Me and my friends hit the show yesterday morning. Thank goodness for on-line ticket sales, saved at least 30 minutes of standing in line outside, with a cold breeze making it very uncomfortable.
All the big tackle players were there. The Daiwa and Shimano exhibits were quite well stocked. Wish the reps were up to speed on their own products, but it seems to always be the case. Daiwa has a new line of slow pitch rods, called "Outrageous" or some such thing. The rods were nicer than the name, that's for sure. Shimano's new line of Grappler A rods were smokin' hot as well.
Saw Skinner doing his thing, and Kilsong with a much more complete line-up of his JS Rods imports this year - the slow pitch models were very nice. Saw a ton of surf plug makers, most of their stuff was as much artwork as practical fish-catching weapons.
We spent some time at the Van Staal booth - they were showing off their new VR25 small spinner - very nice and VERY expensive. But if you have the need for such a completely sealed reel and can afford it - why not? It IS a truly gorgeous piece of machining, that's for sure. I know they already have at least one sold to "someone I know," and it's not me either!
Looked at the new Quantum Cabo line of spinners, I think they did them right. Finally. Also stopped by the Tsunami booth - for me the star of the show were the brand new Evict-2 spinners - so smooooth, so nice - and the 2000/2500 size gear ratio was right where we need it, at around 5:1.
And of course, once we found the Palmarius booth, it was game on, or maybe better said - game over. Dan Harley was blowing out his current version of his Wakizashi shorty slow pitch rods - formerly $599. - show price $200 even, tax included. Geez, at that price, it was a "must buy." Whelp, there goes a good bit of this Winter's reel-repair earnings - but money well spent.
I already have the "regular" P series in spinner and acid-wrapped #3 power, so I picked up the Wakizashi in #2 power. For those that do not know, these rods are built on a solid carbon blank, not hollow like 99% of everything else out there. The blanks are sooo thin, at around 1/4" at the base, well, they are just ridiculously cool. Complete Fuji titanium-framed SIC guide train - which by itself is probably worth $150-$175. So, a no-brainer pick-up.
My friend Darryll bought a #1 power and Kevin/Longcast "completed" (yeah, right!) his Palmarius collection with a P-Series #1, which was also deeply discounted. Darryll, Kevin and Frankie also spent some jing on various Palmarius tackle and dry-bags, all at half-price and all looked very well made.
Slight issue when I got my Wakizashi home - the reel seat was too large for a small baitcaster, like a Daiwa Tatula 150 or Shimano Tranx. Wow, didn't see that coming. So, what to do? Darryll texted with the same issue. I was originally thinking about stripping off the grips and reel seat and rebuilding backwards with a more appropriate seat, but then I tried fabbing up a thin plastic shim that fit between the seat and the reel foot. After a few trimmings and trial fittings I got it just right and now my Tat 150P is firmly locked in the factory Fuji seat, no wiggle at all. Fixed. Darryll was relieved - said now he can go to sleep happy. I'll fix him up whenever he's ready to stop by.
Needless to say, the day ended with a monster meal at Gino's in Howard Beach. Started with a full spread of apps, a double order of grilled octopus, a plate of broccoli rabe (Gino's makes best rabe I've ever eaten - and I include my own), a plate of their scrumptious seafood salad and one of fried Calamari. I (of course) had the Shrimp Oreganata entree with a side of white clam sauce over linguini - which three of the others had as well. Freakin' copy cats. Frankie did the Pork Shank Ossobuco - again, looked great. Finished with double espressos and fresh-filled cannolis. I don't care how much you can spend in any NYC super high-end Italian restaurant, the food at Gino's is at the least as good - if not superior. Hey, no Italian restaurant can possibly survive in Howard Beach if they don't serve top-notch food - if you catch my drift.
Here's the boys after our truly excellent meal. Kevin/Longcast, Me, Eddie/Tognut- Savvy18, Eddie #2, Frankie, and Darryll sitting. As nice a group of fishin' buddies as you ever find. What a great day!
All the big tackle players were there. The Daiwa and Shimano exhibits were quite well stocked. Wish the reps were up to speed on their own products, but it seems to always be the case. Daiwa has a new line of slow pitch rods, called "Outrageous" or some such thing. The rods were nicer than the name, that's for sure. Shimano's new line of Grappler A rods were smokin' hot as well.
Saw Skinner doing his thing, and Kilsong with a much more complete line-up of his JS Rods imports this year - the slow pitch models were very nice. Saw a ton of surf plug makers, most of their stuff was as much artwork as practical fish-catching weapons.
We spent some time at the Van Staal booth - they were showing off their new VR25 small spinner - very nice and VERY expensive. But if you have the need for such a completely sealed reel and can afford it - why not? It IS a truly gorgeous piece of machining, that's for sure. I know they already have at least one sold to "someone I know," and it's not me either!
Looked at the new Quantum Cabo line of spinners, I think they did them right. Finally. Also stopped by the Tsunami booth - for me the star of the show were the brand new Evict-2 spinners - so smooooth, so nice - and the 2000/2500 size gear ratio was right where we need it, at around 5:1.
And of course, once we found the Palmarius booth, it was game on, or maybe better said - game over. Dan Harley was blowing out his current version of his Wakizashi shorty slow pitch rods - formerly $599. - show price $200 even, tax included. Geez, at that price, it was a "must buy." Whelp, there goes a good bit of this Winter's reel-repair earnings - but money well spent.
I already have the "regular" P series in spinner and acid-wrapped #3 power, so I picked up the Wakizashi in #2 power. For those that do not know, these rods are built on a solid carbon blank, not hollow like 99% of everything else out there. The blanks are sooo thin, at around 1/4" at the base, well, they are just ridiculously cool. Complete Fuji titanium-framed SIC guide train - which by itself is probably worth $150-$175. So, a no-brainer pick-up.
My friend Darryll bought a #1 power and Kevin/Longcast "completed" (yeah, right!) his Palmarius collection with a P-Series #1, which was also deeply discounted. Darryll, Kevin and Frankie also spent some jing on various Palmarius tackle and dry-bags, all at half-price and all looked very well made.
Slight issue when I got my Wakizashi home - the reel seat was too large for a small baitcaster, like a Daiwa Tatula 150 or Shimano Tranx. Wow, didn't see that coming. So, what to do? Darryll texted with the same issue. I was originally thinking about stripping off the grips and reel seat and rebuilding backwards with a more appropriate seat, but then I tried fabbing up a thin plastic shim that fit between the seat and the reel foot. After a few trimmings and trial fittings I got it just right and now my Tat 150P is firmly locked in the factory Fuji seat, no wiggle at all. Fixed. Darryll was relieved - said now he can go to sleep happy. I'll fix him up whenever he's ready to stop by.
Needless to say, the day ended with a monster meal at Gino's in Howard Beach. Started with a full spread of apps, a double order of grilled octopus, a plate of broccoli rabe (Gino's makes best rabe I've ever eaten - and I include my own), a plate of their scrumptious seafood salad and one of fried Calamari. I (of course) had the Shrimp Oreganata entree with a side of white clam sauce over linguini - which three of the others had as well. Freakin' copy cats. Frankie did the Pork Shank Ossobuco - again, looked great. Finished with double espressos and fresh-filled cannolis. I don't care how much you can spend in any NYC super high-end Italian restaurant, the food at Gino's is at the least as good - if not superior. Hey, no Italian restaurant can possibly survive in Howard Beach if they don't serve top-notch food - if you catch my drift.
Here's the boys after our truly excellent meal. Kevin/Longcast, Me, Eddie/Tognut- Savvy18, Eddie #2, Frankie, and Darryll sitting. As nice a group of fishin' buddies as you ever find. What a great day!
