Not sure if we’re allowed to talk about this shop. Going to post my thoughts after watching the grand opening and Presidents’ Day sale.

TL:DR

Look elsewhere, not worth the time or money.

Longer version:

The main shop carries nearly all the same tackle as American Legacy Fishing did previously. This means an ok selection of rods and reels targeted towards bass and some minimal efforts towards other species.

Bait selection is small. Extremely limited is a good term.

Again with the stupid pay for a subscription thing. Spend money up front so I can get free shipping and access to sales I already should. This type of thing needs to stop. How much do I need to spend over a year to recoup my costs? $1000? Considering it would be extremely difficult to meet that threshold with their paltry options I’ll always pass.

My major issue is the used section. They are charging 90% of MSRP for used gear. It’s obviously a ripoff because nearly all of that same gear can be bought on sale brand new for 20-30% off. They have provided a small portion of the used gear for an increased discount but it’s nothing you’d actually want to buy. If you can call and get a brand new NRX for $520 with a full warranty and expiditor why on earth would I spend $550 on a used one?

Overall unless something drastically changes they will be stuck behind at least 4 other shops which provide better prices. I’d probably shop at TW before the rod locker and that in itself is all you need to know.

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UPDATE! There are some misconceptions and misunderstandings in the above post that have since been clarified in this subsequent post:

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/269286-the-rod-locker/page/2/#findComment-3208392

Yes, you’re welcome to post about them. There’s a fine line between brand-bashing and sounding like a promotional pro-staffer, and we try to stay right in the middle.

What we value most is honest input based on real-world experience. That kind of perspective genuinely helps the community make informed decisions.

Just make sure the discussion stays balanced and constructive — keep it between the navigational beacons.

6 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Yes, you’re welcome to post about them. There’s a fine line between brand-bashing and sounding like a promotional pro-staffer, and we try to stay right in the middle.

What we value most is honest input based on real-world experience. That kind of perspective genuinely helps the community make informed decisions.

Just make sure the discussion stays balanced and constructive — keep it between the navigational beacons.

I know it comes off as bashing but in today’s crowded online market you need something to keep people coming back.

Carry the largest selection of JDM tackle stateside - The Hookup Tackle

Have literally everything including store unique product runs - TW

Run fantastic sales and sweet open box/mystery box deals -MidwayUSA

I feel like The Rod Locker took the lazy way and tried to reboot ALF without the things ALF did right. Low used prices and great secret sales on high priced brands.

There is still time to right the ship, and I hope the folks over there do so.

22 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

.

Carry the largest selection of JDM tackle stateside - The Hookup Tackle

Except I find so much stuff out of stock there. Always.

So while they may "carry" lots, whether it's in stock or not is an entirely different issue.

2 minutes ago, RRocket said:

Except I find so much stuff out of stock there. Always.

So while they may "carry" lots, whether it's in stock or not is an entirely different issue.

When I used to shop with them more often (now I go straight from the source and shop JDM sites) I would check their restocks on Sundays. If it’s a limited run or restock it goes OOS fast.

Used used to great during sales on ALF. I agree that the new pricing makes non sense.

36 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

I know it comes off as bashing

No, that's not bashing. It's your personal experience. Bashing often is broad-stroked generalizations against anything a particular brand's products. That's one example, not a definition.

I bought more than a few used rods from ALF previously. It was always hit or miss what they would have in stock because you never know what someone was trading in. You’d have to keep an eye on it frequently. I was on the email list for specials but they were usually the same specials that were running everywhere. If i was ordering a used rod, I’d probably throw on a couple other things that I would need at that time. I’ll continue to do the same for TRL. That said, I prefer not dealing with hit or miss for my regular orders. Considering that TW is a board sponsor, has basically anything and everything I could want practically always in stock, and their prices are nominally the same as everywhere else (especially when you buy the things you use when they go on sale) I’m pretty stuck in my ways of where I order. I also like being able to build a wish list over time (if only they had an ‘add all to cart’ button) as well as look up previous orders if I need to reference something I bought.

I hope they do well. They seem like good guys.

They’ve been open a week and have spent much of that time filling ALF orders that never got fulfilled. Give Brian some time…..

I have ordered from them already and got the order very, very quickly. Brian Dolne and the gang are doing their best to make up for the mistakes the ALF owners made and, in doing so, they're starting behind the 8 ball. I bought a Destroyer FMJ for a great price used and have had zero complaints.

3 hours ago, GReb said:

They’ve been open a week and have spent much of that time filling ALF orders that never got fulfilled. Give Brian some time…..

I’ve not heard this happened. I canceled an order after waiting 3 weeks for an update a while before ALF closed shop. If they are making things right with people that’s a fantastic step in the right direction.

Used to order from those guys when they were at ALF. Brian is a good dude. They cut me some slack many times on rods that were not advertised as on sale.

5 minutes ago, 5by3 said:

Used to order from those guys when they were at ALF. Brian is a good dude. They cut me some slack many times on rods that were not advertised as on sale.

I’m not saying the guys running the shop aren’t good dudes. Everything I’ve ever heard about them has been positive. My post is in regard to the opening of their shop. I want them to succeed, and there is still time.

My review is a personal take on a new store opening, and isn’t about any single individual. Their storefront at this time is lacking in quantity and quality. They are overpriced on used gear. They chose to use a loyalty program which is frustrating. These are things which can change and may or may not be things other people care about.

The major issue is if this is my first reaction others might be similar. I don’t have a personal connection to the owners or their brand to cover for what negatives I saw. Your first brush with a store should be positive and make you want to spend money.

The RL is doing great. I find the prices on used gear fair. let's face it , they are taking the risk .

They are starting over and all accounts that ALF had don’t exist anymore so they

are opening new ones as they go.

Give them some time

Also , can you can you point out a used rod that they are asking 90% of retail for ?

This reminds me…I have to check my cc statement to see if they charged me again for the membership. I kept it last year but never used it bc nothing was ever in stock…

On 2/16/2026 at 8:48 PM, Drew03cmc said:

I have ordered from them already and got the order very, very quickly. Brian Dolne and the gang are doing their best to make up for the mistakes the ALF owners made and, in doing so, they're starting behind the 8 ball. I bought a Destroyer FMJ for a great price used and have had zero complaints.

Was it a P5 FMJ or the previous gen? I sold them my previous gen FMJ so I could get the P5 version. I haven’t really put the new one through its paces yet but the older one was fun punching milfoil and hammering fish.

1 hour ago, rangerjockey said:

The RL is doing great. I find the prices on used gear fair. let's face it , they are taking the risk .

They are starting over and all accounts that ALF had don’t exist anymore so they

are opening new ones as they go.

Give them some time

Also , can you can you point out a used rod that they are asking 90% of retail for ?

The Rod Locker

G. Loomis 24' GLX 842C MBR 7'0" Medium - Used Casting Rod...

G. Loomis 24' GLX 842C MBR 7'0" Medium - Used Casting Rod - Excellent Condition

This should be sufficient. If you’d like there are another 50+ of similar “discounts” of less than I can buy brand new.

7 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

The Rod Locker

G. Loomis 24' GLX 842C MBR 7'0" Medium - Used Casting Rod...

G. Loomis 24' GLX 842C MBR 7'0" Medium - Used Casting Rod - Excellent Condition

This should be sufficient. If you’d like there are another 50+ of similar “discounts” of less than I can buy brand new.

Ehh, That rod looks new, If your interested in it it would be worth a call to see what Brian might do for you.

I think it's time you give up this crusade to bad mouth them. Let it go. Clearly you're not shopping there so why keep bashing.

It's getting old!

10 hours ago, Jerkbait22 said:

Was it a P5 FMJ or the previous gen? I sold them my previous gen FMJ so I could get the P5 version. I haven’t really put the new one through its paces yet but the older one was fun punching milfoil and hammering fish.

Previous. Rod has had the cork treated, fishes amazing with a jig and seems to have been super lightly fished.

Cut them some slack! It takes a lot of guts to open a brick and mortar store in today's retail climate; their bank probably made them guarantee everything they own as security for a loan. I spent 50 years in Retail and would not even consider opening an independently owned store today.

1 hour ago, Drew03cmc said:

Previous. Rod has had the cork treated, fishes amazing with a jig and seems to have been super lightly fished.

I wonder if you got mine then. Was in really good shape, traded it in late summer last year. Think it was still available as of the fall.

Forgot to ask, who’s offering you a new NRX for 20 to 30% off?

Remember when the tackle trap was selling supposed Loomis rep samples at a steep discount? Notice they're no longer a Loomis dealer?

51 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

Forgot to ask, who’s offering you a new NRX for 20 to 30% off?

Remember when the tackle trap was selling supposed Loomis rep samples at a steep discount? Notice they're no longer a Loomis dealer?

Call the shop. Any shop. Speak to them and ask about the discount. You’d be surprised how many shops will be willing to cut you a deal. They can’t ADVERTISE any discounts on MAP items. But look how TW gives you that 15% Shimano on your receipt but it doesn’t show in cart. Any retailer can sell anything they’d like for whatever price they want. They are only legally obligated to advertise certain prices. I’ve been doing this since 2019… it’s not a new phenomenon.

2 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

Cut them some slack! It takes a lot of guts to open a brick and mortar store in today's retail climate; their bank probably made them guarantee everything they own as security for a loan. I spent 50 years in Retail and would not even consider opening an independently owned store today.

I’m not bashing the human beings. I’m dissatisfied with the shop.

4 hours ago, SAL321 said:

I think it's time you give up this crusade to bad mouth them. Let it go. Clearly you're not shopping there so why keep bashing.

It's getting old!

I’d like to remind you I can and will give an honest opinion about a retailer of my hobby. I’m not bashing anyone or anything. Sometimes shops come up short, it’s not an attack on the owner, their family, friends, or anything outside the storefront.

Would it matter if I was talking about a random JDM shop?

19 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

Call the shop. Any shop. Speak to them and ask about the discount. You’d be surprised how many shops will be willing to cut you a deal. They can’t ADVERTISE any discounts on MAP items. But look how TW gives you that 15% Shimano on your receipt but it doesn’t show in cart. Any retailer can sell anything they’d like for whatever price they want. They are only legally obligated to advertise certain prices. I’ve been doing this since 2019… it’s not a new phenomenon.

I’m not bashing the human beings. I’m dissatisfied with the shop.

I’d like to remind you I can and will give an honest opinion about a retailer of my hobby. I’m not bashing anyone or anything. Sometimes shops come up short, it’s not an attack on the owner, their family, friends, or anything outside the storefront.

Would it matter if I was talking about a random JDM shop?

Exactly. that's why I said to call the shop about the price of the GLX. I would never question anyone with 6 years of experience.