My last time to Fred Hall was back in the late 80's when I built Stringari Skiffs, and we would go to the show to show/sell our boats.
This year I went for two days to get caught up on all the gear, see and chat with folks, and attend seminars. In total I went to 11 seminars. Some Kayak related, some not, some fish related, some lobster.
Deals? I'm sure they were out there, I caught a few (new Shimano rod for my Curado 300EJ, some MC Slugs, gonna try out a waxwing, some nice carabiner type clips for hoopin, a Chinook pfd, and of course a few caps "LET US FISH").
But there were some items missing from the show: No Electronics. Was hoping to catch a deal on a VHF, but not a single one in sight, no West Marine, nada. Braid - No real bargains that I could find.
Interestingly - of all the seminars I went to, and were talking a wide variety of anglers of all sorts, almost 100% have switched to braid for 100% of their fishing, and let the rod take care of the give/take of the fish since the braid has none. And were not talking a partial load of braid with a long top shot. We're talking 100% braid with perhaps a short flouro leader. Even some are going straight to the jig/hook with braid.
I'm sure that might stir up a hornets nest of debate, but I'm only repeating what I heard and saw from some folks who make a living with their gear
Greg