I like Academy 2024
Mobasser reply :
We had an Academy Sports go in not far from us about 1yr ago. It's become my go to tackle shop. Good selection of Zoom plastics, hard baits, line and tackle. The H20 line of rods and reels looks well made and hard to beat for the money. My grandsons H20 Mettle reel he got for Christmas is working out well for him. Also, some good sales at certain times of the year. Internet shopping is ok, but I still like going in and getting my hands on something before I buy. The staff is helpful too, and gives good service. Anyone else an Academy tackle shopper? My new favorite tackle store.
greentrout reply :
really like my academy ... over the yrs. have bought a lot of stuff from them ... not all fishing ... the fishing offers are excellent ... they have a very liberal return policy ... with well trained employees ...
good fishing ...
Jrob78 reply :
Academy is always the first store I go to when I need anything sporting good related. We've had them for 15 years or so here in TX. They don't have the fishing selection of BPS or Cabelas but they're way better than Dicks or Gander Mountain and have the best prices around.
TheRodFather reply :
There is one 2 miles from me, I had never been to one until we moved to NC. I would say it is better than Dicks, but not as good as Gander MTN, bass pro, cabelas.
I agree the h20 rods are great. For some reason the Academy near me doesn't carry a single reel in left hand. Combo or reel, same with Dicks. Luckily there is a bass pro and a cabelas within 20 min of me. Though their selection of lefty reels isn't great, they at least have some.
I go to Academy for necessities, terminal tackle, weights, some plastics, but if I'm looking for a certain color in a 10xd, 6xd, and squarebill for my "set", they probably wont have all that.
In the same way you can get lots of things you need at a convenience store, but if you need groceries, that's not the place to go.
Log Catcher reply :
I drove about 70 miles yesterday to go to an Academy store to pick up a few small items that nobody else carried. I have Dicks, Cabelas, and Sportsmans Warehouse within 15 minutes from my house. I don't go in any of them unless I have to. There selections are not very good and the prices on most things are way too high.
12poundbass reply :
I always hear about awesome sales at Academy. Unfortunately there isn’t one in Michigan. Dick’s is a 55 minute drive but there’s no fishing stuff. There’s a Cabelas outpost store 75 minutes away. I have local mom and pop stores that has some things but geared more towards hunting than anything.
MBB Nate reply :
Loooove academy! They don't carry many high end reels, but they have good bait and rod selections. I find their prices are also the best for a retail shop.
I absolutely love the h20 hard baits and terminal tackle.
GReb reply :
I drive past Bass Pro and Dicks to go to Academy. That’s where 80% of my fishing purchases come from
Todd2 reply :
Yup...love me some Academy, I've bought shoes, bicycle tires....and have been known to wear a path down the fishing aisles.
Harold Scoggins reply :
Couple miles down the road. Great place, I buy most of my outdoor wear there.
HoosierFisher reply :
We got an Academy Sports in town a couple of years ago. Best big box store by far to get tackle around here. Gander Mountain closed and Dick's selection is pretty pathetic. I also like their Magellan line of gear.
Bluebasser86 reply :
If I'm going to a physical store for fishing gear, it's my first choice with BPS being a distant second despite their much larger selection.
jbsoonerfan reply :
I prefer to buy my fishing gear and guns from Academy over BPS. I can walk into Academy and handle any gun I want at any time. Purchase one and be out the door in 30 min. I have waited up to 20 min just to see a gun at BPS.
hoosierbass07 reply :
An Academy moved in here and a few months later the Gander Mountain closed down. Academy has a good selection of lures but overall I consider Academy to be an over sized Walmart fishing and outdoor section. Interestingly, the Academy near me sits a little higher up than their parking lot and it sort of looks like you are walking up/into a temple, subconsciously in your mind. I always wonder if the designers had that in mind when they designed it.
Happybeerbuzz reply :
I use to love Academy, and I will again if they start shipping to California again.
fin reply :
Yep. Academy gets more of my money than anyone else, by far. They’re also closest to me, but even if they weren’t, they’d still be my first choice.
A few weeks ago I was going to be close to a BPS, but after reading other members’ experiences with BPS in this forum, I decided to not waste my time there.
Academy isn’t perfect. Their employees aren’t as knowledgeable as you’d find at a good mom & pop bait store, and the selection isn’t as complete. They might not know much, but everyone I ever dealt with seemed to really try, and I’ve never encountered anyone with a really bad attitude like you can find easily at Walmart. I’ve had trouble with Academy’s inventory system on their website, but even then, when dealing with the website people on the phone, they were helpful and not some robots or person in a foreign call center. They always make me feel appreciated, unlike a lot of businesses these days.
I noticed last time I was there that it seemed like they were starting to stock more expensive baits and less of the budget stuff. I can see why they would do that, and if that’s what it takes to help them survive, so be it.
flatcreek reply :
Academy is my go to store since my favorite mom & pop tackle store closed this year.the only time I hit bps anymore would be an emergency must have tackle situation.not a bps fan.
thinkingredneck reply :
We have Academy, Dick's and BPS. I drive by Academy and Dick's every day. BPS is on the other side of town, but I enjoy going there, too. I buy my basics at Walmart. I guess Academy or Dick's are the first place I stop, as they are more convenient. I generally don't have a lot of questions, but I have found people at all three stores to be helpful.
bagofdonuts reply :
Love it. The fish in my avatar pic has an H2O square bill stuck in its face. Be sure to give their crankbaits a try. You may have to replace the hooks pretty quickly, but that's true of the $6 strike king as well.
NYWayfarer reply :
Wish we had one near here.
Those of you that have several of the big names (BPS, Academy, DSG, F&S, Cabelas) consider yourselves lucky.
I have DSG and that's about it besides Walmart. a F&S (Basically a larger Dick's) is an hour away and BPS 5 hours away from me.
MN Fisher reply :
On 7/17/2019 at 9:52 PM, NYWayfarer said:Wish we had one near here.
Those of you that have several of the big names (BPS, Academy, DSG, F&S, Cabelas) consider yourselves lucky.
I have DSG and that's about it besides Walmart. a F&S (Basically a larger Dick's) is an hour away and BPS 5 hours away from me.
Ya...I got a.....DSG about 20 minutes away and it's fishing section is so-so. Cabelas is 45 minutes away in good traffic. BPS is 4 hours away. I don't do 'Wally-World...ever. Fleet-Farm has a decent selection and it's only 25 minutes away.
That's it. Which is why I mainly do TW, FishUSA and TD via online-order.
GReb reply :
Academy’s house brands are really nice for the $$$. H2O and Magellan are always bargains.
greentrout reply :
my academy following rods in the store: falcon, duckett, shimano, loomis, 13 fishing, all star, lews, h20, ugly stick and dobyns ... and others ...
reels ... got some 300 dollars and up ... shimano and daiwa ... and others ....
never had a problem finding something to fish with ...
good fishing ...
Hook2Jaw reply :
H2O CRS Squarebills account for a lot of my fish these days, and their jerkbaits are phenomenal as well. I love Academy.
Mobasser reply :
On 7/17/2019 at 11:30 PM, greentrout said:my academy following rods in the store: falcon, duckett, shimano, loomis, 13 fishing, all star, lews, h20, ugly stick and dobyns ... and others ...
reels ... got some 300 dollars and up ... shimano and daiwa ... and others ....
never had a problem finding something to fish with ...
good fishing ...
I agree. I received a Magellen fishing shirt for Christmas and it's worked out great. It would be hard to not find an outfit and baits/line to fish with. Our Academy has a great selection.
stratoliner92 reply :
I've gotten some amazing deals on year end clearance items over the past few years from them.
Abby reply :
Academy has been my go to online store the last year. Cabelas is 30 minutes away but have been very disappointed in their store and their online deals have gone down hill recently.
raoka reply :
if only there was an academy within 250 miles of me...haha
Sam reply :
One of my favorite stops when I visit New Orleans.
Their H2O frogs are great.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 7/18/2019 at 9:10 AM, raoka said:if only there was an academy within 250 miles of me...haha
Same here. I'm not even sure where the closest one is. I do shop on their website, though.
My options for stores are Cabela's, BPS (little drive), Gander Outdoors and Dicks. A sleeper is Fleet Farm (not Farm & Fleet).
volzfan59 reply :
Count me in as an Academy fan too! Our Knoxville, TN store used to have a terrible hook and weight selection, more empty pegs than product. Academy seems to have fixed the problem as of spring 2019.
Phil B reply :
Where I live, halfway between St. Louis and Memphis we don’t have much except for academy and wal mart. Academy always has a good selection and reasonable prices. They’ll keep my business.
bowhunter63 reply :
I like Academy prices and selection. Here in Springfield we have the big Bass pro shops and his prices are crazy. Plus we have Lews sportsman warehouse. I just suscribed to bass time for 12 dollars and they sent me a 10 academy gift card. That was pretty cool of them.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
And yet we don’t have Academy in SoCal. I don’t shop at B&M a lot only when I need to see the items.
Just two days ago I went to Dicks to shop for some crappie stuffs, what’s a disappointment, most of the shelf were empty and selections nothing like online.
scaleface reply :
I stopped in Academy last week , while in St Louis and picked up an H2O rod , the cammo one . They are on clearance . The rod had a fore-grip which I demand and they are getting hard to find . i used it yesterday and have zero complaints . I broke my Gander Mountain Lady Guide rod yesterday , really stupid on my part and I'm heading to st Louis again today. Think I'll stop in and pick up another another one or two . That Lady Guide rod was my favorite . I cut the handle down two inches , put a butt cap on it filled with nickles to keep the balance . It was my worm rod and is going to be difficult to replace .
king fisher reply :
crank baits that catch fish for $3.99 at times on sale for $2.99, enough said.
MAN reply :
I heard they are releasing a new Mettle reel soon. So if you like the current one...stock up.
greentrout reply :
On 9/6/2019 at 11:39 PM, MAN said:I heard they are releasing a new Mettle reel soon. So if you like the current one...stock up.
academy will sell a ton of 'em .... in my neck of the woods ...
good fishing ...
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 7/18/2019 at 9:10 AM, raoka said:if only there was an academy within 250 miles of me...haha
You and me both...lol.
rtwvumtneer6 reply :
I'm going to Texas in October and plan to stop at Academy to pick up my license. Looking forward to my first visit, but I'll be limited on what I can take back with me on the plane. Hmmm...????
RB 77 reply :
I WISH I could order stuff from Academy, but alas, I live in Kaliforny, the land of fruits n' nuts and they cant ship here because of the lead proposition and such. Got a great recommendation on some waders from a guy in Texas that swears by them. Of course I couldn't order them. So ridiculous...
MAN reply :
On 9/9/2019 at 7:39 AM, RB 77 said:I WISH I could order stuff from Academy, but alas, I live in Kaliforny, the land of fruits n' nuts and they cant ship here because of the lead proposition and such. Got a great recommendation on some waders from a guy in Texas that swears by them. Of course I couldn't order them. So ridiculous...
Surprised you even still allowed to fish in Cali !!
RB 77 reply :
On 9/9/2019 at 10:23 PM, MAN said:Surprised you even still allowed to fish in Cali !!
Believe me, unfortunately this is a topic of discussion out here more than anyone would ever care to like! Its frickin' absurd to be honest. For example, we have a reservoir out here that is only open 5 months a year, 3 days a week, day light hours only, that has $100 permit fee that you have to buy through Ticketmaster (on top of our $50 fishing license), that is catch and release only, with artificial lures only, with barbless hooks only, with their rental boats only, with no water contact and you cant even use scent! Believe me, I WISH I was making this stuff up.
the reel ess reply :
Academy is the closest store to me with a good selection of tackle. The only competition they have in town is Dick's. As we all know that's no competition at all. I talked myself into one of the Mettle reels because of the good customer ratings. When i went to get it, I opted for the TAC-40 to get the higher retrieve ratio and it just felt like better quality in my hand. It has been a good one thus far. It's on my jig rod, spooled with braid, so it gets some abuse.
the reel ess reply :
On 9/10/2019 at 2:45 AM, RB 77 said:
Believe me, unfortunately this is a topic of discussion out here more than anyone would ever care to like! Its frickin' absurd to be honest. For example, we have a reservoir out here that is only open 5 months a year, 3 days a week, day light hours only, that has $100 permit fee that you have to buy through Ticketmaster (on top of our $50 fishing license), that is catch and release only, with artificial lures only, with barbless hooks only, with their rental boats only, with no water contact and you cant even use scent! Believe me, I WISH I was making this stuff up.
I'm all for conservation, but what you describe there is plain robbery. Come see us in SC.
RB 77 reply :
On 9/10/2019 at 4:51 AM, the reel ess said:I'm all for conservation, but what you describe there is plain robbery. Come see us in SC.
Yup. I agree. CA with the most expensive fishing license in the nation! The hunting costs would make most puke! ugh...
the reel ess reply :
On 9/12/2019 at 9:26 PM, RB 77 said:
Yup. I agree. CA with the most expensive fishing license in the nation! The hunting costs would make most puke! ugh...
That's just begging for poachers.
RB 77 reply :
On 9/12/2019 at 9:57 PM, the reel ess said:That's just begging for poachers.
Yeah, well as I'm sure you can imagine, that's a whole nuther' can o' worms...
Titan reply :
Love Academy! Great selection and the prices usually seem to be better. They have some good sales during the year as well.
GreenGhostMan reply :
Academy is my first stop over Cabela’s, BPS and Dick’s. Their H2O line of crankbaits are great for the price. Especially the CRS Squarebill.
rboat reply :
On 9/10/2019 at 2:45 AM, RB 77 said:
Believe me, unfortunately this is a topic of discussion out here more than anyone would ever care to like! Its frickin' absurd to be honest. For example, we have a reservoir out here that is only open 5 months a year, 3 days a week, day light hours only, that has $100 permit fee that you have to buy through Ticketmaster (on top of our $50 fishing license), that is catch and release only, with artificial lures only, with barbless hooks only, with their rental boats only, with no water contact and you cant even use scent! Believe me, I WISH I was making this stuff up.
RB77, sounds like you guys need to band together and vote the idiots running the state out of office.
To stay on topic, I too love Academy, good stuff, good prices and great sales!
RB 77 reply :
On 9/23/2019 at 12:22 AM, rboat said:RB77, sounds like you guys need to band together and vote the idiots running the state out of office.
To stay on topic, I too love Academy, good stuff, good prices and great sales!
Good grief, ain't that the truth. Even thought this state is MASSIVE in size (3rd largest) and most of it is rural country side, the numbers of outdoors men is greatly dwarfed by urban residents with anything but the future development and sustainability of our fishing and hunting resources. I mean this either physically, politically or philosophically. Adding to that is the fact that a large part of the people who enjoy the recreation the outdoors has to offer are much more likely to go hug a tree, than to sit in one and put food on the table the good old fashion way. The crazy thing is we do have some spectacular fishing (think Dottie or the 25 biggest LMB) and hunting to offer.
And to stay on topic, one of the first things I'm gonna do when I finally get to Texas (my good friend hunts there every year with his family and I'm down to go) is go to an Academy and buy the stuff I want that I can't get shipped here and go eat a Buc-ee's brisket sandwich! haha
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