Best Fishing Store You’ve been in

[J.Bass]

2 hours ago, Big Hands said:

I have found that Walmarts vary quite a bit in the selection of tackle and amount, likely based on what sells at that store and what doesn't.

 

Back in the mid-90's, I went to visit a friend for a week in Waco, TX. They had a Super WalMart that was loaded with tackle. They even sold gillnets, which will get you a quick trip to the Graybar Inn where I live.

 

One of my friend's neighbors was a local guide and fishing TV show host named Charlie Pack that had his own line of crappie rods and crappie related tackle.  The local WalMarts in Waco (I think he told me there were six of them locally that had his gear there) not only had a full display of his gear, they had a life-size cardboard cutout of him next to it, LOL. 

======================

As for the best, I can't say any stand out for me because they all have their strong points and their weak points and I have, over the years, been into various types of fishing, boating and rod building. But, I do like to visit local tackle shops when I travel because they all have their specialties and 'personality'.

Yes Walmarts vary by me the Walmart in my town has one isle for fishing one side dedicated to lures. It’s pathetic when we have a river 3 miles from walmart. Will say that Walmart being on a giant lake had a plume of tackle. It was a small Walmart as well but it’s fishing isles lived up to its hype. They even had local baits in the Walmart. Let’s say it was impressive and better than bass pro.

1 hour ago, WRB said:

For me It comes down to having fishing tackle I am looking for, not quantity of rods, reels, line, lures etc.

Big box stores stock items that turn over seasonally in the region they are located and rarely cater to specialized tackle.

The “Pro” mom & pop tackle stores are getting rare today and the mid size “sporting goods” stores cater to all types of anglers.

Local bass anglers rely on a wide variety of specialized hand pour worms and custom swimbaits, etc and I am no different so patronize the few “Pro” small tackle shops in the area I am fishing.

Tom

PS, miss the Bass A Thon at Anglers Marine in Anaheim and Delta Bait and Tackle, now Fisherman’s Warehouse in Manteca, to custom paint my crankbaits.

 

Amen I support local shops to as those lures hand made most of time will out fish the top brand lures be cashed they’re designed for that lake, river, or region. They used to have at rosemont convention center a fishing show with vendors would be over 300 fishing vendors. Most were locals selling fishing tackle. You don’t see that anymore it’s all but gone. You could go to those conventions and come away with $300 worth of fishing tackle for $100 because they had everything discounted. You don’t see sales like that anymore.. too many big companies controlling market.

[Luke Barnes]

1 hour ago, Bankc said:

I haven't been to the Bass Pro in Springfield in many years.  I'm going to say it was probably around 1995.  But my memory of it is pretty ridiculous for how big it was, and how it seemed to have 50 of everything ever made to get wet.  Supposedly the Pyramid in Tennesse is supposed to be even bigger than it though.  

 

Otherwise, in recent memory, it's going to be like a 20 way tie between a bunch of different places, all about the same size.  Basically, your average Bass Pro or Cabella's.  I don't think I've ever seen a Walmart, DSG, or Academy come close.   

Have you been to the BPS in Broken Arrow? Ive never been to any others or the Cabelas in OKC so I don't know how it compares to others. 

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

Mine is no longer here. Frank Fensom Sportsman's Headquarters in Raytown Mo.           

I grew up in Raytown, but never heard of the store.

[Hammer 4]

Anglers Marine and The Long Fin in Orange county, So. Cali.

[rgasr63]

C&B Tackle in Ridgeway SC is the best independent tackle shop in the midlands of the state.

[Mobasser]

11 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I grew up in Raytown, but never heard of the store.

 

12 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I grew up in Raytown, but never heard of the store.

Ok. It wasnt Raytown. Grandview Mo

[crypt]

Nix's in Okeechobee was the bomb back in the day. now Bitters Bait and Tackle in Leesburg is the place to go.has everything you will ever need. and then some........

[Deephaven]

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

Who has a lot of stock?  Scheels or Thornes?

Scheels did this past Sunday.  Thorne Bros did a 90 days ago, but as you know they seasonally change from soft to hard water and it wasn't their summer stuff that was out.  The Muskie stuff never goes away but the rest dwindles.  I expect they are getting it all out now though.

 

[Way north bass guy]

Around here there’s not a ton of real good places. Walmarts around here only have small fishing sections, but sometimes you get lucky and find a whole peg full of Maxscent Flatworms there ?. Probably the best overall at least as far as having a half decent selection and many locations would be Canadian Tire. 
The best one locally though by far here would be Trombley’s Tacklebox in Orillia, On. When I used to fish tournaments on Lake Simcoe, and the Kawarthas , it was pretty much a given that we’d be stopping there on a Friday night to “stock up” on whatever we needed. They really do cater to serious fisherman there, with a great mix of less expensive to high end gear and baits for all species. 

[brgbassmaster]

As a military member I get to travel all over and personally the best I've been to is either the hookup tackle in Glendale AZ or Bass tackle master in Lake Havasu city AZ. 

[volzfan59]

3 hours ago, GReb said:

The Bass Pro in Memphis at the Pyramid is incredible. 

I'm going to try and go there this summer.

[Big Rick]

5 hours ago, volzfan59 said:

Honey Hole, West Monroe, LA

Amen to that!  Great people in that store as well. Also, in the Monroe/West Monroe area is another great tackle store, Toledo Tackle. 

 

The Tackle Trap in Boaz Alabama is another great place to shop. I know a lot on here do business there via the internet but Brian's brick and mortar store is a great place to shop and hang out. 

 

BPS leaves me with a lackluster experience. Mainly because BPS touts their own brands so much and don't keep a lot of variety. These other locations I mentioned have those unique and often hard to get items that once you put your hand on you buy it, LOL. 

[Eric 26]

I will start by saying the Bass Pro in Bolingbrook Illinois is on my “spring classic” sale radar for the trade in’s plus I like and plan on purchasing another “panfish elite” rod this year. The BPS in Gurnee Illinois has a special place in my heart as I had a hand “building” it as a carpenter in my youth.  Used to love the Cabelas in Hammond Indiana but that was more for the footwear/boots but still love my Cabelas “Arachnid” reel. The “Dicks” sporting goods in Tinley Park Illinois carries a small but decent selection as does the Wal-Mart in my hometown of New Lenox Illinois. The Wal-Mart’s in Morris as well as Decatur Illinois are even better. There are 2 shops that stand out in my immediate area, the first being “Fishing Connection” in Orland Park Illinois, Greg the owner was as of last year still running the store that I first stepped into 25 plus years ago. And my favorite for the last 8 plus years is “Anglers Outlet” currently in Tinley Park Illinois. The store is completely awesome as it’s wall to wall

and floor to ceiling fishing gear with the most “INCREDIBLE” staff from owner to sales people that are friendly and as well hard core knowledgeable. I’ve frequented the establishment as a youth when they were known as “Ed Shirley & Sons” in Markham Illinois for anyone old enough to remember them then. You’re greeted at the entrance with a sandwich board with the latest fishing reports from Lake Michigan to the county forest preserves and feel free to ask the staff about anywhere in between. The owner will buy/trade in your older/used fishing gear that he then resells for a fair price as well as offers gear from budget friendly to enthusiast level at the same or better prices you will find anywhere else. I’ve asked about ordering certain gear that I’ve not seen in store and have always been quoted a fair price also. They are/were a well known fixture at what  was my favorite fishing show the “Tinley Park High School” fishing show held for many years in February where many fond memories of being with my brother were formed. One of my favorite things are the bargain/$1.00 bins where you never know what you will find from bobber packs to lead weights to open/old stock worms and lures that were probably purchased from a garage sale and long forgotten about but still work given a chance?

3 hours ago, J.Bass said:

Yes Walmarts vary by me the Walmart in my town has one isle for fishing one side dedicated to lures. It’s pathetic when we have a river 3 miles from walmart. Will say that Walmart being on a giant lake had a plume of tackle. It was a small Walmart as well but it’s fishing isles lived up to its hype. They even had local baits in the Walmart. Let’s say it was impressive and better than bass pro.

Amen I support local shops to as those lures hand made most of time will out fish the top brand lures be cashed they’re designed for that lake, river, or region. They used to have at rosemont convention center a fishing show with vendors would be over 300 fishing vendors. Most were locals selling fishing tackle. You don’t see that anymore it’s all but gone. You could go to those conventions and come away with $300 worth of fishing tackle for $100 because they had everything discounted. You don’t see sales like that anymore.. too many big companies controlling market.

Not sure if you’re referring to the Rosemont convention center show in Rosemont Illinois, but if you are wow it’s been a long time since I’ve been to that one?.  Ed Shirley & Sons booth was where I bought my first bass fishing combo after getting back into fishing in ?1993-1994

[MidwestBassAttack]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

I will start by saying the Bass Pro in Bolingbrook Illinois is on my “spring classic” sale radar for the trade in’s plus I like and plan on purchasing another “panfish elite” rod this year. The BPS in Gurnee Illinois has a special place in my heart as I had a hand “building” it as a carpenter in my youth.  Used to love the Cabelas in Hammond Indiana but that was more for the footwear/boots but still love my Cabelas “Arachnid” reel. The “Dicks” sporting goods in Tinley Park Illinois carries a small but decent selection as does the Wal-Mart in my hometown of New Lenox Illinois. The Wal-Mart’s in Morris as well as Decatur Illinois are even better. There are 2 shops that stand out in my immediate area, the first being “Fishing Connection” in Orland Park Illinois, Greg the owner was as of last year still running the store that I first stepped into 25 plus years ago. And my favorite for the last 8 plus years is “Anglers Outlet” currently in Tinley Park Illinois. The store is completely awesome as it’s wall to wall

and floor to ceiling fishing gear with the most “INCREDIBLE” staff from owner to sales people that are friendly and as well hard core knowledgeable. I’ve frequented the establishment as a youth when they were known as “Ed Shirley & Sons” in Markham Illinois for anyone old enough to remember them then. You’re greeted at the entrance with a sandwich board with the latest fishing reports from Lake Michigan to the county forest preserves and feel free to ask the staff about anywhere in between. The owner will buy/trade in your older/used fishing gear that he then resells for a fair price as well as offers gear from budget friendly to enthusiast level at the same or better prices you will find anywhere else. I’ve asked about ordering certain gear that I’ve not seen in store and have always been quoted a fair price also. They are/were a well known fixture at what  was my favorite fishing show the “Tinley Park High School” fishing show held for many years in February where many fond memories of being with my brother were formed. One of my favorite things are the bargain/$1.00 bins where you never know what you will find from bobber packs to lead weights to open/old stock worms and lures that were probably purchased from a garage sale and long forgotten about but still work given a chance?

Not sure if you’re referring to the Rosemont convention center show in Rosemont Illinois, but if you are wow it’s been a long time since I’ve been to that one?.  Ed Shirley & Sons booth was where I bought my first bass fishing combo after getting back into fishing in ?1993-1994

Hey - we’re in the same neck of the woods! I frequent all those places often and they are more south-side locations. North-siders have Lee’s in Elk Grove and Carol Stream and Anglers International up in Palatine

[slonezp]

Any bait store that gives a good minnow count. 

[J.Bass]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

I will start by saying the Bass Pro in Bolingbrook Illinois is on my “spring classic” sale radar for the trade in’s plus I like and plan on purchasing another “panfish elite” rod this year. The BPS in Gurnee Illinois has a special place in my heart as I had a hand “building” it as a carpenter in my youth.  Used to love the Cabelas in Hammond Indiana but that was more for the footwear/boots but still love my Cabelas “Arachnid” reel. The “Dicks” sporting goods in Tinley Park Illinois carries a small but decent selection as does the Wal-Mart in my hometown of New Lenox Illinois. The Wal-Mart’s in Morris as well as Decatur Illinois are even better. There are 2 shops that stand out in my immediate area, the first being “Fishing Connection” in Orland Park Illinois, Greg the owner was as of last year still running the store that I first stepped into 25 plus years ago. And my favorite for the last 8 plus years is “Anglers Outlet” currently in Tinley Park Illinois. The store is completely awesome as it’s wall to wall

and floor to ceiling fishing gear with the most “INCREDIBLE” staff from owner to sales people that are friendly and as well hard core knowledgeable. I’ve frequented the establishment as a youth when they were known as “Ed Shirley & Sons” in Markham Illinois for anyone old enough to remember them then. You’re greeted at the entrance with a sandwich board with the latest fishing reports from Lake Michigan to the county forest preserves and feel free to ask the staff about anywhere in between. The owner will buy/trade in your older/used fishing gear that he then resells for a fair price as well as offers gear from budget friendly to enthusiast level at the same or better prices you will find anywhere else. I’ve asked about ordering certain gear that I’ve not seen in store and have always been quoted a fair price also. They are/were a well known fixture at what  was my favorite fishing show the “Tinley Park High School” fishing show held for many years in February where many fond memories of being with my brother were formed. One of my favorite things are the bargain/$1.00 bins where you never know what you will find from bobber packs to lead weights to open/old stock worms and lures that were probably purchased from a garage sale and long forgotten about but still work given a chance?

Not sure if you’re referring to the Rosemont convention center show in Rosemont Illinois, but if you are wow it’s been a long time since I’ve been to that one?.  Ed Shirley & Sons booth was where I bought my first bass fishing combo after getting back into fishing in ?1993-1994

Yes Ed Shirley’s was the staple of local fishing stores. Once the sons took over business went downhill. Even at the rosemont convention center daredevils and rat-l-traps always had deals. I was young back then my grandfather, dad, and I would walk the convention for 8 hours so much to do. You’ll never see that again. Ed Shirley’s was the staple of local bait shop businesses in northern Illinois .

[CrashVector]

My favorite doesn't exist any longer.  It was an older guy who just ran an outdoor shop.

 

He'd order anything you wanted.  I got him to order a case of Winchester AA's in #6 shot (which was hard to get) for me back in the day.

 

He passed away years ago and his family just let the store go and closed it.

 

I miss going there and talking to him.

[padlin]

 We don't have much to pick from, a Cabela's, WM, and Dick's. I'd have to say Cabela's although it's a bit of a drive and are out of what I want as often as not. I did stop by DIck's the other day after not being there for a year or so just killing time on another freezing day, what a total disappointment. The hunting dept is completely gone and fishing is about half of what it was. It's become mostly workout clothing, or at least the clothes that make it look like you work out.

 

2 other guys were walking around the fishing dept mumbling the same sentiment.

 

I noticed on my last trip to the shore that the small saltwater shops were disappearing. The big stores and online must be killing them off.

 

[Derek1]

Don’t really have any small local shops. Wished we did, I would much rather support them. Kittery trading post wins around here. They have a better selection of rods, reels and way cooler baits then the local bass pro or cabellas. I say local but they are all about 45 minutes to a hour from me. I don’t mind though, it’s something to do on a cold Saturday. 

[Vilas15]

Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop - Minocqua WI

Kurt's Island Bait Shop - Minocqua WI

Dorn Outdoor Pro Shop - Madison WI

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the selection at Dorns since they had some Megabass stuff and lots of baits I see talked about on here. I'm just tired of BPS brand filling entire aisles at Cabelas.

[volzfan59]

I forgot one! Haven't been there in years and I can only hope that they're still around.

 

West Side Chevron/ Bait and Tackle on hwy 72 in Athens, AL. When I used to fish Wheeler Lake I'd always stop there for fuel and any needed (or not) tackle. They were always well stocked and friendly staff members.

 

Any of you AL guys, are they still around?

[TnRiver46]

Sloans in Vonore, TN 

[FishinBuck07]

Fisherman's Central in New Franklin, OH.  20 minutes from the house and 10 minutes from work!  Not a good thing at all being that close!  Very rarely do I have to order anything online!  Owned by local bass fishermen, the knowledge of the area in that store is awesome.  Also have so much stuff!

[Bluebasser86]

Roger's Sporting Goods in Liberty, MO was great at one point but isn't nearly as good anymore.

 

Everhart's Outdoors in Clinton, MO is really good. 

 

Bass Pro in Springfield and Memphis are both cool stores.

[FishTank]

The Angler in Hudson, IN and ALF in Evansville, IN. Unfortunately, we really don't have a good one near Indianapolis any more.

 

My favorite use to be Angler's World on the Indy's east side but it went out of business. They had all the best stuff and good prices. They would sometimes run sales on stuff that they probably weren't supposed to for their frequent customers.  I sure do miss them.