Went to D & R Sports today and took along a KTD sign (one of the 8 1/2"x11" laminated and put it on there BB, hope it stays) Bought a pair of the Solar Bats now I have to start wearing them. Picked up some other odds and ends. Talked to Randy VanDam (nice guy). He told me they are going to Brazil next year peacock bass fishing, he was really excited.
"Steve S" said:
Went to D & R Sports today and took along a KTD sign (one of the 8 1/2"x11" laminated and put it on there BB, hope it stays) Bought a pair of the Solar Bats now I have to start wearing them. Picked up some other odds and ends. Talked to Randy VanDam (nice guy). He told me they are going to Brazil next year peacock bass fishing, he was really excited.
If you bass fish you can't beat that place. They don't have tons of stock, but they keep the nonsense, like NFL team crankbaits out. Only the stuff that works, and/or is hot.
And Randy is a great guy. I've bought everything from a boat, to used kicker motor, to plenty of tackle, and always great to deal with.
I've always liked D and R. I'll go there any day over Gander Mountain. Their musky selection, although not quite as good as a couple years ago, is the best of any store we have in the Kalamazoo area. As others said too, Randy has always been real nice to me. I have actually talked to Kevin Vandam in there a couple times and he also has been as nice as could be. I must admit, I buy 90% of my gear online nowadays, but the stuff I don't buy online I tend to buy at D an R.
I always stop by D&R when ever I'm at the Wolf Lake Hatchery. Last January I was at a Fish Culture Workshop and got a door prize $10 gift certificate for D&R. I added money to it and got the Night Blaster LED underwater light battery operated. This light should give me freedom to move around the walleye pond later this month when I collect fry VHS samples. I do well collecting fry (about 15mm+/-) samples with the crappie light system I have now, but this light will make a good test. I will report later to the other DNR staff pro/con of this using light. D&R was out of my steelhead plug color pattern. I was also at Dundee Cabelas two weeks ago and disappointed the way they relocated and downsized their fishing section. I only got half of what I needed at Cabelas.
I am exceptionally loyal to DnR because of one thing in particular. In response to a special request, Kevin personally sent a local kid a wonderful gift. Can't say much cause its not my biz, but KVD made time to make sure this kid got exactly what the kid was dreamin' for.
And Mike at the bait shop is great, too.
"Ranger" said:
And Mike at the bait shop is great, too.
Just don't ever tell him how/when/where you may be catching fish. I made that mistake years ago when I still bass fished and that next week everything I was telling him was on their weekly fish reports on the website. It was my own fault for bragging but it still annoyed me he made it public knowledge. I was young and naive and I've since learned my lesson.
Also it was cool seeing Jonathan Vandam last weekend on ESPN2 in his first BASS Elite series tourney. I used to talk to him quite a bit when he was working there and its nice to see another Kalamazoo native whoopin on those southern boys.
That's part of Mike's job, he checks me out when I come thru, too. And he shares info with me that's helpful when I ask.
I sure see your point, for sure, though. I guess we just gotta consider what we want to talk about before we talk with guys who get paid for collecting and sharing fishing tips. Kinda like sharing info on this site. [smilie=biggrin.gif]
"Smada962" said:
[quote="Ranger"]And Mike at the bait shop is great, too.
Just don't ever tell him how/when/where you may be catching fish. I made that mistake years ago when I still bass fished and that next week everything I was telling him was on their weekly fish reports on the website. It was my own fault for bragging but it still annoyed me he made it public knowledge. I was young and naive and I've since learned my lesson.
Also it was cool seeing Jonathan Vandam last weekend on ESPN2 in his first BASS Elite series tourney. I used to talk to him quite a bit when he was working there and its nice to see another Kalamazoo native whoopin on those southern boys.
It's only natural since he's young, and new to the game, but last I heard, he was keeping things SUPER tight lipped. His dad doesn't fish big $$$ tourneys, and Kevin is so good it doesn't matter, so they are both willing to share damn near anything.
326
93
1 Guest(s)