I buy about 50% online from numerous places no one in particular and the other 50% from local shops, where I generally walk in a panic at peak season looking for something I just lost. And it's a bitch to get good live eels online.
I do plan to order a ton of stuff this winter online and have overkill for next year. (plugs reels line and general gear)I plan on placing a 3 year supply order in.
I have dropped some reasonable coin with both sponsors. It always seems every time I walk into a tackle store I spend at least $150-200 my wife says even with all the fish I do catch it is cheaper to go to Champlins and buy the fish what you want to eat. (But she admits that it is cheaper now then when I had the 36 footer and would tank up on a weekly basis!)
I just tell her "I go to fish, not to bring home dinner". She understands my fishing weakness this time of year and I have to say bends over backwards (sotospeak
) and lets me escape as needed in sept oct and nov to get my fill of surf action.
However, we really need a Goosehummock type of shop in RI, I was up there a year or so ago...you see the lures that guys has!
I envion a wallmart size shop just for fishing tackle and gear in gansett someplace.... The Ocean State Needs this !!