This place is my "Go To" whenever I need to buy a gun or fire live ammo on their indoor range…read more I was there buying my third 1873 Colt clone chambered in 45 LC because I needed one with a specific barrel length which they had in stock. I found the gun department staffed with EXPERIENCED and attentive employees who participate in shooting activities like I enjoy and were able to offer a discount that made a good deal even better. I feel that if you exhibit the safety habits that make everyone on both sides of the counter feel comfortable and show employees that you would not be a danger to yourself or others you will find employees who are happy to serve and even train you depending on your experience level. Don't expect the same happy response from that employee if you show disrespect for gun safety or have nefarious ownership reasons because those employees protect my rights to legal ownership and the stores best interests which I rely on and keeps me coming back when ever the need dictates.

TL;DR Managment/ownership treats customers and employees terribly, would not spend money here…read more Repeat bad experiences, I'd rather buy online than go back in this store. As an avid adventurer of the western US, I tend to visit outdoor stores wherever I travel to see what their idea of adventure is there and take the chance to upgrade gear that's frustrating to use or worn out over time. I've visited Bill Jackson's on two separate occasions now, heading in each time with about $500 worth of gear in mind to shop for. The first time I came, I got great help from multiple associates and planned to purchase gear off of their advise, but witnessed a confrontation between management and an associate that I recall as mild but disruptive enough it made me leave the store without buying anything. I didn't come back for about 8 months. Now I'm back in town for a few weeks of work before heading on a 2,700 mile bikepacking journey and really needed to grab a few items I hoped they'd have in stock. Being interesting in all outdoor activities, I started talking with an associate about the ski shop they were building the last time I was here. He keyed in that I had ski knowledge from my time tuning skis and custom fitting ski boots out west and started talking to me about part time work as they expected to need some extra hands with ski knowledge and took me to show me their ski selection. To get there, we had to walk through an area that he explained was sectioned off for an upcoming sale, so not yet available, but the necessary route to the still-open ski shop. He made a pretty good case for their ski shop and my wheels were turning about coming to help them out in the fall. On our way back through the sale area, I asked a question about the items we were walking past and the associate was very clear that those items were not available for sale until the official sale start date, but took the opportunity to educate me about them(I knew very little about diving equipment but am curious to learn). I was quickly convinced that a decent snorkeling kit was necessary equipment to enjoy the area and decided I'd get a setup. Before he got a chance to redirect me to where the currently available snorkeling gear was(I could tell it was coming, this area was also tiny compared to the sale area), an angry manager/owner appeared ready to tear apart the kind and helpful associate that had just taught me what I needed to know to spend an extra couple hundred dollars on top of the items I was already planning. I hurriedly left the area while she continued to holler at me and once I passed the threshold of that room I heard her resume berating the associate in anger. I walked myself over to the full price scuba stuff and found another helpful associate, but I could not bring myself to buy anything from this store after that experience. It was not unreasonable for her to ask us to move along since we had stopped in a place we were meant to pass through, but she was incredibly rude to the associate for going above and beyond to take care of an enthusiastic customer. I won't spend money here, that manager is the most unkind person I've encountered since I've been in Tampa. In a town of incredibly kind people, there is no place for that. Very sad, I really wanted to like this store. The associates seem to be knowledgeable and passionate about the outdoors, but they don't deserve to be treated that way.

Overall a great shop kind and helpful service and large selection of rods and reels. Would…read morerecommend to anyone in st Pete area.

This local shop takes care of you! Victor has a lot of knowledge in fishing and can definitely help…read moreyou out if you're a beginner. Thank you for the tips and demonstration of the knots we needed to know!! Honest shop and reasonably priced. Will be back.

I am familiar with the Academy stores that were in Houston years ago. They have really expanded…read morebeyond an Army surplus store of the 60's. We were greeted as we came in. The store is enormous. It's located in Pinellas Square where the old furniture store used to be close to the cinema. An associate told us that they have been open since last November. Everything smelled new. If you're looking for a good old fashioned sporting goods store, Academy Spots + Outdoors is your one stop shop. Drop by if you can.

Great store in a great location. New staff cares and is friendly. Clean, full and bright!…read moreContinuing to improve.

Always the best pricing, some of the best I've ever seen in my entire life. If you're big into…read morecollecting, or looking for outdoor gear/equipment, this is the place you wanna be. I come here every Saturday morning and the customer service is great! They've even came up with a nickname for us. Super duper friendly staff and will ask you if you need help looking. The store is very organized, and clean. Compared to any other army navy stores, this beats all of them. I'd even go as far as to say it's the best in Florida. Heres some of the things I've gotten from here:

This guy will give you fractions of a penny on the dollar. Not worth the gas money. Try to sell…read moreyour stuff on marketplace or just toss it in the trash.

Baseball Players and Parents!!!!! If you need anything baseball related go see Nate at the St. Pete…read moreDick's on Tyrone. He is very knowledgeable and willing to help. My son wanted a new bat after the holidays and so we went to Dick's. As soon as we walked in and began to look at the bats on display Nate greeted us and made us feel welcomed. He listened to my son who is only 10 and treated him with the same respect as he did me. After understanding what he wanted Nate shared with us it would have to be ordered. He did everything right there with us. He ordered the bat and discussed all the warranty options and how to handle if we had any issues. I was very impressed. My son was so happy when it arrived only a couple days later. Nate was professional and knowledgeable about so much more too. We have since been to the store a couple of times since and were welcomed and greeted just the same. Thank you Nate and DSG for supporting our athletes and families in a unique way!

Dick's Sporting Goods is located in a shopping center "conglomerate" of sorts, which is convenient…read morein case you were to need to get other goods and services in the area. Went here twice, scoping out a collapsible utility cart. They had plenty in stock, and staff was always helpful in answering questions. They have a huge selection of fishing gear, camping stuffs, sports accessories, tennis shoes, workout clothing, etc. At checkout, I was offered an extended warranty to cover any damages on the cart for the next year, which I thought will come in handy considering I'm likely going to be banging this thing up quite a bit. Good service!

We love West Coast Kayaks! The staff is always so friendly and helpful and remembers us each time…read morethat we come in. We did not get our boards from West Coast but if we ever buy new boards in the future we definitely will. We bought our boards before we discovered them. They helped us find the right car rack for our paddle boards and even installed it for us for free! They are friendly and helpful and the staff truly cares about helping you find the right product for you- they don't try to push a sale on you. I am confident that they are always honest with us and I trust their judgement when they say that we need or do not need something for our boards or rack system. We also love the night paddles that they offer downtown St. Pete. To read more about how much we love West Coast Kayaks click here. https://floridagulfing.com/2018/09/10/west-coast-kayaks-friday-night-paddle/

Every person explaining the owner's rage is telling the truth. Read the reviews with 1 star, they…read moreare all very detailed and explain that this business owner has something wrong with him. He has stolen a scooter from me that was purchased for a student. Upon coming to pick it up he got in my face and became confrontationa and told me we would never see the scooter again. He acts very tough, but it is all rage. He wants you to respond so he can tell you that you did something wrong. Do.not do business with this company you will regret it. Do not buy here.

Needed some 209 primers in a bind. Stopped by the store, they didn't have any for sale but a guy…read morethere (owner manager not sure) ran back somewhere and just gave me this box. Besides the kindness and good deed the store was nice and clean, good mix of tactical and sporting stuff. Based on some pictures on the wall these guys seem to hunt deer on public land in Florida successfully which is no easy feat. I am looking forward to coming back, buying some guns, and maybe even learning a thing or two.

Stopped by for some .22 LR rat shot but they didn't have any. But it's a nice shop and the fellow…read morethere was very friendly and helpful. And I absolutely LOVED THE HELLO KITTY sticker

Drove over an hour to get here on a Wednesday afternoon at 2pm trusting that their hours listed in…read moreGoogle were correct. Arrived to find them closed and no one answering the phone. What a drag. Won't be back.

TackleShack has been there for me countless times "after the sale". I bought a Hobie Outfitter on…read more2009 and upgraded to Tandem Island in 2015. My wife & I sail year 'round, every Saturday, regardless of the weather and it still is going strong a decade later. Some wear is expect d in salt water. Andy & Richard have always been there for any need and I consider them friends. I can't say enough positive about how well they run a full-service adventure dealership.

Perfect little sports shop that has all the baseball gear & jerseys…read more The perfect place to get that someone special, that very special sports enthusiast gift. Highest Recommendations.

I have shopped at Gulfshore for as long as I remember and now I shop there for my son. I got him…read moreeverything he needs for baseball there... his bat, helmet, glove, backpack and cleats. I even got custom shirts made for his team. They always do the best job and at a great price. wouldn't go anywhere else.