Academy Sports

[JIm Smith]

You would think a place like Gainsville would have more to offer , we have a Gander in Ocala but other than that Wally world is the next best thing. It,s either go to Jax or orlando or St Agustine . The old Tackel box closed and Gary opened up a new place ,great guy but not munch inventory. I have said this to say that it's not any better here in Gainsville. I have always wanted to have an Amway for fishing and hunting

[reelbad]

I HAVE SEEN THE ADD'S ON T/V ABOUT THE GRAND OPENING OF THE STORE BUT THEY DO NOT TELL YOU WHERE THE STORE IS LOCATED, DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THIS NEW STORE IS LOCATED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
PA
SOUTH FORTY
SEMPER FI

Pa the Academy sports store is on Mahan Drive aprox 1/4 mile east of Capital Circle.

[Dubble Trubble]

Went by the new Gander in Valdosta today. In my opinion, their gun prices are way to high! Ammo too! Got my Glocks cheaper from Heath at South Georgia Outdoors.

I agree on doing local business with local folks when you can.

Dubble

[FUTCHCAIRO]

HEY REELBAD, THANKS FOR THE LOCATION, APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. I MIGHT GET BY THERE WHEN I GO TO THE VETERANS CLINIC NEXT MONTH.
PA
SEMPER FI

[MudDucker]

There is NOTHING in Moultrie. Walmart is pitiful. We do have one little bait and tackle that carries a decent selection of lures and a small gun store. Cairo is about 45 minutes away and really out of my way driving and I try to avoid Albany these days. Valdosta is a whole lot closer that Tallahassee for me. I went in the Gander Mountain store yesterday and it was pretty good. They could make some small changes in what they carry. I liked the fact that they don't clutter up the store with a bunch of Chinese made low end knock off junk like BPS does. The gun section is probably the biggest I've ever been in. With Gander and Academy it will sure be nice for me not to have to make the long drive to Tallahassee.

That said, I'll shop a local owned store first if they have what I want and price it reasonably. What and where are the local fishing and hunting stores in Valdosta? I've been in the marine store in front of the mall and they had a fair selection but were extremely expensive. I've not noticed a decent hunting or fishing store while in town and an internet search didn't reveal anything.

In Valdosta we have several locally owned stores. T3 outdoors (on Perimeter Rd. near older Walmart) and Paradise Fishing (Castle Park shopping center off of Bemis) are the two main ones that I go by when I get to go by any of them. There are a couple of gun shops around too.

[MudDucker]

Both Academy and Gander Mountain have had very successful stores in other parts of GA and FL for a good while now so they know the market. I'm just excited to be able to drive 30 minutes instead of well over an hour.

According to the sign and online, this is the FIRST Gander in Georgia. I had to go that way last night and the parking lot was packed. They have NO sales at this point, so I guess this is just curiosity seekers or rich folk.

[Rhettley]

I meant as a combination they have stores in both states. Gander has stores in Fl and Academy in both. The Academy stores in Macon and Augusta are nice.

I tried to shop local this morning in Thomasville. I meant to pick up a couple of Skitterwalks while in Gander and forgot to so I stopped by the pool store in Thomasville that has the hunting and fishing section attached. They were about $9 per Skitterwalk, well over $2 higher on the lure than Gander, which is more than I was willing to pay. They did get $20 out of me for a reel cleaning and repair.

[dolphinatic]

Having shopped at Academy in both Mobile and Pensacola, I can assure you it will be stocked for this area. Also, it's prices will be extremely competitive. I would prefer to shop local but the customer service, or lack there of, that I've experienced at local stores is laughable. It also seems like there's an unwritten rule that most of the prices will automatically be above the retail cost. I'm excited about Academy moving in.

[Redfin]

Just went by - packed out as expected for opining day - great selection. Much better than SW. HUGE store.

[CairoTrout]

Rhettley, if you go the Valdosta way stop in Adel at Adel Outfiiters or go see Jud at T3. You will get good service at both or come to Cairo! I want everyone on this site to realize this site is ran off of site sponsors and you will never see an Academy or Gander sponsor us. Shop local with people like Kevin's and South Georgia Outdoors.

[silverking]

Just got back as well. Had to drive around the lot a couple times before I parked in the other area by Publix that hasn't opened yet.

It is a huge store and was loaded with shoppers. Almost as many salespeople. Saw a couple folks from the forum.

Quick peek at the gun counter (too crowded) and nice marine/camping sections. Great selection of terminal tackle, saltwater lures and moderate priced rods/reels. Also have a lot of kayak stuff. Checked out the labels on many items--Made in China (not that that's unusual anywhere else these days, unfortunately).

I'll continue to shop with local stores/site sponsors unless they happen to be suing to overturn the net ban, in which case I'll never step foot inside. But Texas-based Academy is a big supporter of Coastal Conservation Association and they are employing local folks, so I'll patronize them on occasion. The only MLB team gear they're carrying is the Atlanta Braves, so they won big points with me for that decision, too.

[EddieJoe]

Went today as well. As others have Already noted, a big place. Lots of lures and accs but short on rods beyond basic versions. Kevin's has a much better selection of higher quality rods and reels and since shimano rarely discounts, prices are probably the same. I saw a lot of carts overflowing so people are buying. I purchased a couple of cedar planks for the grill.
That's all.
Ej

Sk:
You mean you aren't going to stop by RFC in Panacea?
Can't believe the same old names are still around : Ronald Fred, Mowry, Glogau, and now Roy Williams gone over to the dark side. Roy was always, well, . . . . even when he was working for the commission.

EJ

[Warrior]

Rhettley, if you go the Valdosta way stop in Adel at Adel Outfiiters or go see Jud at T3. You will get good service at both or come to Cairo! I want everyone on this site to realize this site is ran off of site sponsors and you will never see an Academy or Gander sponsor us. Shop local with people like Kevin's and South Georgia Outdoors.

[silverking]

"Sk:
You mean you aren't going to stop by RFC in Panacea?
Can't believe the same old names are still around : Ronald Fred, Mowry, Glogau, and now Roy Williams gone over to the dark side. Roy was always, well, . . . . even when he was working for the commission."

Ed,
Only when it's snowing in Hades. Won't be patronizing a certain navigational beacon seafood shop in St. Marks, either.

I can't believe the courts will even accept suits after they have been litigated so many times previously. Was very disappointed to learn of Roy's involvement. Maybe they're paying him in poached mullet.

It would be sweet justice if the courts ruled that two-inch stretched mesh is also banned by the amendment. That would only leave true seines or cast nets, which is what we should have insisted on originally.

Sorry everyone, didn't mean to derail the thread. But after being in the fish war trenches for so long, it's hard to ignore the latest pathetic shenanigins by idiots.

[Jumptrout51]

Rhettley, if you go the Valdosta way stop in Adel at Adel Outfiiters or go see Jud at T3. You will get good service at both or come to Cairo! I want everyone on this site to realize this site is ran off of site sponsors and you will never see an Academy or Gander sponsor us. Shop local with people like Kevin's and South Georgia Outdoors.

One thumb up on you Warrior.