If you compare the prices at BassPro on reels, line hooks etc, there really are not any cheaper than the B&T shops. I hit the B&T's when ever I am fishing whether I need something or not. That being said sometimes you just can't make a shop before they close, those times I find my self in SA, wally world etc. I doubt that Bass Pro 35 miles from the ocean is going to put that big a dent in the B&T shops.

This is important to know!!!! They only have the perception of being cheaper. I buy local 99%. My job puts me on the road, I kill time price shopping items sometimes. Havent seen many identical fishing supplies cheaper at big box stores. WalMart gets you in with cheap soda and toilet paper and hope you go to the fishing section while you're there.

SHOP LOCAL MOM and POP's!!

ITS strange
 

how Cabela's is coming to Conneticut....and now Basspro is now coming to massachusetts and at the same time the nimby's are closing down access to
fishing areas because of a handful of SLOBS. You would think that the representatives behind these corporations would have lobbiests for fisherman access (and hunting access) to increase the amount of access, which would directly increase sales of their product lines. pardon me if that didnt translate to well.

That is a great point! More fishing access = more fishing sales....for local shops as well!

Not necessarily cheaper
 

for example: Cabela's in PA is near where I grew up and where my family is. Stopped in to check it out. Didn't find several things I was looking for including 300 yd+ spools of 50 lb powerpro. and the line prices were around what I would pay at many of the local BT. I was hoping to find some 3-5 oz unpainted bullets for the canal. Something like $3.50 for 2. Around the canal I pay 80-90 cents a piece. So approximately 3 @ local places for the price of 2 at Cabelas. Big places you can clean up on reel sales and such because of the high purchase volume. I'd just rather support people I know and like who are knowledgable fisherman and provide top notch customer service. Worth the price to me...

just like the hardware stores... I'll always go to the local guys first.........

I'll stick with the smaller B&t's. While I'm guessing Basspro has better prices on the larger ticket items like reels and rods due to their volume buying, you have to look at the bigger picture. Doubt they have the ability to stock a lot of high end surf rods, let alone a selection of quality blanks at good prices like M&D's if you want to make yourself a rod over the winter . No one at Basspro is going to mag/trick out that Ambassadeur you bought 8 dollars cheaper, or stock plugs from area lure builders. And while Im not personally familiar with Basspro due to where I live, I highly doubt their fishing advice/reports will match up with that of the smaller tackle shops.