Yes OB. The exhibitors were very, very accommodating to me as newbie with my questions. I started every conversation (if necessary) with something like "I'm pretty new to fishing (and don't own a boat) but can you help me with... "
Most staff on stands welcomed the opportunity to impart knowledge and advice. No 'bagging' of competitors which was nice.
I found the exhibitors from Australia, in particular, very pleasant to engage and so I thanked each one I spoke with for making the effort to travel and attend the show.
More (and better) give-aways on Day 2 from Halls 6, 5, 4 mostly from Government and 'official' exhibitors such as MPI, Fish-Hooked Bird Care lady ('How to care' stickers) , Submarine Cable Awareness guy (Free charts), DOC, Harbourmaster. Coastguard and Maritime NZ had VHF channel stickers. Trojan Trailers chaps very generous with bottle openers, pens, stickers.
Bought 3 back-issues of Alloy Boat magazine and received free current issue and free spray bottle of Salt Away. Sweet.
LegaSea guys were patient with comprehensive answers to my queries and I now am a supporter of them (That was one target on my list - To meet LegaSea and try and get my head around their raison d'etre. Thanks and stand up Josh Barclay!)
I subscribed to Fishing News, joined Coastguard, enrolled for VHF course and bought some new softbaits from Z-Man.
Seminars were short and sweet. But much info was gleaned from talking to the presenters afterwards and all had time for me. Thanks especially to Dan & Josh from Ocean Angler and again to Mark Kitteridge who I hijacked for a 1 hour personal tutorial on SB technique. (Great guy!!)
DB had samples of their Lemon Bitter which is very palatable and you get to recycle the bottle into the 'Sand' machine. Amazing!
The selection of tackle was daunting. (For me). You have to know exactly what you want and this was not the place to buy rods/reels for a Newbie. Better to go to my local shop and get hands-on with various budget-based options. It was easy to get carried away with the euphoria and 'fish-tosterone' in the air. Unless you knew exactly what you wanted and the price was clearly a bargain... (Like 3 packs of Z-mans for $16 !)
Bargain of the day is to be had at the Harbour-Masters stall. Free floating key-ring ($3.00 everywhere else) and a free Prop Flag. PLUS free instruction on how to service your inflatable life-jacket. This is something I perceived as daunting from reading the instructions but am now confident to attempt after washing the PFD more regularly. (Check your gas bottles for corrosion chaps!)
Also free charts with speed restrictions and 'No Anchoring' marked.
I spent a long time comparing various Chart-plotter/Sounder brands and models. (Likewise on the VHF radio selection). So much to know here it's a topic for further research but I must say I know heaps more now than two days ago.
The one stand I didn't feel welcome was Honda. Anybody can walk into Harrods or the Monte Carlo casino and be treated like you 'could' be a millionaire but the Hondos looked down their noses at me and talked amongst themselves. I could have been about to ask for a quote for 2 x 250hp's but they will never know now.
Yamaha folks approached me and offered help beyond what I was expecting. (Well done Steve Lockart!)
Some pics from my visit will follow.
Cheers!