I'm down in Chattanooga, TN, with the family and saw that there is an Academy Sports nearby. We don't have Academy up in northwest Indiana, but I've seen it mentioned on these forums. Is it worth checking out? Or is it pretty much a Dick's/Gander Mtn.? Thanks!

It's worth checking out if for no other reason than to pick up some H20 baits.

The fishing department is better than Dicks IMO. 

Definately check them out.. I get a lot of my tackle from there as they have some good weekly deals. This week they have senkos for $3.99, zoom flukes and lizards for $1.99 to name a few I remember.

Better than Dick's, not as good as Gander.

 

$0.02

The Gander we have closest to me is still 1 1/2 hours away, and the fishing area is just ok. Plenty of lures, not so much rods or reels. Been there twice in the same week in late October, early November. Never before though so maybe I was just seeing seasonal set ups in the store. Seemed 95% of it was hunting, dog training, bullets and guns galore. Fishing was just over in one corner of the store. I wondered then if the store was always like that or if they were just sitting on a stockpile of fall hunting goods.

Definitely check them out. Prices are usually cheaper than Dicks and Gander. I've even been to one that had a soft plastic bar. Like a salad bar but with plastic baits. You could buy as few or as many as you want.

The Gander we have closest to me is still 1 1/2 hours away, and the fishing area is just ok. Plenty of lures, not so much rods or reels. Been there twice in the same week in late October, early November. Never before though so maybe I was just seeing seasonal set ups in the store. Seemed 95% of it was hunting, dog training, bullets and guns galore. Fishing was just over in one corner of the store. I wondered then if the store was always like that or if they were just sitting on a stockpile of fall hunting goods.

 

At Academy?

I've never been to a Gander but I've never been to a DSG that was anywhere near as good as Academy. I'd go to Academy just for the H2O line up alone.

I have an Academy about 45 min away from me, their h20 crankbaits are nice. Also picked up a 25 pack of h20 3/0 ewg hooks for 3.99 they are just as nice as gamagatsu. Also had their senkos on sale .40 a pack!!

Stop in for sure if you get a chance. Before they were online, I could only get there when I would go to Gulfport once or twice a year. Much better than Dick's or GM.

I love Academy. I went there a first time while I was in Springfield MO during the rod bonanza or whatever they called it. They have some really awesome deals and the H20 lures looks really nice. I picked some up for cheap. I wish there was one closer than an hour and a half away. awesome place

I heard that their H20 baits were produced by the lucky craft folks. Again, that's just hearsay. Their baits are pretty awesome. They also have a life time warranty on their baits and their rods and reels. I've never used their rods or reels, so I cant comment on them.

The Gander we have closest to me is still 1 1/2 hours away, and the fishing area is just ok. Plenty of lures, not so much rods or reels. Been there twice in the same week in late October, early November. Never before though so maybe I was just seeing seasonal set ups in the store. Seemed 95% of it was hunting, dog training, bullets and guns galore. Fishing was just over in one corner of the store. I wondered then if the store was always like that or if they were just sitting on a stockpile of fall hunting goods.

Yes same here. Store in Peoria, IL had fishing but only like 30% of store was fishing, THEN they decided to have a clearance sale. It was awesome 70% off, but now they changed store to all hunting Oh well never really shop there.

h2o pricing and quality = yes

I definately prefer Academy's over DSG and Gander Mtn

I've never been to a Gander but I've never been to a DSG that was anywhere near as good as Academy. I'd go to Academy just for the H2O line up alone.

Well your in luck because they are putting one up next to OP Mall lol dont know if you have seen that yet but I was driving by over spring break and saw it.

I love Academy. I went there a first time while I was in Springfield MO during the rod bonanza or whatever they called it. They have some really awesome deals and the H20 lures looks really nice. I picked some up for cheap. I wish there was one closer than an hour and a half away. awesome place

 

It's a shame there's not one up here in St. Louis. 

So, I take it H2O is Academy's line of tackle? Well, not that I need more stuff, but...I guess I'll tell the wife that they are souvenirs from Chattanooga. Thanks for all the responses! Fish On!

yes H2O is the house brand of Academy.  It is all high quality and comes with a no questions asked return policy.  I get almost all of my stuff there.

Their squarebills are a great buy. Check em' out!!