fred hall tackle show - long beach, california

alantani · Mar 8, 2007

it's the biggest tackle show in the western united states. never been before and it was overwhelming. next year, i'm flying down for a couple of days, staying at the mariott hotel across the street, and having dinner at hooter's every night! this trip, i flew down in the morning and flew back in the evening.

i don't travel much and have never gotten over the novelty of flying. i caught the 10am commuter flight from san jose to los angeles, but booked too late to get the $80 special. i ended up paying $254 for my flight! ouch! i'll know better next time.

it was only a 50 minute flight to los angeles. the smog was surprisingly light.

my good friend ben picked me up at los angeles international and we headed out for burgers, then on to the long beach convention center.

once inside, i was in for the surprise of my life. i could not believe how huge this show is. we have a fred hall show in san francisco and the international sportsmen's expo in san mateo. i was told that the long beach show draws more people in a day than the other shows draw in a week!

this is two hours before the opening. everyone is frantically rushing to get set up.

alantani · Mar 8, 2007

this is mr. hightower from newell. we spoke briefly about greased carbon fiber drag washers. he will still not come over to the darkside!

the izorline guys had their knot testing machine out. my 6 turn uni knot did not perform very well the last time i tested it on their machine, so i kept moving.....

my favorite rods!

my friend frank on the right, still getting the daiwa booth set up.

i didn't get a chance to talk to these guys, but i've heard lots of good things about ken's!

eye candy! couldn't pass up this shot!

alantani · Mar 8, 2007

i finally got to meet one of my most favorite people in the whole world. this is dawn, of smoothdrag.com. she has a new handle nut wrench and a basic tool box for any of you guys thinking about breaking into reel repair. i spoke to her about expanding her website. that way i can post up a reel repair tutorial for ever reel that has a carbontex upgrade.

the world famous captain frank lopreste of the royal polaris!

these next four shots are a panoramic of the main floor.

http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1847.JPG

http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1848.JPG

http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1849.JPG

http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1850.JPG

hmmmm, built-in live well!

http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1851.JPG

http://www.fullspeedfishing.com/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1852.JPG

alantani · Mar 8, 2007

2pm and the doors flew open!!!!!!!!!!

hey, a cute japanese girl that actually fishes!

baker frames, great stuff!

gulfdaddy · Mar 8, 2007

Thanks Alan for the report. Very impressive. I am in Houston and we just had out boat show last month and last week the fishing show. This Fred Hall thing has soooo much more to offer. Maybe next year I will make the effort to go. thanks for the field trip, Gulfdaddy

jig · Mar 8, 2007

Wow. Just wow. I don't think it would be healthy for me to go in there. Thanks a bunch for the great pics. Is this pic of the new Hoo-X? I noticed lugs, and it looks kinda small (but hard to tell). Any info on it?

Pope · Mar 8, 2007

I am at work, but have lots to say. I have always wanted to go to the FH show. Thanks for your detail. Is it OCD that has you paying so much attention to the detail. Got Luvox?

Bret · Mar 8, 2007

Wow, I would have to leave all cash and CC's at home if I went to that show. Thanks for the pics.. It would be fun to gawk at all of the goodies for a couple of days..

bpitcher · Mar 8, 2007

Wow, I would have to leave all cash and CC's at home if I went to that show. Thanks for the pics.. It would be fun to gawk at all of the goodies for a couple of days..
I hear you on that one. Hell, whenever I leave FTU my wallet feels alot lighter.

Sea Crappie · Mar 8, 2007

Awesome report Alan. I have to agree with Brad and Bret, if I went, someone would have to save me from myself.

Tell me more about this new thinner braid, haven't heard anthing about it.

MrBill · Mar 8, 2007

I know two guys flying down Friday morning to the Long Beach Show. They are not returning until Sunday. They invited me a few weeks ago, but I declined because I know I would go nuts. I'm now having second thoughts. Probably a lot cheaper to view it from the Pics above. Thanks Alan.

Did you put your hands on the new Penn 50 VSX? I'm thinking of buying one. I need to see and feel it before buying. Just wondered what your opinion was on the reel if you saw it.

MrBill · Mar 8, 2007

Awesome report Alan. I have to agree with Brad and Bret, if I went, someone would have to save me from myself.

Tell me more about this new thinner braid, haven't heard anthing about it.

Sea Crappie, try this link below. Every dealer is in Calif.

http://www.blackwaterinternationalinc.com/

DeepBlueGulf · Mar 9, 2007

Judging from the looks of that reel, it is the fabled HOOX. But I'll let Alan tell us about it.

Tom - DBG

Pope · Mar 9, 2007

I see you thought a lot of the Hobie kayaks. I have used one and fortunately will get some more time in them this year. The foot paddle drive is the best feature I have ever seen on a yak. They drive also removes and you can also put a sail on these models. They are a freaking nice boat. Expensive! Hobie is letting a friend and I use them for a trip over the summer and I am going to buy the one I use at a very nice discount, I hope. If not they are going to get a well used boat back.

The aluminum boat looked interesting too. I went to their site and they have a 28 ft model weighing in at 4500lbs. i bet it could take and give a beating.

fishingduck · Mar 9, 2007

thanks so much, Alan. Great pictures, almost feel like I was there.

FD

Ragman · Mar 9, 2007

Hey Alan!

Excellent report on the FH show in Long Beach!

Thanks for taking the time to post the report, especially with all of the pics!

Brandon- I noticed that Pacific aluminum boat as well! 4-stroke Hondas!

Wow!

TJ- Let's put the 2008 Long Beach show on our itinerary!

alantani · Mar 9, 2007

yeah, this was alot of fun. it really was a bit overwhelming. so much stuff to see. dean's new spectra has more strands than jerry brown's and it's supposed to be thinner. don't know much more about it than that. i got a sample to play with and it's very pretty stuff. everything is going to be spliced and served. i'm getting a "bow string " something or other to help do the splicing. all of this is totally new to me. i'm the guy that would spend have of my long range trip tying bimini's and albright's for all my friends on the boat. this new stuff is going to be different.

regarding the reels, i've only cracked open a couple of v series penn internationals. they are very nice. the first one was sent to me because the preset knob was stuck. i tore apart the whole right side plate to get it unstuck, and, seriously guys, it was not that hard. been so long, though, and i did not take pics, so i don't remember the proceedure. although i personally do not own any, i will always have a soft spot in my heart for penn gold. i consider it to be a traditional standard, and a product that this country should be proud of.

now, avet is another matter entirely. i seriously disagree with their dry drags and their choice of bearings (or rather, how they're installed). but it is their product, not mine, and they make the decisions, not me. so i've decided to give both of us a little breathing room and back away from avet. (um, did i mention that i can get 30#'s of drag out of an avet ex 4/0-2?) dig, dig, dig!

MrBill · Mar 9, 2007

Pope said:
I see you thought a lot of the Hobie kayaks. QUOTE]

Perhaps, you might want to be crazy enough to convert your kayak into a Marlin trolling machine like this guy in this video did with his jetski. Some people live life on the edge.

Pope · Mar 10, 2007

If we had marlin within sight of the beach I might. That guy was pretty crazy. I bet his fuel bill isn't that high though. Just hope he buys good insurance with the money he saves.

MrBill · Mar 10, 2007

Alan,

When you went by the Accurate booth, did you happen to see a 665 two speed? I noticed that Charkbait is showing it available in Candy Apple red but it is confusing to me if it is in stock or coming shortly. Charkbait might have had one at their booth. I have two friends at the show now, but they are not answering their cell phones.

I think I'm the only guy in Texas that isn't down at the coast right now. One of my buddies released a nice Blue Marlin this afternoon fishing off of Ranzell's Rock. They also caught some nice size hoo's and BF tuna. First time in months that the weather is nice and fishable. It's been a rough winter in the GOM.

fred hall tackle show - long beach, california

Top Contributors this Month