Bass Pro Shops Clearance Sales Explained Guide

Bass Pro Shops Clearance Sales Explained Guide

just spent on lunch. That trip sent me down a rabbit hole: price tags, markdown codes, weird seasonal patterns, and even talking to store associates about how clearance really works behind the scenes.

This guide is everything I’ve learned actually hunting those deals — not just “watch for sales” fluff.

How Bass Pro Shops Clearance Actually Works

When I tested clearance shopping at my local Bass Pro over a few months, I started to notice patterns:

• Three main channels of clearance: in-store racks, online clearance, and hidden markdowns in regular aisles.
• Multiple markdown stages: full price → promo price → markdown → final clearance.
• Regional differences: stores mark down based on local demand and season.

Bass Pro doesn’t publish a public “markdown schedule” (I asked, the manager just laughed), but in my experience they quietly follow a cycle similar to other big-box retailers:

1. Pre-season promos – discounts on last year’s items before the new models hit.
2. End-of-season clearance – heavy markdowns when they need floor space.
3. Final closeouts – whatever’s left gets “take it or leave it” pricing.

The twist: Bass Pro cross-blends with Cabela’s inventory since their 2017 merger. That means a Cabela’s closeout can end up on BassPro.com and vice versa, which is handy if you’re willing to chase SKUs online.

Decoding Tags, Stickers, and Quiet Markdowns

When I started really paying attention to tags, I realized I’d been walking past deals for years.

Price tags

• Yellow or orange clearance stickers usually mean multiple markdowns have already happened. When I see three price stickers layered, I know we’re in “bottom of the barrel” territory.
• Odd prices like $37.37 or $19.88 often signal clearance or special buy pricing, not standard promo.
• “Price reduced” labels on the shelf edge can hide unadvertised markdowns that aren’t flagged as “clearance” yet.

At one visit, I scanned a pair of RedHead boots marked $89.97. The register rang them up at $59.97. The associate told me, “Yeah, we don’t always retag everything right away, but the system knows.” From that day on, I carry the app and double-check anything that feels like it should be cheaper.

Online vs. In-Store Clearance: What I Found

When I compared online and in-store clearance over a few weeks, here’s how it shook out:

Online clearance (BassPro.com)

• Wider selection, especially on fishing reels, optics, and clothing sizes.
• “Clearance” category is easy to filter by size, color, and price.
• You can stack promo codes or free shipping thresholds sometimes.

• Prices can change quickly; I’ve watched a reel jump from $79.97 back to $119.99 in a day.
• Some of the best prices are in-store only and never show up online.

In-store clearance

• Deep, random deals. I once found a $169 youth kayak marked down to $69 because it had a tiny cosmetic scrape.
• Chance to inspect gear — important with rods, boots, and optics.
• Managers sometimes have leeway to knock another few bucks off floor models.

• Sizes and colors are hit-or-miss.
• Requires time and patience; some sections are total chaos.

The sweet spot in my experience? Check online first, then swing by a store and physically walk the aisles for unmarked markdowns.

Best Times of Year for Bass Pro Clearance

Retail calendars are weird, but predictable. I started tracking my hauls by date and saw clear patterns.

1. Post-season gear dumps

• Waterfowl & hunting apparel: January–February
• Camping & hiking: September–October
• Warm-weather fishing apparel: late August–September

I grabbed a full set of cold-weather Realtree bibs at 60% off in late February. The associate said, “We’ve got turkey hunting apparel coming in; this stuff has to go.” That’s your signal.

2. Big sale weekends with clearance boosts

Watch these periods:

• After-Christmas / New Year: leftover holiday inventory, lots of gift returns.
• Memorial Day & Labor Day: older models of grills, smokers, and outdoor furniture.
• Boat show season (varies by region): marine electronics demos and discontinued models.

While major promo events don’t always stack directly onto clearance, they do tend to trigger additional markdown waves as new stock hits the floor.

The Categories Where Clearance Really Shines

Some departments just deliver better clearance value than others.

Apparel and footwear

This is where I save the most consistently.

• House brands like RedHead, Bass Pro Shops, and Ascend get marked down more aggressively than big-name brands.
• Seasonal colorways (think neon fishing shirts) often hit 50–70% off.

I’ve outfitted entire fishing trips with moisture-wicking shirts, convertible pants, and hats from the clearance rack for less than one premium-brand jacket.

Fishing gear

The fishing clearance aisle is chaotic but magical.

• Lures & terminal tackle: odd colors and discontinued packaging can be insanely cheap.
• Reels & combos: older-year models when the new generation drops.

When I tested a “clearance combo” vs. my regular mid-tier setup, performance was 90% as good for about 40% of the price. For casual or backup setups, clearance is a no-brainer.

Camping and outdoor living

Tents, chairs, and cookware go on deep markdowns when packaging changes or new lineups arrive. Just make sure to fully set up larger items (or at least inspect them) before trusting them on a long trip.

When Clearance Isn’t Actually a Good Deal

I’m not going to pretend every yellow sticker means “buy now.” Here’s where I’ve learned to walk away:

• Last-size boots: If they’re slightly off in fit, don’t convince yourself they’ll “break in.” Blisters aren’t worth a 40% discount.
• Specialized electronics: Older fish finders and GPS units can lack critical features or maps. I cross-check model numbers against the manufacturer’s site for firmware support and compatibility.
• Demo or heavily handled optics: Scopes and binoculars that have lived on the display counter may have alignment issues.

I also compare against other retailers. Sometimes an “$80 clearance” price at Bass Pro is the same as a regular promo at another store. Quick price checks save money.

Stacking Rewards, Clubs, and Extra Discounts

Bass Pro is very rewards- and club-driven, and clearance can stack nicely when you’re smart about it.

My best stack so far

On one run, I combined:

• A clearance price on waders (about 55% off)
• Club points I’d saved from a credit card promo
• A free shipping offer to ship-from-store to home

Out-of-pocket, I paid under $40 for something that originally retailed around $160.

Things that may stack

• Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s CLUB points on clearance purchases
• Military discounts (varies by location and promo; I’ve seen it applied and denied on clearance, so ask politely)
• Email or app coupons – sometimes they exclude clearance, sometimes not.

Always read the fine print and don’t assume stacking works. I’ve had online codes rejected at checkout because of clearance tags.

Practical Strategies I Actually Use

Here’s how I approach clearance now, after a lot of trial and error:

1. Start with a list, not vibes – I write down what I actually need (e.g., “summer-weight fishing pants, backup reel, camp chair”) so I don’t get hypnotized by cheap-but-useless stuff.
2. Walk the whole store – I don’t just hit the clearance racks. I scan:

• Endcaps
• Back of aisles
• The boat and marine sections for discontinued models

1. Scan questionable items in the app, even if they’re not tagged as clearance.
2. Check online before checking out – occasionally the online price undercuts in-store, and I can order to home.
3. Don’t chase a deal that doesn’t fit – if the size, fit, or use-case isn’t right, I leave it. Bass Pro’s return policy is decent, but wasted time and impulse buys add up.

Final Thoughts: When Bass Pro Clearance Is Worth Your Energy

In my experience, Bass Pro Shops clearance is absolutely worth working into your gear-buying routine if you:

• Are flexible on colors and sometimes on brands
• Can shop off-season instead of right before a trip
• Are willing to spend a little time digging and scanning

It’s less about “scoring a unicorn deal” and more about consistently clipping 30–60% off the boring-but-essential stuff: socks, base layers, fishing shirts, tackle, camp chairs.

When I treat clearance like a long game — watching patterns, checking in monthly, and keeping a running list on my phone — I end up spending premium money only where it really matters: boots, optics, and core safety gear.

Everything else? I’m happy to let those yellow stickers do the heavy lifting.

Sources

• Bass Pro Shops – Official Site – Current promotions, clearance listings, and store policies
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Price Index – Data on retail price trends and seasonal shopping patterns
• National Retail Federation – Holiday and Seasonal Trends – Insights into timing of markdowns and inventory cycles
• Forbes – How Retailers Use Discounts To Influence Shopping Behavior – Background on discounting strategies
• Harvard Business Review – The Psychology Behind Retail Sales – Research on markdowns and consumer behavior