New Guy Again..another dumb question :)

[THavas]

Where do you all primarily do your ice fishing shopping at?...Cabelas, Gander Mtn, Thorne Bros....somewhere else? I just been looking for the best prices. Planning on picking up my gear this weekend maybe. Thanks!!!!

PS: I won't tell your wives/girlfriends/husbands/boyfriends where you spend all your money :-)

[Scott K]

I buy most of mine on line, I look for deals, then buy it all year long. The outdoor pro store has some good deals going all season. Although that wont help you in a short notice. Besides that, it all depends on what kind of gear you are looking for.

[reddsixx]

For me it's Fleet Farm for prices and selection, then Gander. Best customer service is Thorne Bros. But that's just my opinion. I don't buy expensive stuff very often, so when I do I really bargain shop.

[dan z]

hit up gander mtn soon, they are transfering over to open water stuff already. so they are cleaaring some of there store branded products. I also find that Fleet farm has good deals through out the year. dont buy anthing not on sale unless its a for sure hot seller producer.

IE: I buy husky jerx for a lake up north and dont even bat an eye at the price becuase they work great up on that lake. getting them on sale is like candy for me. I buy the whole peg if they are on sale.

[Wanderer]

These are some links to a site and forum right here on HSO that offer some quality items. The shipping usually is pretty quick also - since you said "maybe" to shopping this weekend.

The Outdoor Pro Store

http://outdoorprostore.com/

Sponsor Forum

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/90/1/Sponsor_Showcase_News_Informat

Store Sales Forum

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/33/1

Its a start.

[jwmiller33]

FF is usually my number one choice to get anything hard or open water related, especially boat supplies/accessories. no other store can beat FF's prices. it seems like their rod/reel combos are always on sale. this time of year is great for getting really good deals on open water rods.

i do go to the big C store when i have a gift card or if i feel like browsing for a hr or two. then i figure out what i need and but it at FF

[gregg52]

hmmmmmmmm no body buy at reeds

I think they might have the most knowledgalbe guys

Throne probbly does to they have been around

Whata bout CAPRAS in the cities are they still around ??

[Jim Uran]

No such thing as a dumb question, I like to buy my stuff online too, I live in the sticks, so the closest place to me is L&M Fleet supply and gander... Otherwise for jigs and terminal tackle I buy it at the local bait shop.

[jigemupjohn]

l&m fleet has everything for cheep

[TruthWalleyes]

I live in a town with a Gander and a Scheels, work in a town that has Cabelas, and i buy 90% of my stuff at FleetFarm. If they don't have it, then i go to one of the others.

[DTro]

I’m a Fleet Farm guy when I know I have a bunch of things to buy, or if I can only find it there, otherwise I’ll pick up my odds and ends at a local mom and pop while I’m stopping for bait.

[Scott K]

I’m a Fleet Farm guy when I know I have a bunch of things to buy, or if I can only find it there, otherwise I’ll pick up my odds and ends at a local mom and pop while I’m stopping for bait.

I almost always ask and pick up a couple of the hot jigs at the local bait shop/resort. They may cost a little more, but they are the local pro's!

[Surreal Deal]

If I was starting from zero I would go to FF. Since I am not I shop ahead & hit the year-end clearance sales at all of those places. The nice thing about ice fishing is that once you have your basic setup you really don't need to spend a lot more unless you want to.

I do try to buy at least one extra thing (pack of jigs or whatever) when I am at the bait shop.

[walleyemaniac]

FF for me to, or I look for deals online. Hit the bait shops to, if I'm not around home seems like you send a little more money they'll exchange a little more info.

[Hawg]

Fleet-the men's mall!!!

[redseal]

for bait and the small item stuff always always the local bait shop!! spend $10 and get good tips and you help out the local guy. I might save $3 driving all the way to ff or C, but it gives me more pleasure helping out the local guy who will tell me where the bite is on!! Cheap will only get you so far...

[Scott Stein]

same here I buy all my bait local and you do get some very good tips on where to fish once you become a familar face at the bait shop!!

[Northlander]

I buy 99% of my goods in my home town shops. They are always there to help you out when you need them and the service cant be beat. I dont know what I would do without Marine General, Fishermans Corner, The biat Box and Chalstroms. When I need something one is always on the way and I can usually get as good if not better prices buying local.

With the economy as it is its even more important to buy local these days!

[hcmpls1]

Figured I wouldnt start a new thread hoping I could ask an ignorant “new-guy” question too... When you tip a jig with a minnow head, what purpose does the minnow head serve? Is it for scent?

[bottom-bouncer]

yes!!

[hcmpls1]

Sorry... I wasn't sure but it's the only thing that made sense to me. Thanks for confirming!

[wplatehunter]

Gander Mtn or Scheels. If I can't find it there I buy it on line.

[Bobb-o]

I get all of my stuff from Thorne Bros, they have everything you would ever need, and they will special order you most things they dont carry

[FrontenacPike]

I buy when things are on sale, unless I absolutely need it now. End of the season inventory closeouts are the best, and when next years ice comes around it like Christmas opening up all the jigs, gadgets and nic nacs I bought during the off season.

[servocam]

I too just became a fan of Fleet Farm. I never realized they had such a large selection and their prices are way better than I expected. Cabela's is very expensive and usually way out of the way for most. I went there to buy my Pop-up because of the Employee Discount Coupon and the fam and I were going that way anyways. I like to find the deals, but not going to drive 60 miles to get it unless I have to go that way anyways...and since I am in Sales and travel all around the metro and make it convenient. However, I don't buy that much stuff...

Not sure how many shop at the places because they are the closest?

One way trip:

Gander Mountain = 5 miles

FleetFarm = 11 miles

Thorn Bros = 22 miles

Cabelas = 42 miles