Which Fishing Stop Has Your Loyalty?

[FishNFire]

Let me start by saying I just got a PT job at DSG start next Monday, in the fishing dept of course, ill start another topic on some questions I have though about what would be some good ideas to bring people in to the store I would appreciate feedback on it (I don't want to inadvertently hijack this thread).

 

So for me even before the job I mostly went to DSG even though I did have a Gander across the street from the Dick's store. I didn't care for the customer service at my Gander store couple different people there were kind of on the rude/condescending side. About the only reason I would go there now is if I couldn't find a particular rod and reel at DSG or because they have a little better selection on the terminal stuff. Which I have noticed that the "bigger" DSG that is about 15 mins away from me does have a lot better selection of stuff. I have gone to BPS but that's a hour away its a older store too, I did like it just not real convenient in terms of distance.

 

  They did just open a brand new Field and Stream store about a 1/2 hour away and I have to say I was pretty impressed with it. I cant speak for the service because it was grand opening week and there is a ton of people working so though it was good for now of course have to wait and see how it shakes out when things slow down and they are running minimum staffing. I did like the layout though and they do carry everything that the big stores do, we will have to see what kind of impact if any they can have on the market but for now seems like a nice enough store. Think of it as the DSG you always thought it should be it is run under the same corporate umbrella.

[collards]

I live in jersey ( news stores coming soon of cabelas) and drive to PA for cabelas. I used to buy a lot since my family gives me gift cards (still do). I use TW a lot especially their sales. I used excessive outdoors and academy too as well as ebay (cheap lures, but I fish where there are a lot of snags). I used to go to York PA and the gander mountain. The manager gives 20% off if I buy 100. I used to use their on line, but not so much now. I use Dick's some and wal mart. I buy buy buy.

 

 

623 days till retirement

[Justin Mott]

I'm all about local stores. We have a store in Selma, Alabama called Round Tree that has great deals. They also have all the baits and colors that I use.

 

Honestly the two best things that I find about local shops is the extra information and special deals. A local guys whole game is about having the best information to sale the right baits. If they sell baits that catch fish, they continue to make money. So I hold a large amount of trust in the information that they give.

 

The place that I go to also has good deals on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. The prices are dead on with BPS and Acedemy. Given how close this store is to me, its a no brainer.

 

Justin Mott

[paleus]

I frequent BassPro if I am in the area, about 30 minutes from my house. I go to the DSG in my town fairly often. I prefer to go to BPS. But, apparently neither carry Sufix 832 in a high-vis color.

[EmersonFish]

I only have a BPS "Sportsman's Warehouse" near me, which is not nearly as nice as an "Outdoor World." The selection is not what you would hope. DSG is fun to check just to see what may be on clearance. I've saved a fortune there this year, particularly on terminal tackle. I wish there was an Academy close by for their bargain stuff, and a Cab's for their not-necessarily fishing gear. All things being equal, I buy whatever I can at the little local bait and tackle shop in town. They need my money more than the other guys do.

[GoDeep]

BassPro for me. At the store by me they are friendly and actually pretty knowledgeable. Plus they never act like it's a chore to do a price match. Tackle warehouse is my online go to store for stuff that BPS doesn't carry.

[RSM789]

I wouldn't necessarily call it loyalty, but I do enjoy going into BPS the most.  I don't like the sporting goods places (Big 5, Dicks, Sports Chalet) because here in So Cal, fishing is treated as the Red Headed Stepchild.  Two of the smaller independent places (Longfin & Anglers Marine) are better & the folks are more knowledgeable, but being smaller the selections are obviously limited a little and they are out of stock of the exact color item I am looking for (or so it seems).  For me, BPS is a bass fisherman's Disneyland.

 

That said, probably 50% of my purchases are online.

[geo g]

Bass pro for me too. We have a big store here with all the products I use. I like to touch and feel any product I buy, especially rods and reels, so I don't buy on line very often. I am old school about that.

[DCales84]

Its a four hour round trip for me to the nearest BPS. I try to drop by when I'm near one but its a rare event. Tackle Warehouse is where I do most of my browsing and luckily they have awesome pricing and selections. My local Gander is decent but pricing is all over the place. Its not unusual to look at Ganders clearance items and find two exact items priced completely different. Every Dick's Sporting Goods I've been to has been fairly limited on fishing items but I have found several great clearance items lately...... Stren 30lb braid buy one get one free in store and with a $8 rebate on top of it brings it to about $3 for two spools.

[BassThumbAddict]

Academy, TW and siebert. Only use BPS to get my hands on the products before I commit to them on TW

[aprestonSEK]

Closest BPS is 2.5 hours away so I usually buy from Academy.  

 

I buy most of my stuff online at TW

[Bassun]

I love going to BPS Outdoor World, but it's a couple hours away and I don't go often.  Really though, when I'm there I usually don't end up buying too much.  I think I spend more time just looking at goodies vs buying what I need lol.  DSG is ok locally.  I tend to swing in there and a local outfitter (where I buy all of my flukes from) most often.  But honestly, for terminal tackle I've probably bought as much at Wal-Mart as I have anywhere lately.  I think the fact its like 10 mins away vs 40 for DSG and that I always swing through the fishing section when I'm there for whatever else, has gotten more of my money. 

 

When I think ahead and actually plan a purchase I generally use TW and get it all online, or occasionaly BPS online.

[skeeter1980]

Only one small tackle store near me,and the selection isn't that great.Dick's is 20 minutes away,don't like it.I buy most of my stuff from BPS.I like it when they have free shipping.I did place two orders with siebert this year,and will continue ordering from Mike.

[gulfcaptain]

1. TW

2. Bass Pro

this is about right.  Always looking online for other places to purchase, but 99% has come from TW.  Free overnight shipping and great selection as well as customer service.  May go to BPS if I need a new reel (do like their carbonlites) or other odd ball piece of tackle.

[gramps50]

My 1st choice is Denny Dennis Sporting Goods, local. If in a pinch I go to Gander which I don't really care for, just doesn't do anything for me for some reason. BP & Cabrla's are both about 25 miles away so I weigh the cost of shipping with the cost of driving there to find out they don't have it in the store. Both are a fun place to go when you want to kill some time, like in the winter. I also order online from several sources like TW.

[tatertester]

Cabelas sales staff are very knowledgeable , and you can't beat their customer service......Online I like to find these small family "niche"custom bait sites.

[Jon G]

Since i moved it been TW but when I lived in SoCal it was BPS because it was right behind my house i just needed to walk outside and it was right there.

[Mattlures]

My local stores and TW get my business. I will occasionaly buy something minor at wallmart because its open 24 hours.

[FrogTosser88]

Bps and fishermans warehouse both same distance from my house.. I get my rods and reels at bps because they have allowed me to trade in combos just because i didnt like it. Also they always let me upgrade to the next reel if i want to pay the difference.

[Djf3864]

We have a Cabela's that will be opening up in my area next spring/summer so I will be checking them out, the closest one right now is in Maine (Bass Pro is less than an hour away with no tax). 

 

I have been to one of the Field and Stream stores in Erie, PA and thought it was impressive.  They had a lot of stuff packed into the store; nice displays, helpful staff, good selections, and the prices seemed ok.  I didn't get to shop around too much, but I did get a Abu Garcia rod on sale and a new tackle bag for a descent price.

[fishballer06]

I do most of my shopping online whenever I can find the best deals. If I do go to a store, I do most of my shopping at Field and Stream because they have the biggest selection of everything close to me. I'll also stop at Dicks and Gander because they're always have the randomnest of sales that lead to great deals.