Steve,

I know you "rep" for Penn out there in CA and have a quick question for you.

I'm here in Florida and have been astounding by the lack of a marketing presence by Penn, Shimano, and other companies at the boat/fishing shows here in FL. At the Miami Boat show -- nothing. At the Florida Sportsman shows that travel all around the state -- nothing. At the Frank Sargent Show here in Tampa -- nothing. Shamano did have an embarassment of a folding table at the FS show, but it was a joke.

However there in CA, Penn, Shimano seem to kill themselves to out do one another at the Frank Hall shows.

Is Florida ignored for some reason? Is our market too small?

While our overnight trips are not the stuff you do out there -- usually they're 2-3 day trips to the Middle Grounds or the Dry Tortugas, there is never any sponsorship. What a great way to get products in the hands of folks. The Penn reel that comes to mind is the 113HN "Baja Special". It's a GREAT grouper/snapper/AJ reel, but no one uses here (I guess with the exception of me!).

Would appreciate your insight....

Tom

Hi Tom,
Wow, where to begin!
As a general rule, show booths are the responsibility of the independent sales reps in a given region/state.
These sales reps choose which shows to attend, and how much of a presence to bring.
Lots of things can affect how large a booth, if any, is at any given show.
I can't address the specific Florida shows you mention, but Florida overall is by far the largest market for saltwater fishing tackle in the United States, more than 3 times larger than California in total dollars.
That said, the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach is easily the largest single show of it's kind anywhere.
I've fished a little out of Islamorada, you are fortunate indeed to live out there.
I'm not a sales rep, just a lowly pro-staffer who happens to have spent 35 years in the industry at various local, regional and national positions.
Sales reps make the big bucks, but they don't get to fish enough, ha-ha!

that is strange, i fished in ontario lake for 3 months and a found a fishing show out there, they only had a few shimano and a hand full of penns, i spoke to one of the reps at the penns booth, he basicly had some or no ideas on the models i was questioning.

penn originated from a german man in the phillys, i would guess that they would have more info onit than california, i love my penns and never give them up ( will trade my wife for one lol.

Steve,

Thanks for the feedback. I had heard the same thing from someone loosely afilliated with Shimano -- that the reps set the agenda. I guess our reps take us for granted here -- they don't do squat!

Have talked to a couple of tackle shop oweners about it and they said that the reps said it wasn't worth their time.

I would think that the reps would want to get stuff out for consumers to see -- especially the new tackle like the 113HN, the Torque, and things like that.

I would also think that Penn (and the other companies) would want a significant presence in the Big Game Room, at the Miami Boast Show; as well as at the Florida Sportsman shows. Boy am I off!

Has the shift in ownership of Penn over the last year had any impact from your perspective?

I guess I should buy my plane ticket for the Fred Hall Show.

Tom

Penn was well represented at the Northeast tackle shows over the winter, although the Reps were not very forthcoming about the ownership change. Then, again, the ownership has changed since then.
Looks to me like new product development is pretty much flatlined for the rest of 2007. Any inside info?

Budd

Speak of the devil. I just bought me a 113hn from charkies today. One fine reel. Got it for a steal too, about 40 buckes less than anywhere else. I own a 113h too. I'm eyballing the 975 or the Luna next. Haven't made up my mind yet.

I envy you Steve. You get to fish on a regular basis and take home a paycheck to feed them kiddies.

The ownership changes in the tackle industry were dizzyng at one point early this spring.
Not much was being said because not much was known for sure.
To clarify, the new ownership is Jarden Inc of New Jersey.
They own fishing brands Penn, Berkley, Abu-Garcia, Fenwick, Stren, Spiderwire, Shakespeare, Pflueger, All-Star Rods, Contender Rods, Hodgeman, Stearns and X-Tools along with camping brands Coleman and Marmot Mountain Works and numerous other sporting goods brands in the ski, baseball, softball, paintball etc. categories.
The activity did slow down movement of the new models, but it didn't stop it completely.
The Penn 30VSX and 50VSX still got out on the market this spring, and the Torque TRQ100 is due any time, so things are about 4-5 months behind is all.
Development of the "lever-drag" Torques is also back moving along nicely, so early 2008 should see them coming out.
Exactly how it will all be sorted out remains to be seen, but the long-run advantages for Penn to be part of such a financially powerful organization are many.
Perhaps the ICAST Show in Vegas July 11-13 will give more answers, and I will get to say hello to Mark in person!

Steve. Do you know if Penn sponsors any Local shows here in the area. I mean TV fishing shows. Everywhere I look its Shimano. Not that thats a bad thing but I'd just like to see Penn equipment featured on a show for once. It'd be nice to see a Baja Special on a show picking up some roosterfish in mexican waters. Or even a show featuring the capabilities of the torque series which is quite new.

It just seems like everyshow is for shimano purposes. (Inside Sportfishing, Hunt for big fish, Al linder)

Please feel free not to share if it's a secret, I understand you need to keep your job.

fishing ventures carry penn.

Is that on Versus? Or Fox Sports West? I'll need to DVR it.

its on fox sports. it usually comes on sunday morning in s.b. area 9;30 or 11;00 am.

its the ronnie kovach guy.