Valdosta has had the Gander now for some time and I see that parking lot empty most of the time, Academy has things i can't find elsewhere in Valdosta like springs for my elctronics box, boating supply stuff, Rods and reels suck at both places, Gander has guns and its is a draw for some, not me. I do like the clothes and deals on them at academy, but wife finds those deals elsewhere. A while ago we went up to BPS in Macon when they first opened up and got some bucks for test driving a (New then) Tundra i really had a hard time finding anything i needed Kingfish rigs, 4x trebbles and such and went to the Academy there and got what i was looking for including some stuff I wasn't (clothes hats etc) because of prices. I don't shop Kevins becasue I just am not in Tally that often I like the store they have good "local" SALT waters selections that you will NOT find at Gander or Academy in Valdosta, i spoke with and employee at Gander about lack of saltwater tackel and it of course was a "box" store answer they put out what corporate tells them. Sad I said becasue you have an aweful lot of Saltwater anglers in town. I get what I need from Ms judy at Fishermans Paradise and she'll order me (save on shipping) just about anything I want even reels I know she woudln't carry, also Dave does the best job of putting Braid ona reel I've ever seen.
My thumbs up go to the local shops Kevins, FP, South Georgia outdoors! I'd rather order from tackle direct than give my money to the others or stop at Crum's on the way to Lanark and give Ronald my $. Oh and my Diesel Jetta gets better gas milage than almost all the hybrids and i know it will blow the doors off them all!
