Bass Pro

[BrianS]

ive been to the bass pro shops here in Myrtle Beach (on vacation) 3 times already this week... that place is the mecca...

But from what I saw, they do no sell bait.

I also tend to think the reason why I like this one so much is because being in the south they have different offerings from a store in the north...

I dont see myself running to foxboro (and I am only 15 mins away) every time I want a plug... just to head the other way to the cape.

[Nebe]

you wont see me there.

[lurch]

I am guessing that they will have more saltwater stuff than other BP shops. I went to BP in upstate NY and was SUPER dissapointed that they did not have any saltwater equipment because they are not near the saltwater.

i will admit that dealing with local shops is nice but IMO the price of lures is out of control and maybe BP will control the increase of lures.

[outfished]

BP will control the cost of plugs and other "gear" until all the M&P's disappear, then watch the price's skyrocket with less competition. My 2 cents anyways. Won't be seeing me there anytime soon.

[RIJIMMY]

Originally Posted by Nebe

you wont see me there.

Good, we do not want any of the Narragansett rabble in our neighborhood

[pmueller]

Obviously the Northeast is being targeted by these corporate chains. Cabelas is trying to get a store in East Hartford. Rumors being told, the deal is being held up a little, Cabelas is looking for some sort of tax break.
Not only will they hurt the BandT but also boat dealers and marinas.

[dickmont]

While Bass Pro may not be as insideous as WallMart as far as the local economy goes, they will no doubt have a negative impact on the local B&T's. Any business that you give them leaves the community. You can no doubt get some lures for less money but can you get the ones that you really want. Our local plug builders can't keep up with the demand they have now, do you really think the shelves will be stocked with Habs and all the rest. Part of the process of being a "Fisherman" aside from catching fish is the interaction with with other fishermen that takes place at the B&T's. Is that worth maybe a buck or two a lure more to me, you bet it is. These shops are run by fishermen just like the rest of us. My 2-cents.

[Bass Babe]

Pete, Maybe I was just assuming more people would be like me in wanting to support small businesses. I'm sure it could cause issues for some B&Ts, having something big and corporate come in with cheap, generic lures and whatnot. I'll have to stop by the new BPS personally to see if they have employees who know their elbows from their rearends, though.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

Pete, Maybe I was just assuming more people would be like me in wanting to support small businesses. I'm sure it could cause issues for some B&Ts, having something big and corporate come in with cheap, generic lures and whatnot. I'll have to stop by the new BPS personally to see if they have employees who know their elbows from their rearends, though.

Not counting custom stuff from local builders, they typically have EVERYTHING. Van Staal, Stellas, Saltigas, right on down to the cheapest stuff. They're very thorough. They don't offer some Yozuri. They offer ALL the Yozuri, in every single color.

Your support of local shops is appreciated Bass Babe! Tackle shop owners and managers definitely notice and appreciate their regulars.

[lurch]

Originally Posted by Bass Babe

Pete, Maybe I was just assuming more people would be like me in wanting to support small businesses.

As much as I like the local shops and the great support I support my wallet first! lets be honest, if a local shop sells the same stuff for 25% more I am sorry I will go to BP because there will be less of a hit on my wallet. If we are talking the same price OR a savings of 30 cents well then I will go to the local shop...who wouldnt!

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Good, we do not want any of the Narragansett rabble in our neighborhood

where is the love RIJIMMY????

[Skip N]

I have always been guilty of shopping at the big box stores. But after going to the Saltwater edge in Newport today i dont know if i will ever go back to the big stores. Holy crap what a store! I hadnt been there in a couple years and wow i was blown away. Holy pluggage i thought i died and went to heaven!! I'm not sure if that was Pete G i talked to today but what a class act and one heck of a store. Picked up some of those sweet looking AfterHours Jr. Spooksters and a 9' Tica rod to throw some heavier plugs. Now i dont think Bass Pro would be able to help me like that. And I know they wouldnt have all those perty custom plugs

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by Skip N

I have always been guilty of shopping at the big box stores. But after going to the Saltwater edge in Newport today i dont know if i will ever go back to the big stores. Holy crap what a store! I hadnt been there in a couple years and wow i was blown away. Holy pluggage i thought i died and went to heaven!! I'm not sure if that was Pete G i talked to today but what a class act and one heck of a store. Picked up some of those sweet looking AfterHours Jr. Spooksters and a 9' Tica rod to throw some heavier plugs. Now i dont think Bass Pro would be able to help me like that. And I know they wouldnt have all those perty custom plugs

Thanks for coming by Skip! Glad you liked the store. That was me in the store yesterday.

[Redsoxticket]

If Pro Bass offered the products that we have available from the sponsors of this site along with other well know plug, drytops, bags, etc manufacturers then I believe that some of those saying as of now that they will go to the the B&Ts will be whistling a different tune.
If Pro bass asked these manufacturers for an opportunity to come aboard I doubt that they would say no.

[Joe]

People are very much motivated by price - while I'm quite sure that Bass Babe and Eben and a few others won't patronize the big box stores - the vast majority of consumers will - that's why they build such big parking lots.

If a person has a successful B&T right now, then they've probably got the capital and business sense to find a way to compete or to exit the industry in favor of taking advantage of some of the other opportunities in the world. Because if they can make it in the tackle industry - with its very low margins - then they must be a damn good retailer. My sister sells bath products and she makes twice the margin I do.

If a person has a marginal B&T,the truth is that they are already heading for the wastebin anyway. All Bass Pro will do is make the inevitable happen sooner.

[kayaman]

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

[Vermonter]

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.

[basswipe]

I personally don't see any point in opening one.

If I was going to buy something from Basspro or Cabelas I would just mail order it.With a click of the mouse you've got yourself a new reel etc.In most cases the shipping is less than the sales tax you'd pay anyways.And it just doesn't take that long to get to your front door.I've never waited more than 5 days for something from one these places.

If I go to the Foxboro store and buy $200 worth of stuff I pay $10 bucks in tax
plus the $20+ in gas to get there.If you live next door it might worth it but most folks gotta drive a few miles.Much easier and cheaper to shop and buy while sittin' on my a$$.