Bass Pro Shop Experience 2024
Traumabrew reply :
This might be hard to believe but I went to BPS for the first time to buy tackle. I've been in them for hunting and shooting supplies but not fishing.
I decided to stop in as I was traveling and it made a good rest stop. So I went to the fishing area to look for some tackle and was lost. It seems they try to separate the different types of fishing but it is so confusing. Also, it was too busy so I couldn't find an employee to help. I was also dismayed that there was mostly BPS branded gear and the lure sizes were limited. Also, not a good selection of higher end rods and reels. It is sad that a store named "Bass Pro Shops" is difficult to shop for bass fishing in.
I'm going to stick with online tackle stores. Better selection, easier to search and I can get my stuff in a day or 2.
Ariffy reply :
Idk, I like BPS but it is a big store so I see how it could be confusing. BPS has alot online reviews on its website so it's a solid way of finding out what is high quality and what isn't
tracker01 reply :
BPS likes to sell BPS stuff. I like to buy higher end stuff. As a rule I like to check it out in hand, and if it’s for me I will buy it. The person behind the counter tells me, we can order it for you! Gee, why didn’t I think of that before I left home? “Dah”. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy going to BPS, but when I go on line I can usually find it cheaper than BPS.
Drew03cmc reply :
You know, mine has a good assortment of Lucky Craft, Megabass, etc lures...rods are another story.
padon reply :
I hate bps they rarley have what I want.they want you to buy their knock off version of a lot of things.I want kietechs theywanna sell me bps brand.I want hard swimbaits they wanna sell me bps brand.it goes on and on. I wanted invizx they had three rolls but they had plenty of their line.no thanks. I usually just buy from a local tackle shop or online,don't even bother with them anymore
jeffo21 reply :
I used to like going there as well but as most have said they push their BPS brand and always so busy and crowded. I have started going to a tackle shop close to home called Brannans bass. they are local and friendly and always helpful. Their prices are also competitive with anyone's prices.
Steve1357 reply :
On 6/11/2018 at 3:56 AM, jeffo21 said:I used to like going there as well but as most have said they push their BPS brand and always so busy and crowded. I have started going to a tackle shop close to home called Brannans bass. they are local and friendly and always helpful. Their prices are also competitive with anyone's prices.
BPS in Little Rock is the last place I go only because they have something I can't find anywhere else. The "atmosphere" has to be funded.....like casinos.
Catch their sales and always check the midway, usually something affordable you can get...
Unfortunately Academy here has been eliminating things I always buy and raising prices on what they have left, trying to compete with BPS I guess.....
jmho
Tennessee Boy reply :
I agree. 20 years ago I bought 80% of my fishing stuff from BPS. Now they are my last resort. Expensive and poor selection. I hate to say it but increasingly I'm finding Amazon.com to be where I buy my fishing stuff. I was going to order a rod from Cabelas a few months ago, at checkout they said to expect deliver in 10 days. I cancelled the order ,went to amazon and got the same rod cheaper and in two days with free shipping.
Drew03cmc reply :
Bass Pro is higher priced than anyplace else as well.
Squarebill79 reply :
I have a BPS about 10 minutes from my house so I go there frequently. Im a big fan of their reels, I think I own 5 different models. Im on a budget so I feel like I get the best bang for my buck and they have many rods and reels right around the $100 mark.
Im not a very big fan of their own line of lures though, alot of them Ive tried are junk so I just go with the brand names. I will say, Ive caught hundreds of bass on their $2.99 bargain bin poppers.
Happybeerbuzz reply :
If you don't know exactly what you are looking for and you don't want to trust the Internet, BPS is a viable option for some things. If you need to touch something before you buy it, BPS is an option. However, BPS is primarily a brick and mortar operation, and it is unreasonable to expect it be more than that. If price, selection, and convenience of ordering from your phone is what your looking for, BPS is not your best option as long as you don't need it right that minute.
It would be more useful to compare basspro.com versus say, tacklewarehouse.com, where the hand's down winner is pretty obvious unless there happens to be a "no minimum" promo going on which the online outlets never seem to have. While at the same time it would be more fair to compare your local BPS location with say, your local Walmart.
kenmitch reply :
Once in a while when needed I'll make the run to my local BPS. I really like the atmosphere that they have going on. The selection is decent as long as your not going during black friday or around xmas. Not really a fan of the way they organize the fishing department as it's pretty confusing. Maybe it's so a person will look around and possibly find things that they're not looking for....Impulse buying?
BPS pricing is really hit and miss. A person needs to really wait it out for sales. Good deals can be had sometimes. Free shipping deals and the online only 6 pay option to split up bigger purchases is a plus.
Picked up the CarbonLite 2.0 baitcaster combo when it was on sale for $120. Too good of a price to pass up.
Got my Abu Garcia Revo MGX SHS for $175 on a 1 day special back around black friday of 2016. Pretty much close to 50% off at the time....Of course it went on clearance for $199 a month or so later as the new line came out.
Decent deals can be had if one has the patience to wait it out. I always compare prices before buying anywhere anyways.
Gundog reply :
Thankfully I have some pretty good bait & tackle shops in my area so I don't have to go to BPS or Cabela's. I do go there but mostly just to look or spend a gift card a family member got me.
BankBasser reply :
The last time I shopped there, every new isle I walked down I was approached by someone trying to sell me a vacation. Haven't been back since.
Log Catcher reply :
The last time I went BPS was back when their big spring sale was going on. The only reason I went was to use up the points I had before I lost them. I had around $12 in points and spent about $16. I only bought what I knew I would use. BPS only allows you to keep points for 1 year and then you lose them. They have gotten so expensive I don't go there much anymore. The only way to get a good deal is if they have something on sale you really want. The points aren't worth much if your paying too much to begin with.
Somd Fx4 reply :
My local Bps isn't all that local like an hour and half away. We went there yesterday and the fishing section is very confusing. Trying to find what you looking for and being bugged about vacation at the same time is ridiculous. I don't see me going back anytime soon. I prefer online shopping.
greentrout reply :
I always lay low and wait for sales and end of the year clearance...very good deals can be had...never had any problems with them...good fishing...
Yakalong reply :
Order most of my stuff from them online, during sales and free shipping. I do occasionally go to the store just to look around but I find it easier to shop online.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
I like going to BPS for many reasons...... tackle shopping isn't one of them.
Riazuli reply :
I wait until they have sales or I have a coupon for them that makes it worth my while, compared to other places online. I'll either order from bps online or go to the store if I need to. During their spring sale, I must have saved at least a couple hundred bucks on rods and reels with trade-ins. No other places could beat it. Whenever I want something, I'll compare between the likes of bps, cabelas (the two run sales separately of each other probably to maximize sales between the two), academy, tackle warehouse, eBay, and anywhere else that beats the others. As far as lure selection, I've rarely had issues with finding what I want and in the color and size I want it in. As far as finding lures, nothing a little walking and looking around can't handle.
Traumabrew reply :
I'll give an example. I was looking for some 1/2 oz football and shakey head jigs and I could not find them. Not even the guy who works in the department could find them.
I had to travel for a funeral in South Florida, so I threw my rods in the car so I could fish some lakes down there afterwards. I needed some jig heads.
eyedabassman reply :
On 6/11/2018 at 2:41 AM, Traumabrew said:This might be hard to believe but I went to BPS for the first time to buy tackle. I've been in them for hunting and shooting supplies but not fishing.
I decided to stop in as I was traveling and it made a good rest stop. So I went to the fishing area to look for some tackle and was lost. It seems they try to separate the different types of fishing but it is so confusing. Also, it was too busy so I couldn't find an employee to help. I was also dismayed that there was mostly BPS branded gear and the lure sizes were limited. Also, not a good selection of higher end rods and reels. It is sad that a store named "Bass Pro Shops" is difficult to shop for bass fishing in.
I'm going to stick with online tackle stores. Better selection, easier to search and I can get my stuff in a day or 2.
If I can I would rather give my money to the local tackle store! Bass Pro has got very greedy and there copycat lures are cheap at beast! But I like some of there rods and soft plastic baits, but that is where I draw the line! We have two great local Tackle shops in Kimberling City and one big one in Springfield that I give my money to!
d-camarena reply :
My local cabelas is way better than the local bps. Sadly that is about to change
LonnieP reply :
Bps rod selection is a joke. They do have nice clothes though.
Scott F reply :
Bass Pro Shops is there to turn a profit. By all indications, they are doing a very good job of it. Carrying high end rods that don’t sell quickly or selling products at a discount is not as profitable as selling clothing or BPS branded tackle. If you go there expecting to see a lot of gear for the enthusiast at cheap prices, you are going to be disappointed. I’m sure this is not news to most, but to a lot of us who are regulars here at BR, we are not BPSs target customers. If they depended on us to stay in business, they’d already be just like all the mom and pop tackle stores that are now gone.
J Francho reply :
I'd rather have driven an hour to Auburn and pick up the pontoon cover than go through the online ordering process. That is one maddening online checkout!
Rpratt reply :
What kills me is every time I go there to buy something in particular.... Well an example. I went Saturday to buy the BPS Flicker Worms. They had every other worm in sizes and colors imaginable, and just one pack of the flicker Worms left. It never fails, what I want is always out of stock.
As far as the vacation thing goes. I have done it a few times at Branson, and it's well worth it IF, you know how to work the system. Last year I went to Branson 6 times for 4 days and 3 nights, and a full week in Michigan. If you don't want the people to bug you, of which they do, just say your already a member, and they instantly back off.
I always go to BPS at least with a plan with what I am looking for, because it is so easy to become overwhelmed.
kickerfish1 reply :
Reasons to go to BPS for me:
1. Try on apparel that I may by elsewhere to for cheaper (Costas for example)
2. Get a feel of a new rod or reel
3. Kill time in the winter when everything is frozen
BPS is not what it used to be. The selection is average at best, prices are significantly higher than many other places, customer service is not good at all, not to mention the closest is about 35 minutes away.
Buffdaddy54 reply :
I shop at my local BassPro every month. Store is only 10 min from my house. Now with that said most of my shopping is for cloths. They have a pretty good selection of XL TALL and XXL TALL shirts. I'm 6'5 260 and they always have something I like and fits. The sales people were pretty nice and helpful. Lately though that has not been the casejust before this last trip an associate treated me like I was imposing on his time so I walked out without buying anything. Now with that said I bought a Daiwa BG 3000 on EBay that turned out to be too big and heavy for my liking so I went to BassPro to see if I could exchange it for a 2500. Keep in mind I did not have a receipt, not only did they exchange it but I got 10.00 back because it was a smaller size. Used that store credit and bought a shirt..
Brew City Bass reply :
On 6/12/2018 at 10:03 AM, Buffdaddy54 said:I shop at my local BassPro every month. Store is only 10 min from my house. Now with that said most of my shopping is for cloths. They have a pretty good selection of XL TALL and XXL TALL shirts. I'm 6'5 260 and they always have something I like and fits. The sales people were pretty nice and helpful. Lately though that has not been the casejust before this last trip an associate treated me like I was imposing on his time so I walked out without buying anything. Now with that said I bought a Daiwa BG 3000 on EBay that turned out to be too big and heavy for my liking so I went to BassPro to see if I could exchange it for a 2500. Keep in mind I did not have a receipt, not only did they exchange it but I got 10.00 back because it was a smaller size. Used that store credit and bought a shirt..
Hate to call you out, but returning an item to a store you didn't buy it from in the first place is a scam and just ruins it for the rest of us honest shoppers.
I'm not a fan of basspro, but if enough people do this they will start demanding a receipt and it will surely be annoying for people who really bought gear there and lost their receipt. The WalMart by my house had a no receipt return policy that they just stopped offering because people would buy **** from ebay or buy it used and return it to the store when it wasn't what they wanted (like you did) and then walmart tries to re shelf it and realizes they never sold that product to you. Then they're basically out the money because they can't re-shelf it if it wasn't in their system to begin with.
Try to be an honest person in the future please. It helps stores keep no receipt returns which help customers who actually buy from those stores.
Unless you've gotten permission to do this from BP, then I retract everything I said. But I doubt that's the case at all.
TOXIC reply :
I've worked shows and Grand Openings in Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's for 20 years. Believe me, the experienced angler is not their target market. Also remember that for Bass Pro, they are limited to what the corporate buyers order and store in their distribution centers. The stores have a "pecking order" based on things like sales volume. Bigger stores get first "dibs" on what is in the distribution center. Smaller or low volume stores get what's left.
Buffdaddy54 reply :
On 6/12/2018 at 11:33 AM, Brew City Bass said:Hate to call you out, but returning an item to a store you didn't buy it from in the first place is a scam and just ruins it for the rest of us honest shoppers.
I'm not a fan of basspro, but if enough people do this they will start demanding a receipt and it will surely be annoying for people who really bought gear there and lost their receipt. The WalMart by my house had a no receipt return policy that they just stopped offering because people would buy **** from ebay or buy it used and return it to the store when it wasn't what they wanted (like you did) and then walmart tries to re shelf it and realizes they never sold that product to you. Then they're basically out the money because they can't re-shelf it if it wasn't in their system to begin with.
Try to be an honest person in the future please. It helps stores keep no receipt returns which help customers who actually buy from those stores.
Unless you've gotten permission to do this from BP, then I retract everything I said. But I doubt that's the case at all.
Wow! Called me a dishonest person and you don't even know me! Did not know there were people on this forum who had the gift to see who people are without KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THEM! OR THIS COMPLETE STORY!!
RPreeb reply :
My closest BPS is in Denver, more than 2 hours away, and they stuck it in an area where it is very difficult to get to if you don't know the neighborhood. I stopped in there once just to see what it was like and had to use the GPS in my F-150 both to get in to the store, and then to get out of that maze and back to where I was going.
I have a Cabela's about 30 miles north of me right off I-80 in Sidney, NE. No traffic, 2 lane highway most of the way, easy to find. There is even another Cabela's on the north side of the Denver area that's easier to get to than the BPS.
I'll probably never go back to that Denver BPS store.
blckshirt98 reply :
There's a BPS a mile away from me and I only go there for clothing sales (I'm a fan of their denim jeans and their fleece tops when they're priced at 50% off or more). As for their bass/fishing stuff, it's almost all BPS branded items or items from the major manufacturers. BPS is definitely not a first choice for "enthusiasts", but I can see the allure of the place for casual/novice fisherman who just want to get a line wet. Four local tackle shops have closed the past few years and one had to relocate to a smaller space. The one remaining local tackle shop standing that hasn't had to relocate is the one that gets all of my local fishing tackle money.
flyfisher reply :
Most times i go there because i have gift cards and i do have a rewards credit card from there so i use it during their spring sale which has some good deals. it is also a nice place to check out stuff in person before ordering. All that being said, I usually go to the local place about 2 miles form my house whenever possible.
Bankbeater reply :
Over the years I have learned that it's best to steer clear if they have a bunch of name brand items in a bargain bin.
Sam reply :
Trauma, we are talking retail. Not bass fishing.
Retail stores have only "X" amount of space to present their stock. Highest priced, best sellers and high profit products are at eye level. Other, less favorite or lower profit margin products are on the bottom. Just like at your grocery store.
BPS buys "X" number of baits and tackle from specific suppliers and manufacturers and they present these products in a manner subjective to the BPS brand. This means that the Cavitrons will be at a lower level or be in less space than the BPS or other buzzbaits based on profit margin who have more space.
In addition, BPS has only "X" number of retail feet to stock with products and they do so with those items that not only are their own brand or have a strong profit margin but they have a high turnover rate. The more turnover the more sales and less products to have their clerks invest their time to reprice to move them off the shelves or reprice each one plus use the IT guys to refigure the computer/cash register system.
You will find Suffix line at BPS stores but not Gamma. Why? Because Gamma costs more and has a smaller following than Suffix. Throw in the less expensive BPS line and there is no room for Gamma or other higher quality brands. After all, there is just "X" feet of space on the wall to handle the various types and brands of line and BPS wants to move the line as fast as it can.
BPS will handle specific brands as they have contracts to purchase the products from the manufacturers. These brands get the retail shelf space.
Same is true in all retail stores. Things we used to be able to purchase in the past are no longer on the shelves. But they are on-line or in their catalogs. Thus Tackle Warehouse is very successful as are other on-line fishing industry companies with on-line sales catalogs and great service.
Let's face it, isn't it easier to stay at home in front of your computer and find various tackle, compare prices, styles, colors, etc. and place the order than it is to get dressed, get into your vehicle, put gas in the tank, hit traffic on the road, find a place to park, go into the store, talk to someone who has no idea about bass fishing and not find what you want?
When commission was taken out of retail we now have "clerks" who try to help us but since they don't have any skin in the game they don't care if you buy anything or not. Then there are the smaller tackle shops like Green Top outside of Richmond, VA, that has some great people in the store to help you and they have a great selection of bass fishing products, many of which you can't get at BPS.
And Castaways on Route 1 towards Chester has an outstanding Zoom selection. Best I have ever seen other than for the Zoom distributor.
So get used to it. Times, they are a changing! 
mwh33 reply :
I live on the coast and the basspro near me sells more saltwater than freshwater. They have a small selection of lucky craft, but no megabass stuff. Only a few GYCB and no Keitechs. I go to OKC to hang out with my buddy and hit up basspro there. They have a huge selection of lucky craft, GY, keitechs, and megabass. I was so jealous.
Traumabrew reply :
I am in the same boat as you here in Florida. The BPS stores here seem to have more saltwater stuff than bass. And the problem I had was that there was sort of a delineation of saltwater and freshwater but the terminal tackle was comingled. The fishing rods and reels were all mixed up and the only high end reels they had were saltwater. I actually had a guy there keep showing me Penn reels (which were obviously for large saltwater game fish) when I was trying to find a new spinning reel. He obviously had no clue about bass fishing. And trying to look for a new rod was impossible.
My initial post was about the irony of a huge outdoor sports store being named "Bass Pro Shops" but really sucking at selling gear for actual bass fishing.
It is sad that the days of mom and pop tackle shops are gone. I have known some shops that are specialized, like fly fishing or are set up in a prime location that are able to survive and even thrive. The nice thing about the local tackle shops are that they usually stock items that are specific to that area or body of water. There are some really good tackle shops near Lake Okeechobee that I got to visit on my trip and sell baits specific to the lake (I took the long, I mean scenic, way home back from Miami which just by chance took me along the western part of the lake and amazingly I "forgot" to take my rods and tackle bag out of the car before leaving home).
Brew City Bass reply :
On 6/12/2018 at 11:30 PM, Buffdaddy54 said:Wow! Called me a dishonest person and you don't even know me! Did not know there were people on this forum who had the gift to see who people are without KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THEM! OR THIS COMPLETE STORY!!
What you did and bragged about was completely dishonest, so yeah, you're dishonest.
Don't go bragging about working the system and expect everyone to pat you on the back.
Sam reply :
On 6/14/2018 at 11:48 AM, Traumabrew said:I am in the same boat as you here in Florida. The BPS stores here seem to have more saltwater stuff than bass. And the problem I had was that there was sort of a delineation of saltwater and freshwater but the terminal tackle was comingled. The fishing rods and reels were all mixed up and the only high end reels they had were saltwater. I actually had a guy there keep showing me Penn reels (which were obviously for large saltwater game fish) when I was trying to find a new spinning reel. He obviously had no clue about bass fishing. And trying to look for a new rod was impossible.
My initial post was about the irony of a huge outdoor sports store being named "Bass Pro Shops" but really sucking at selling gear for actual bass fishing.
It is sad that the days of mom and pop tackle shops are gone. I have known some shops that are specialized, like fly fishing or are set up in a prime location that are able to survive and even thrive. The nice thing about the local tackle shops are that they usually stock items that are specific to that area or body of water. There are some really good tackle shops near Lake Okeechobee that I got to visit on my trip and sell baits specific to the lake (I took the long, I mean scenic, way home back from Miami which just by chance took me along the western part of the lake and amazingly I "forgot" to take my rods and tackle bag out of the car before leaving home).
The fishing department buyer for the BPS noted above stocked with more saltwater gear as he/she thought, or the sales showed, more saltwater sales than freshwater sales.
The Wal-Mart near my house and the Historic James River stocks catfish equipment and baits as fishing for catfish in the Historic James is more prevalent than other types of fishing in my geographical area.
Head down I-64 to Hampton and that BPS has a lot of saltwater gear due to where it is located and the guys and gals heading to the ocean for vacations and fishing adventures.
Remember, it is all about sales and profits.
P.S. Fishing the Potomac this weekend and I am going to Green Top to purchase some bass baits and terminal tackle and bypass the BPS five miles to the north as I know Green Top has what I am seeking.
Buffdaddy54 reply :
On 6/14/2018 at 11:59 AM, Brew City Bass said:What you did and bragged about was completely dishonest, so yeah, you're dishonest.
Don't go bragging about working the system and expect everyone to pat you on the back.
Brew,
Just to clarify a misstatement on your part ,I in no way shape or form "bragged" about the transaction. And there was never any intention of me scamming BPS. Again you made an assumption based on incomplete info. There was ALOT more to the conversation and subsequent transaction. The great news is I donot have to answer to you nor justify myself to you.
Have a great day
related Fishing Tackle topic
previous topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.