I have it on fairly good authority that the Gander in Grandville is no longer going to carry fishing and camping equipment after their current sale ends. They are conceding to the upcoming Cabelas and will only carry guns, bows, and hunting apparel and accessories. I hope this isn't true. Competition breads better pricing for the outdoorsman. Makes me worry about smaller shops like Al and Bob's and the Outdoorsman. I sure hope they don't give up because places like those carry many of the local hand poors and such you just can't get at the big box stores.
For those who didn't know everything in the fishing department at the Grandville store is currently 15-25% off. And I do mean everything. Rods, reels, baits, accessories, etc... I will say there are no tungsten worm weights over 1/4 oz left though.... I bought them all!!
seems stupid. cabelas will carry the same stuff - i would think fishing tackle is one way to differentiate yourselves by carry the specialty stuff the local guys want - like for salmon trolling.
Personaly I would love to see that happen up here. GM has become one of the worst places to shop in TC. They put bass baits and gear up by mid august. Their BP gear has now been downsized to 50 cal only. Lots of stuff put up before the season even gets close to ending.
Gander still better than MC Sports in TC.
I have never been a fan of Gander Mountain, so it doesn't hurt my feelings one bit. As far as Al and Bob's, I ould hate to se a negative impact on their business. I really like that shop. I'm not real fond of Cabela's either, but I'm sure they will eventually get a few dollars out of my pocket. I sure wish we could get a Bass Pro Shops here in Muskegon. But, I would still have to drive to Al and Bob's for some of the good stuff.
There is a new Cabelas opening in the Saginaw area soon and I was thinking the gander mountian might have a hard time staying open. In my opinion they are below average in the fishing department as it is. They do carry a decent selection of baits but their rod and reel selection is pretty bad. We usually make the trip to Bass Pros when we want a new setup
Mike,
BPS is a nice place to visit but in my option there the Wallmart of big box outdoor stores
the cheap stuff it's worth buying and name brand stuff it way to high
I agree. Not near as fun to go there as it used to be.
But, BPS does carry a lot of things Gander and many other big box stores do not. Lucky Craft for one, and I spend nearly as much time in thier clothing and accessories sections as I do in the fishing area. Some of the BPS branded baits are really good. Thier tungsten spoons are great for example. Many of thier plastics compete just fine with "name brand" stuff. But you are right... most of their hard baits are second rate (in my opinion anyway).
For rod and reel selection they can't be beat in most cases... and the BPS branded ones are quality you can't get at the same price from another manufacturer. I'm not saying they are on par with Loomis or higher models from St. Croix or Shimano, but they are great products for their price.
As I said, I like having more than one place to shop, so I hope the info I got about Gander is false. Oh, and they can build a BPS in west Michigan any time they want!
By the way, you haven't been to a Bass Pro Shop till you've been to the original store in Springfield, Missouri. It's to die for!!!!
Don't forget about Dick's in the Grandville mall. They have a pretty good selection of bass tackle. I usually hit the Gander and Dick's while the family shops the mall.
Dick's is the best we have in Muskegon. Sadly, it doesn't hold a candle to the Dick's stores I've been to in Grand Rapids.
Quote from: Mike S. on December 28, 2012, 07:48:27 AM
Dick's is the best we have in Muskegon. Sadly, it doesn't hold a candle to the Dick's stores I've been to in Grand Rapids.
I agree. For some reason Muskegon is a fishing tackle wasteland.
After Steves Shiner Shack went out of business (again) I pretty much gave up on getting bass gear in this area.
Never heard of that one. Are you referring to Angler Archer? Or Dawn to Dusk? They're the only ones I can think of that went out of business.
Only the Dicks in Grandville has anything worth looking at. The one in Kentwood is just as bad as the one in Muskegon.
Quote from: Mike S. on December 29, 2012, 03:04:43 PM
Never heard of that one. Are you referring to Angler Archer? Or Dawn to Dusk? They're the only ones I can think of that went out of business.
The Shiner Shack was just west of Nunica on M-104. I used to work in Coopersville so I would swing in there a couple of times a week. Steve probably had more bass tackle on the shelves than any place in West Michigan.
Dropped a bundle at Gander Mtn. in Grandville. 50% off all tackle and ice fishing tackle: clams, power augers, regular augars, ice armor suits, etc. 40% off all marine stuff including boat oil. They will not be carrying fishing any longer, just guns and camping. Guys were buying a ton of stuff. They are out of a lot of stuff already.
Did they still have Yamalube?
Don't recall seeing any yamalube. I did go back again this morning though. Wish I would have checked GLB first, but I didn't. The fishing tackle is getting picked over quite a bit. There are still some great deals though.
i've got more gammi hooks than i know what to do with now :D
I got two Frabil Ice Fishing suits, plus a cart full of hooks, lures, oil, etc. My wife even went with me. She saw the deals and set me loose.
I only spent $64 Friday. Not sure I needed any deep diving crankbaits, but they sure look pretty! Maybe the fish at Bullshoals and Table Rock will think so too???
Saw your other post Mike on those deep divers. Going down to D&R on Wednesday for a 6:30 pm seminar by JVD on fishing crankbaits. Would like to also talk to JVD about the Green Bay event. Got room for a rider?
I needed to update my chargers so I stopped in last night. Ended up getting two Minn Kota 220 D's for $107 a piece (MSRP $220). I had a smile on my face the whole time I stood in line to check out.
I couldn't believe they still had some KVD crankbaits left. Nabbed some of them and some Terminator spinnerbaits. Would have liked to bought them out of Rage Tails in a couple of colors but they looked like they had been on the shelf for a couple of years.
How long before they put the rods 50% off? I'd like to be there that day for sure.
i was tempted to buy all the chargers they had and resell them online lol.
Quote from: Dan on January 06, 2013, 10:42:19 AM
Saw your other post Mike on those deep divers. Going down to D&R on Wednesday for a 6:30 pm seminar by JVD on fishing crankbaits. Would like to also talk to JVD about the Green Bay event. Got room for a rider?
Wish I could Dan but I have plans that night already. Thanks for the offer though! Take notes for me. ;)