The Pond King Posted October 29, 2015 Posted October 29, 2015 Yesterday, Bass Pro Shops had a grand opening in San Jose, California. This is a big deal because most BPS stores are on the eastern half of the US. To have one here at home in the Bay Area was something I've been waiting for well over a decade! I've never been to a BPS store before until yesterday, and let me tell you, it is the best outdoors store you will ever go to. There simply isn't a better outdoors store that can compete with it. Big 5, Sport Authority, REI, Dicks, Outdoor Pro Shop, and local tackle shops are nothing in comparison to the grandeur of Bass Pro Shops. Don't get me wrong, I'll still always support my local tackle shops because there are certain items available at local tackle shops that aren't available at BPS, and the staff at local shops usually have valuable information about the fishing spots that area in the area.But BPS is humongous. They have it all decked out with a fish tank, herds of stuffed deers, top of line fishing boats on display, and much much more. It's something you have go see in person and experience. Words can't describe it and pics wouldn't do it justice. I won't post pics of the interior so as to not spoil it for anyone. Go check it out yourself!The highlight of going to the grand opening was being able to meet Kevin Van Dam. I'm fishing fanatic, so to meet Kevin Van Dam was like a dream come true. I would've never imagine having the opportunity in my life to meet the Michael Jordan of bass fishing! I also got to meet Jimmy Houston "America's Favorite Fisherman", the famous and entertaining bass fishing TV host, and met Ish Monroe as well. Last but not least, I got to meet Dwight Clark, the former 49ers wide receiver famous for "the catch" he caught from Joe Montana.To be honest, I'm not that big of a football fan. Sure. I like it, but not as much as I like fishing. So for me meeting Kevin Van Dam was way more thrilling than meeting Dwight Clark. I've already met Jerry Rice and Jeff Garcia earlier in the year at a bar, so meeting Dwight wasn't that big of a deal.I brought Kevin's "Secret of a Champion" book with me, and he signed it. Ish who was sitting next to him looked at the cover photo of Kevin on the book, and joked, "Man, that must've been twenty years ago!" and we all laughed. I also got Dwight's, Jimmy's, and Ish's autographs too.Here the pics I took with my idols: Quote
WPCfishing Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 Hey, Congratulations.. You had a great day! Quote
Super User Senko lover Posted October 30, 2015 Super User Posted October 30, 2015 Bro, let me be the first to congratulate you on your photogenic picture faces. You look fantastic. 4 Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted October 30, 2015 Super User Posted October 30, 2015 I met KVD and Ike here in springfield at gas station about 5 years ago.Really surprised when i walked in.Great guys for sure. Quote
Evan K Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 Houston wearing sunglasses in a store... Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 30, 2015 Super User Posted October 30, 2015 Yesterday, Bass Pro Shops had a grand opening in San Jose, California. This is a big deal because most BPS stores are on the eastern half of the US. To have one here at home in the Bay Area was something I've been waiting for well over a decade! I've never been to a BPS store before until yesterday, and let me tell you, it is the best outdoors store you will ever go to. There simply isn't a better outdoors store that can compete with it. Big 5, Sport Authority, REI, Dicks, Outdoor Pro Shop, and local tackle shops are nothing in comparison to the grandeur of Bass Pro Shops. Don't get me wrong, I'll still always support my local tackle shops because there are certain items available at local tackle shops that aren't available at BPS, and the staff at local shops usually have valuable information about the fishing spots that area in the area. But BPS is humongous. They have it all decked out with a fish tank, herds of stuffed deers, top of line fishing boats on display, and much much more. It's something you have go see in person and experience. Words can't describe it and pics wouldn't do it justice. I won't post pics of the interior so as to not spoil it for anyone. Go check it out yourself! The highlight of going to the grand opening was being able to meet Kevin Van Dam. I'm fishing fanatic, so to meet Kevin Van Dam was like a dream come true. I would've never imagine having the opportunity in my life to meet the Michael Jordan of bass fishing! I also got to meet Jimmy Houston "America's Favorite Fisherman", the famous and entertaining bass fishing TV host, and met Ish Monroe as well. Last but not least, I got to meet Dwight Clark, the former 49ers wide receiver famous for "the catch" he caught from Joe Montana. To be honest, I'm not that big of a football fan. Sure. I like it, but not as much as I like fishing. So for me meeting Kevin Van Dam was way more thrilling than meeting Dwight Clark. I've already met Jerry Rice and Jeff Garcia earlier in the year at a bar, so meeting Dwight wasn't that big of a deal. I brought Kevin's "Secret of a Champion" book with me, and he signed it. Ish who was sitting next to him looked at the cover photo of Kevin on the book, and joked, "Man, that must've been twenty years ago!" and we all laughed. I also got Dwight's, Jimmy's, and Ish's autographs too. Here the pics I took with my idols: So I guess you're Wanted then. A-Jay 1 Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 Awesome line up. On a side note, Jimmy Houston owns a marine/tackle store/shop and gas station in Cookson, OK. Great little spot with the best tackle selection around. Veggie-free gas too. I highly recommend checking it out, if ever in the Tahlequah area. I grew up in San Francisco, and once Jerry Rice put a quarter into the Street Fighter (original with the giant buttons, not Street Fighter II) machine that I was dominating. I then proceeded to commence the beat down. He was a good sport and signed a mini football that I bought at the sporting goods store next door to the arcade. Good guy. Quote
WPCfishing Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 I've met a few pro's over the years but none of them Bass Fishermen.. Hockey, Baseball, Football and Basket Ball. Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 Tigger Mickey and Frosty were all 'working remotely' that day Quote
hatrix Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 Awesome line up. On a side note, Jimmy Houston owns a marine/tackle store/shop and gas station in Cookson, OK. Great little spot with the best tackle selection around. Veggie-free gas too. I highly recommend checking it out, if ever in the Tahlequah area. I grew up in San Francisco, and once Jerry Rice put a quarter into the Street Fighter (original with the giant buttons, not Street Fighter II) machine that I was dominating. I then proceeded to commence the beat down. He was a good sport and signed a mini football that I bought at the sporting goods store next door to the arcade. Good guy. The good old days of destroying kids in the arcade all day while they keep lining up to to get a piece. I probably would of let Jerry Rice win as long as there wasn't a line waiting to play. He was my favorite WR growing up. I have a ridiculous amount of his cards somewhere and 1 of them is a rookie. I don't even think kids collect baseball cards ect anymore. They were probably worth more back when I was a kid and people wanted them. Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 The good old days of destroying kids in the arcade all day while they keep lining up to to get a piece. I probably would of let Jerry Rice win as long as there wasn't a line waiting to play. He was my favorite WR growing up. I have a ridiculous amount of his cards somewhere and 1 of them is a rookie. I don't even think kids collect baseball cards ect anymore. They were probably worth more back when I was a kid and people wanted them. No mercy! Pretty sure those cards are still valuable, if they're in decent shape. I collected baseball cards from the time I was 5 until I was probably 14-15, and somehow amassed a stash of 500+ Nolan Ryan cards. Still have them all in excellent shape. The cards peaked in value after he threw his 7th no hitter, and was inducted in to the hall of fame; but they're still valuable. I don't know if I could ever bring myself to sell them, though. Beckett has an online price guide now, but you need to buy a subscription to use it. I used to love the printed version. 1 Quote
hatrix Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 No mercy! Pretty sure those cards are still valuable, if they're in decent shape. I collected baseball cards from the time I was 5 until I was probably 14-15, and somehow amassed a stash of 500+ Nolan Ryan cards. Still have them all in excellent shape. The cards peaked in value after he threw his 7th no hitter, and was inducted in to the hall of fame; but they're still valuable. I don't know if I could ever bring myself to sell them, though. Beckett has an online price guide now, but you need to buy a subscription to use it. I used to love the printed version. I always had to get the becketts every month and the wizard. Me and my buddies would each buy a different sport so you don't have to buy them all. You would have the kids trying to trade going off prices out of some 6 month old Beckett. It's a good deal when it works in your favor though. I have quite a few Nolan Ryan's my self but nothing like your stash. I do have a insane amount of ken griffey jr's and almost all his rookies I think. He was my guy for baseball and I had to get every one someone wanted to come off of. I have a ton of Frank Thomas also as he was a fairly close second. I probably have more Michael Jordan cards then anything. Lots of his cards I have a dozen of if not two dozen easily and the same with Griffey. I might have 20+ of Griffey's tops rookie. 1 Quote
Super User Spankey Posted October 30, 2015 Super User Posted October 30, 2015 I would like a day on the water with Ish. Seems like a real true sincere guy. Seen a recent interview with him on the water. BPS is lucky to have a guy like him on board. 1 Quote
Super User scaleface Posted October 30, 2015 Super User Posted October 30, 2015 Tom Mann got to meet me . 1 Quote
MidwestF1sh Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 I would like a day on the water with Ish. Seems like a real true sincere guy. Seen a recent interview with him on the water. BPS is lucky to have a guy like him on board.You sure we're talkin the same ish??Id agree tho on the fact it'd be fun to even just sit in the boat with any of those guys. Quote
Missourifishin Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 I've met a few pro athletes over the years. Bass Pro shops are a fun place to shop if the timeshare/vacation package people don't harass you. I'm lucky to basically live right down the street from one. Most (or all) of them have spring seminars along with their spring sales. They have people giving educational speeches and whatnot, and they usually bring in some pros. Last year I got to meet Rick Clunn. He gave a speech about crankbaits and jerkbaits. I went and bought two of his signature squarebills. I got him to sign on of them, and kept the other one to actually fish with. That latter is in a tree somewhere. ' Quote
Bob C Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 I met him at BPS in Indiana. Nice guy. I stayed for his seminar where he told his secrets. I'm sitting there thinking, that's the same way I do it but he catches way more than I do. Maybe he's not telling all the secrets. LOL Quote
BaitMonkey1984 Posted October 30, 2015 Posted October 30, 2015 Looks like an awesome day. They opened up a BPS in Hooksett,NH which is 30 minutes away. I was up there for their grand opening. They had Timmy Horton and a few local sports heroes including Trot Nixon. They didn't have the lineup that you got to see, but it always seems like they have decent guests for the grand opening. Pretty Cool to have your head down washing your hands in the bathroom sink and look up and see Tim Horton at the sink next to you. Cool experience. Quote
Super User NorcalBassin Posted November 2, 2015 Super User Posted November 2, 2015 Very cool... I had been hoping to go but ended up having too many things pop up to take care of before our first big storm of the year. That being said, my daughters would have been more interested in your autograph than Ish's or KVD's Quote
massrob Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 I would like to go to one of these seminars these pros do or something like that. These guys go through hell to make a living if your not kvd or ike you don't make much money. Quote
Steveo-1969 Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 After getting autographs from the boys I would have been in line to get one from Larysa Switlyk!!! Quote
Super User scaleface Posted November 3, 2015 Super User Posted November 3, 2015 I had to google Larysa Switlyk . Id get in that line . I wouldnt wait in the other lines , period . Quote
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