There are many outdoor outfitters that exist for us fisherman. Be it Cabela's, Wholesale Sports (Sportsman's Warehouse) in my area, Bass Pro Shops (not in my area), Gander Mountain, etc. So, I ask my fellow members, which outfitter do you prefer most for your fishing gear? Taking into consideration the prices, quality and availability of merchandise? Cabela's is huge and great and a lot of fun but come on! The prices are so high! I prefer to shop at a store that is located in my part of the country called Wholesale Sports. They have plenty of fishing gear and it is reasonably priced. So, where do YOU shop?

95 % of my time and money is spent at bass pro shops, it's just that i can go there and get all i need for my trip at one place. However i do go to my local bait and tackle shop as much as i can. but there prices are a little more then b.p.s. Bass pro shops is a few towns away....JOHN

I love to visit BPS and Cabela's...but when its time to buy...I have saved hundreds by shopping on eBay and Lurenet!  

I do most of my shopping online because there isn't much in my area. I have some local shops and good ol Wal Mart. I do stop at Wholesale Sports on my way to Cabela's when I'm in your area Captain.

Posted By Hossinonimus on 27 Dec 2011 07:15 AM
I do most of my shopping online because there isn't much in my area. I have some local shops and good ol Wal Mart. I do stop at Wholesale Sports on my way to Cabela's when I'm in your area Captain.

Sweet! Yeah it's kind of cool that the two stores are only about 10 highway miles apart if that. I just like Wholesale Sports because I think they have a better lure selection than Cabela's and the prices are lower. Plus, Cabela's is always too busy!

I get stuff from Cabela's, gander mountain, bass pro shop, fish307, and I also order lures from Tameron.com, and crazy Ivanlures.com, Not having any stores close by I do most of my shopping thru the internet.

For my saltwater gear, I shop online (eBay), and my local tackle shop Bernie's in Brooklyn. This bait and tackle shop is HUGE! and has just about everything under the sun for saltwater fishing. For freshwater, I use BPS online and Dick's sporting goods...they have lots of freshwater tackle that other smaller shops just don't carry.

I guess I am kind of a throw back in a lot of ways. I have NEVER bought anything online. I buy all my lures at the stores. I like to see them and feel them in my hands before I purchase them.

Here's a tip...a lot of times when I'm in a tackle shop, if I see something that I like, and don't need it that day, I'll take note of the price then look for it on the internet...most times its a bit cheaper online. The only draw back is waiting for it to be delivered.

CQ,
I tend to go to Fisherman's Marine in the Portland area (3 stores) for hooks, line, and reels.  I have a guide discount card from them for pretty good discounts.  When Wholesale Sports opened, I had a guide card that gave me 5%, but it didn't pan out on most stuff I buy.  I build and sell my own rods and pour, paint, tie, and sell jigs for Steelhead and Walleye, and put together my own spinners if I choose to fish them.  I go on-line for rod blanks, guide sets, handle materials, jig hooks, and spinner parts, and have managed to fish for a lot less the past ten years or so. 

JustDave

The online dealers I buy from get it to me in 2 or 3 days...and as opposed to BPS and Cabela's...shipping is FREE!

I get the majority of my gear from BPS online store, even though Sportsman's Warehouse is right up the street, and Cabela's is about 10 miles away. It's just more convenient to order online and have it arrive at my door !

I have never bought anything online as I do not have a credit card. Besides that, I like holding something in my hands and seeing it for myself before I buy it. Wholesale Sports is my store! Plus, I got 50 bucks worth of gift cards to them for Christmas! Score!

Your missing out on a bigger, more variety of a market....the online, internet market. I respect that u don't have a credit card, (I don't like them either), but your ATM/debit card can be used as well. I know we all like to see and touch, but if it means saving a few dollars here and there...then u should give it a try...

You guys that have those superstores in your back yard are lucky...I have to drive 2 hours to get to BPS and 1 1/2 to get to Cabela's. I have a better inventory than most of my local bait shops. We just use them for the live bait.

I'm about 2 hours from Cabelas, but about 1000 miles from the closest BPS. I'd love to visit a Bass Pro though. I was just ordering some stuff from Bass Pro last night with the gift cards I got for Christmas and my wife asked "don't you have enough fishing stuff?" lol She thought I should order her some housewares!

Posted By Hossinonimus on 29 Dec 2011 05:49 PM
I'm about 2 hours from Cabelas, but about 1000 miles from the closest BPS. I'd love to visit a Bass Pro though. I was just ordering some stuff from Bass Pro last night with the gift cards I got for Christmas and my wife asked "don't you have enough fishing stuff?" lol She thought I should order her some housewares!

Yeah, no Bass Pro Shops around here that's for sure! Not even in any of the surrounding states!

We have a bass pro about 3.5 hours away. We don't have a cabela's in NY but there is one in PA about 4 hours away and one in Conn. also about 4 hours away. We have several Gander mountains 1.5 is the closest two others 2 hours away.