Cabela's Shopping Spree

[Fishin4Life]

So I opened a Cabela's Visa and they gave me like $70 to spend there because I am such a cool person.

I love to bass fish, but really just got heavy into it this season. I have lots of "stuff" that I bought based on a lot of you guys' recomendations, comments, etc...

I am looking to probably order about $100 worth of bass gear. Thought I would check to see what you guys would recomend. I would like to get a lot of stuff for my money if possible...

One thing I was looking at buying was the "Dig it" crank set, anyone use these, do they produce some fish? Also I was looking at the Sassy Shad kit...

Any comments would help. Thanks!

[TNFL]

I would suggest quality not quantity

crankbaits: Go with a good brand (worth the money)like the Rapala DT series down to 16 feet Get natural colors for deeper (clearer water) and brighter colors like chartruese for shallower (darker water) I would also suggest 2 Mann's 1minus one natural(baby bass) one chart.

[carlcmc]

1. soft stickworm baits - e.g. yamamoto senko with 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu hooks for texas weightless weedless rig, and 2/0 Gamakatsu wacky rigging hook with fiber guard for weedless wacky rigging fishing

2. fat bodied crankbaits with square lips for shallow and medium depths - e.g. Mann's Baby 1 minus and 4 minus and 8 minus

3. selection of 10-15 spinner baits in a variety of colors and weights

4. lipless crank baits - a)cheap - e.g. Rat-L-Trap or Rapala rattling raps b)high quality and productive - Lucky Craft LVR 7/10

[dan2957]

$100 wont even put a dent in all the bass gear you could buy LOL. I would suggest you buy plastics like worms and lizards. The reason for this is because you can almost always catch fish on plastics. Learning how to Texas rig, jig worm, Carolina rig, fish weightless are the fundamentals of bass fishing. Plastics can be fished so many differant ways. I like black, blue, watermelon, junebug, and brown colors. Don't forget to get hooks and sinkers. 4/0 and 5/0 hooks should get it done. Buy 1/4oz - 1/2 o/z bullets sinkers for Texas rigging. If you have some money left over you might think about buying some braided fishing line. I like Super Braid and Power Pro. 30# test should do it. You will be amazed how sensitive braid is. Good luck.

[Fishin4Life]

Thanks for the input. I do have lots of plastics coming out of me ears right now. Been doing to texas, wacky, carolina, etc... this summer so far. Looking to experiment a bit also with Cranks. I was also thinking of givin either braided a try or flouro. I have heard good things about both...

[carlcmc]

for line defintely buy some 20-30lb powerpro. this is a great multipurpose line. i buy 20-30lb hivis yellow for worming and the green for multipurpose. i buy the 50lb for my bait casters and new rods now.

[Juan Grande]

fishin4life,

If you buy the "soft stickworm baits" and you want to save money then avoid the Yamamoto Senkos. I was at Gander the other day and they were $6.50 for 10.

There are a bunch of imitations out there (Gulp sinking minnows, Comidas, etc.) that are $2 cheaper per pack and last a lot longer. I love Senkos, but they are torn to shreds after a couple fish.

I know you said your gift card was for Cabellas, but just an FYI...they have a bunch of "Guide Series" spinnerbaits and buzzbaits at Gander for .99 cents each. They're not quite as fancy as the packaged ones, but at 1/5 the cost you can't go wrong. They had a bunch of different sizes and weights, although they may be picked over by now.

[Fishin4Life]

Hey thanks for the note. The gift card is for cabela's but the Visa is for anywhere

And I get to earn points on all my purchases. I better run out to gander!!!

[TNFL]

Yeah, they love it when I whip out my Cabela's Visa at Gander mountain.

[Daze Off]

I think you could almost buy all the bass stuff at Cabela's for $70 - they have so much of it <not>

Daze Off

[carlcmc]

i'm not sure i really understand your comment daze off. Cabela's has probably the largest bass selection that i've seen. Much bigger than any gander mountain etc?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Carl- Most days I will defend Cabelas.. .I love to shop there, don't get me wrong.. but I too feel that their bass supply is a tad light!.. in my opinion, not as good as a Gander Mtn.

I will saythat Cabelas does a better job of carrying stuff in bulk sizes however.

[Ihateriversnags]

I'd second what Dan has already stated.... Get a LOT of plastics. The Exude series work excellent. Went out last weekend and fished Comida's and holy crow did they work. This is my first year fishing plastics and I'd say that my fish count has doubled over previous years. Take the time and learn to fish them if you don't already know and your catches will exceed your dreams. Perhaps not in size but you never know!

[Central Bassman]

Hey Daze Off i agree with that!!!!! And if u are looking for a good rod and reel for a nice price go to Gander and get there Guide Series rods and reel they are nice and have a life time warrentys on them. Thats nice

[bgreen82]

i just got my first order of exude plastics about a week ago. have only had one chance so far to use them. purchased the nightcrawlers, poc'it'dads, sassy shad and comidas along with some of their keeper hooks. went to a spot where i have tried a couple times before with minimal success but it looks like it would be golden. used a crawler and a poc'it'dad and had a pretty good night. for a guy who isnt real familiar with working the bottom with a texas rig i caught a few nice fish. i got two hits on the crawler before it even got to the bottom and the poc'it'dad worked even better. just my story but i'd recommend them.

[dan2957]

I agree with Deitz, Cabelas has a small selection. I favor Gander and Dick's Sporting goods. The prices at Cabelas are kinda high too in my opinion. I just picked up a Guide Series 7' eglass cranking rod the other day for $30. So far I love the rod, its light as a feather. Man I can't wait for BPS to get built. I'll end up living there.

[ocf]

where is it gonna be built???

[Daze Off]

Did not mean to get anyone's "Gander" up... Like Deitz I feel that Gander is a better store for bass fishermen.

Perfect example of what I am talking about - went to Cabela's on Tuesday to get two bass fishing staples - a pumpkin pepper tube and a black/blue tube and (surprise) they had neither......I have never gone to Cabela's and been able to get what I am looking for - they are either out of it, don't carry it, or it is a catolog only item. I have had the same experience looking for willow-leaf spinner bait blades, jigs, and many, many other items.

But, you cannot make a frog into a prince - Cabela's is and likely always will be a meca for walleye/panfish/muskie anglers and I should accept that and move on. While they carry some bass stuff it is certainly not well supplied. Then, too, I have been raised on Bass Pro Shops which is just the reverse from Cabela's - hard to find walleye stuff in one of their stores....

It is what it is....

Daze Off

[dan2957]

OCF it is suppose to be built at the Mall of America. I wish they could have chosen a better location, like Buffalo.

[Fishin4Life]

I have never shopped for gear at a cabela's store. I have just ordered off the net. I have found enough of what I want, but I do agree with Daze off that they are not the best by far. I managed a list of about $160 though! LOL. I have been also leaning more to Bass Pro for stuff...

[ocf]

i guess ill be asking my mom to go shopping in the mall more... bye her a lunch

[ocf]

my first credit card will be a cabelas visa, that way i dont have to spend as much money getting fishing stuff when going to college and getting all that junk. hmmmmm wonder if there is college in kissimee

[feeshing]

I would go with any size of the Rapala DT series. They work great.