Bass Pro Discount Buying Guide

Bass Pro Discount Buying Guide

kle bag, performance hoodie, and a fillet knife I absolutely did not need. That was the day I got serious about hacking Bass Pro discounts.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve tested just about every legit way to save at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s (same parent company, same rewards ecosystem). Some worked beautifully, some were duds, and a few were way better than I expected.

This Bass Pro Discount Buying Guide is everything I wish someone had told me before I dropped a paycheck on crankbaits and camo.

The Big Picture: How Bass Pro Prices Really Work

When I started tracking my receipts, I noticed a pattern:

• Everyday prices on house brands (Bass Pro, Cabela’s, RedHead, XPS) are usually competitive
• Major brand gear (Shimano, Garmin, YETI, Sitka, etc.) tends to sit close to MAP pricing (Minimum Advertised Price)
• The real savings come from stacking: sales + rewards + gift card hacks + price matching

Bass Pro isn’t usually the absolute rock-bottom place to buy one item at random. It is a gold mine if you plan your buys and stack the right discounts.

Step 1: Use the Bass Pro & Cabela’s Price Match (Properly)

I tested the Bass Pro price match a few times on reels and electronics. It’s not always smooth, but when it works, it’s sweet.

• Identical items from major competitors like Academy, Dick’s, Walmart, Amazon, Cabela’s (Cabela’s is the same company, but sometimes prices actually differ)
• In-stock items (no “coming soon” or sketchy third-party sellers)

1. Search the exact model number on Google Shopping
2. Check Amazon, Academy, and Walmart for lower prices
3. Screenshot lower prices with shipping and store names clearly visible

At the customer service desk, I’ve had the best luck saying something like:

> “Hey, I found this same model online at $X. Can you price match this for me today?”

In my experience, they’re more lenient in-store than over the phone. There are exclusions and the policy can change, so I always double-check the current rules on their official site.

• No matching to obvious gray-market sellers
• Sometimes no matching on doorbusters or closeouts
• Occasionally an associate just says no, and I’ve had better luck asking a supervisor

Still, on a $300 reel or $800 fish finder, a simple price match has saved me $50–$100 in one shot.

Step 2: Master the Bass Pro/Cabela’s CLUB Card (But Don’t Get Burned)

I’m not a "sign up for every store card" person, but the Bass Pro/Cabela’s CLUB Mastercard is one of the few store cards I’ve kept.

When I tested this over a year, here’s what I actually got:

• 2% back in points on Bass Pro & Cabela’s purchases (higher tiers can get 3%+
• Occasional 10%–15% bonus point events on select categories
• Targeted mailers and emails with “Spend $X, get $Y in points” offers

I saved up points over a season and knocked $140 off a Lowrance unit during a spring sale. That felt amazing.

But here’s the honest side:

• Interest rates on store cards are almost always high
• Rewards completely evaporate if you carry a balance

From a trust standpoint, I’d only recommend the CLUB card if:

• You pay it off in full every month
• You’re already spending a meaningful amount at Bass Pro/Cabela’s annually

For bigger purchases (like boats and ATVs), Bass Pro also offers promotional financing, but I personally avoid that unless I’ve read every line of the fine print and can pay off early.

Step 3: Time Your Purchases Around Sales Cycles

When I started treating Bass Pro like a seasonal ecosystem instead of a random store, my savings jumped.

Patterns I’ve noticed after a couple years of watching ads and emails:

• Spring Fishing Classic (usually Feb–Mar):
• Best time for rods, reels, tackle, and trade-in deals
• I traded in two old reels and got decent discounts plus peace of mind they weren’t going to die mid-season

• Hunting Season / Fall Sales (Aug–Oct):
• Camo, tree stands, optics, and ammo promos
• I’ve seen good bundles on rangefinders and scopes here

• Black Friday & Cyber Monday:
• Deep discounts, but limited quantities
• Great for apparel, small electronics, and stocking up on line and lures

• Post-season markdowns:
• After the peak season ends, you’ll sometimes find clearance racks with 30–60% off
• I once grabbed a $160 fishing rain jacket for $69 because the model was being phased out

I keep a running list of “big-ticket wants” (kayak upgrades, electronics, waders) and wait for the right seasonal window instead of impulse buying.

Step 4: Cross-Saving with Cabela’s (Same Family, Different Deals)

Bass Pro and Cabela’s are under the same corporate roof, and rewards points work at both, but the prices and discounts are not always identical.

More than once I’ve seen:

• A clearance deal on Cabelas.com that’s full-price on BassPro.com
• A brand-exclusive color or bundle at one but not the other

My routine now:

• Always check both sites before a big purchase
• Move items between carts to see which combo of promo codes, clearance, and shipping wins

I’ve saved $40–$80 on optics and clothing this way with almost zero extra time.

Step 5: Gift Card & Cashback Stacking (Where Things Get Fun)

When I tested stacking strategies, this is where I found some of the biggest hidden discounts.

Tactics that have worked for me:

I look for legit discounted Bass Pro or generic Mastercard/Visa gift cards at warehouse clubs or major retailers. Sometimes:

• 5%–10% off Bass Pro or general-purpose cards
• Holiday promos like “Buy $100 in cards, get a $10 store bonus”

I immediately load those into my Bass Pro account and treat the discount like a secret sale.

Depending on the day, portals like Rakuten or TopCashback sometimes offer 1–5% cash back on Bass Pro or Cabela’s online orders (availability changes).

I’ve had stacks like this:

• Sale price on a reel
• Paid with a discounted gift card
• Used CLUB points for part of it
• Tracked 3% cash back through a shopping portal

It’s not rare for me to effectively save 20–30% this way on mid-range purchases.

Caveat: portals sometimes exclude certain categories or payment methods, and terms can change. I always read the fine print before assuming the stack will work.

Step 6: Watch for Rebate & Bundle Deals on Electronics

Fish finders, trolling motors, and higher-end electronics are where people either overspend or win big.

When I bought my last sonar unit, I:

• Checked the manufacturer’s site (Humminbird, Lowrance, Garmin) for rebate programs
• Watched for Bass Pro bundle promos (unit + transducer + gift card)
• Compared total cost with and without CLUB points and price matching

Sometimes the best deal is actually a bundle with a gift card back rather than a straight price cut. One year I got a $100 Bass Pro gift card back with a qualifying electronics purchase, which I immediately turned into line, terminal tackle, and a net I’d been eyeing.

Downside: rebates can be slow and require careful submission. I’ve had to chase one down once, so I now screenshot everything and keep PDFs of receipts.

When Bass Pro Isn’t the Best Deal

To keep this honest: Bass Pro is not automatically the cheapest, even with tricks.

Situations where I’ve walked away:

• Ammo and bulk consumables sometimes cheaper at local shops or online specialty retailers
• Niche high-end tackle cheaper at smaller online tackle shops
• Apparel: many fishing/hunting clothing brands run aggressive direct-to-consumer sales that beat Bass Pro’s pricing

If I can’t price match and there’s no stacking angle, I’ll often save my CLUB points for a better opportunity and buy elsewhere.

Quick Personal Playbook: How I Actually Shop There Now

Here’s my real-life sequence when I’m planning a bigger Bass Pro run:

1. Make a list and separate “need now” vs “can wait for sale”
2. Check BassPro.com and Cabelas.com for prices and current promos
3. Search competitors for potential price matches (screenshots ready)
4. Log into a cashback portal if it’s worth it
5. Pay with a combo of:

• Discounted gift cards (if I have them)
• CLUB card for extra points (paid off immediately)
• Redeem CLUB points on items that almost never go on sale

When I stick to that system, I’ve consistently seen 15–35% effective savings off sticker prices over a full year of purchases.

If you’re just casually grabbing a couple of spinnerbaits on a Saturday, you don’t need this whole playbook. But if you’re gearing up for a season, building out a boat, or outfitting a hunting trip, taking an extra 20 minutes with these tactics can easily save you a few hundred dollars.

Sources

• Bass Pro Shops – Official Website - Current policies, promotions, and CLUB program details
• Cabela’s – Official Website - Parallel pricing, promos, and rewards integration with Bass Pro
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) – Store Credit Cards - Guidance on risks and costs of store credit cards
• Forbes – How To Maximize Credit Card Rewards - Strategies for using rewards responsibly and effectively
• Federal Trade Commission – Online Shopping Tips - Best practices for safe, smart online shopping and price comparison