I mainly buy local, but for bass I often have to go online as local stores don't carry what I want. Strangely the same for fly rods, as there is very little selection in my local fly shops. I wish I could test and buy the rods I want locally. Online purchases this year: Cabelas for bass flies, Rapalas, Douglas fly rod, Sage fly reel on clearance. Orvis for bass flies. Everything else local at Sportsman's Warehouse. Bought some used rods on ebay.