Bass Pro Shops Clearance Savings Guide
$220 rain jacket for $89 and a kayak paddle for half off. That day pretty much rewired how I shop there.
This is the Bass Pro Shops Clearance Savings Guide I wish I’d had years ago—based on what I’ve actually tested, broken, returned, and seriously scored on.
How Bass Pro Shops Clearance Really Works
When I started paying attention, I realized Bass Pro doesn’t treat clearance like a single big sale—it’s more like a rolling, layered markdown strategy.
In my experience, most items follow a rough pattern:
- Regular price – New arrival, no discount.
- Promotional sale – Temporary markdown (10–25% off) advertised in flyers/online.
- Red-tag clearance – First permanent drop, usually 25–40% off.
- Deep clearance – Often 50–70% off, sometimes unadvertised and store-specific.
When I tested this with a pair of RedHead hiking boots, I watched them go from $119.99 to $89.97 (promo), then to $79.97 (red tag), and finally to $59.97. I bought at $59.97; a store associate later told me they’d likely get pulled from the floor once stock dipped too low.
The key: clearance tends to be final markdown before the item disappears entirely, especially on house brands.
Where the Best Clearance Hides (In-Store vs Online)
Online: Quiet Goldmine, But You Need Filters
On the Bass Pro website, the best starting point I’ve found is:
- Departments → Bargain Cave / Clearance / Sale (names move around a bit, but there’s always a discount hub)
- Filter by “Clearance” and then sort by “Biggest Savings” or “% Off”
When I did a side-by-side test of in-store vs online pricing on a Cabela’s Guidewear hoodie, the online price was $10 cheaper and still eligible for free ship-to-store. The store honored the lower web price when I showed it at checkout.
Online pros (from my experience):
- Easier to compare sizes/colors quickly
- Web-only clearance on odd colors (the “we ordered too many teal jackets” situation)
- Sometimes extra promo codes stack on clearance
Cons:
- Shipping can kill a good deal if it’s under the free-shipping threshold
- You can’t inspect stitching, zippers, and fit before buying
In-Store: The Clearance Safari
In-store is messier—but in a good way.
I’ve found clearance in:
- Back corners of clothing sections (especially near fitting rooms)
- End caps in camping, marine, and hunting aisles
- Footwear walls—look at the bottom shelves and side racks
- The boat/fishing area: rods, reels, and line spools with yellow or red tags
More than once, I’ve found an item in-store cheaper than the website—especially open-box electronics and last-pair boots. Once, I snagged an open-box Lowrance fish finder for about 35% below the website clearance price because the box was torn.
If you’re serious about this, talk to staff. When I asked a fishing associate when they usually update tags, he told me, “We normally redo markdowns mid-week, especially before big weekends.” Since then, I time my visits around Wednesday/Thursday when I can.
Timing: When Clearance Deals Peak
Bass Pro Shops doesn’t publish a simple, predictable clearance calendar, but there are patterns I’ve noticed over a few years of fairly obsessive watching.
1. Post-Season Drops
- Late winter (Jan–Feb): Hunting clothes, insulated boots, late-season camo
- Late summer (Aug–Sept): Warm-weather fishing apparel, camping gear, water sports
I picked up a $179.99 insulated parka for $74.97 in February because it was being phased out right as everyone stopped thinking about snow.
2. Post-Holiday Clearance
After Black Friday and Christmas, there’s often a wave of:
- Gift combos (rod/reel combos, knife sets, multi-packs)
- Branded apparel with holiday tagging
The National Retail Federation has repeatedly shown that about two-thirds of shoppers look for post-holiday discounts, which pushes retailers, including Bass Pro, to clear out seasonal inventory fast.
3. Brand/Model Changeovers
When a major brand like Garmin, Lowrance, or Vortex updates a line, the older models quietly drift into clearance. They’re often still perfectly capable.
I picked up an older Garmin Striker unit for about 40% off simply because a new version with marginally better screen resolution had launched.
House Brands vs Big Brands on Clearance
One thing I learned the hard way: not all clearance is equal.
House Brands (Bass Pro, Cabela’s, RedHead, Ascend)
Pros:- Often see the deepest markdowns (50–70% off isn’t rare)
- Still covered by Bass Pro’s warranty and return policies
- Good value for casual to intermediate usage
- Discontinued lines can mean no replacement if it fails later
- Sizing can be inconsistent across years/models
I recently grabbed a Cabela’s-brand rain jacket for under $80 that’s performed almost as well as my high-end Patagonia shell in light to moderate rain, but the breathability in hot weather isn’t quite on the same level.
Major Brands (Columbia, North Face, Garmin, Yeti, etc.)
Pros:- More consistent build quality and sizing
- Better resale value if you’re flipping or upgrading later
- Discounts are usually smaller (20–40% off)
- Popular sizes/colors sell out first
When I tested clearance Columbia vs house-brand fleece, the Columbia had better stitching and a more durable zipper, but the warmth difference was minimal. On clearance, the price gap narrowed enough that I went with the Columbia.
Stacking Savings: How to Double-Dip (Without Being That Person)
Here’s how I’ve legitimately stacked discounts without doing anything shady.
1. Price Matching the Website
Bass Pro has historically matched its own online pricing in-store when you show the product page. I’ve done this multiple times.
Process I’ve used:
- Pull up the item in the Bass Pro app or website
- Show the lower online price at checkout
- Ask politely if they can match the website price
It doesn’t always work on clearance, but I’ve had about a 70% success rate based on my entirely unofficial tally.
2. Using the CLUB Card or Store Credit Card
When I opened a Bass Pro/Cabela’s CLUB card, I timed it around a big clearance purchase. They were running a $60 bonus in points for new sign-ups.
I combined:
- Clearance pricing on a tent and sleeping pads
- New card sign-up bonus
- Points redemption on a later purchase
Caveat: If you don’t pay your statement in full, the interest wipes out any savings. No sale is worth credit card interest.
3. Email Lists, Apps, and Local Flyers
I know, nobody wants more emails. But when I subscribed and installed the app, I started seeing:
- Extra 10–20% off clearance weekends
- Member-only events
- Early heads-up on seasonal clearance
Sometimes these discounts are automatically applied in-cart online, even on items already marked down.
What’s Actually Worth Buying on Clearance (And What I Avoid)
Usually Worth It (In My Experience)
- Technical outerwear: Jackets, bibs, waders – easy to inspect seams and zippers
- Base layers & fleece: Less risk, easy to layer, long lifespan
- Hard goods: Coolers, camp furniture, kayaks, stands – you can spot damage before buying
- Legacy electronics: GPS/fish finders one generation old (as long as mapping updates are still supported)
I still use a clearance camp chair from three years ago that’s survived festivals, muddy campsites, and one very determined raccoon.
I’m More Cautious With
- Footwear: Clearance often means odd sizes or returns; I check for:
- Insole wear
- Creasing in leather
- Sole separation or weird glue spots
- Heavily discounted optics: If the deal looks too good, I inspect for focus issues, dust, or misalignment
- Ultra-specific hunting patterns: If it’s a pattern being phased out, it’s not a problem functionally, but mixing patterns might bug you visually if you’re particular.
Returns, Warranties, and Fine Print
One thing I really like: Bass Pro Shops generally honors standard return policies on clearance unless it’s clearly marked “final sale” (this can vary by item and state, so I always double-check the receipt and signage).
I once returned a clearance rain jacket that started leaking at a seam within a month. The store gave me options: exchange, store credit, or refund. I opted for an upgrade and paid the difference.
But there are a few realities:
- Limited sizes/colors for exchanges
- If the product line is discontinued, you might only get store credit or a different model
- Manufacturer warranties still apply on most big brands
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) notes that retailers must disclose significant warranty limits clearly, so if something’s "all sales final," it should be obvious on tags or signage.
A Simple Strategy You Can Steal
If you want a straightforward playbook, here’s what I’ve settled into:
- Browse online first – Filter for clearance, sort by biggest discount.
- Check the app and email – Look for extra % off or free shipping offers.
- Visit in-store mid-week – Hunt the end caps and back corners, then compare to online pricing on your phone.
- Ask staff a couple of questions – “Do you know if more clearance is coming out this week?” has paid off for me often.
- Inspect before you buy – Zippers, seams, soles, electronics screens.
The first time I followed this full routine, I walked out with:
- Technical shell jacket
- Midweight base layer
- Camp chair
Total sticker price: around $370. My final bill: just under $190. Not life-changing money, but enough that I’ve never gone back to randomly wandering the aisles hoping for a deal.
If you treat Bass Pro clearance less like a bargain bin and more like a system you can learn, the savings get very real, very fast.
Sources
- Bass Pro Shops Official Website - Reference for clearance categories, promotions, and brand information
- National Retail Federation – Holiday and Post-Holiday Shopping Trends - Data on consumer discount behavior and post-holiday shopping patterns
- Federal Trade Commission – Warranties - Guidance on retailer and manufacturer warranty responsibilities
- Forbes – How Retailers Use Markdowns And Discounting - Background on retail markdown strategies relevant to clearance pricing
- REI Co-op – Expert Advice on Choosing Outdoor Gear - General gear selection principles that apply when evaluating clearance items
