Went to Bass Pro Shops today

[Tagger]

still haven't been .. How were the crowds ? do they look like they'er going to make it ? Do they have a resteraunt there too ..?

[BigBo]

Still haven't been and don't have any plans to any time soon. I've bought from their catalog in the past. Mostly clothing and hunting gear. That's about the extent of it though.

[stripadan]

Going next week, mainly for hunting clothing and boots. Buy my fishing and hunting equipment from small local shops whenever possible.

[Backbeach Jake]

I have to go to Providence to pick up my boy, Noah for the Holidays. BPS is at the halfway point and they're open until 6 tonight. I'll try to talk him into a recon mission this afternoon. I'll file a report if I make it in.

[fishonnelsons]

Wait until March or so, then you'll see the saltwater selection get expanded dramatically. They had to open up the store fast (before Christmas) and probably focused on what they would sell in the season so to say.

They will be there much longer than 3 years, the bell curve of shoppers, that 75% of the population, will head there for the selection and awe of the place. Add to it the expectation they are getting a "better" deal, which is probably only about 10%, sad to say they will probably shop there alot. The majority of the more serious folks, the other end of the bell curve and the folks that frequent these sites etc., will (thank God) still frequent the local shops for all the right reasons.

Hey, Bass Pro, Cabella's, and the list goes on, all offer something, the little guys just have to continually adjust to ensure we offer the goods and services (reel repair, rod building, seminars)which keep people coming back.

[Swimmer]

Originally Posted by Tagger

still haven't been .. How were the crowds ? do they look like they'er going to make it ? Do they have a resteraunt there too ..?

Small place to eat upstairs, which was cheap. Two italian subs with drinks for less than $9.00.

Lounge on the first floor where I believe they served liquor.

[Pete_G]

Bastards have flyers on the table at Anthony's Seafood in Middletown.

Putting flyers in a store across the street from Sam's B+T and a 1/4 mile from the SWE. Nice. They aren't stupid, that's for sure.

Maybe I'll hand out SWE pamphlets at the first play off game at Gilette and see what happens.

[BigFish]

I was in there today Pete.....I wouldn't worry too much! No Salt! I got a gift card for Christmas and I couldn't even spend the $25.00!

[Backbeach Jake]

I just got back from there. Bells and whistles. Freshy stuff galore. A little saltwater stuff. To be perfectly honest the prices were comparable to our local guys. No hooks that I could use on plugs. Did buy some polar hair and a pair of glacier gloves. 20 bucks and done. It is a sight to behold tho...

[Joe]

If they knew more about the local saltwater market, they would enter it with both feet. Truth is, they're leaving millions of dollars on the table by not adding a relatively small product mix (at least by their standards).
They are still a nationally focused company. In the coming years, I would look for them to regionalize stores to a degree to more closely compete with established mid and large-size shops that are still viable. All they would have to do is add the items to the stores from Maryland-Maine and update their website - it could be done in a matter of weeks. If you're counting on vendors to not sell to them, you're in a dream world.

[GonnaCatchABig1]

BPS is going to me my to place for accessories i think.
ya know. tackle bags, boxes, clothes etc.

but just about everything else is gonna be from the local shop in what ever area i am fishing.