1
Also looks like the M11 is closed that weekend so will be a **** show just getting there unless coming from Essex/Kent way.
Also looks like the M11 is closed that weekend so will be a **** show just getting there unless coming from Essex/Kent way.
In reply to Post #1
I go every year, it's a decent show if you want to have a hands on look at any new bits coming out. It's not too great for good deals anymore as its mainly company stands rather than independent tackle shops like it used to be.
I go every year, it's a decent show if you want to have a hands on look at any new bits coming out. It's not too great for good deals anymore as its mainly company stands rather than independent tackle shops like it used to be.
In reply to Post #1
Are they still offering a 50% admission discount if you wear box fresh white trainers?
Are they still offering a 50% admission discount if you wear box fresh white trainers?
If you don't want to stand out on arrival. Make sure you fold in your wing mirrors.
In reply to Post #1
Can't believe your even contemplating going over to the dark side 👎👎👎
Can't believe your even contemplating going over to the dark side 👎👎👎
In reply to Post #6
I no, sad ain't it...
I no, sad ain't it...
In reply to Post #4
Yes,
Yes,
In reply to Post #1
Lots of independent manufacturers, from companies like Radford way, who used to be unbar rothon before re-branding, every single company exhibiting is a carp fishing brand, some new, plus the well known favourites like sticky, thinking anglers, DNA bait and many more. Over 100 companies, plus slideshows from Darrell Peck, Tom Stokes, Scott Lloyd and Dave Lane.
A great day out to immerse yourself in carp fishing and a £11.98 free gift for all
Lots of independent manufacturers, from companies like Radford way, who used to be unbar rothon before re-branding, every single company exhibiting is a carp fishing brand, some new, plus the well known favourites like sticky, thinking anglers, DNA bait and many more. Over 100 companies, plus slideshows from Darrell Peck, Tom Stokes, Scott Lloyd and Dave Lane.
A great day out to immerse yourself in carp fishing and a £11.98 free gift for all
We'll be dropping off some raffle prizes for the Lucys Bowl charity, and I'll be going over to the squirrels nuts stand for a comical tea caddy 
Mostly looking forward to seeing a few friends.
Mostly looking forward to seeing a few friends.
Will definitely be there. What's better than a couple of days walking around talking about fishing, looking at fishing stuff, listening to fishing talks...
In reply to Post #11
Going fishing.
Going fishing.
In reply to Post #11
I went once and see Micky grey, was great
I went once and see Micky grey, was great
In reply to Post #12
I'm going Monday for 3 nights. Mothers day Sunday, I'd get in serious trouble if I was fishing Saturday night through Sunday.
So I reiterate, with the exception of fishing (which isn't possible for me this weekend), what could be better.
Edit: in my opinion, of course
I'm going Monday for 3 nights. Mothers day Sunday, I'd get in serious trouble if I was fishing Saturday night through Sunday.
So I reiterate, with the exception of fishing (which isn't possible for me this weekend), what could be better.
Edit: in my opinion, of course
In reply to Post #14
In your opinion buddy. I can think of nothing worse than spending a day in a hall full of blokes eating bad food looking at tents. There's a small handful of anglers I'd like to listen to on stage in all fairness but tbh I've never really understood the whole carp show scene.
In your opinion buddy. I can think of nothing worse than spending a day in a hall full of blokes eating bad food looking at tents. There's a small handful of anglers I'd like to listen to on stage in all fairness but tbh I've never really understood the whole carp show scene.
In reply to Post #15
Good point, obviously *in my opinion*.
I don't understand what's not to like, really. Catch up with old friends, watch some great anglers talk about fishing, grab some bargains, chat about fishing all day, look at some new products...
What don't you like?
Good point, obviously *in my opinion*.
I don't understand what's not to like, really. Catch up with old friends, watch some great anglers talk about fishing, grab some bargains, chat about fishing all day, look at some new products...
What don't you like?
In reply to Post #16
I just think a carp show is so far removed from what I enjoy about fishing (outdoors, nature, fish etc) that I struggle to see the point mate. I'd rather just go down the pub.
But I guess I understand why others would enjoy it.
I just think a carp show is so far removed from what I enjoy about fishing (outdoors, nature, fish etc) that I struggle to see the point mate. I'd rather just go down the pub.
But I guess I understand why others would enjoy it.
In reply to Post #17
Cheap pva
Cheap pva
In reply to Post #17
That's fair, and I do completely get that. I like the pub, too...
That's fair, and I do completely get that. I like the pub, too...
In reply to Post #19
In reply to Post #18
I went to the Big One in Farnborough and got some really cheap bargains. PVA, cheap little pop up bags, some mega cheap clothing/salopettes. Great time to stock up on certain things!
I went to the Big One in Farnborough and got some really cheap bargains. PVA, cheap little pop up bags, some mega cheap clothing/salopettes. Great time to stock up on certain things!
In reply to Post #22
In reply to Post #17
I'm with Yonny, last show I went to was over twenty years ago. Nothing I would class as a bargain, just all the junk they have accumalated in the shop that they can't sell. Quality gear sells without big discounts. Bait wise I trust my supplier 100% and have confidence in bait I get from him so would never buy anything else. None of my friends will be at the show either so if I want a chat I'll call or text them.
I'm with Yonny, last show I went to was over twenty years ago. Nothing I would class as a bargain, just all the junk they have accumalated in the shop that they can't sell. Quality gear sells without big discounts. Bait wise I trust my supplier 100% and have confidence in bait I get from him so would never buy anything else. None of my friends will be at the show either so if I want a chat I'll call or text them.
I really enjoy them. Catching up with people. Slagging people off. :-)
I don't think you can beat having a hands on look at stuff. For instance I was quite interested in the wolf alarms. Then a saw them in the flesh at the big one and realised they are the same size as Jupiter.
You also get to sit in Bivvys and brollys and hit your head on the roof. Before buying.
Plus I like a good sniff of all the baits.
I don't think you can beat having a hands on look at stuff. For instance I was quite interested in the wolf alarms. Then a saw them in the flesh at the big one and realised they are the same size as Jupiter.
You also get to sit in Bivvys and brollys and hit your head on the roof. Before buying.
Plus I like a good sniff of all the baits.
In reply to Post #25
when I went free spirit were there showing all the rods and casting , wonderfull half cold pasties 4 a £5
when I went free spirit were there showing all the rods and casting , wonderfull
half cold pasties 4 a £5
In reply to Post #26
We are now in total control of the food, and only have wedding caterers onsite with decent well priced food, the venue's normally dictate the food, as was the case at our old venue.
We are now in total control of the food, and only have wedding caterers onsite with decent well priced food, the venue's normally dictate the food, as was the case at our old venue.
In reply to Post #27
sounds fabulous
sounds fabulous
In reply to Post #27
Good on you, I paid seven quid for a pasty at the big one lol
Good on you, I paid seven quid for a pasty at the big one lol
In reply to Post #29
ive not paid that for a full strip loin
ive not paid that for a full strip loin
I am ten mins from the show and my spare time is precious to me and I'd rather be fishing with the little time I have. Last show I went to was a carp society one in basildon. Seem to remember Julian cundiff giving it the nutrabaits this nutrabaits that talk.
Each to their own but not my cup of tea.
Each to their own but not my cup of tea.
In reply to Post #31
To be fair that cup of tea would probably be about eight quid
To be fair that cup of tea would probably be about eight quid
In reply to Post #31
Was that aqutels ,
Was that aqutels ,
In reply to Post #33
Yes it in the hotel there.
Yes it in the hotel there.
I believe theres also quite a big market on site aswell. So if you get bored you could always pick up ten pound of spuds and a collie on your way out.
In reply to Post #34
I was at that as well Mike. You must have been about five years old lol.
I was at that as well Mike. You must have been about five years old lol.
In reply to Post #36
That's great news. Everyone loves a bargain on stolen power tools.
That's great news. Everyone loves a bargain on stolen power tools.
In reply to Post #33
I used to enjoy the old carp society shows at aquatels,in the hall next to the lake, saw some good slide shows,richie Mac after he caught bazil,albert romp with his savay record.allan downie on ashly spring to mind.
I used to enjoy the old carp society shows at aquatels,in the hall next to the lake, saw some good slide shows,richie Mac after he caught bazil,albert romp with his savay record.allan downie on ashly spring to mind.
I think the best part of this show will be the guys doing the slideshows, approximately 75 stands/exhibitors half of which most who go to the show would not even look at then the half of whats left would be a fleeting glance and probably half of whats left after that most wouldn't spend more than five minutes looking at their stands, I think most carp shows these days have had their day along with the magazines, I would rather go to one of the European shows as they are more like the shows we used to have massive amount of Exhibitors most of which you'll of never heard of with products that are either hard to source or you cannot get in the UK.
Best part of the show is the Lucy's bowl charity......
Doggos. What's better than doggos?
Doggos and a raffle.
And on top of the bait I mentioned were donating Ive also secured a “butterscotch strip tease” - performed by Joss.....he won't tell me what it is just that you're not allowed to make eye contact?
Doggos. What's better than doggos?
Doggos and a raffle.
And on top of the bait I mentioned were donating Ive also secured a “butterscotch strip tease” - performed by Joss.....he won't tell me what it is just that you're not allowed to make eye contact?
In reply to Post #41
And no touching
And no touching
In reply to Post #25
Most decent tackle shops will allow you to do the same things. I can remember putting up 4 different bivvys in my local tackle shop before deciding on one
Most decent tackle shops will allow you to do the same things. I can remember putting up 4 different bivvys in my local tackle shop before deciding on one
In reply to Post #42
If I'm honest mate he encourages it.
If I'm honest mate he encourages it.
In reply to Post #37
If only ..... must have Been 18/19 ?
If only ..... must have Been 18/19 ?
In reply to Post #41
i'll bring me white handbag
i'll bring me white handbag
In reply to Post #46
So thats where you keep the spit bowl
So thats where you keep the spit bowl
Didnt manage to get there in the end, life got in the way unfortunately.. 
Who went? Did I miss out on much?
Who went? Did I miss out on much?
I went yesterday, first time at this show. Is it normal for people to dress in their fishing clothing for the show? Certainly made me chuckle! Managed to get a couple of bits and some discounted bait
Certainly made me chuckle! Managed to get a couple of bits and some discounted bait
In reply to Post #49
Usually chav or cammo works
Usually chav or cammo works
Yeah, you get people go full camo lol. I remember the real tree phase.
It was so so, not a patch in Brentwood but Brentwood is no more, enjoyed catching up with friends, the raffle for Lucy's Bowl raised a few quid, I got to meet some guide puppies in training, a good day really. Was quite amusing as I bought along three different boxes of bait as raffle prizes and the lady raffled it as one prize 😂
It was so so, not a patch in Brentwood but Brentwood is no more, enjoyed catching up with friends, the raffle for Lucy's Bowl raised a few quid, I got to meet some guide puppies in training, a good day really. Was quite amusing as I bought along three different boxes of bait as raffle prizes and the lady raffled it as one prize 😂
In reply to Post #51
I'd agree with so so, much smaller than I had hoped, traffic was torturous, took 1hr 40 from Harlow in the morning, not many bargains about, a lot of prices were above normal shop or web prices. No korda or nash and a lot of the bigger names had much smaller displays with sales going indirect via Johnson ross. Dalectronics had some good deals on rx+ alarms, bought some bits n pieces, was in and out in 2 and a half hours.
I'd agree with so so, much smaller than I had hoped, traffic was torturous, took 1hr 40 from Harlow in the morning, not many bargains about, a lot of prices were above normal shop or web prices. No korda or nash and a lot of the bigger names had much smaller displays with sales going indirect via Johnson ross. Dalectronics had some good deals on rx+ alarms, bought some bits n pieces, was in and out in 2 and a half hours.
In reply to Post #52
I thought exactly the same but i was in and out in under 2 hours
No where near as good as Brentwood, except the parking was so much better
I thought exactly the same but i was in and out in under 2 hours
No where near as good as Brentwood, except the parking was so much better
In reply to Post #53
I only went for the parking
I only went for the parking
In reply to Post #54
In reply to Post #55
I was running late and didn't arrive until 2.45 on Sunday , luckily I didn't have to pay as nobody on door at the time and most stalls where already packing down . Didn't seem as big as the Brentwood show and by 3 30 there were hardly anything left to look at .
Would have been well pissed off if I'd payed for that.
I was running late and didn't arrive until 2.45 on Sunday , luckily I didn't have to pay as nobody on door at the time and most stalls where already packing down . Didn't seem as big as the Brentwood show and by 3 30 there were hardly anything left to look at .
Would have been well pissed off if I'd payed for that.
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