The British Carp and Angling Show 2012

All eyes were on the Royal Norfolk Showground last weekend to see the launch of the latest angling event to fill our calendars. With a busy show calendar already available to the bargain hunting angler would this new event have something different to offer the angling crowds? To find out UKMA sent our Norfolk correspondent Mark ‘Deuce’ McGhee down on Sunday to have a look around, here’s how he got on.           

Despite overcast conditions and winds gusting 40mph the turn out was very good. The venue, being inside, was too small for the amount of foot fall with Saturday being the busier of the two days according to a few of the retailers. However it was positively buzzing with many anglers going for a look and picking up a bargain from the tackle shops that were present. There were talks from T.V. angling celebs John Wilson, who also did a Q&A session, along with Matt Hayes and Mick Brown throughout the day as well.

Casting demos from world casting champions Colin Howlett and Hwyel Morgan with Terry Edmonds putting down an epic 136.4m cast with an 18g plug in 40mph winds! Tackle company wise there was a bit for everyone with stands from Bait Zone, Browning, Guru, Nash and Korda to name a few. The two products that stole the show for me was the eagerly awaited 'Vdrone bait boat'. This is just crammed full of tech with Humminbird fish-finder, echo sounder, GPS and an under water camera on a 7m winch so you can look at the spot and rig on a split screen monitor! What a toy!!

My other personal favourite on display was from 'IntraMore' with their 'PortaBote'  in a range of 8, 10, 12 or 14 foot, all of witch can be folded down to just 4" high and easily assembled by 1 person, perfect for the lakes, rivers and trips abroad. Overall the response from members of the public and in my opinion it was a good show but would benefit from more tackle company’s and demonstrations to get more out of their products, as well as more slideshows from other known anglers.

Whilst I know it was the shows birth and with some of the bigger companies not being in attendance making this pleasant event short of being in the same league as the better established Brentwood, Five Lakes or Farnborough shows. I feel it was well received, and 2013's will hopefully see a few more names and faces in the land of the carrot crunchers, showing off their wears.

More information about The British Carp and Angling Show can be found by clicking below