Best tackle shop in the area

[northernpine]

Hi Everyone,

New member and first time poster.  I recently moved back to Minnesota after 11 years away and realized my gear and tacklebox needs to be updated.

I was thinking of buying some stuff online to save some money.  But, I've never bought fishing stuff online.  

Has anyone tried that and recommend it?  If not, then what is your favorite tackle shop in the Twin Cities area?

Thank you for any advice.  It feels good to be back in MN and back fishing!

[jigginjim]

DO NOT GO TO 5CH33LS, they work off commish, will sell you what ever. Go to other big box stores C. or G.M.

 

If you wish to purchase on-line C@B3L4S  has the best, I would rather just to the store, ask them about everything you would like to know.  Have them show you. explain what when and why to use different equipment.  That's part of the job.  If you feel your not getting the correct answer. ask for someone that has done more fishing?  I worked these places, and more than wiling to show you what you wuld to know.

[h8go4s]

Fleet Farm has a good selection of tackle, but it seems like they stock heavy in the spring and not so much later. Always worth a look, and their prices are decent. Otherwise, your local bait shop carries tackle, but don't expect big-box store prices.

[mrklean]

Fleet Farm, Cabelas, Scheels even though Jim thinks its the worse place in the world they have some good deals on lures, local bait shops you have Thorne Bros tons of muskie gear if you chase them, Blue Ribbon on the east side of the cities also.

[Tom7227]

"the area" covers a lot of ground.  Might be easier if you gave an idea id you are in Maple Plain, Maple Lake, or Maplewood.

But I would urge you to consider buying at least some of your stuff from a real tackle shop as opposed to a big box store.  It may cost a bit more but you just may end up getting advice on what works in the area rather than what looks cool.

The other thing is that those stores really need to make enough in a short time to keep the doors open.  As you spend time on this website you will see posts asking about where to buy bait because X tackle shop closed.  They can't make it on worms and minnows alone.  The $50 you spend on a reel in one of those places may well be the biggest sale of the day, maybe the week.

[northernpine]

Thanks for the advice everyone.  I will check out Thorne when I (inevitably) start getting into Muski.  Hadn't thought of fleet farm but I do remember them having pretty low prices.

It sounds like people don't fishing gear online much.

[hardcore365]

Tackle I don't see why you would need to go to a store. If you are in for a new Rod/reel this is a big reason I would go to sch33ls. Lifetime warranty on rods/reels with there name brand on it. No receipt no prob or at least it used to be, I live In the metro now so don't get out to one too often anymore. I dont think a place who pays "commish" is a reason to stay away from it entirely. I lived in st Cloud for two years and never once had a salesman try and sell me something I didn't need/want. And I was probably in there a lot more than I should have. Other than that is say just find a shop, go check it out if you don't like it there are a lot more of em. Good luck. 

[monstermoose78]

I buy things online if I can not find them in stores. 

I like going to the local bait shops, because they sometimes carry things the big box stores do not.  Another plus is the information the local bait shops have. If you find the right bait shop you can build a relationship up with the owner and if they make their own lures or jigs you can get custom colored jigs or lures. 

 

 

[SPEC]

I kind of flop all over the place!

I like Cabella's for selection, and to put my hands on stuff

Then I look online for the best prices..

.Fleet Farm often has stuff on an "Unadvertised sale" Here's an example, about a month ago I was looking for a 8 to 9" trolling Bait casting rod to set up with Leadcore line (For trolling the St. Croix ) Online and the other big box stores the cheapest I could find was around $80...I stumbled onto an "Instore special" 8.5' Eagle claw, All set up with the Leadcore, swivels and leader for $39  Regular price of $79...Last week I did the same thing with a Abu 9' Cardinal Bruiser $39 V.S. $50 online

BUT

For Terminal Tackle Online is the only way to go! Here's why I say this...I build my own Crank baits, and rigs and found buying hooks, Rings, No-roll sinkers, ETC...on FLEA-PAY  You can get 100 for the price of 15 to 20 at the box stores...Another example...3 oz. No-Roll sinker, in Stores $2.99 to $4.99 EACH...I PICKED UP 25 FOR $10.99 ON LINE

I also chat up the people at the bait store, since they hear all the goods on other lakes and the river

[mrklean]

You can find some sweet deals online but if you are only buying 1 or 2 items shipping can get make it not worth it, if you are just starting hit the local places so you can actually see what you are getting then if you want look online.

[northernpine]

Thanks everyone for the great advice.  Basically what I'm hearing is:

local tackle shop = local expert advice

online = cheaper

I think I will go local tackle shop to get the advice since I'm new to the area.

Anyone have a favorite online shop?  Cabela, Bass Pro, or maybe some smaller site?

[northernpine]

So I did some research today comparing online prices with retail prices for lures.  I compared a couple Rapalas and a couple of Mepps lures at 3 retail stores and 3 online stores.

Here is the gist of what I found:

• online is not always cheaper, in fact, sometimes it is a bit more
• Mills Fleet Farm is by far the cheapest, whether retail or online, and their prices in-store and online are the same

So kudos to everyone who suggested Mills Fleet Farm.  It's simply the best if you're looking for best prices and they have great selection too.  The one downside, I would say, is because it is a big box store it can be hard to find someone knowledgeable.  The first guy did not know too much about fishing, but then the second guy, really did know his stuff.  So it's a bit more hit and miss in terms of quality service and advice when you do these bug box stores (which is to be expected).

[northernpine]

One thing I should add... the only online store that I could find that matches Fleet Farm is www.fishusa.com.  Sometimes they are a bit cheaper, but usually not by much.