Cabela's

[jeb 92]

I for one miss Sportsmans. I may be an minority but I loved the smell of the store when I walked in. (haha) I was happy to be in a sporting goods store and the bait selection was incredible. They prices were great when they first opened but when they were hurting, they raised their prices a little. It just got worse. I still miss the store though. It was a fun experience.

I liked it okay, but really never bought much tackle there, but some shooting and camping supplies.

I'm sure I will enjoy the new Cabelas too. I've only been in one and that was in Dallas and it's a little bigger than this one. Maybe the same size?

According to the Cabela's website, the Ft. Worth/Dallas stores is 230K sq ft. Ours will be 100k. So less than half the size.

[Quillback 7,429]

Kinda stinks that they're putting a mini-Cabelas here. I want the full store experience.

[Stump bumper 527]

I am sure though we will be able to order through the catalog and save shipping and get sale items not advertised on line without paying shipping. It has to be a better place to shop then Academy.

[Feathers and Fins 234]

Academy is a "Sporting goods store" Cabelas is an {Outfitter) Academy caters more to sports where Cabelas will cater more to the outdoors. The more and more I have been looking on line at Cabelas the more I think I will go there for only things I cant get at Hook line and Sinker and of course sales Its funny im in Branson and Springfield a couple times a month and I can walk in to either of the BPS and not spend a dime. I like to buy what works not the eye candy stuff.

[jeb 92]

I am sure though we will be able to order through the catalog and save shipping and get sale items not advertised on line without paying shipping.

You know, that's one of the drawbacks to getting a Cabela's. Now online orders will have local sales tax added since they have a store in Ark. But maybe you're right and they might do a free ship to store deal, which would make up for some of the tax.

It has to be a better place to shop the Academy.

Without a doubt!

[Stump bumper 527]

I really hope they have reps coming in and fixing reels and giving classes. I have a shiminio Citica that needs some little springs and to be put back together after I took it apart for cleaning and it never got put back together.....

[jeb 92]

Not sure if you know, but the Bass Pro Outlet store next to their Springfield BP store has a lot of reel parts. And folks that work on them, too.

[denjac 164]

I'm glad we're getting it and all, but doubt I'll do much buying there. It's going to be a tiny Cabela's compared to their other stores, about half the size of their KC store (100k sq ft vs 180k sq ft). So I'd guess their selection will be limited. The only other small Cabela's I've been in, the one in St. Louis, is pretty underwhelming. My least favorite of the 10+ Cabela's I've visited around the country. I swear that store is half womens clothing. I suspect this one will be, too, given where it's located.

I used to live about 40 minutes away from the one in Owatonna, MN. Shopped there a LOT as I was a huge pheasant hunter up there. I like Cabela's more for hunting stuff, Bass Pro more for fishing stuff.

You will be paying full retail on 99% of the stuff at Cabela's, except the occasional sale and the Bargain Cave. The Cave used to be great, but with Cabela's more restrictive return policy these days (and I don't blame them for that), the selection is more limited now. If I'm going to pay full retail for something, I'd rather give the business to a local shop. Sometimes the local guys will even give a guy a deal on the more expensive stuff, too.

You used to live in Owatonna? I used to live in Kenyon. Small world.

[Stump bumper 527]

Not sure if you know, but the Bass Pro Outlet store next to their Springfield BP store has a lot of reel parts. And folks that work on them, too.

Yea I have bought some refurbished reels there, but never think to take it with me when I am going through there. I also have a BPS reel that has a broken plastic ring that makes it sing and would like to use it again. But if I get all my reels fixed then I will need more rods........

[jeb 92]

You used to live in Owatonna? I used to live in Kenyon. Small world.

No, I didn't live there, just shopped there a lot! I lived in Rochester for 30 years, and Hastings for 5. So we were virtual neighbors. And it is indeed a small world!