Shopping Season !

[steve b]

If ya didn't get it for Christmas, nows the time to shop ! OK, so you folks down south are a heada us I know. But anyway. Where/what's your favorite place to shop for UL and Bluegill tackle ? On my way to work without too much trouble I can drop into a Dick's Sporting Goods and a Gander Mtn..Then there's a couple small bait/tackle places that cater to the steelheaders and Lake Erie boat crowd. I have to travel a couple hrs to get to a Cabelas(W.Va) or a BassPro(Mi). Whats your prefernce between Cabelas and BassPro ? Never been to BassPro. Have friend that prefers it. steve b

[Bruce Condello]

In my opinion, over the last couple of years I've found better selections of smaller jig heads and bodies at BPS than Cabela's. I completely enjoy both stores, and I can get lost in either one of them, but the Cabela's near my home town seems to be low on stock lately.

I've never been to a Gander Mtn. before.

[John Cachel]

Bass Pro Shop is fishing store that selling hunting stuff while Cabelas is hunting store that selling fishing stuff! I went both store and they are nice store but Bass Pro Shop is more like fishing store!
If you stop by Bass Pro Shop then check out Bass Pro Shop Micro Lite rods. I use UL 7 ft 6" rod and caught lot of bluegills, sunfishes, crappies, perch and some bass! Also 7 ft is nice, too! I use 7 ft medlight for live bait with slip float. Medlite is better for live bait and set the hook very well! 6 lbs line for around covers while 4 lbs line for open and deep water! Its IM6 graphite but 50 dollars is not too bad!
I also use Wally Marshall Pro serie IM8 graphite 8 ft rod and I like it for crappies and bluegills on livebait like minnows or leaf worms!

Lot of small lures like jigs, roostertails, plastic tails, tubes, and many many more at Bass Pro Shop at reasonable price!

[Bruce Condello]

Good call on the Micro Lite's, John! I'm spooling one up right now to go fishing with my Dad in half an hour.

Guess what I'm fishing for!

Yep...

Big Bluegill

[Don DeWitt]

Traveling often allows me to visit all these stores (and many local stores found in out of the way loctions) While I, too, can get lost in all of them, my favorite is BPS. They seem to have more variety and better pricing. I have also used BPS on line and have had quick response - not the same as visiting the store, though!!

[Jeremy R. Mayo]

Maybe Im just ole fasioned but I support the lil guy. I have a bass pro less than 15 min away from my house but I still go to the lil guy. If they dont have it I move to walmart for convience while Im shopping, If its something in particular I need I order it off the internet. If I go to the Bass Pro its gonna end up costing me a Benj. before I get out. I end up seeing and buying way more than I ever intended and needed and stuff just goes to waste. Im like a kid in a candy store.

Support your local bait shops. It may cost you $10 more during the month but without your support...... Where you gonna get the bait from. Cant stop at the Pro sunday mornin out of the way at 5am. Pay for convience!

[shooter]

i could not agree more Jermey,the local small shops are not that more expensive,and if i can not find it there i go go ebay.
as for wally world i can not make myself go there,of course all of this is a personal choice ,but for me the local guys get the first shot always.




gators fish

[Tom Hudson]

I live in NE where Cabelas was born, and prefer their clothing line and logo to the BPS one personally. I do prefer BPS rods, however. The Extreme line of rods uses 85 million modulus graphite I believe and you can find them at year end sales for 50% off - around $50 bucks. I also fish with G Loomis and although they can run into the $300 range I do not believe they are 300% more sensitive or strong than the Extreme...Logo is cool and lifetime warranty is nice but I can count on one hand how many rods I've broken in my lifetime of fishing [35 years] - I usually just leave them bankside and they are always gone when I realize my mistake.

For panfish I agree with John and Bruce and admire the BPS Microlite series - again, on sale you can pick them up for $29. Many varieties in their spinning rods and cheap enough to match almost any situation. Try to do that with GLoomis blanks!

I agree to support your local tackle shops...but the convenience of shopping online when you already know what you want is hard to avoid sometimes.

[shooter]

if i had a Cabelas that close i would stay broke.






can't mow duck grass

[Kiana Fitzpatrick]

Never been to Cabelas....BPS is about an hour away....I use BPS online though...LOL...we also Wally World it occasionally...and always end up buying something (more than just bait) at local stops when we get to go fishing!

[John Cachel]

Of course, I always support my local baitshop! I go there first then Bass Pro Shop! I depends on my baitshop for live baits..... minnows, shiners, leeches, leaf worms, and many more while Bass Pro Shop might sell only nightcrawlers! My baitshop is about 10 minutes from my home and open much earlier than Bass Pro Shop! BPS is about 30 minites from my house and my family don't mind go there because BPS is right in the shopping mall!

We all serious fisherman should support local bait or tackle shops!

[Tony]

every year there is a "fish and feather" expo at the interstate center here in bloomington.I think that shows and these flea market type events are my favorite places to shop for all my outdoor needs and there usualy filled with bargin buys. You'll also find guy making and selling
some of best jig flies and luers.
all that basspro shop,calbelas,and gander mtn...stuff is over priced and over rated.i beleive you could spend $300 at one of these stores or $30 at walmart and catch just as many fish

[Tom Hudson]

Tony

I agree with you to a degree - but I think some items one gets what they pay for. Case in point, if you are ever in a demanding fishing situation [tournament or a fly in trip where EVERY second is $$] and the wind is ripping you with horizontal rain, IMO one needs to address the situation with some gear that withstands the elements - Cabela's Guide Gear or BPS high end model [and probably other manufacturers] will keep you dry and comfortable all day long. Doesn't hurt to have a little nip of the dog in the boat to warm you up too!

Agreed though - it's tough to draw the line on where one is paying for a label or performance. I've been on the wrong side of that many times! Further, I wonder who is REALLY making the Cabelas and BPS gear? Same guys who sell in Wal Mart? One has to wonder sometimes as they are forking over the cash.