Bass Pro Shops Deals and Shopping Guide
ance flannel, and a bag of beef jerky I absolutely did not need. If you’ve ever walked under that giant log-cabin façade “just to look,” you know how fast the cart fills up.
Over the last few years, I’ve turned those impulse trips into a bit of a science experiment: How do you actually win at Bass Pro Shops—getting the best deals without overspending? When I tested different tactics (credit card promos, sales cycles, price matching), the difference in what I paid was honestly huge.
Here’s the playbook I use now whenever I shop there, online or in-store.
Why Bass Pro Shops Is a Different Kind of Store
Bass Pro Shops isn’t just a sporting goods chain; it’s more like an outdoor theme park that happens to take your money very efficiently.
In my experience, a few things set it apart:
- Category depth: If you’re into fishing, hunting, camping, or boating, they don’t just have the basics—they’ve got full product ecosystems. I’ve found very niche stuff there that I couldn’t get at general retailers.
- House brands that punch above their price: RedHead, Bass Pro Shops, Offshore Angler, and Cabela’s-branded gear can be serious value when they’re on sale.
- Experience-first stores: The giant aquariums, taxidermy displays, archery ranges—those keep you browsing longer, which is great for them and dangerous for your wallet.
Bass Pro acquired Cabela’s in 2017, and the two brands now share a lot of the backend—pricing, inventory transfers, and the rewards program. I’ve used that merger to my advantage more than once, especially on big-ticket items.
The Big Three Ways to Save (That Actually Work)
After way too many receipts and some nerdy tracking in a spreadsheet (yes, I’m that person), three savings levers consistently stood out.
1. Timing Your Purchases Around Known Sales Cycles
When I tracked prices for a few months on a baitcaster combo I wanted, I noticed a pattern: prices moved around the same timing every year.
What I’ve seen repeatedly:- Spring Fishing Classic (usually Feb–Mar): This is the Super Bowl of deals if you fish. Trade-in promos on rods and reels, big markdowns on lures, line, and electronics. I traded in a beat-up spinning rod and shaved a nice chunk off a new mid-range combo.
- Hunting and fall sales (Aug–Nov): Camo, boots, optics, tree stands, and cold-weather apparel get real discounts. I bought insulated bibs in early September and saw them go back up closer to season.
- Holiday sales (Black Friday / Cyber Monday): Good for electronics, trail cameras, fish finders, and branded clothing bundles. I snagged a fish finder at a lower price here than any time the rest of the year.
2. Working the Bass Pro / Cabela’s CLUB Card (Without Getting Burned)
I don’t say “open a store credit card” lightly, but I’ll be honest: when used carefully, the Bass Pro/Cabela’s CLUB card can be a serious discount engine.
What I’ve personally done:- I signed up during a promo where you got a big chunk of CLUB points as a sign-up bonus. I used that bonus to cover almost all of a decent spinning combo.
- I use the card mostly in-store and online at Bass Pro/Cabela’s and pay it off monthly. That way, the higher APR never bites me.
- Points back on every Bass Pro/Cabela’s purchase (and some on other purchases, depending on card tier)
- Extra cardholder-only events with bonus points
- Occasional special financing on big-ticket stuff like boats, ATVs, and gun safes
- The interest rate can be steep if you carry a balance
- It’s easy to rationalize “well, I’m earning points” and overspend
In my experience, this only works if you treat it like a debit card you pay off immediately. If you don’t, any “deal” evaporates fast.
3. Price Matching and Cross-Store Hacking
This is where things get fun.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s will price match most major competitors (and each other) on identical in-stock items. When I tested this, I:
- Found a reel that was cheaper at another major retailer.
- Took a screenshot of the competitor’s price.
- Asked at customer service for a match.
They matched it. On another trip, I found a gun safe cheaper on Cabela’s site while I was standing inside a Bass Pro. I showed the cashier, and they matched that too.
Is it guaranteed? No. There are exclusions (clearance, auctions, some online-only deals). But I’ve had more wins than losses by simply asking.
Extra little hack:I sometimes check both Bass Pro and Cabela’s websites on my phone for the same item. The prices match a lot, but not always. When they don’t, I ask for the lower of the two.
Where the Best Real-World Deals Hide
Not all categories are equal. In my experience, I’ve gotten consistently better value in these areas:
House-Branded Gear
If you’re not hyper-brand-loyal, the in-house brands can be gold:
- RedHead: Solid for hunting apparel and boots on sale
- Bass Pro Shops: Terminal tackle, soft plastics, and entry-level combos
- Cabela’s: Camping gear, clothing, and some optics
I once grabbed a RedHead fleece on a half-off rack out of curiosity—it’s still in my regular fall rotation years later. Is it Arc’teryx? No. Did I pay Arc’teryx money? Also no.
Clearance Corners (Especially for Apparel)
My single best score was a late-winter trip where I found a Cabela’s parka that was originally well over $200, marked down to under $80. Wrong season, wrong size for most shoppers, perfect for me.
Patterns I’ve noticed:- Seasonal apparel drops hardest right after the season
- Odd sizes (XS, 3XL, some tall sizes) sit and get cheaper
- Colors no one loved at full price end up being the deepest discount
If you’re flexible on color or brand, this is where you save big.
Combos and Bundles
Rod-and-reel combos, optic + rangefinder bundles, gun + scope packages… they’re designed to move volume, and that often means lower per-piece pricing.
When I was helping a friend get into bass fishing, we compared buying a rod and reel separately vs. a pre-built combo. The combo was noticeably cheaper and totally fine for a beginner. Are combos always best? No. But if you’re new or just want a beater rig, they’re worth seriously considering.
Stuff That Looks Like a Deal but Often Isn’t
To stay honest here, there are also things I don’t usually buy at Bass Pro unless there’s a promo.
Everyday Items You Can Get Cheaper Elsewhere
Items like:
- Common ammo calibers
- Generic camping basics (propane canisters, basic tarps, some coolers)
- Name-brand shoes and sneakers that big-box chains constantly discount
More than once I’ve scanned a barcode with my phone and seen the same item cheaper at a general retailer. When that happens, I either ask for a price match or pass.
Fashion-First Lifestyle Apparel
Some of the branded lifestyle apparel—graphic tees, fashion hoodies, casual shoes—are more about the logo and vibe than technical performance. That’s fine if you love the style, but the value calculated per use isn’t always the best.
I still buy this stuff occasionally, but I treat it like buying from a merch table, not a hardcore “gear investment.”
Online vs. In-Store: Where I Buy What
I’ve shopped both pretty heavily, and I’ve ended up with a simple rule in my own head.
I usually buy online when:- I know exactly what I want (same lure, same line, same model)
- I’m stacking an online-only promo code or free shipping
- I want to compare prices across multiple retailers quickly
- I need to feel the rod action or gun ergonomics
- I’m buying boots or waders (fit is way too critical)
- I’m hunting for clearance racks and “one-off” markdowns
When I tested buying boots online vs. in-store, I returned the online pair twice before finally giving in and driving to the store. One fitting session in person solved what two weeks of shipping couldn’t.
Staying Sane and On-Budget (So the Deals Actually Matter)
This is the part nobody likes to talk about, but it’s where the real savings live.
Here’s what I do now:
- I go in with a target list and a soft cap. For example: “I’m here for line, a medium crankbait box, and maybe one clearance topwater if it’s under $8.”
- I price-check big stuff on my phone. If a $500 optic is $420 somewhere else, that’s too big a gap to ignore.
- I watch my own pattern. If I catch myself rationalizing something with “but it’s on sale,” I pause. I’ve bought enough random camo hats this way to learn my lesson.
And I’ll be completely blunt: some trips, the best financial move is to walk out with nothing. I’ve done that more than once after wandering around for 30 minutes and realizing I was just browsing for the dopamine hit.
Final Thoughts: How to Actually Win at Bass Pro Shops
If you strip it all down, the winning Bass Pro strategy I’ve landed on looks like this:
- Time big purchases around seasonal events like the Spring Fishing Classic and major hunting promos.
- Use the CLUB card only if you’re disciplined about paying it off.
- Always check price matches against competitors and even Cabela’s.
- Hunt clearance, especially off-season apparel and house brands.
- Skip “meh” deals on everyday items you can get cheaper elsewhere.
When I started treating Bass Pro less like a theme park and more like a tactical mission, my spend went down, my gear quality went up, and the whole thing felt less like a guilty pleasure and more like a smart hobby.
If you’re about to walk under that giant log-cabin entrance again, at least now you’re going in with a game plan.
Sources
- Bass Pro Shops Official Site – Sales & Promotions - Current deals, events, and promotions from Bass Pro Shops
- Cabela’s CLUB Card Details - Official information on the Bass Pro/Cabela’s CLUB credit card and rewards
- Forbes – Store Credit Cards: Pros, Cons And Alternatives - Overview of how store cards work and where people overspend
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Credit Card Interest and Fees - Government guidance on credit card interest and how it impacts real cost
- National Shooting Sports Foundation – Firearms and Ammunition Retail Economic Data - Industry data on outdoor and sporting goods retail trends
