Fishing Sale Hacks: Buy Fishing Gear Cheap

Hack the System – Here’s How

If there is one fishing hack to follow in the world of buying gear for not only fishing, but any outdoor recreation, it is to never pay retail and try to fish as cheap as possible. You read that right, don’t pay full price and be the sucker that so many people are. I am not talking about making an emergency trip to the bait shop after you found the magical bait. I am talking about the guy who pays full price for the marked up crankbaits and soft plastics when he could have utilized last weeks sale to save 20-30% on those exact lures. Today, I’m going to help you become a budget friendly angler. Not just in your bass fishing tactics, but also in your approach to buying fishing gear on sale. We’re going to explore how to hunt down sales at different retailers, and maximize your dollar by using credit cards, coupons, and other rewards systems.

Where to Find Fishing Gear Sales

Before anything else, you need to know where to look. Here are some of the best retailers that regularly have fishing gear sales:

1. Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas: Known for their extensive fishing gear assortment, Bass Pro Shops have both in-store and online sales throughout the year, particularly during holidays and season changes. I highly recommend being diligent when they run their Spring Fishing sale, as their are some smoking deals to be had. For example, on the most recent sale they ran a 3 for $10 sale on Booyah Pad Crashers. Those retail normally for almost $8. While the Bargain Cave section isn’t what it once was, there are still great deals to be found in you shop at the appropriate times and keep an eye out.
2. Amazon: This e-commerce giant is a treasure trove of fishing gear deals. Watch out for Prime Day and Black Friday sales to get the best deals. While I am a big fan of not supporting Amazon for a variety of reasons, it is hard to deny that getting gear delivered straight to your door isn’t a saving in itself. For Amazon, I highly recommend buying things you normally wouldn’t think to purchase. A few examples include: rod socks, bobber stops, rod holders, and anything else that you can buy in bulk. In general, I steer clear from line, rods, and reels due to durability.
3. Walmart: Never underestimate Walmart for fishing tackle. It is crazy some of the deals that are offered at Walmart during specific times of the year. In my experience, they often run sales on soft plastics from Zoom and Strike King, and are often even cheaper at MSRP than other retailers. You can almost always find a variety of fishing line and terminal tackle on sale. As a hot tip, a lot of the Ozark Trail branded fishing accessories work great for the angler on a budget, and even today I still resort to their fillet knife when I bump into some crappies.
4. Tackle Warehouse: While being the mecca for bass fishing gear in general, Tackle Warehouse is a great place to target at specific times of the year to buy gear on a budget. They post daily deals in their clearance section, have a specific Rebates & Promotions page, and often have closeouts for a variety of rods, reels, accessories, and everything in between. Utilize these pages frequently, as you will often find great gear from retailers like Shimano, Lews, and Daiwa.
5. Local Tackle Shops: Don’t underestimate your local mom-and-pop tackle shop. They often offer clearance sales and end-of-season discounts that rival larger retailers on baits. Along with finding some “Diamond in the Rough” deals, it is always a great idea to support and shop local. This will also pay dividends in local fishing intel, relationship building with the owners and regular clients, and can open other opportunities you otherwise didn’t know existed.

Maximizing Your Dollar with Credit Cards, Coupons, and Rewards Systems

Now that you know where to look, let’s discuss how to stretch your dollar further with credit cards, coupons, and rewards systems:

1. Credit Cards: If used responsibly, credit cards can be a savvy angler’s best friend. Cards like the Cabela’s CLUB Card or Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Rewards Mastercard not only offer points on purchases, but often also provide exclusive discounts or early access to sales. If you don’t want to commit to a store card, consider a cash back card or a card with a great rewards program for general purchases. Just remember to pay off your balance monthly to avoid interest charges. A great cash back card that I constantly recommend is the Citi DoubleCash. It is a flat 2% cash back credit card that is great for the people who don’t want to worry about squeezing every last penny, but like to just swipe and go on with their day.
2. Coupons: These are your secret weapon. Retailers often offer coupons in weekly ads, email newsletters, and on their websites. Websites like Rakuten and Groupon also offer an assortment of coupons and promo codes for many retailers. In regards to Rakuten, they almost always have a deal going on with Bass Pro. It can often be anywhere from 2-10% off your total order at time of checkout. That is some serious coin for simply signing up and installing it on your browser when you shop.
3. Rewards Systems: Most major retailers have a rewards program that offers points on purchases. These points can be used for discounts on future purchases. Sign up for these free programs and start earning while you shop.

Below is a photo of a receipt for recent fishing purchase I made online at Bass Pro for about $350 normally. As you can see by the total, just by shopping their sales I saved almost $75. I also paired that with Rakuten for an extra 3% cash back, and paid via Paypal which gave me another 5% off my total in cash back. That is well over $100 in savings for a few extra minutes of work! 

The Art of Sale Shopping: Tips for Savvy Anglers

To maximize your savings, follow these tips:

• Shop Off-Season: Many retailers offer end-of-season sales to clear out inventory. You can score some fantastic deals by shopping for fishing gear during the off-peak times. Buy ice fishing gear in the spring when the ice is melting away.
• Comparison Shop: Before you make a purchase, take a moment to compare prices across different retailers. You might find a better deal elsewhere. We are all guilty of impulse purchases, trim those down and take your time to shop other stores to save some money.
• Read Reviews: Before you buy on sale, read reviews. Low price doesn’t always mean good value, and vice versa. Make sure the gear is durable and suits your fishing needs. YouTube, blog posts such as this one or TacticalBassin, or chatting with local fisherman is a great way to ensure you are spending your money wisely.
• Think Long-Term: Investing in quality gear will save you money in the long run, even if it means spending a little more up front. Look for brand-name items on sale. You can almost never go wrong with Lews, Shimano, or Daiwa.
• Track Prices: Use tools like Honey or CamelCamelCamel to track price changes on items you’re interested in. You’ll get notifications when the price drops, ensuring you get the best deal possible.
• Use Gift Cards: Purchase discounted gift cards from sites like Raise or CardCash. Use these cards when buying your gear to get extra savings. Often you can find deals on gift cards at retailers like Sam’s Club or Costco, use these to your advantage.
• Buy in Bulk: If you use certain items frequently (like hooks or line), consider buying in bulk during a sale. You’ll save money over time. This is a huge one. As mentioned above, I bought Booyah Pad Crasher frogs for over 50% retail. Guess who bought about 25 frogs in assorted colors, this guy.
• Combine Deals: Whenever possible, stack your deals. Use a coupon on a sale item, pay with a cash-back credit card, and use your rewards points in tandem. You will be surprised how quickly you can drive down that bill.

Pro tip, buying in bulk not only saves money, but it gives you insurance when the company discontinues a certain color or type of bait. For that exact reason I have too many Zoom Lizards in a particular Junebug Chartreuse flavor (20+ bags but who is counting). Whoops. 

Armed with these tips and tricks, you’re well on your way to becoming a savvy angler. Remember, the goal isn’t just to save money – it’s to get the best value for your hard-earned dollar. That way, you can enjoy your bass fishing adventure without breaking the bank. If you needed a little more reading on how to utilize credit cards to save money on gear, check out this article I wrote that dives into some friendly options.

I want it engrained in your head. Don’t pay full retail unless absolutely necessary. These items always go on sale, so come prepared. Your significant other and wallet will thank you for it.

Dawson

Tight lines,