For a long time Walmart has been my go to place for pretty much all my fishing gear. I do usually go to dicks sporting goods for new rods and reels but Walmart sells things much cheaper than most places. Should I stick to Walmart or is there a decreased amount of quality in the products? Also if you have any tackle shops you go to I would definitely like to hear about them if they are in the Dallas/Plano area.

Do not buy the 6000S series Abu reels from wal mart.

There is some stuff at wally world that is really designed to catch "fishermen".

Some good stuff too, experience will tell you the difference.

Catfish Connection is a huge dealer for Abu and in the escriptions of the reels, it will say where they are manufactured. Made in Sweden good, not made in Sweden, not good.

I use Academy for hooks but you can always go to BP, Cowbellers, or Gnader Mt. and step up and pay retail+ or in some cases retail+++.

I order almost everything I have. The other I just buy on a whim or make myself.

I only really buy my treble hook there and split shot weight pack because ever since i started to guid and take soldiers out fishing i go though them like crazy other then that i order my stuff i really dont like walmart

I only really buy my treble hook there and split shot weight pack because ever since i started to guid and take soldiers out fishing i go though them like crazy other then that i order my stuff i really dont like walmart

We are talking catfishing here, so it doesn't take high end first quality tackle to catch catfish. After all you can catch them on limb lines, trotlines and juglines and people have for years. I've got some ABU Garcias I've had for years and even some Zebco 33's and an old Zebco 808 that I still use at times. It's not that complicated.
If it is what you can afford and it gets the job done, what does it matter?
I always check the clearance rack where they'll mark down hooks and weights, stringers, rod holders, etc.
Nothing wrong with spending thousands of dollars on boats and the best equipment if that's what you want to do, but theres also nothing wrong with Walmart if you just want to catch fish, and it's what you can afford.

Fishing? Walmart ain't one stop shopping by a looooooooong shot.
Price? Academy rods or reels riots sales... Wm rarely have fishing sales.

Choices? Pond guys and gals proly can get most of your needs at some wm, but u can get ALL you need at any academy.

You can get by with the cheap stuff with one exception. Never skimp on fishing line. Stick with the name brands such as Stren and Berkley.

Used wm fishing stuff for cats all my life... line is most important.... Berkeley big game here!!!

Agree totally with using the premium fishing line and not the bulk stuff. I usually buy Eagle Claw hooks as well which WM carries.
From reading the OP's post it sounds like you've never tried Academy, so if not, give them a try.

My thinking exactly. I've always adhered to "quality in mixed numbers". Good rod, a great reel(Can't go wrong with mitchell in my book), real good line and the hooks, weights, baits, stringer, corks, bait bucket & the like, Walmart can't screw up.

barlows in Richardson sells stuff at good prices and you can find almost anything you need there