Ward Melville 2025

[missinglink08]

I guess this question is directed to you. This show is a big hit. I love the show. But if you read the feedback on this post, comments like the ones below show a issue:

• I opted not to go. Still can't walk for a long time and the last thing I need is to be bounced off like a pinball.
  
  
• left after an hour, just tooooo crowded for me.
  
  
• said it was great and way more crowded then he remembers from last year.
  
  
• Was definitely crowded no doubt about that
  
  
• Agreed on crowded.
  
  
• Good thing you didn't go to the seminar. It was so packed.
  
  
• It was crowded
  

Other comments made to me were “WM show has gotten too popular for my taste and “I wanted to go. But after my knee replacement, I was afraid”.

Is any consideration being given to how to mitigate this? Is extending the show for two days a possibility? The New Jersey show, as an example, is 3 days. It would also give you a chance to expand the speaker list.

Again, I really enjoy the show and have gone every year. Just hoping that maybe some thought to continuous improvement may be considered.

Thank you for reaching out
There are a few things I can share about these points

It won't be a 2 day event. It's just too costly to do so. I feel your sentiments and would love it 2 days but that's not going to happen.

As for extending hours...it's already an incredibly long day. The students and I don't leave the building till 6 pm and that's with the show closing at 3. I can't do that to my family or the families of the kids. It was a 15 hour day of being on my feet and running around...got my steps in for sure!!


They only way to make it less crowded would be to charge a substantial entry fee (this is not happening) and that would be counterproductive for all involved

A suggestion would be to go to the show after noon
Most of these shows thin out considerably as the day goes on. By 1 pm, all rooms still had people in them but were easily navigated

 

[captmike28]

Thank you for reaching out
There are a few things I can share about these points

It won't be a 2 day event. It's just too costly to do so. I feel your sentiments and would love it 2 days but that's not going to happen.

As for extending hours...it's already an incredibly long day. The students and I don't leave the building till 6 pm and that's with the show closing at 3. I can't do that to my family or the families of the kids. It was a 15 hour day of being on my feet and running around...got my steps in for sure!!


They only way to make it less crowded would be to charge a substantial entry fee (this is not happening) and that would be counterproductive for all involved

A suggestion would be to go to the show after noon
Most of these shows thin out considerably as the day goes on. By 1 pm, all rooms still had people in them but were easily navigated

First of all, a big "Thank You" to yourself, Bob, and all the kids and other staff members. I have participated in this show for the last 7 years now and I can see how hard everyone works to make it a terrific day.

Yes, this is a very busy and well attended event, which in my mind tells me you are doing something right. I understand the limitations you face with both the long hours and restrictions placed upon you by the school itself.

So, I think your suggestion of coming to the show a little later is a good one. I too have seen the traffic pattern each year start to decrease once we get to the noon hour. Naturally, if there is a speaker you want to listen to that is scheduled in the morning then that might not work, However, the presentation rooms are quite large so there is no crowding to worry about there.

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to put on my seminar and hope those who attended it found it worthwhile.

Tight lines to all as we are anxiously await the start to another great season!
Capt. Mike

 

[OVERBORED]

Sounds like the show has outgrown its venue.

 

[missinglink08]

First of all, a big "Thank You" to yourself, Bob, and all the kids and other staff members. I have participated in this show for the last 7 years now and I can see how hard everyone works to make it a terrific day.

Yes, this is a very busy and well attended event, which in my mind tells me you are doing something right. I understand the limitations you face with both the long hours and restrictions placed upon you by the school itself.

So, I think your suggestion of coming to the show a little later is a good one. I too have seen the traffic pattern each year start to decrease once we get to the noon hour. Naturally, if there is a speaker you want to listen to that is scheduled in the morning then that might not work, However, the presentation rooms are quite large so there is no crowding to worry about there.

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to put on my seminar and hope those who attended it found it worthwhile.

Tight lines to all as we are anxiously await the start to another great season!
C

First of all, a big "Thank You" to yourself, Bob, and all the kids and other staff members. I have participated in this show for the last 7 years now and I can see how hard everyone works to make it a terrific day.

Yes, this is a very busy and well attended event, which in my mind tells me you are doing something right. I understand the limitations you face with both the long hours and restrictions placed upon you by the school itself.

So, I think your suggestion of coming to the show a little later is a good one. I too have seen the traffic pattern each year start to decrease once we get to the noon hour. Naturally, if there is a speaker you want to listen to that is scheduled in the morning then that might not work, However, the presentation rooms are quite large so there is no crowding to worry about there.

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to put on my seminar and hope those who attended it found it worthwhile.

Tight lines to all as we are anxiously await the start to another great season!
Capt. Mike

Thanks Mike

THank you Mike!!!
Show was a good one for sure!
On to planning the 2026 show now.....

 

[Matts]

"It's so crowded, nobody goes there anymore" Yogi Berra

I had a great time. If it were not crowded, the top folks would not show up.
I heard some great talks.
I booked some charters.
I spoke with everyone I wanted to.
In general, I hate crowds.
Disney, too crowded.
Rockefeller Center near Christmas, too crowded.
Melville fishing show. Too crowded for what?
If you wanted to, you could have sat in the front row of any seminar, there were seats.
You can get to any table and speak with anyone if you don't mind waiting a minute.
No complaints. Keep it up.

 

[AllyKat]

I got there @10:30...mainly just to see my pals.
Ran into most everyone I wanted to. Found John Fish4ME right away, bought some jewelry from not so Mad Mike, tackle from Benny, saw Rocko and Joe B and chatted for a while, stopped at Fish The Atlantic table and saw Kal and Frank and got some swag. Ran into a few other guys I knew from work and the tackle shop. Spent some more $ on the raffles....even won the Orient Star/Rosie raffle! Looking forward to putting those to use. I actually won 2 raffles last year, but never got around to using those gift certs. Ended the show at the DEC table and picked up their artificial wreck booklet for some numbers. All in all another great show once again.
Ended the day hanging out with Koz at Taras Inn in Pt Jeff for a couple of brews and $1 burgers!

 

[Chinacat]

"It's so crowded, nobody goes there anymore" Yogi Berra

Too funny!
I said the same thing to my buddy who I went to the show with