I was there Friday from about 1-3:30. I saw the boat reveals and visited with someone from Brunswick Marine Group about the new digital switching technology. Lots of people and patch pirates - there was a line for everything and it was hard to talk to anyone if you had any questions. The boat reveals were a bit underwhelming.

I did get to spend some time at the St Croix booth and found out a lot about my new rods coming and they even gave me a hat. And I was standing right next to Van Dam and didn't even know it until I heard him speak inside the BPS footprint. I was looking at the new lithium batteries and he was standing right next to the display - that's as close as I got to anyone I recognized.

I also got to spend some time looking around at the Garmin booth and man I'm impressed with all the cool technology nowadays.

It was nice. I hate to bitch but the displays inside the ancillary buildings of the coliseum left little room to move with the crowds and were hot as hell. Not sure that was thought through all the way.

Make sure you find the right parking spot - I parked near the Dickie's arena but had to walk a good ways to the coliseum - bring a small cooler of water and keep it in your truck/car so you can hydrate before and after. They have the water fountains shutdown for China virus reasons so you can only buy refreshments and the lines are long.

You gotta remember that this thing was originally scheduled for February. The heat would have not been a factor. Just hard to cool down those buildings very much. It just happens to be the first real summer type heat of the year. Its not perfect by any means but I give them a break on some of it.

100%!

If it would have been 2 weeks ago the weather would have been a lot "nicer" temperature wise but everyone would be complaining about the all the rain!

I wasn't aware of the scheduling change - lot of details I don't keep up on. But that would make sense.

I did not see Shimano - did I miss that one?

Still could use a lot more room in those other buildings.

I marked up a map to help orient people going to the Expo and/or weigh-in. Harley Ave is blocked off between Dickie's Area and the Will Rogers complex. The Memorial Center building is air conditioned and has the big dollar exhibits. This is where I saw KVD, Jason Christie, Hank Parker, and Keith Combs. My son also spotted Hackney. The broadcast booth is toward the middle. A smaller exhibition hall is off the main hall of the same building. You exit the doors of the small exhibition hall to get to the ag barns with the vendors and the tent. They setup makeshift ventilation in the ag barns to try to help cool them but they ARE hot and stuffy. The Peanut Butter Whiskey booth was giving out samples. Interesting taste for sure.

There are some folks stationed directing traffic at the parking garage and surface lot entrances on Gendy Street. The direction of the attendants seemed a little random. I ended up in the garage and was glad not to come back to a scorching hot car at the end of the day

I got to put my hands on the new St Croix Victory rods. I think they are going to have a real winner for the $180-$200 price point. They only had the pre-release jerkbait rod to show me but color me impressed. It's going to be released this Fall for $180. Time will tell, but those that can't/don't want to shell out the dough for the Legend series will have to give the Victory line a strong consideration.

I didn't bother to stand in line for the giveaways but I did score on the 5 gallon Berkley Class bucket as far as swag goes. B&W Hitches had some pretty cool bottle openers and of course there were stickers and floaty keychains just about everywhere. I don't drive a Skeeter so I didn't bother with getting one of their caps.

You could buy the Phoenix boats that were on display. They work the deal through Fun N Sun. The silver and purple one is only *cough* *cough* $92995 rigged out pretty nicely.

The water suggestion is a smart one because you are going to pay event concession prices for refreshments. But if you're looking at a $93K Phoenix, I guess an $8 beer is chump change. LOL

Anyways, go out to the Expo and have some fun. It's pretty neat.

The post above is very informative....thank you sir

....btw: thx for the map, rr and all the other informative and positive posts...good info

What booth?

Been in there a lot during the winter too. I think I would prefer the summer. Those buildings get freezing cold in winter.

My avid angling son and I made a full day of it Friday. We live close to Ray Bob, so 5am wake up call. Rolled to the State Park like we’ve done a 100 times. Although this time, when we drove over the dam, it was intense. The lights around the ramp from the dam road was pretty chilling. The blast off was electric. From the crowd, to the National anthem, to see the pros and their rigs...just damn right cool. My son was pumped, and frankly, so was I. I’ve been able to experience a lot of cool things in life, and this one kind of took me back to being a kid again.

We ate breakfast in Sanger, then took a nap. Then headed to FW. Got to shake hands with GMan and tell him thanks for what he does for the sport. Got to give knuckles to the Aussie and hear his story. Got to explain to my son who Hank and Bill were and how they had cool shows I watched when I was his age. Looked at the booths, bought a few things, saw some friends.

Then went to the weigh in. Had a Coke and a hot dog. Enjoyed the vibe.

For all you that can’t dig this scene, I feel bad for you.

Got dammit. It’s the Bassmasters Classic! If you can’t enjoy all it entails, you probably need to find a different forum and hobby.

crowds today are and were insane earlier

Ironically the biggest stars seem to be at the expo

this is the truth... greatest post of 2021 hands down

Went today with the wife. Going back tomorrow solo. It was good. Wish they had it more contained to one area or better signage, but it was fine. Saw Bill Dance and Zona. I’ll have a better time tomorrow being on my own and a little more nimble.

The Great Outdoors booth at the Megabass display