OperationEagle

Wow...saw that price increase...got a premier for $115 just in time. Needed another reel that can handle a wide range of bait weights and I am hoping this will fit the bill.

Rather than trying new baits, I will be working on establishing a pattern. Also improving my jig fishing skills.

Kyle I would like to say you are off to a great start in life. Kudos also to your parents who arent well off but have done a fantastic job raising you and instilling a sense of value in you. This will serve you well. Pay it forward some more as you get married, have children, and teach them how to treat others....and perhaps using fishing as a mechanism for doing so. Thanks for sharing your journey and experience.

So here is a question. If an angler for some reason doesn't have their license on them but has purchased one, why can't the DNR just check by scanning a drivers license?...assuming the angler has a drivers license. when I buy my fishing license they look it up using my DL number. maybe they can?

There are many things that contribute to insolvency. Poor mix, margin/pricing, and expense management being just a few. But did I miss something? Is cabelas insolvent? Shame on me if I didn't catch that...

Hawg great insights. I first thought the difference in cross purchasing was due to number of locations for each...but cabelas has 82 and bps has 94 locations...so pretty similar. This might reinforce that that loyalty is higher with cabelas customers. Hope this means they will maintain the cabelas brand and product lines that have helped cabelas earn this loyalty.

Retail is in a state of transition for sure. The bps and cabelas stores are large and expensive footprints. The key to success is ... I think...which may be obvious...whether they can drive enough volume to maximize inventory turns and demand the lowest prices from manufacturers to gain lowest cost advantages. There will always be a need for bricks and mortar especially when you have items that aren't conducive to web based purchasing...such as boats and other large more substantial gear. This is such an interesting business case unfolding in front of us...even more fascinating because we are active participants and recipients of its outcome.

This is what I used. Might be too late but careful with that 5200 it is to affix things permanently. 4200 would be a better choice imo. https://www.amazon.com/Mercury-2-4-C-Marine-Lubricant-92-802859A/dp/B001QGEPQW

Did you replace the drain plug with a new one? Try using some lubricant in the drain plug and see if it can be turned more for a better seal. My ranger rt178 was taking on water and this solved it. I think your boat is made on the same line so maybe the same drain plug? Give it a try to eliminate this as a potential source of infiltration. After greasing i was surprised that I was able to get at least an additional half turn in ... which made a huge difference.

Latest... Bass Pro Shops' $4.5 billion Cabela's Deal Gets White Knight Published March 29, 2017 The Wall Street Journal A small Georgia bank has emerged as the potential savior of Bass Pro Shops's $4.5 billion takeover of outdoor-goods retailer Cabela's Inc., according to people familiar with the matter. The deal, struck in October, had two parts: Bass Pro agreed to buy the retail business of Cabela's, while Capital One Financial Corp. agreed to acquire its banking operation, which issues store-branded credit cards. But the deal ran into trouble after Capital One, one of the country’s largest credit-card companies, said it wouldn't be able to get timely regulatory approval, amid investigations into its anti-money laundering controls. Cabela's is now in talks to sell that business to Synovus Financial Corp., a Georgia-based bank with about $30 billion in assets and 250 branches across the south, the people said. Under the plan being discussed, Synovus would resell the credit-card portfolio to Capital One and keep the roughly $1 billion in deposits held by the Cabela's bank, the people said. That could avoid an in-depth regulatory review for Capital One and allow the deal to be completed faster, they said. Closely held Bass Pro would still buy the retail business, which generated $3.6 billion in revenue last year selling everything from crossbows to boats. It has financial backing from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and others. The talks, which have been fitful, remain ongoing and may not be finalized, the people said.

There are just so many reels. And so many seemingly quality reels available at the $50-$60 ranges (or below) when on sale. What feature, capability, or feel is that much different that justifies spending an additional $100? i just picked up a few months ago a President (for around $45) and it seems smooth, casts fine, etc. what am I missing? Not being snarky...it's an honest question as this was my first spinning reel purchase in about 20 years...just haven't needed one until recently.

Poor store help, poor selection, most always have to wait for someone to come to man the register at check out, poor inventory... Retail is ruthless to begin with...but add in poorly managed operations and an undifferentiated market position...this is what you get. The only thing that is surprising to me is how long they lasted.

Welcome fellow loon...I'm in the cities.

This OR get a TM with spot lock. It might allow you to eliminate the power pole or talon. You can can always add it later if the spot lock doesn't work well enough for your needs. With the new tighter lock radius, it might do the trick.

news reports around the twin cities say that gander mountain is readying to go into bankruptcy. You want to talk about lackluster service, stores, and inventory...can't get much worse than gander.

Watching CNBC. They just did a spotlight on the drop in gun sales which threatens the competitive nature of the gun retailers. They reported that this in addition to issues with the divest of cabelas credit card unit to capital one place the probability of the completion of the deal at 40%. This all despite the business and merger friendly posture of the new administration. We just might be able to keep cabelas around for just a little longer after all. Good news for us sportsman to have an additional quality option. An an interesting article. http://www.retaildive.com/news/cabelas-bass-pro-merger-further-in-doubt-as-credit-card-business-sale-falt/436365/

I chose the Xtreme bibs (noninsulated) as I plan on using them as for all season rain protection...meaning spring through late fall. I tried on the late season Xtreme bibs and they seem suitable for protection in the coldest days...or long days out ice fishing. In other words way too warm for any other season. With the sale going on now...and an extra 10% off, it makes these a decent discount off of list. I have two of their angler jackets and I love them. One of them is the same as what AJay is wearing...which is my favorite. Sealed cuffs, sealed seams, water tight zippers, great fit. Definitely not the cheapest but they are (especially when on sale) worth the money as they are well made and made to last for more than a few seasons. If the merger goes through w Bass Pro, I really hope they keep this line of clothing.

Interesting insight...seems like a side deal with Capital One is the hold up....at least according to this article. Bass Pro Shops' Purchase of Cabela's Hits a Snag By Investopedia | December 31, 2016 — 7:37 AM EST Bass Pro Shops' plan to buy Cabela's (NYSE: CAB) for approximately $5.5 billion has hit a snag with federal regulators. Under the terms of the agreement, the two rivals in the hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear space would merge into an entity that would be the dominant player in its market segment, but that's not what's causing problems. Instead, it's a snag involving the side deal that would have Capital One (NYSE: COF) acquire Cabela's credit card business that may hold the main acquisition up or even cause the deal to fall apart. What is happening? Capital One has signed a 10-year agreement to issue credit cards to Cabela's customers. To do that, the company is acquiring a separate business, World's Foremost Bank. But it has told Bass Pro it does not expect that purchase to receive federal regulatory approval before Oct. 3, 2017, Reuters reported. The deal between Cabela's and Bass Pro is contingent upon the credit card issue being resolved. If Capital One can't close its deal before Oct. 3, 2017 then Cabela's and Bass Pro would each have the right to terminate their deal. What is going to happen? While technically this snag could cause the deal to fall apart, Cabela's entered the agreement willingly and there is no reason to think either retailer wants to walk away. The company has in fact said it is looking for "potential alternative structures" to allow both the transactions to close on or before Oct. 3, according to Reuters. Cabela's CEO Tommy Millner explained why his company agreed to sell in the press release announcing the deal. Having undertaken a thorough strategic review, during which we assessed a wide variety of options to maximize value, the Board unanimously concluded that this combination with Bass Pro Shops is the best path forward for Cabela's, its shareholders, outfitters and customers," he said." In addition to providing significant immediate value to our shareholders, this partnership provides a unique platform from which our brand will be extremely well positioned to continue to serve outdoor enthusiasts worldwide for generations to come. Everything he said at that time remains true now, and no more logical or better partner for his company has emerged. It seems likely that no matter what happens with Capital One, the two retailers will find a way to make this deal -- or a similar one -- happen. The credit card complication offers both sides a potential out, but neither actually seems to be looking to break the agreement, so it should take place as soon as regulators sign off on the merger.

PFD, TM, Electronics...in that order.

Dec 30 Dow Jones Newswire...so old news but interesting read nonetheless... Federal regulators have raised questions over Bass Pro Shops' $4.5 billion deal to buy fellow outdoor-sports gear retailer Cabela's Inc., creating hurdles for the completion of the acquisition and sending shares of Cabela's lower. In a regulatory filing Friday, Cabela's said two regulatory approvals for the deal had hit speed bumps. The Federal Trade Commission requested additional information from Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops earlier this week. The FTC says the vast majority of deals are approved without additional information requests, but Cabela's said the request doesn't mean the agency has concluded the deal presents any anticompetitive concerns. Bass Pro Shops declined to comment. Meanwhile, Capital One Financial Corp., which is buying Cabela's credit card business as part of the deal, also told Cabela's it expects a banking regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, to eventually approve the deal -- but not before October, when the parties to the merger can walk away and well after the companies involved had expected the deal to close. The OCC said it doesn't comment on specific banks or deals. KBW research analysts said the news from Capital One indicates a lengthening of the banking deal's process. Capital One said it continues to believe in the value of its relationship with Cabela's and is working to meet its commitments. Bass Pro, Cabela's and Capital One had said previously they expected both deals to close in the first half of 2017 and the credit-card transaction was contingent on the primary deal closing. Cabela's said it still expects FTC approval in the first half of the year, but it was exploring alternative structures for the deal to allow for a closing before the October deadline. A Bass Pro-Cabela's merger would create a national chain with more than 180 locations, roughly 40,000 workers and control of more than 20% of the $50 billion U.S. hunting, camping and fishing market, Stifel analyst Jim Duffy has said. In its annual filing, Cabela's said its markets are fragmented and competitive but also notes some of the largest competitors, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., don't compete in many of the product lines it offers. Shares of Cabela's fell 5.6% to $58.25 in morning trading, below the deal price of $65.50 a share.

These are two of my go to stores for my fishing needs...so I am always interested in hearing about the latest news, interpretations of what is happening, conjecture of what might happen, and opinions about the deal. This effects all of us fishermen whether you are a customer of either store or not. I will start... i do do believe that they said this deal would close in early 2017. Thinking about it, that might be overly optimistic. A question I have is how does the death of Sports Authority have on how the Feds see this deal? Help or hurt? I can make arguments for both. Discuss...

Looks like pflueger patriarch spinning reel is $130 at cabelas in the bargain cave.

Thinking about it more, the silent traction system is a must to minimize noise on the water. That kayak acts like a big plastic drum with so much surface area touching the water....actually more like a big plastic megaphone. And as j Franco mentioned it keeps things from slipping...including your feet, so arguably good from a safety aspect. Good luck and always wear that pfd.

I put silent traction system on the floor. Was the best upgrade/mod I did. Noise travels fast. Especially, it seemed, in shallow water where I spent quite a bit of time.

Since they match competitors prices, find a competitor that ships for free (and hopefully lower price) and they will match. TW has always been true to their word on this...at least for me.