From Janurary to the beginning of March, here in Maryland up to southern PA, there are at least a half dozen or so flea markets. From dealers to tournament anglers and regular guys selling their stuff. Over the past two weeks, I have picked up:

2 pair of Solar Bat sunglasses, brand new retailing for $180 and $120 each, $10 each.

Gator custom rod 7'6" MH Fast, retail $215 (actual more because it was originally custom built for FLW Pro Aaron Hastings, a Maryland resident whom I purchased it from personally) paid $30

A 2008 ABU Garcia 5600 EXT like new paid $45 (from Aaron again)

Shimano Castaic 200SF like new $100

Shimano Chronarch 100 (pearl white model) brand new with box originally $194, paid $80

The flea markets are big deals here and guys come from all around. Are there any flea markets that are looked forward to in your respective parts of the country?

Well, we don't have any major fishing flee markets down here, but there is a guy down the street who has a huge fishing only tag sale every spring!  

I'd love to find som fishing flea markets but there is no such luck around here.

Hit your area pawn shops. Not the chains like american pawn either. They all price their stuff high. Find the lesser known shops that are individually owned. Go by and try to get to know the owners. They will cut you deals and even let you know what is coming out of the back room. I buy a lot of stuff from several and all the good buys are always completed before the merchandise ever hits the shelves.

We have a pawn shop close by. The owner fishes and is a St. Croix dealer. When new models come out, he sells the old ones at half price.

We have a pawn shop close by. The owner fishes and is a St. Croix dealer. When new models come out, he sells the old ones at half price.

You are a lucky man