Triple S Dealer Show
Triple S Dealer Show Rocks the Recession!!
Grand Island New York, was once again the location for the 2010 Triple S Dealer Show. For most this show is a place for sport shop dealers to crunch numbers and place orders for the upcoming season. Knowing what and how much of a product to buy can be the key to a successful year. For many others this show is the place to highlight new products, renew old acquaintances and make some new ones.
Factory reps are present in all the booths and they are the key to getting the right product onto the shelves for their dealers.
Shelley and I also attend so we can keep our readers up to date on the latest and greatest to hit the water and woods this year.
The Sheffield family rolls out the red carpet for everyone and we all feel at home.
If you are a dealer and you do not attend this show you are missing the boat.
There was a lot to see and the business was brisk. While talking to the reps it is obvious that our northeast region has not been hit like many other parts of the country. I have said this all along, but people here are fishing, we have not taken a big hit like the south and west coasts have.
Let us start with the Triple S products.
By now you know they produce several top of the line center pin reels, great rods, 3D worm harnesses, Challenger stickbaits, Balsa and plastic floats, gloves, tackle boxes and more. All of their products are available at your local dealers.
Triple S also teamed up with several manufacturers to offer dealers exclusive colors on many products.
For example Triple S is offering their Nuclear colors on many items. Not only can you get them in the Challenger and 3D Worm Harness but you will find the nuclear colors on Walker Deeper Divers, Northern King Lures, A-Tom-Mik Flies and Dream Weaver Spin Dr’s. They offer two super hot patterns; nuclear green and nuclear pink/purple. You may even see these colors on several other items very soon. www.challengerlures.com
Other New Products
Walker Downriggers continue to perfect the wheel by improving on products that have been around for years.
Their most recent being the TripZ Diver. This diver will be available in 3 sizes and six fish catching colors. It has the same trip mechanism that they added to their deeper divers. This item is a must have for back-trolling lures and bait in deep slow water and for flat lining sticks and spoons for spooky trout and walleye. www.walkerdownriggers.com
Mustad never stops making changes and their new Kevin VanDam Elite Series treble hooks are taking the industry by storm.
The specially engineered shape of the KVD Elite Series Hook combines hooking capability with exceptional holding properties to set the standard for world class performance. Based upon our original Triple Grip series, the modified design of the “KVD” features a precise shape that almost “locks” a fish into the elbow of the bend, making it virtually impossible to throw the hook. The precise point alignment built into the “KVD” design provides for an optimal angle of point impact, which translates into increased power at hook set for optimum penetration. One important side benefit is that the angled shape makes this hook less prone to snagging on structure than round bend trebles. www.mustad.no/
The Daiwa Saltist line counter is another hot item right now.
Designed for saltwater or heavy Great Lakes applications this reel sports greater line capacity, aluminum frame and side plates and Daiwa's CRBB corrosion resistant ball bearings, All feature a built in counter that measures line out in feet, a real plus for setting trolling patterns and judging depth with diving planers, lead core or flat lines.To handle large fish, all feature Daiwa's new U.T. carbon drag for smooth, fade free stopping power. Models are available in a high power 4.9 to 1 retrieve, or a super fast 6.1 to 1 retrieve that pull in up to 47 inches of line with a single turn of the handle. www.daiwa.com
Okuma had several new items at their booth but I recently had the opportunity to fish their new SST 962L rod. We were fortunate to hook up to a heavy brown trout on the 3rd cast and it was game on. This is a sweet rod for sure.
With species specific rod actions, a sensitive IM-8 graphite rod blank construction, durable stainless steel guide frames, zirconium guide inserts that reduce friction from braided lines, a premium fore and rear grips on all models and a stainless steel hook keeper you will want to try this rod. All SST rods are backed by a 1-year warranty
Shimano continues to stand out with their Tekota line counters. This reel speaks for itself. There is rumor that a Tekota 1000 may be seen on boats sometime soon. This reel will easily hold 700 feet of copper and will fill the gap that was left when Okuma dropped the Titus T50 level wind reel. www.fish.shimano.com
Tom Allen from A-Tom-Mik Flies was on hand with plenty of new and exciting patterns for 2010. He continues to expand his live series and UV series flies. Many of these patterns were a secret last year and had a lot to do with the success of a few of the Pro-Am teams. Check out all of his products at www.atommiktrollingflies.com
Trevor Sumption from Fish Hawk is offering an upgrade kit for those that already have a transducer mounted on their boat. You can purchase the display unit and probe for considerably less then an entire unit. Go to www.fishhawkelectronics.com
Tony Salerno from Great Lakes Planers was at the show for the first time. He makes beautiful rod holders and rocket launchers. He is local manufacturer up north in 3 mile bay. Go to www.greatlakesplaners.com for more information.
For the Hunters, Quaker Boy has done it again. Check out these photos of the infamous Ernie Calandrelli.
This is one of the most innovative turkey vests to come along in years – it's a vest and blind all in one. Just like a traditional vest, it will pack everything you need for the hunt, but that's where the comparison ends. Once you get to your spot, slip on the built-in, ultrapackable blind over your camo and within seconds, you'll disappear into the woods. The cut-out leaves totally obliterate your outline. To the turkeys, you'll look like nothing more than a bush. Pull on the handy drawstrings for easy access to the blind. Just unroll, slip over your head and slide your arms through. Vest includes holders for your shells, diaphragm calls, box calls, slate calls and strikers. Two front cargo pockets. Extra-large, large and medium interior cargo pockets. Comfortable backrest and attached seat go to www.quakerboy.com
Dave Jackson, one of the industries top reps was on hand to show Shelley and I the latest from Rivers West. This company just rocks when it comes to staying dry in the woods or on the water. Well, now they have expanded into childrens wear, dog coats, gloves, undergarments and more.
This stuff is killer and will be available soon. Look for more on all of these in upcoming issues of LOO and when they update their website very soon. www.riverswest.com
Shane from Dreamweaver is always thinking and staying busy. In addition to the exclusive Triple S nuclear colors, Shane has several new patterns including splatter back patterns and a dynamite white pearl oil slick, I am sure Spin Dr’s old and new will be producing good catches of salmon again in 2010. www.dreamweaverlures.com
Raymarine continues to lead the pack and technology and integrations. Kevin Jerge had a few minutes to show us what they have to offer. Take the new E-Series, this widescreen delivers elegant simplicity, bold new styling and unprecedented choice. Choose the convenience of touch screen or the confidence of keypad control, thanks to E-Series Widescreen’s innovative HybridTouch™ user interface. The brand new user interface is designed around an intuitive home screen that puts you in control and gives you the power to customize your navigation experience with a few simple touches. There is a ton of information on their website.
Go to www.Raymarine.com
John Williams from Big Jon Downriggers was very optimistic that 2010 will be a good year. Displaying the products that produce like their popular Otter Boat and Brute ES rigger, Big Jon Sports continue to be one of the top companies on the great lakes.
We even had a demonstration of a survial suit!
There was much more to see but we had to leave early as I had another show to attend. Once again Dave Sheffield and his family continue to produce a great event that is well attended and enjoyed by many. Look for more information on other products on our website and in future issues of LOO.