MKF Swap Meet March 3, 2012

[ronaultmtd]

I'll second that! We support the Wounded Warriors and Helmets to Hardhats programs...

[medicyaker]

Sorry about that On The Fly!! Also Harry, I may need your help on this one since you have a contact that could at minimum point us in the right direction... If you don't mind, could you please get back to me after Christmas if you have time in your busy Retirement schedule... LOL Umm MM, I'm sure we can set something up as far as a date or weekend when we all meet on the 14th for the M&G at Arundel Mills. I will contact Wounded Worriors at FT Mead or the VA Outreach Center in Balto. and see if we can get them to agree to do this, prior too the 14th so we can pencil it in. I'm thinking sometime when its a bit warmer, Say perhaps May or June. They know nothing about our group and may take a little bit to convince them that we are not into getting anything out of this event other than giving back to our soldiers. I am all about helping with this but don't want to take the lead on it, I have no problem helping someone else or a group of others. Lets make this happen though!!!!!

[medicyaker]

I've just heard from Redfish who told me that BackYard Boats will be in attendance and they are interested in bringing some Yaks. Looks like this Swap Meet is coming together nicely. We have spaces for about 35 tables and not the 50 that I originally hoped for. For some reason I thought it would fit 50 tables. I've got 25 spaces left.

[Grady-Black]

Tom, I will need a table also. Customizing an OK Drifter to bring and sell as well as some tackle..

GB

[medicyaker]

OK Grady, You're down for one table. Would you want a wall to your back so you could stand-up your Kayak? Otherwise, I"m not sure your Yak would fit on an 8ft table. All tables will be end to end. I"m also limited on these wall spaces and are first come first serve. Thanks,
Tom

[Rockchaser]

Hey Mediyaker, I will take a table.

[CB kayak 02]

Mark me down for a table too.

[medicyaker]

Thanks guys. thats especially needed now that we had one member drop out of renting a table because I wouldn't change the flyer to say Kayak Fishing flea Market. This will not be just a kayak Fishing Flea Market. I don't want to block ourselves in to being JUST a kayak Fishing event. We will have Flyfisherman as well as freshwater, Trolling and ocean and all types of anglers there. The Header of the flyer will say fishing flea market, and have everything listed like Kayak fishing as well as Flyfishing, ocean and freshwater to Charter Boat captains. The Firehouse is doing the fundraiser and we are simply the recipients of the door admision donations. I have VERY LITTLE say as to what goes in the flyer. I wish I could please everyone. I consider that member a friend and don't want to alienate that person but it is what it is. Sorry!!! I need someone to post the event on other sites if possible. Just let me know if and what othe sites where done.
Thank You to everyone that is helping to make this a potentially huge event.
I wish I could please everyone.
Thanks again, Tom

[Pinch]

....

Thanks guys. thats especially needed now that we had one member drop out of renting a table because I wouldn't change the flyer to say Kayaki Fishing flea Market. This will not be just a kayak Fishing Flea Market.I don't want to block ourselves in to being JUST a kayak Fishing event. We will have Flyfisherman as well as freshwater, Trolling and ocean and all types of anglers there. The Header of the flyer will say fishing flea market, and have everything listed like Kayak fishing as well as Flyfishing, ocean and freshwater to Charter Boat captains. The Firehouse is doing the fundraiser and we are simply the recipients of the door admision donations. I have VERY LITTLE say as to what goes in the flyer. I wish I could please everyone. I consider that member a friend and don't want to alienate that person but it is what it is. Sorry!!! I need someone to post the event on other sites if possible. Just let me know if and what othe sites where done.
Thank You to everyone that is helping to make this a potentially huge evint.
I wish I could please everyone.
Thanks again, Tom

Makes perfect sense.

[nay_sayer]

I agree, this should be about fishing in any form.

[MetroMan]

Sell it as a "kayak fishing flea market" and you'll end up with a MKF meet & greet lol...

[mytmouse]

Tom I think your doing it right! I think that if we stamp Kayak on it, it will turn off a lot of prospective patrons. Many boaters don't realize that we use the same gear! The first thing they will think when they see kayak is "Well I'm a boater, they won't have anything for me!". MetroMan and I were in BPS looking for some trolling lures and were talking to this shopper there who was all enthusiastic about it until he asked what we were trolling from. when MetroMan told him a kayak he gave an awkward stare and just walked away...LOL

Whoever is pouting about the wording on the flyer is missing out!!! Word will quickly spread about the kayak presence in future years, but we need as many BUYERS as possible. I don't have enough gear to get my own table, but I will definitely be there and maybe even slide a couple things to sell on Grady-Black's table...lol

[moc]

Tom, how many tables do you have set spoken for. I do not need any. I am just curious how the progress is going.

[Memory Maker]

Well guys .......... there are over 16 well established boat shows and fishing flea markets between the end of Jan to March. Most of these are over 10 years old and have a following and have had the word out since before Dec. Many of these have speakers and seminars and everyone that I have been to have well over 30 tables ............ In addition, most of these especially around GB Annapolis have mainly saltwater tackle that we mainly don't use .........large buck tails, umbrellas, parachutes etc.

In addition, this show has not been advertised and is in the same place where a very large one will be held 2 weeks prior .......

So ...... with all that in mind .......... how are you going to get people to want to go to this event ............ how do you set it apart and generate interest

Maybe it would be to make it a Kayak and Fishing Show ........ That's what I thought and I suggested it to Tom .......

You guys have seen this forum grow without a lot of publicity to over 400 people in 2 years ........... Kayak Fishing is the fastest growing sport out there right now and with gas prices projected to go up to $5/gal this summer, there are ALOT of people curious about Kayak Fishing .........

Besides this was started as a MKF swap meet with the benefits going to the Disabled Veterans and MKF ........ that's what i signed up for ...... now it's the 17th Fishing Fleamarket benefiting the Fire Department .......


And as far as POUTING over the brochure .......... sorry but it has no sizzle ....1st rule of marketing is to sell the sizzle and not the steak ... it just says Fishing Fleamarket benefiting the fire department $2 admission, tables $10, tables available and I think it mentioned 30 tables but I'm not sure, the address and the time .....I don't remember it saying anything else ...... I offered to help do it over ......

Tom didn't like the my ideas or apparently my offer and said so here.

I just felt that since this is a KAYAK FISHING FORUM established to promote Kayak Fishing and that advertising the show as a Kayak AND Fishing Fleamarket and mentioning Fly Fishing tackle, Striper fishing tackle of all kinds, rigged Kayaks on display, used Kayaks and rigging for sale would set this apart from the other Fleamarkets, establish interest and bring in more people ........... cause let's face it we are starting VERY late and EVERYBODY's interested in Yak Fishing ....... if you go to the ramp with 1 or 2 people, you can't get the Yak in the water without a dozen questions.

I think you need something as a draw or you'll just be the 17th Fishing Show of the season .......

These were my thoughts but you guys feel differently and that's fine ..... I was just trying to help..... decision has been made ........ no reason for further discussion ........... Hope it's very very very successful !!!!!!!

[medicyaker]

Moc. I have about 14 tables so far sold. Yesterday I was told that Spankin Stripers, a tackle manufacturer reserved 4 tables. They make bucktail jigs and the like. I have Backyard boats coming and taking 2 tables. The fire dept is holding the event. That way I dont have to rent the hall for $400. Thats an overhead that I can't afford. They are cutting the table fee in half for us that is normally $20 per table. The door entry fee and all other funds that we make will go to MKF and Wounded Warriors or heros on the water. Wounded warriors wants us to pay a $90 fee to register our event and i'm working on that. I may have to make it go to Hero's on the water. I'm just trying to make an event happen, If it flops then I'll take the heat but I think it will be a success. The flyer is being revamped and hopefully everyone will like it. This swap meet is not in the same place as the one 2 weeks prior. If your speaking of Earleigh Hieghts fire hall, That is about 4 miles from where ours is. I will have Capt there as well as kayak pros. Everything combined, will get the word out about kayak fishing.
Thanks for the feedback. The flyer does say and will continue to say that there will be kayak Fishing and all types of fishing supplies there.
Tom