Bass Pro Shops

Johnny Morris started Bass Pro Shops in 1972 from eight feet of shelf space in his dad's liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. He was tired of driving hours to find decent bass lures, so he started selling them himself.

That eight-foot section became 170+ stores and a $5.5 billion empire when Morris bought out Cabela's in 2017. Bass Pro turned outdoor retail into entertainment -- massive stores with aquariums, stuffed animals, and restaurants that your wife might actually want to visit.

• •1972 -- Started selling fishing tackle from Brown Derby Liquor Store
• •1974 -- First real store opens
• •1980s -- Added hunting gear, camping stuff, became full outdoor retailer
• •1995 -- Built the monster 500,000 sq ft flagship in Springfield
• •2017 -- Bought Cabela's, became the biggest outdoor retailer in North America

Morris figured out something most retailers missed -- turn shopping into a destination and people will drive two hours to spend money.

Bass Pro stores run 150,000 to 300,000 square feet. Think Walmart, but with fish tanks and a restaurant.

• •Evolution from fishing tackle corner to outdoor retail giant

Bass Pro competes hard on high-volume items but you'll pay full retail on specialty gear. Their house brands -- RedHead, World Wide Sportsman -- give you 20-30% savings over name brands with decent quality.

• •Ammunition stays competitive during normal times
• •Seasonal clearance on hunting clothes saves real money
• •Bass Pro Club membership benefits are modest
• •Customer service quality varies significantly by department

Don't bother calling with questions. Plan on driving there.

Bass Pro's gun counter generates serious revenue, but the experience frustrates a lot of shooters.

• •Handle everything before buying
• •Competitive prices on common guns
• •full-service destinationping for gun, scope, ammo, and case
• •Online ordering with store pickup available
• •Some locations have shooting ranges

• •Wait times: 30 minutes to 2+ hours on weekends
• •Staff knowledge ranges from excellent to concerning
• •Conservative interpretation of regulations
• •Phone calls to gun counter ineffective

Most experienced gun buyers use Bass Pro for browsing and ammo runs, then buy from local shops for better service.

The selection helps you figure out what you want, but the transaction often goes smoother elsewhere. Ammunition strategy makes sense -- popular calibers stay stocked in normal times, bulk packs available, pricing beats online when you factor shipping costs.

Bass Pro runs 170+ locations including the Cabela's stores they bought. Each store stocks for its region.

Regional inventory makes sense. Western stores stock magnum rifles and elk gear. Southern stores focus on bass fishing and whitetails.

Gulf Coast means saltwater tackle and marine electronics. Northern stores carry ice fishing gear and waterfowl stuff.

Store features vary -- some have shooting ranges and training classes, others just have the restaurant and wildlife displays. Most open early and stay late, seven days a week. Extended hours during hunting season.

The firearms counter keeps different hours than the main store, so call ahead if that's your primary mission.

Bass Pro Shops succeeds because Johnny Morris understood that outdoor retail works better as entertainment.

Bass Pro succeeds because Johnny Morris understood that outdoor retail works better as entertainment.

Your non-hunting spouse might actually enjoy walking through these stores, which solves a real problem for many of us.

For firearms, use them strategically. Great for handling guns you're considering, stocking up on ammo, and browsing optics. The actual purchase often goes smoother at your local gun shop, especially if you value knowledgeable service and reasonable wait times.

Their house brand gear performs well for the money. RedHead hunting clothes and World Wide Sportsman fishing gear give you name-brand performance at 20-30% less cost.

The fishing departments earn their reputation -- these guys fish and they know local waters. The hunting and firearms departments vary wildly depending on who they hire.

Bass Pro works for gear you can evaluate yourself -- ammunition, basic camping equipment, fishing tackle, hunting clothes. For complex purchases requiring expertise, your local shops often serve you better.

But when your wife suggests a family trip to Bass Pro, say yes. Let the kids see the fish tanks, grab lunch, and stock up on ammo while you're there.