afta 23 gold coast

[Andrew_P]

Hi AFOers. AFTA is on this week Thursday 3rd til Saturday 5th August at the Gold Coast convention centre. Even though it’s an industry event they open it to the public on the Saturday with free entry. Is anyone going? 
 

There’s a rod building get together on the Saturday I’m thinking of going to. Might take a few pics of the show and post them up here for those interested. 
 

more info here:

https://afta.net.au/trade-show/

 

Andrew

[Angry51]

Thanks Andrew, a few pics would be good for those of us who don't live down that way.

[Bretto77]

Be good to have a look at the presentations. I won't be able to go even though I will be on the coast on Saturday .

I see Sammy Hitzke is part of the discussion panel for "Saltwater and boating"... Thought maybe he might pop up in the "Fishing for the family" discussion too...?

[charlie.hans.fishing]

Hi Andrew. I'm attending too! I'm trying to get there relatively early. 

The rod building get-together sounds very cool. 

 

 

[Andrew_P]

Managed to snag a pass to AFTA for today. Was a big day looking at products and talking to people! Was kinda like being in a YT video with all the familiar faces, big logos and shiny gear. I realised I only took a couple of quick pics of products so I’ll try to do better tomoro!

if you are planning on going to public day tomoro they are expecting lots of people so best get in early. Cannot imagine how crazy it will be in there with all the gear and the public!

[Andrew_P]

[ellicat]

I've got a few Squidtrex myself. Have even lost one to a fish.

 

[Andrew_P]

Ok I thought I did better today but looking through my photos I’m not quite sure. Things that interested me were the REALLY big spin reels by Penn and Okuma (seriously hard to lift let alone cast), the new spin reels from majorcraft, a squid blade from TT (looks like the ecogear sx), some micro plastics from Zman and all the rod building bling from Fuji. 

[Andrew_P]

[Andrew_P]

Some xraps, US style deck boots and cool plastics on display too. Stopped by the Fisheries Qld stand too

 

[ellicat]

Some good looking gear.

How were the crowds ?

[Andrew_P]

I didn’t get there till 10:30ish but heard the line was out the door at 9. Pretty busy inside but good afta lunch. 

[Angry51]

Some dollars there, You can wander around all day in those places can't you? Thanks for the pics Andrew, never get to go to those sort of shows.

[Andrew_P]

6 minutes ago, Angry51 said:

Some dollars there, You can wander around all day in those places can't you? Thanks for the pics Andrew, never get to go to those sort of shows.

I struggle to control myself when all the receptors are pinging from the sights, sounds and possibilities. It’s more like a heightened state - the Red Mist my mates call it

[Bretto77]

25 minutes ago, Andrew_P said:

I struggle to control myself when all the receptors are pinging from the sights, sounds and possibilities. It’s more like a heightened state - the Red Mist my mates call it

You definitely need it all Andrew . I would have loved to have had a look but not to be. Dare I ask what you have ordered since

[Bretto77]

37 minutes ago, Angry51 said:

You can wander around all day in those places can't you? Thanks for the pics Andrew, never get to go to those sort of shows.

Nevermind @Angry51 you have plenty of space and resource for your own show every day

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Looks like a fun day Andrew. Were there any new baitrunner reels on display that you saw?

[Andrew_P]

Not that I saw Hamish. I’m a big fan of the Shimano baitrunner design given they invented it  

@Bretto77 just rod building stuff mate I hung on a few blanks while I was there so got a great idea of how certain blanks will feel built up

[Angry51]

17 minutes ago, Bretto77 said:

Nevermind @Angry51 you have plenty of space and resource for your own show every day

Yeah, but my show's called a circus. haha.

[Bretto77]

18 minutes ago, Angry51 said:

Yeah, but my show's called a circus. haha.

You must share more pics

[Angry51]

Would but this is a family forum, you wouldn't want to see some of the acts we get up to Brett.

[Andrew_P]

I hear negative gearing is most boomer’s trick of choice ?

[charlie.hans.fishing]

Hi guys. Sorry I'm a little late to the thread. 

I went yesterday on the public day - apparently there was approx. 4500 people. It was packed. 

I managed to score a fair few freebies/promotional items. 

Got a few pictures with some of the popular youtubers. 

You wouldn't believe how many 13yo kids were just crowding around some of the bigger youtubers in the Diawa section. 

Some kid even managed to score a $670 diawa reel (i think the maverick mq) for free in a giveaway!

I didn't bother trying to get in with the crowds because I had a bigger interest in looking at the new products, plus, those big giveaways only happened every couple of hours. 

It's cool to see Rapala finally release some plastics, as with the other brands innovating on their lures. 

Had a feel of the new stradic (it's very similar to the current latest model), and also a Stella (will never be able to afford one ). 

Didn't get much of a chance to check out the new gear in the Diawa section because it was just packed with all those kids. 

[Another Wazza]

On 04/08/2023 at 11:22 PM, ellicat said:

I've got a few Squidtrex myself. Have even lost one to a fish.

 

I remember that morning Brian, you got smoked by something half decent only a few casts in, it was sad to have set that little squid free without having properly bonded with it, hahaha

Those small Squidtrex look pretty good, being half the size they should be about half the price shouldn't they? Hahaha