Bass Pro Shops

I'm at a conference right now in Nashville and visited a Bass Pro Shop today.  If you ever get the chance to visit one of these places go for it.  Take the biggest fishing store in Portland and multiply it by 4.  The place is huge.  Love it!

I went to the one outside Kansas City and was impressed. But,they had nothing i could use here in the Pacific Northwest. Also, i didn't want any of my sales tax money funding the Kansas state school board and their efforts to make their students scientifically illiterate.  Still enjoyed browsing, though.

- 1. I'm a bit biased towards Cabelas. They put food on my table and pay my bills. Soon they will be taking some of that back......ya think?

- 1. I'm a bit biased towards Cabelas. They put food on my table and pay my bills. Soon they will be taking some of that back......ya think?

I prefer Cabela's as well. But only if I can make a purchase in their store.  I don't order online from them because their shipping rates are ridiculous. I love my Cabela's extreme weather tent. It was awesome it the ORC last year.

The stores are prett nice, but if you spend any amount of time there you will be required to become a NASCAR fan

I used to get their Saltwater Fishing catalog "Offshore Angler" as it was my favorite daydreaming read in the family library / reading room.  Sat in a magazine rack right next to the toilet paper   

How does their super stores compare in size to the Lacey Cabela's ?     With Cabela's,  I utilize there free shipping - in/store pick up option.

Hey Rich, are you going to be working at Cabelas now? When is the Grand Opening?

Yeah, I totally agree about the Nascar comment.  There is a serious redneck vibe down there in Tennessee.  Camo is just a part of life!   

Longtime BPS customer. Shop at Cabelas too. Don't support NASCAR or BASSCAR and the only time my neck has been red is when it was sunburned.

If you have ever been in the Lacey Cabelas store, most BPS are about the same size. Biggest one i've seen is the Springfield Mo. Flagship store. Comparable in size to the Sidney NE Cabelas.

Toss up really between which retailer you prefer. Each has it's merits, Cabelas has better selection of camping gear and that dept. is usually laid out better than a BPS will be. BPS has unusually huge fishing depts, and not all of it is bass related... Looking back, it's taken them a while to adjust to other methods and styles of fishing. But, that orientation akes sense since BPS core business is fishing and Cabelas is to outfit whatever adventure you dream up if they can.

Right now, Cabelas has an edge in PacNW due to having two stores in WA and however many in OR. Closest BPS are Manteca, CA and some place in Alberta, Canada. Don't think there will be one up our way any time soon.

In the end, ya pays your money, ya takes yer chances

My neck may be a little red from living in NC, I am not a NASCAR fan. I have been getting BPS catalogs and mail ordering from them since they first started sending catalogs out in 1974. I remember as a kid that when I was waiting on an order, running outside every time I heard a truck, hoping it was the UPS man delivering the goods. I think I drove my mother nuts. Early on it was a long process. Fill out order form, give mom cash, wait for mom to write check, mail in order with check, wait forever for order to be processed and the goods delivered. Easily 2-3 weeks turn around. I have ordered from Cabela's but not nearly as much as from BPS. I went to the Cabela's in Eugene and thought the fishing department small compared to the BPS I went to in Florida.

In the end, I love every fishing store. On a given day I love the place with that has the lowest price on what I want! Mostly, I am grateful that there is a Fisherman's on the West side and I am starting to really like Hogg's out in Hillsboro. The local guys get most of my cash now. I mostly only mail order fishing stuff that they do not carry in stock - like bulk spools of line.

I too try to spend all my money in local owned shops and on locally made gear.  NO offense to those who like or frequent Cabela's or Bass Pro but for me they have that small shop killing Walmart vibe to them.

I too try to spend all my money in local owned shops and on locally made gear.  NO offense to those who like or frequent Cabela's or Bass Pro but for me they have that small shop killing Walmart vibe to them.

I agree Pelagic. I now spend most of my money at local stores if they have what I need. However, growing up BPS was magical. I started using spinnerbaits for bass many years before anyone else at my local lakes because they were not available. Also, I was the first person around to have plastic worms other than the black or purple pre-rigged Creme worms. Man I was really one cocky little shit back then

I too try to spend all my money in local owned shops and on locally made gear.  NO offense to those who like or frequent Cabela's or Bass Pro but for me they have that small shop killing Walmart vibe to them.

I agree Pelagic. I now spend most of my money at local stores if they have what I need. However, growing up BPS was magical. I started using spinnerbaits for bass many years before anyone else at my local lakes because they were not available. Also, I was the first person around to have plastic worms other than the black or purple pre-rigged Creme worms. Man I was really one cocky little shit back then

I too only purchase locally now unless I can't find what I want.  I have found that Fisherman's beats Cabela's and Bass Pro Shop price wise almost all the time (for the stuff I want).  When you throw in shipping charges, BPS and Cabela's can't compete IMHO. Then, when Fisherman's has a sale, they blow the big boys out of the water.  And they always seem to have a sale.  I got sucked into spending some more money there today when I picked up my Shimano warranty replacement rods.  I had to get some bead chains for Springers.   That being said, I do love my Cabela's X-treme Weather Tent and Salt Striker reels.  Since no one locally has anything comparable, I will probably go back and get another tent if this one wears out.

Guys, local is fine if you can do it. I spend about 300 days a year traveling for uncle sugar and many times dont have that option. Since i 've spent so much over the years i ended up with a premium rated rewards membership and shipping is now inder $20.00 for me anywhere in the US. Sorry but its what works for me in my situation.

Guys, local is fine if you can do it. I spend about 300 days a year traveling for uncle sugar and many times dont have that option. Since i 've spent so much over the years i ended up with a premium rated rewards membership and shipping is now inder $20.00 for me anywhere in the US. Sorry but its what works for me in my situation.

+1 WR