My Wife Thinks The World Is Ending

[rps]

I was in Springfield yesterday and of course I stopped at Mecca. I had one item I wanted to buy and another I was considering. If I had purchased both, it would have been over $400.

They had neither item - no Revo MGX, no rod sleeves worth owning. They also did not have the new Curado or the other fancy new reel by Daiwa. I walked out without spending anything (thus my wife's disbelieving panic).

Speculation: I am old enough to remember visiting a sporting goods store in New York in 1960. I loved the place. Abercrombie and Fitch. L.L. Bean was once firmly centered on hunting and fishing. Every visit I make to the anchor store in Springfield, the more I notice the fishing tackle space is shrinking. Do you suppose Johnny is following the Ambercrombie model, but at the WalMart price points? Just sayin'

[Chief Grey Bear]

Yeah have you noticed the fishing is in what I call the basement off to one of the building???

[Mitch f]

I was in Springfield yesterday and of course I stopped at Mecca. I had one item I wanted to buy and another I was considering. If I had purchased both, it would have been over $400.

They had neither item - no Revo MGX, no rod sleeves worth owning. They also did not have the new Curado or the other fancy new reel by Daiwa. I walked out without spending anything (thus my wife's disbelieving panic).

Speculation: I am old enough to remember visiting a sporting goods store in New York in 1960. I loved the place. Abercrombie and Fitch. L.L. Bean was once firmly centered on hunting and fishing. Every visit I make to the anchor store in Springfield, the more I notice the fishing tackle space is shrinking. Do you suppose Johnny is following the Ambercrombie model, but at the WalMart price points? Just sayin'

I was there a couple of months ago and noticed the same thing, couldn't find any name brand rods that I was interested in. They obviously want you to buy the BPS label.

[fishinSWMO]

I have been disappointed the last few trips I made to the store.

Prices are higher on items you can pick up some where else.

Lack of any good sales on items people want.

Even the outlet store has been a bust for awhile.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Aren't they building a new Academy in Joplin? And does Academy have good selection and values?

[Flysmallie]

BPS has been out of the fishing business for several years. It's just a tourist attraction now, Johnny Morris is the ultimate sell out.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Aren't they building a new Academy in Joplin? And does Academy have good selection and values?

Supposed to be but I haven't seen any action yet. Just went by the old Southtown bait. Heard they were going to rebuild too. Nothing but a concrete pad with a for sale sign.

I wish we had a Roger's down here like in Liberty. That is a true hunting and fishing store. No running shoes or baseball bats for sale in there! No bbq grills or workout equipment. Just everything a hunter or fisherman could ever want. And lots of it!

[KCRIVERRAT]

I agree Chief. Rogers is a great store up here. And that's whare I buy all my stuff.

[Feathers and Fins]

Academy is a Joke and always has been. I have one near me and go there because it has a few things, I do go to BPS Springfield when im up there and agreed the place is looking more like a anything for sports and BP Brand them a store for fishermen and hunters.

I find myself buying more from Rogers or other online Shops then BP anymore! Use to be they were where to go. Im going to clear out my spinning and bait casting gear this winter and rebuild it all from scratch because I found out the gentleman who use to build Sabre Rods is making CALSTAR! Anyone who ever fished with a Sabre knows there is none better, even my custom rods couldnt compare.

I will give Cabelas a Look when they build the new one in rogers, but i honestly wish Sportsmans Warehouse could have stayed.

[rps]

Online, I trade with Tackle Warehouse, Janns Netcraft, and LandBigFish as well as Cabelas. When I get an urge for a real fishing store I drop by Hook, Line, and Sinker in Rogers. They are way too tournament oriented for me, but they do try to carry the good stuff.