Mill Fleet Farm in Owatonna?

[graybeard2]

Heading up 35 on Saturday, usually we stop at Cabela's. This year we are talking about FF instead. Don't really need much except licenses and a little basic tackle. I've been to the stores in Lakeville and Alexandria, does the one in Owatonna compare as far as the sporting goods section?

[TruthWalleyes]

Great store. I'm probably in there 1-4x a week. I do 99% of my tackle buying at FF and only go to Cabelas when i need something FF doesn't offer. Plus, you are usually saving money at FF compared to C.

Haven't been to those other stores. The only other FF I've been to was in brooklyn park and IMO that store stunk compared to the owatonna store...Less musky baits than there though if that's your thing.

[Dotch]

+1. Been to Lakeville and it's comparable. Also to the new store in Rochester. It's bigger but the Owatonna store is sufficient for most stuff.

[PEATMOSS]

Every time I go there, I get nuts.

[MattL]

I'd agree that the Owatonna store is pretty comparable as far as fishing gear to the Lakeville and Alexandria stores. And pretty much anything you need is going to be cheaper there than at Cabelas.

[BrandonN]

Yea fleet farm kicks butt! Like mentioned above cabelas is still going to have a bit more selection but for 90% of the stuff most people buy fleet farm has it. Awesome prices too

[JBMasterAngler]

You can get bigger bags of maple nut goodies and boston baked beans for cheaper at fleet farm as well

[RumRiverRat]

The Berkley Havoc Plastics are 10% more expensive at Fleet Farm. 2.99 everywhere 3.29 at Fleet Farm.

One of many examples of higher prices.

The lower prices at fleet farm is not always true.

[TruthWalleyes]

.30

[dan z]

Stop there often and usually buy more than needed. I see a savings on most things compared to the big C

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I love the Lakeville store, but this time year they don't replace the fishing gear and I had to go to Gander for some of my replacment tackle last week.

[Tom7227]

Sometimes FF shelves are bare. It seems to me that if you want run of the mill stuff then FF works. If you have your eye on something special or higher end the Cabelas is probably the place to go.

Frankly thought I think one thing often overlooked is your local bait store. You have to consider the fact that they have to make a living and are open 12 months of the year, often with ungodly hours. If you end up paying $3 more for that rod or reel consider it an investment that reaps the return when you want to get some bait or find out where the fishing is better on a particular nearby lake. The can't make it on worms alone.

[graybeard2]

Thanks for the replies, that was what I wanted to hear. We've stopped at Cabela's every time we've went by since they opened, and while I have nothing against the store, the novelty has kind of worn off. And I hate fighting the crowds on a Saturday morning. I've always been happy with the store in Alex, but Owatonna is a good spot for a break, and it looks like it will be FF this year. As far as the local mom and pop stores, I couldn't agree more, I'll gladly pay a little more to shop there, but they are few and far between it seems anymore, and can be limited in their selections.

[Comit 2]

The Lakeville store has more inventory but has more empty hooks (hot lures gone until next year). It is THE go to store for a lot of fisherman and they stock up.

Owatonna is a spot I hit 3-4 times a summer before hitting Cabela's (if needed).

For Salmo Hornets though it's Lakeville FF then Sheels in Mankato so FF Owatonna doesn't have all that FF Lakeville has.

[TruthWalleyes]

Scheels in Kato does tent to have the deals on the salmos versus other stores, they also were one of the first to carry them.

I don't think gander mt has the salmo brand on their shelves yet.

[dan z]

Gander in kato is not a carrier of salmo lures

[Tom7227]

If you go here you can find bait stores in the Twin Cities area. If you were to give the area where you are headed i'm sure folks would post places where you could go and do business with the little guys.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/downtown/bait.html

[RumRiverRat]

.30

When you use the Pit Boss, Slop Craw as much as I do it adds up.