I’ve been thinking about future rod/reel purchases and wanted to see if anyone who has been to the ‘Ultimate Fishing Show’ in Novi, MI every January would have any idea of what kinds of deals and discounts you can expect on higher end rods from St. Croix/G. Loomis?

 

I would appreciate any and all insight. Thanks!

I typically go each year, except when it's cancelled due to pandemics. Every booth seems to be running a convention rate of some kind. I'm usually there for the more oddball manufacturers than normal stuff in stores though. 

I have been attending the show every year for the last 30-ish years, pandemic aside.  As sad as this may sound, the show is a shadow of its former self.  Throughout the 90s and into the early 00s, the bigger tackle manufacturers themselves (Daiwa, Shimano, Abu, St Croix, etc) had booths showcasing the newest baits, rods, and reels that would soon head to store shelves.  It was really cool seeing all the latest and greatest and getting to mess with it in your hand.  Gradually, the show became more like a flea market of sorts over the years, and now it's mostly local tackle retailers, charters, and boat dealers.  There are deals to be had, and usually the final day of the show will see many products heavily discounted.  It's still good, just a different kind of good.

That’s good to know and I appreciate you sharing! I’ve read on forums that some of these shows in different states will discount certain rods 25 - 30% like the NRX/Legends and I was curious if I should be expecting that here. I’ve never been to the show, so I’ll plan on checking it out in January to find out!

1 hour ago, ABrugs said:

That’s good to know and I appreciate you sharing! I’ve read on forums that some of these shows in different states will discount certain rods 25 - 30% like the NRX/Legends and I was curious if I should be expecting that here. I’ve never been to the show, so I’ll plan on checking it out in January to find out!

I'm not sure what kind of discount you'll find, but there will probably be more than one retailer selling them.  I grabbed a bunch of husky jerks a couple of years back really cheap, they were about half price.  Walk around and see what's out there.  If you need any spoons, Eppinger, the maker of the famous Dardevle and based out of Dearborn, sells them at their booth for probably the best prices I've seen.