Lord, be merciful....

[nofearengineer]

I'm driving over to Fayetteville, OH in the next couple of days to pick up a tonneau cover for my truck I found on Craigslist (4 hour drive both ways, but very worth the deal I'm getting). There are two BPS's on the way! I've never been inside a BPS before, but the pictures make it look something like what I envision heaven to be (except for all of the naked 23 year old women ).

I plan on stopping in Clarksville, IN and Cincinnati, OH. Anthony and Bcklash, keep your fingers crossed on those bets you have regarding my bait monkey expenditures.

Do BPS price match between stores? It will be good, because I'll be passing each store twice, and if they only have a certain deal at one, I'll get a chance to compare before I buy.

[rodnreel]

I know the BPS in Cincy is good at price matching. I saw 2 guys at the Cincy store get priced matched product, one was a rod and one was a reel, during the Spring Classic sale a couple weeks ago. I really enjoy that BPS and usually make a couple trips a year to go down and feed the monkey (bout 40 min. drive). The customer service is usually pretty good and they always have something on sale.

[MississippiBoy]

Wait, so there's naked 23 year old women at BPS? But not in your version of heaven? I'm so confused...
And as far as price matching between stores, I'm not sure. Check here and see if you can find where it says "Yea" or "Nay."

[rrw4258]

Oh boy nofear, get ready to take a beating by the monkey.... as far as the price matching goes BPS will usually price match a local store, or some place like cabelas or dicks provided you can show them the proof in the ad or even print it off the computer. BPS also price matches its prices on line as well, so if you see something on the BPS website, print it off and they will price match in the store... The one in cincy is a pretty nice store, and like rodnreel says they almost always have something on sale or on clearance. I found a BPS Pro Qualifier LTD rod there for like $29 last year. Also check their new flyer out (good until April 4)

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...=011&storeID=5

Also, if you have a chance, stop by and check out Dixie Marine, just a couple minutes north of BPS in Cincy... it is a nice little home grown tackle shop that has some pretty nice stuff, they're also a ranger boats dealer. Have Fun!!!
http://www.dixiemarine.com/

Ryan

[TN_Bassin]

Just remember. If on a trip and you plan on going into a BPS for the first time, pack an overnight bag or two.

[Jrob78]

Definitely budget at least a couple of hours to spend looking at everything. They have just about everything you could possibly imagine, the aquariums in the stores are pretty cool too. It's really easy to spend 3 or 4 hours wandering around and not even realize it, especially on your first trip.

[AUFred]

The prices are usually comparable with their catalog. They do not quarantee the same price at the store as the catalog. Some times the store will have a better price on clearance items or slow movers for that particular store. We have a BPS here in town and I visit at least once a week. Most days I walk out empty handed but I kind of like sleeping in my bed and not in the yard.

[bcklash]

We'll have mercy, because you know who won't.

[Cavs1123]

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

I'm driving over to Fayetteville, OH in the next couple of days to pick up a tonneau cover for my truck I found on Craigslist (4 hour drive both ways, but very worth the deal I'm getting). There are two BPS's on the way! I've never been inside a BPS before, but the pictures make it look something like what I envision heaven to be (except for all of the naked 23 year old women ).

I plan on stopping in Clarksville, IN and Cincinnati, OH. Anthony and Bcklash, keep your fingers crossed on those bets you have regarding my bait monkey expenditures.

Do BPS price match between stores? It will be good, because I'll be passing each store twice, and if they only have a certain deal at one, I'll get a chance to compare before I buy.

Dude theres little ears on here!

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by bcklash

We'll have mercy, because you know who won't.

Now what exactly was that bet lash?

BB

[bassboogieman]

Going into Monkey Haven - or BPS as it's more commonly known - will leave you dazed and bewildered. If you are going in alone - YOU ARE A BRAVE MAN, many have been know to enter and not be seen for days. Beware NEWBIE, the MONKEY and his henchmen lurk in nearly every isle. You'll reconize the monkey men by their green shirts - beware of them they have evil powers that will turn the will of the strongest angler to mush. We should all offer up a brief prayer for NFE as he embarks on the most dangerous visit of his life, that he will return to us mentally whole, although certainly lighter in wallet. ENJOY the experience.

[MallenManson]

Sounds like a heck of a plan, Bryce. If you haven't done so already, make sure and check the sale fliers online for both stores.
Tonneau covers must cost a ton of money to drive 4 hours and back for one.

[nofearengineer]

Yes, the tonneau cover I want is $1200'ish. I found a used one (looks great though) for $350. I'll burn about $150 in gas picking it up, but it's still a good deal. It has been strangely hard to find a white one...lots of red ones out there for some reason. Having one painted would cost $400-$500, so this one must be mine.

[keithdog]

The baitmonkeys gonna kick your butt!!! As for the naked 23 year old women, you'll find plenty. They just have clothes on.

[MallenManson]

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

Yes, the tonneau cover I want is $1200'ish. I found a used one (looks great though) for $350. I'll burn about $150 in gas picking it up, but it's still a good deal. It has been strangely hard to find a white one...lots of red ones out there for some reason. Having one painted would cost $400-$500, so this one must be mine.

Wow! I had no idea they were that expensive. I'd drive that far too, I suppose, if I wanted it.
The BPS stops are merely icing on the cake.
By the way....my Bait Monkey and I have been talkin this over. He claims that you are eligible to spend the Tonneau savings on tackle without it going on your record. Any money spent on fuel, roadside assistance, hotel or meals, must be taken off the top though.
Check the air in your tires, eat cheap and shop on!

[nofearengineer]

Just got home. I only spent $82 on gas. That was a nice surprise. I guess I thought it would be a lot higher, because the last time I drove through Cinci' was when I was pulling my boat. I was pretty happy to get around 19 mpg...I only get 12-13 hauling the trailer.

I'm not sure if anyone would even believe how much I spent in BPS.

ZERO!!!

It was really cool in there though. I was probably about to be escorted to the exit if I drooled on that Nitro Z-8 any more. Man, Nitro's have come a LONG WAY from the boats I remember in the 90's.

Is it normal for BPS to not have any Revo's? I was really hoping to see a 2010 SX in person, but alas, that will have to wait. I did however, fondle a BPS Pro Qualifier, which seemed like an exceptional reel for the price. Now I know why some of you guys are always raving about them. Seemed a much better deal than the ghetto-blingety Johnny Morris Signature.

Of course, the sheer number of crankbaits there was staggering. Almost too many (if that's possible). One doesn't exactly know where to start.

I'd have to say my favorite thing was the aquarium. Holy God Almighty. There were two big girls in there that EASILY topped 10 lbs. And a couple of bluegills that pretty much smashed the 2lb mark. I kept waiting for one of the bass or gar to destroy one of the small bluegills or minnows, but they all looked so stuffed they probably couldn't eat another morsel without going all "Mr. Creosote".

Anyways, it was a fun first visit. I'm sure there will be more, hopefully on my way to or back from Dale.

P.S. The tonneau cover is fabulous. Just some rust on one of the hinges, and on one of the shocks...nothing a little sandpaper and Krylon won't make look brand new. Needs some lubing and adjusting, but it made the trip home with no problems, and looked hawt doing it.

[Bob Smith]

Hopefully, you will make it down to the Dallas Ft-Worth area some day and go to the Grapevine BPS just north of the airport. I've been to the one in Cincy last year and it is way small compared to the one in DFW. I heard the one in Springfield, Missouri (store #1) is monumental to all of the rest. It surprises me that they didn't have the Revos though. I can't remember if the one in Macon, or Lawrenceville, GA have them or not.
At any rate I am impressed that came out of there without spending a cent!

[Bubba_Bruiser]

That is an accomplishment in itself NFE. I actually passed up the one in Denham Springs today for the first time in many years. There were many things that I wanted, but nothing I needed.

[MrPhotographer06]

Originally Posted by Jrob78

Definitely budget at least a couple of hours to spend looking at everything. They have just about everything you could possibly imagine, the aquariums in the stores are pretty cool too. It's really easy to spend 3 or 4 hours wandering around and not even realize it, especially on your first trip.

X2 on that.. Especially if youre into anything besides fishing.
my first time there, i spent close to 3 hours.. and still left stuff out. I'd look at camping stuff, then fishing,then hunting, then back to camping, then boating to look at canoes.. then to fishing ,then to bowfishing, then back to camo its a big circle place. just have fun

[BigBassin144]

Bryce, I call BS!

I don't think, after spending over $50 less in gas than you planned, that it is possible, as a fisherman, to go to BPS and spend NOTHING.




As for the Revo's. Our BPS has had the STX and Premier almost since they were available, but just only recently got the SX (within the last few weeks for the spring classic).

BB

[nofearengineer]

They had all of their baitcasters on their rod-butt display...even had quite a few Abu round reels. I don't know...maybe they had all of their Revos behind the counter...but that doesn't make much business sense. Their staff was all over the place, and I didn't feel like talking to anyone, so maybe I just missed them. Hard to do in a place that big, right?

Man...my truck got stuck backing out of the guy's swamp, er, I mean driveway, after we got the cover installed. Good thing his white Dakota was a 4x4. He slapped a tow strap on my hitch ball and gave me a tug out. how embarassing! My next truck will definitely be a 4WD, damn the expense.

Man, I still can't say enough about that red Z-8 they had. A lot of boat for $30k.

[Jrob78]

I was in the aforementioned Grapevine store last night and didn't notice any of the 2010 SX's, they do have all the other Revo's though.

Congrats on your first trip to BPS, it can become a little overwhelming, they have so many lures and rows and rows of plastics. It gets hard to pick anything out sometimes, I just give up and go home.

[BigBassin144]

Bryce's, BPS doesn't have any of the revos over an S on display on the fake rod handles. All the other ones are in the glass display case and you have to ask to see them.

BB

[screwballl]

Next time I am in my local store, I will take a pic of the fish here... they have a small saltwater aquarium here with a few fish. No bass or freshwater fish .

[Jrob78]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

Bryce's, BPS doesn't have any of the revos over an S on display on the fake rod handles. All the other ones are in the glass display case and you have to ask to see them.

BB

My BPS has all the casting reels, with the exception of the salt water reels, on the fake handles. Steez, Calais, Revo's, Core's they're all out to be fondled. Some of the high end spinning reels are in the cases though.