I really doubt on-line sales will ever account for any significant percentage of sales for items like fishing rods. In fact, having worked with a couple outfits that invested heavily into providing an on-line sales outlet for their rods only to close them down due to the complete lack of sales only reinforces my own personal attitudes about this subject. If I can’t shake it, I won’t buy it. Period.
The internet is a pretty awesome place to gather the info needed to make descisions about which rods to go seek out and “shake” though!
Now for stuff like a crankbait, sure, no problem. Hooks, line, lures, lots of other “known quantity” items, I really enjoy shopping on-line only to get my stuff shipped to me in a couple days. It’s like Christmas when it arrives.