Bass Pro Grand Opening (gong show)

nicemustang · #1 04-07-2009, 08:55 PM

WOW....just got back from the grand opening...so many people. My 6th time there already

Arrived at about 5:45 and had to wait in line to park (20 minutes) then there was a line to get in but it was short, huge lineups for autographs, live entertainment, April Vokley is super hot, etc. So many people...when we left at 7:45ish it was about a 45 minute wait to park and 20 minutes in line so I overheard. Spent about $150 on summer lures, raps and stuff mostly, that were on sale. Will go back tomorrow for 8:00 am on my way to work to get my gift card, might still by that belly boat on sale for $72.00

Otherwise, good times. Glad to see all the people there and tonnes of people buying stuff. Seems like no recession going on which is good to see for them and they stick around. Still fine tuning everything, make sure you watch when they scan your sale items to make sure they are discounted.

Cheers!

slingshotz · #2 04-07-2009, 09:49 PM

I went there too at 6:15 and must have just missed the line you encountered but it was a bit too chaotic in there. I think I saw your Tahoma there in the crazy parking lot.

I need a good half day in there, I could only handle about a hour of the crowds.

Did anyone see the Toyota hatchback that tried to pretend it was a 4X4 and park in the muddy field across the parking entrance? It was buried right up to the doors. Someone was obviously a little too excited to get inside!

ULTRAlite · #3 04-07-2009, 09:59 PM

Was there too - first time. Too much to take in with that many people in there. Gonna be back for the rod holders and belly boat you mentioned. Picked up the Berkley Superlight combo which was a pretty good deal. Gonna need lots more trips

What I really noticed were all the small displays of vintage fishing lures, reels, and outboards. Looks like ALOT of work put in to make it an "experience".

Kingfisher · #4 04-07-2009, 10:06 PM

Ya we went there also and I saw that stupid vehicle burried up to the axles. If I had of had my truck I would have pulled them out. But I had the wife's Blazer and no tow rope.

What a zoo in there. Good prices on clothing.

No way was I going to wait for hours to go see Mantracker though. Their sounds system was pathetic. They had a few Eastern bass tournament fisherman there saying something on the microphone. All I could hear was WA, WA, WA bla, bla, bla. Not even audible. It sounded like the teacher on the Peanuts comic.

I was sadly dissapointed in the fly fishing area. Being a fly tier I thought I'd pick up a few hooks and some 1/8th gold beads. Only had one package of the Tiemco hooks I was looking for. So I bought it. They had no 1/8th gold beads. I asked about tunsten beads. The guy behind the counter didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Sad, truely sad. Fishtales and the other shops that carry fly fishing equipment and tying supplies have nothing to worry about.

nicemustang · #5 04-07-2009, 10:46 PM

Yes, I've heard that about the fly area. I think it will get better though. Give it some time. I'm no fly fisher so I can't comment, haven't even been over there except to walk through to get fudge.

Sandalius · #6 04-07-2009, 11:00 PM

Well, I too was there tonight. 45 (blanking) minutes from the Balsac corner to the parking lot

It was definitely a gong show, looked at a few new bows and some other stuff that I don't really need - nothing to get excited about ( price wise ). I'll be back in the AM to have a closer look with out so many people bumping into me.

jts1 · #7 04-07-2009, 11:03 PM

Was there tonight also , was packed with people. best part was the deer mounts. Unfricknbelivable....... What would you do for a deer like this ??

http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/j...m/Bass%20Shop/

Sandalius · #8 04-07-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jts1

What would you do for a deer like this ??

Whatever it takes - get it on the ground first, run up to it as fast as you can, if he tries to get up .......... tackle him and have a rolling death match on the ground. Whoever gets up first is the winner !!

BigBuck$ · #9 04-07-2009, 11:15 PM

I made my second trip down today as well. Spent way too much money this time!!!! I was looking forward to meeting some of the celeb's but I was under the impression that they were going to be there all day not just after 6:00. I got down there first thing this morning and it was great........only a few people in the store.

I have to say this is by far the best outdoor store that I have ever seen when it comes to customer service. Seems like alot of the staff are retired people that are going back to work as a hobby (in the fishing department anyways). Its nice to see staff that will stand around and BS about the one that got away rather than just try to sell you something. Very knowlegable people in their fishing department as well. We had one staff member do a demo on a couple of different braided lines, how they spool on different reels, how to tie a knot in spiderwire etc.

As for their selection of equipment it is already great IMO. I was looking for a specific GLoomis spinning rod and I asked one of the guys if he had one. Lucky for my VISA he didn't but he told me that they still haven't recieved their major shipments on most of the rods yet!!! Acording to him there will be two full rows of GLoomis & St Croix rods plus another full row of jus Shimano stuff.

Going to need a second job