Bass Pro

[zacs]

Man, I can't believe the Cabellas bashing going on here. Have you guys ever been to one? I travell a lot to Kanasas city and I allways stop at the one there. It is cooler than cool. The selection in the fishing section is fantasitc. The people working in the fishing section are true fishermen. A couple were bass tour pros (remember this is Kansas City). They can tell you about every reel, how it performs, which are good, which are crap, what you should do for your application, etc etc... PLUS You could go there for 3 hours and just drool over shotguns alone. One of the best collections I have ever seen,all for sale. And Handguns. And Rifles. Then you have camping equipment. Oh, and a dog training section. And plenty of clothing to help you stay warm/cool, whatever the season may dictate. And I can't forget the fly tying section, they guy in there was tying up a storm and gave me advice all about salwater flies (in kansas city i might add), and seemed to know a hell of a lot. Now, with all that said, if you took all of that away, and just had the amazing aquarium and wildlife displays, I would probably pay $5 just to go in an see that. More world record bucks in there, oh man, stuffed mountain goat, black bear, brown bear, every north american specie you could think of, displayed perfectly. There were two 60 lb. catfish swiming in that tank last time I was there. That was a sight.

They will have everything a sportsman in this area will want. Some stuff you don't even know you want. Van Staal, Saltiga, whatever. All right there for you to try. St. Croix, Lamiglass, G-Loomis, everything. I wouldn't be suprised if they had a custom rod wrapping shop.

I don't know why you guys associate this place with Walmart. Its not like there is one on every corner. Theres maybe 10 in the whole country. It is not like they are driving manufacturers to go to china so they can offer lower prices. This place is a destination. A sportsmans paridise. And I don't get it about the prices. If you want cabella's or bass pro pricing, just buy it from thier catalog or on the web. Who cares if there is one nearby. Anybody can get that price, anywhere.

IMHO, places like this, although they are competition, do not pose sever threats to guys like M&D or SWE. Those guys will always be in business. They have been competing against cabellas and bass pro on the net for years. I doubt that a bass pro in Foxboro or a Cabellas in hartford will cary bait. I don't think you are going to stop there to pick up a few sinkers or a couple of plugs or some hooks or line on your way to fish.

OK, all of this in a bass pro shop thread. I have never been there, I don't know if it is good or bad, but please don't lump it in with Cabellas. That place is awesome.

Zac

[NIB]

Ya the mega stores will probly have some bargins but i have found that if u shop items u use everyday Fluoro,terminal,hooks. u will find similar pricing in brick an mortar stores.its up to the consumer to be educated on pricing.As far as the cutting edge there are tackle shops like SWE an M&D's an internet sales from guys like Joe (RISC) that u will not find in Bass pro.I really think they have little or no idea what a hardcore surfcaster needs they just carry everything an hope it crosses some line the shopper might cross.Like St.Croix rods IMHO I really don't think that that company should even bother with the surf end of saltwater fishin they really have no clue.So if ur thing is savin a few penny's on some storm baits that a bluefish will render useless in a millisecond go for it.Me I will still spend the majority of my cash at the corner tackle store.I got a gift certificate for cabela's last yr for christmass I still haven't figured out what to spend it on there's to much stuff.I did see a new bunk for the tour bus that I will probably get.Maybe a light gore splash top.I think they are ok for that kinda stuff..

[nissan200sx]

Originally Posted by zacs

Man, I can't believe the Cabellas bashing going on here. Have you guys ever been to one? I travell a lot to Kanasas city and I allways stop at the one there.

Zac

ZacS,

I believe they have already broke ground for the mother of all Bass Pro Shops near KC MO. It is supposedly going to have a pond/stream and some wilderness hillside. I learned of it visiting relatives over Thanksgiving. If you don't mind me asking, is KC a destination for business or family?

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by nissan200sx

ZacS,

I believe they have already broke ground for the mother of all Bass Pro Shops near KC MO. It is supposedly going to have a pond/stream and some wilderness hillside. I learned of it visiting relatives over Thanksgiving. If you don't mind me asking, is KC a destination for business or family?

BassPro/Cabellas literally BECOMES the destination in many cases.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by zacs

I don't know why you guys associate this place with Walmart. Its not like there is one on every corner. Theres maybe 10 in the whole country. It is not like they are driving manufacturers to go to china so they can offer lower prices. This place is a destination. A sportsmans paridise. And I don't get it about the prices. If you want cabella's or bass pro pricing, just buy it from thier catalog or on the web. Who cares if there is one nearby. Anybody can get that price, anywhere.

Zac

BassPro alone has over 40 stores and by the end of next year over 50.Cabelas now has 15 with another 8 soon.Where these places open the little guy closes.

Are you ever going to find a Hab's or Tattoo's at one of these?Not a chance.Why?These guys don't have the resources of minimum wage or foreign workers to churn out thousands of plugs.And if they did the plugs would become sub-standard.

I'll go to the grand opening and play with a bunch of stuff.If I find something I truly like I'll head over to SWE and ask Pete "Hey Pete,can you order this for me?"

[RoyL]

I have to say those big places can't give the the same info that the small shops have, plus they don't sell bait. I think the shops that have there local crowd will continue to do well. They will loose some buisness, but for the most part I think they will be okay, Plus you wont find a good wooden plug on there shelves.

[Raider Ronnie]

Why the heck would they pick Foxboro to put a Bass Pro store?
There's no fishing here!!!
Just some small lakes and ponds for a small amount of fresh water fishing!!!
There is a small Abuchon store in Foxboro center, so i'm guessing that where it is ???

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by RoyL

I think the shops that have there local crowd will continue to do well. They will loose some buisness, but for the most part I think they will be okay, Plus you wont find a good wooden plug on there shelves.

See, that's the issue right there, IMO. Ever met a rich tackle shop owner? Even one that's doing well? If he is was it the tackle shop that got him there? Losing just a little business really hurts most shops.

[TheSpecialist]

Let's face it, are you going to drive 10, 20, 30, 100 miles out of your way from fishing to go there. Sure you may make a trip or two there every year, but these guys are not going to put the dent into the shops you think they will. When was the last time you guys looked at their catalog? I think it will be good for many other reasons, camping gear, hunting gear, clothing , and accessories like boots ,gps units etc. Remember they don't just sell fishing equipment, they are also going to be selling boats. Like others have mentioned you won't get live bait or up to date reports there, so I would'nt worry about it.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Let's face it, are you going to drive 10, 20, 30, 100 miles out of your way from fishing to go there. Sure you may make a trip or two there every year, but these guys are not going to put the dent into the shops you think they will. When was the last time you guys looked at their catalog? I think it will be good for many other reasons, camping gear, hunting gear, clothing , and accessories like boots ,gps units etc. Remember they don't just sell fishing equipment, they are also going to be selling boats. Like others have mentioned you won't get live bait or up to date reports there, so I would'nt worry about it.

As far as freshwater fishing goes these places have everything.When I say everything I mean everything.Try finding a mom&pop b&t within logical driving distance of one these places.This I know,I've seen the Houston store.

This is a massive corporation.These folks aren't stupid,they're opening this store because the market here says they can.Simply put you can't keep a local b&t open with custom handmade plugs and rods and bait alone.