Help me spend my Christmas gift

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

Hey y'all,

 

So I got a pretty amazing gift this year at Christmas from my father in-law. He gave $400 gift card to bassproshops. Unfortunately where I live BassPro is t my favorite fishing tackle shop nor even my closest. I live in southern Ontario, Canada and my only BassPro is more then an hour away and the online site has very little on it. Seems like the US stores are far superior. 

 

That being said I still need to figure out what to get and I've had a few things come to mind. 

 

 

1) big / bigger then magdraft swimbaits or a glide bait. I've not got into this game pretty much cause of the price of these baits but now maybe I can get into it. Any suggestions on a starter bait? 

 

2) BFS - I am very intrigued by this trend and figured maybe now I could get myself a rod/reel combo and give this a try but I'm worried my BassPro won't have any stock on rods or reels cause the website shows nothing. But I still want to go to the store and see for myself so which rod/reel would people suggestion for a first timer?(curado BFS?)

 

3) terminal tackle/line - then I thought maybe I should just get a bunch of terminal tackle, some storage and or bulk line?

 

4) this is a long shot but for xmas me and my dad gifted ourselves with a new humminbird helix 9. We only have a very old Lowrance unit that doesn't really work so we decided to upgrade. We are planning to mount this new unit at the steering wheel consol so I thought what if I got another unit to mount up at the trolling motor. Downside would be the amount of extra money I would have to add in to do this so that might be too expensive for me at this time. 

 

Anyways I still have to go make the drive to visit the store in person but I kind of wanted to have somewhat of a plan before I went and was hoping some people could share their opinion to help me spend this wisely instead of just getting another rod/reel combo or a bunch of baits. I already have a mountain of tackle and for the type of fishing I do I have more then enough rods and reels already. 

 

Thanks

Greg

[OmegaDPW]

I'd be in the same boat as you, Greg. I'd have no idea what to spend that much on at a BP. $400 in baits, hooks and other little things (even the expensive stuff) would come out to numerous tackleboxes and more space taken up that I already don't have. 

 

 My suggestion would be to hang onto that card. Wait until the need arises for a larger purchase. 😉 

[FishTank]

Personally,  I would wait until there spring sale and get the most out of your gift card.  

 

I looked over the Canadian website and there's not much to be had. The prices are higher than I expected but that's Canada. 

 

If you are loaded down on tackle,  invest in a good PFD, maybe fishing clothing that can help make your day more enjoyable, or some tackle storage. 

[JackstrawIII]

2 hours ago, OmegaDPW said:

I'd have no idea what to spend that much on at a BP. $400 in baits, hooks and other little things (even the expensive stuff) would come out to numerous tackleboxes and more space taken up that I already don't have. 

 

 My suggestion would be to hang onto that card. Wait until the need arises for a larger purchase. 😉 

Yeah, maybe buy a new hunting rifle or something. 

If not, something more expensive like a couple reels or something. 

[NorthernBasser]

You have good bibs? 

[MIbassyaker]

Top 3 best uses of a $400 gift card:

 

1. put $400 toward something big that would otherwise be too expensive.

2. Buy $400 worth of boring stuff you need, but aren't excited too about buying, like terminal tackle, line, tackle storage, clothing, etc.

3. upgrade your worst cheapie rod or reel with a sexy $400 one.  Or get a new combo in a length/power/action you need, at $200 each for rod and reel, give or take.

 

The one thing I wouldn't do is buy $400 worth of flashy, exciting lures.  

[camman]

6 hours ago, FishTank said:

Personally,  I would wait until there spring sale and get the most out of your gift card.  

I do this as well.  Makes the price on things more reasonable and the gift card stretches a bit further.  I probably have $100 in GC that are a few years old as if I only spend it on stuff I’ll use.

[GRiver]

I have a suggestion…….. I’m probably going to get flamed for this idea.

Take your wife with you to Bass Pro…… Hold on, hold on everyone…. Hear me out. 
@IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 you order yourself a new rig like @MIbassyaker suggested. A nice combo, around $200-$250 range or maybe more. Have it with in store  pick-up. You take your wife to Bass Pro….. have her shop some. Our Bass Pro here in Daytona Fl, is less than 1/4 fishing, the rest is “other stuff”.
Have lunch, maybe your Bass Pro has a restaurant, make a day of it. Take a back road home, or there, both. 
It’s a win/ win situation.

Or…….my idea sucks, and I have no idea what I’m talking about.  
   

[J Francho]

This guy knows what's what. 

[FishTax]

Do you have cards for your new helix? Those aren't cheap. Depending on where you fish, maybe a lake master card and/or auto lines card? I also have a new helix and that's what I'd spend part of it on. The rest I'd save until I need something. Or get an awesome combo I couldn't otherwise afford as other have suggested. 

[JediAmoeba]

I would get an ice fishing hut.