Gander Mtn. and Musky Gear

[Tim_Anderson]

Hi all,

Just a little information here that might help some of you with getting what you need.

I realize that in the past, Gander has not had the greatest reputation when it comes to having what you need for musky fishing. It is a frustrating thing that comes from higher up at the corporate level, and to a large extent here in our Baxter store, our hands are tied. BUT, having said that, we do have a number of guys who are working hard to change that. It is happening slowly but surely.

They moved me over (from firearms/hunting) to fishing this summer and early fall primarily to sell fishing gear, but with an emphasis on musky tackle.

I've seen a lot of positive talk on here about the Saltist Reels, and we've been selling them like hotcakes lately if you're looking for one. The Shimano 400TE and the Curado 300E have been tremendous reels for me, and have become mainstays in my boat. We've got them too, plus the line of Revo's and more from Abu.

For rods, we're primarily talking about St. Croix and the Gander series rods made by Trophy Technologies. What's nice about the Gander rods is the price point, and especially the warranty - two years free replacement. I haven't seen a lot of this, but guys that come in and exchange a rod on the spot are pretty happy I think.

When it comes to tackle, we've got most of the bases covered when it comes to lure types; bucktails, spinnerbaits, cranks, topwater, twitch, plastics, etc. We are working to get more vendors, and are working on our color selection. Again, little by little, you should see it get better.

The store is under new management, and I think as folks come in, they are seeing and experiencing a new feeling in the air. There's definitely better morale among those that are employed there.

They have sort of empowered me to do what I need to do to boost sales, whether that be price matching, or giving some deals here and there. So just a heads up... if you come on in, look me up, and I'll do my best to hook you up with what you need.

Good bite going right now... best of luck to all.

[Tim_Anderson]

Forgot to mention that we have Supermodels on the way to help round out our Musky Mayhem stuff. Should be a half dozen color options or so in the very near future.

I have come to really like slow rolling these baits. Makes a Cowgirl feel like a Mepps when you are done!

[cbrooks]

Does Gander mt carry Okuma rods rated 4oz-16oz 9'3"? I'm in the area needing a rod to throw the bigger stuff.

[Huntin&Fishin]

Hey well Tim, Gander is WAY better for musky stuff than C Abelas

[kingfish689]

Cant wait to get one stop shoping at gander. I like shoping there but to often I cant get all I need.more tops more bucks more glides, Tools, tools, tools,more replacement hooks. Oh yea I can see it now

[sbro73]

I noticed too, that gander has a new line of the own muskie rods!

[smeese]

I have one of the Gander rods, turned into a catfish rod.

[Shoot2Kill]

Tim,

I love Gander; however...they used to give a small discount to military and they stopped doing that...how can a store that once gave a discount to military stop doing that while members are still fighting every single day? (The St Cloud store) stopped with the discount, maybe it's different at other stores. Maybe with the new managment that would be something you could bring up at some point?

I second that Gander is waaay better than Cabelas for muskie gear!

[smeese]

I really like the cabelas selection in the owatonna store, but Gander is closer and also has a fair selection for being so far away from any Ski lake. Scheels has the worst selection for fishing regardless.....

[smeese]

I really like the cabelas selection in the owatonna store, but Gander is closer and also has a fair selection for being so far away from any Ski lake. Scheels has the worst selection for fishing regardless.....

[Lakeside_Nelson]

Hey Tim, I have been working at the gander in Lakeville for the last 5 years, and I can see the changes already taking place. It's about time too! Down here we have hardly had anything BUT St. Croix. Now we are getting more rods in but are still lacking a great selection of reels. It's was tough being a passionate musky fisherman in the past and telling people sorry all we have are 150$ rods. At least now we can get more people into this exciting way of fishing without breaking the bank too bad.

[Tim_Anderson]

Chris,

We ordered the Okuma rods, but they did not come in yet, and I'm starting to wonder.

I need to get in to work tomorrow and check out our inventory. I know we just got in a bunch of the high end Gander Rods in a 9 foot split grip extra heavy. Gotta see if we got any longer and what the oz. rating is. Might be able to get you close. I'm pretty impressed with the rods, and have been selling a bunch... haven't heard any complaints yet. Same folks (trophy technologies) make the bulldawg rod, which I do own in a 9 foot 1 3/4 - 7 oz. and like alot. 2 year warranty free replacement on these is really great too.

Shoot,

Most Gander's vary quite a bit depending on their management. The management is much more aggressive in the Baxter store than most stores, and, are becoming more so as time goes on. I know we just had a sale which gave discounts for military people, policemen, firemen, etc. My philosophy is, if I would sell it for X amount last week during a sale, then why wouldn't I sell it today for the same thing if it is going to make or break the sale? Pretty sure our general manager is not going to buck me on that.

[caseymcq]

I have one of the Gander rods, turned into a catfish rod.

BLASPHEMY!

[cbrooks]

Chris,

heavy. Gotta see if we got any longer and what the oz. rating is. Might be able to get you close. I'm pretty impressed with the rods, and have been selling a bunch... haven't heard any complaints yet. Same folks (trophy technologies) make the bulldawg rod, which I do own in a 9 foot 1 3/4 - 7 oz. and like alot. 2 year warranty free replacement on these is really great too

I have a St Croix legend bulldog for magnum bulldogs(rated 4-10oz), I'm looking for a rod for throwing pounders and Curly Sues. Out of curosity what rod would you recommend for throwing pounders?

[cbrooks]

Sorry about the question. There's already a post on "what rod for pounders".

[DTro]

I have one of the Gander rods, turned into a catfish rod.

Salvation

[smeese]

BLASPHEMY!

[smeese]

Salvation

And it was good enough to be baptised by MN river mud so that should be good for something Definately good for that, I could not handle my Ugly Stick bamboo whip after a year of use, also from Gander! I knew Dtro would back me on that choice

[10,000 Casts]

Those Gander Muskie rods are phenominal Cat rods.

[10,000 Casts]

After working at a Gander fishing dept for 3 years in college I can relate to your post Tim, I know it's tough having a passion for fishing and knowing how to take care of your customers. When I was there 3 years ago, corporate was interested in 2 things, the low price gaurantee and Guide series.. Gander grew too fast and out of control, when I left there, gander felt like more of the Wal Mart of the outdoors than an Outfitter like they advertise. One problem with stocking a good Muskie assortment is that Gander required the bait makers to carry a big insurance policy and be pkged and have a upc. That knocks off most of the good ones.. If gander has or can find a way to let the dept mgrs do some of the buying and actually take input from their salesman, they will be a force to be reccon with.

[smeese]

Or maybe take advice from the consumer, after all that is what buisness is about.

[Shoot2Kill]

One problem with stocking a good Muskie assortment is that Gander required the bait makers to carry a big insurance policy and be pkged and have a upc. That knocks off most of the good ones..

Prime example of that - the DCGs are all in packaging...only place I've ever seen them like that. Plus they are $29.99 each when 1 mile away at Scheels they are $24.99....why do they do that? I know they price match but it just makes everything else in the store look that much more overpriced when they are that obvious about it.

[10,000 Casts]

Not only that but guys want custom DCGs. When another store orders them, they use imput from guides and customers as to what is hot and then they say make me whatever you want to make and give me 16 of each and get them here asap. With a corporate store, the buyer at the buying shows or at the beginning of the year decides on the 6 colors that they feel will sell best and orders mass quantities and then they get charged more because they need them pkg and upc'd.

The Muskie market is like the ice fishing market. It is filled with extremely passionate folks.. however, as far as the all mighty dollar, it is extremely small compared to the bass and walleye market.. That's why all ganders are plum full of bass stuff and why stored like Reeds and Thornes are plum full of Muskie stuff...

[Tom_Dietz]

Hey all,

I am the Store Manager of Gander Mountain in Baxter and we have all of our Cowgirls at $24.99, and have six of the newest colors in stock. We also carry a number of other double ten's like Esox Edge, etc. Tim and I are both very passionate about muskies, and our lure selection is ever growing. Stop in, say hello, and let's talk fishing!

[BEEFEATER]

FF