Monthly Tackle Warehouse Order vs. Subscription Boxes

[budgetbassin]

I've been getting a couple of subscription boxes each month for about a year, and I've gotten them in the past. The reason that I started getting them again is because I started a new job with less time for fishing, and I thought it would be cool to have various baits sent to me monthly. The problem that I've ran into lately is that I am still buying lots of tackle because the baits i receive don't neccessarily fit my style of fishing. One box that I receive is for fly fishing, and the other is for bass fishing. I really enjoy the fly fishing box because of the variety in flies. My dilemma is that tackle warehouse doesn't necessarily sell flies that I am aware of. I still feel like I would come out better if I were to place a tackle warehouse order at the beginning of the month for the baits that I typically use during that time of the year with maybe a new bait to try and to order a few flies here and there from custom tiers.  

[Brew City Bass]

I had the same problem. 

I ordered all the bass sub boxes and was always underwhelmed. I'd get everything I would never use for my lakes. And it seemed the stuff they did send I'd use was only a sample pack. So basically I was paying $60+ a month on boxes to only get 3 sample packs of plastics I'd use. 

I cancelled them all and now I just order what I want through tackelwarehouse. Never looking back. I now get everything I WANT, and nothing I don't. Everything I buy, I use. No sample packs, no weird ass topwater lures that you'll get 3 months in a row in a box. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

Never understand the draw behind these subscription boxes! Way more fun and cost effective to pick your own stuff and order. What I need on any specific body of water can change weekly. 

[Graham]

I think it would be cool if these monthly subscription tackle companies would allow for some customization in your monthly boxes. For example; if you throw certain presentations more than others you can note that on your profile and they could customize your box accordingly. So you may still be encouraged to try new brands and baits, but they will at least be a style that you’d like to use.

[MIbassyaker]

I like the subscription box services a lot.  But if you're hoping they'll be a discount substitute for regular tackle purchases, you'll always be disappointed.

[burrows]

I don’t see a reason to join a monthly subscription of random baits that I personally didn’t pick out. I have enough junk that I don’t use I don’t need more. From what I see in these subscriptions is you always get a few baits you will probably never use, I definitely have enough of that already.

[Brad in Texas]

Me, too, and interesting to read that other anglers find it the same way. I suspected as much. I can't even imagine spending that kind of tackle money on a box of really good and interesting stuff, for sure, but knowing that most of it just isn't applicable or optimal for me. It'd just take up space.

 

I don't know how much these boxes cost, just a general idea . . . but I'd much rather spend it with suppliers I like and trust. I have 3 or 4 on-line sources and I bet many of us do.  I do prefer buying on-line over going to a big box store where, like a kid in a candy store, I almost always end up either settling for something I didn't actually want or, like Odysseus, I listen to the sirens as these little things speak to me as I walk down the aisles. Gosh, I am weak!

 

Even with me buying things individually on-line, I end up with tackle I don't use. I certainly don't want to promote more of this. And, the longer I fish, the more I have it narrowed down to the presentations I actually use, the lures, the lines, hooks, and more. I am 90% done experimenting, just leaving a bit of wiggle room for the occasional expansion into something new.

 

***Id love to see the stats regarding how long the monthly tackle box subscribers stay. Just a guess that it takes "new blood" in the form of a constant stream of first-timers to perpetuate sales volumes.

 

P.S. Pet peeve: wanting some little thing, say 5 hooks, and having a $10 or > shipping fee. Why can't they slip this into an envelope, put two stamps on it and let her fly. Forget all of that tracking nonsense for small orders.

 

Brad

[Brew City Bass]

On 6/23/2018 at 9:41 AM, DINK WHISPERER said:

Never understand the draw behind these subscription boxes! Way more fun and cost effective to pick your own stuff and order. What I need on any specific body of water can change weekly. 

When these companies first came out the boxes were extremely affordable. I was paying $5 a box for a while, but of course no company can keep that business model and make money. Then they upped it to $10 and was still somewhat okay, then $15 and I noped right out.