volzfan59

God bless each of you and your families.

I've got a copy of the 2018 catalog. The Titanium rods and reels are not in it.

I was told they are discontinued. We clearenced ours out along with what was left of the old Carbonlites. I think we have a 6'6" medium left if it hasn't been sent to the clearance center.

jbuchanan, They are limited production unless White River changes they're mind. My store is slated to get eight of the rigs. Already sold two.

Dirtyeggroll, I sent you a pm.

Keeper, We got our new Crankin Sticks last Tuesday. They are really nice. I own five of the older models (I crank a lot) and can tell you that the new version is considerably lighter. They have done away with the old "power hump" handle going with a split grip, no fore grip style instead. It is a very comfortable rod to hold. We've sold several as gifts, but no real customer feedback as of yet. OnthePotomic, Check out the new Carbonlite 2.0's. We got our new rods today. Winn grips, skeletonized reel seat, no fore grip. Between spinning and casting rods, I have seven of the old models. I like the first generation "Black" Carbonlites best, but we'll see how the gen2 white rods do. Sold four this afternoon, obviously feedback yet.

My wife and I were both in law enforcement. For me, I made it almost 35 years total, she did 32. More of a calling however. I'll say this, it was something different every day! I'm not sure about where you live, but the starting salary should be close, if not more, then your figure. Most agencies have good, if not great benefits (insurance, sick time, vacation, personal days). Your not tied down to one place for the most part, your always moving. Pretty much a 40 hour a week gig, although the days off aren't great. Depending on the department, days off and shifts tend to rotate. I made it to Lieutenant before retirement and was making really good money. Could have made Captain, but it was a political appointment. Didn't want to go there. Hope it helps.

I checked on the new boat while at work today. The only option available is a trailer brake upgrade, $445.00. That's it.

I fish from my yak, in the river, most of the time. I fish as a co-angler with a buddy also. That's about the only time I "lake" fish anymore.

Congratulations!!!

Good luck buddy, I hope that you can get on at Academy. I interviewed there prior to taking a position at BPS. Academy seemed like a good place.

I used to be all over the map as far as rods and reels go. Read a great article from Rick Clunn saying that he used the same series of rods and reels for continuity and feel. Made since to me, sold everything and went 100% BPS Extreme rods and reels. This was years before retiring and going to work for BPS. I have moved up to all Carbolite rods, casting and spinning, for everything except cranking. I use Crankin' Sticks for crankbaiting. I only use Pro Qualifier reels. I'm getting ready to purchase three Patriot rods in the near future. I really like how they feel. I know that this seems like a BPS commercial, but with the generous employee discount I'd be nuts to pass on them. That plus they have never let me down.

I grew up in the Claxton community of Anderson County, TN, Between Oak Ridge and Knoxville, TN. Pretty much in the country, right on Bull Run Creek on Melton Hill Lake. Great place to grow up!

Another new, to me anyway, is Ballistic Boats. Good looking boat. I've been told they are very expensive how ever.

Seems slow tonight.

I've never seen a Trophy bass boat. There is, or was ?, a Trophy saltwater fishing boat.

Again, the Stratos decision was made prior to the BPS/ White River purchase. I guess it could have been reversed, but why? Stratos is not the player in the industry that they once were. Assuming "Peacock Choppa" is being truthful, and I have no reason to doubt that he is, he is literally the first person I've heard in years say " I'm trying to buy a Stratos". When I sold boats, people would mention that they were looking at Ranger, Skeeter and Triton. Sometimes Ledgend, but never a Stratos and few Bass Cats. Sloanzp, Your right, looks like a Grizzly Sportsman with Triton decals. The name Triton is still active, ain't gone anywhere. If I remember correctly, Triton tin boats were never built by Triton to began with. They bought someone else out and slapped on Triton decals. Much like Ranger tin boats used to be built by Crestliner. But, to the bigger picture. To the victor goes the spoils. Sucks, I agree, but that's business, like when GM shuttered the Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn and Hummer brands. Johnny's money, Johnny's playground. So far he's the one person making it in the outdoor game. Cabela's was loosing money head over heels, Gander couldn't stay open due to tick poor decision-making (we'll see how well Lemonis does with Gander Outdoors) and Sportsman Warehouse stock is dropping. Same with boats. If Ranger, Triton and Stratos were making tons of money, Sterling Capital probably would never have sold out. There is an argument to be made that they didn't really know what to do with what they had, lime ESPN buying B.A.S.S. Time will tell.

We were busier than a cat in a litter box at my BPS. I got off at 1:00 pm and we still had lines.

Thanks!

While at work the other day, I sold a guy a GLoomis IMX Pro spinning rod. It was a 6' 10" drop shot rod, but the guy was going to use it as his all around finesse rod. I'm not a huge Loomis fan, but I was really impressed with this one. I also like the BPS Patriot 6' 10" M/L rod. American made.

Slonezp, It really depends on where your buying your Nitro/ Tracker. When I sold boats, I heard of some dealers and BPS stores that refused swap anything. It's crazy how many boats I sold to people for that reason alone. I once sold a Grizzly Sportsman to a guy that drove to us, FROM DETROIT, MI!!! All over a motor swap. How many dealers/ stores did this guy pass because they wouldn't swap a 25 h/p for a 40? I'll say this up front, as far as the motor goes it's always cheaper to order your rig. They have to hang a motor on it. Bubba doesn't care if it's a 200 or a 300. At the BPS I work at, we've done motor swaps. You pay the difference in the motors and labor. As for trolling motors, electronics or power poles, they swap/ add them every day. Again, you pay the difference and labor. That would be the same at any dealer/ any brand. While at work today, I spoke to someone in senior management. I am not at liberty to disclose his name or position, but I promise you, he knows. The Stratos part of "Peacock Choppa" post is true, they are going away. My friend has not heard the Triton part. Here's the rub, Stratos was going to be toast regardless if White River bought them or not. The people that previously owned Stratos had already planned on shuttering the brand.

This is nothing new. Stratos has been on the way out since the days of Irwin Jacobs. I can't tell you how many times I've been told they were shutting down. They were basically relegated to an entry level boat years ago. I'll be shocked if Triton goes away, but I learned years ago to never say never. If memory serves me correctly, Johnny purchased Ranger, Triton and Stratos from an investment group called Sterling Capital. He also got the ChampioN name in the deal. Before anyone says he closed ChampioN, it was either Irwin Jacobs or Sterling Capital that shut them down.

I work at the same Bass Pro Shop that Al did. While I never knew him, I have heard a bunch of Al stories and never a bad word about him. RIP

Welcome Ty!

Yes Sir, That's the one. Thanks for retrieving it!