The Best Online Fishing Stores [For Each Angling Method]


Are you looking for a few places online where you can purchase fishing gear and are not sure where to turn? Don’t worry, we have you covered.

Having ordered a ton of fishing gear online over the years, I’ve had a ton of experience. Some great and others where I’ve had serious buyer’s remorse. Through my experiences I’ve learned where to shop for fishing gear online and certain websites that should be avoided.

In this article I’m going to share with you my experience and give you a complete list of my absolute favorite places to shop for fishing tackle online. As well as give you some tips and tricks on how you can save time any money. So you can spend more time fishing and less time shopping

Let’s get started.

Don’t have a lot of time? Here is a quick summary of the 5 best online fishing stores that we recommend:

  1. Bass Pro Shops
  2. Tackle Warehouse
  3. Simms Fishing
  4. Fish USA
  5. Amazon

The 5 Best Online Fishing Stores

1. Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops is a giant outdoor retailer of fishing, hunting, camping and other related outdoor recreational products. They have a ton of stores across the United State and have a big online presence as well. They also recently acquired Cabela’s, another big outdoor retail brand. Their size, reputation, and variety of fishing related products make them a great option when shopping for fishing gear online.

Here are some of the reasons why we recommend shopping at Bass Pro Shops:

Why We Like Them

Trust

One of the main advantages you get when shopping with an established brand like Bass Pro Shops is you know they can be trusted. You won’t have to worry about your credit card information being stolen or getting scammed. This piece of mind is a big reason why this is a great online store to shop at.

Easy Returns

Bass Pro Shops makes it really easy to return anything you purchase online. You can either drop off your returned items at a local store or mail it back if that is easier for you. For most items they have a 60-day return policy. Which makes it really nice, incase a product doesn’t work out for you.

Availability

One of my favorite things about Bass Pro Shop is that there are so many across the United States and they have a wide variety of popular fishing products. Whether you enjoy fly fishing, bass fishing or prefer to target another species they have the gear and equipment that you need all in one place.

Customer Service

I have personally made a lot of orders online at Bass Pro Shops and have been very impressed with their customer service, website, and overall experience they provide. You can expect good things and will have their full support.

Affordable Products

Not only do they carry all of the top brands in each fishing category, but you can also find them for a fairly decent price. In fact, they do offer price matching as well in case you find a better deal somewhere else. Bass Pro also has their own line of products of lures, tackle, gear, which can often be much cheaper than some of the name brand stuff.

Holiday Deals

Another reason why you should buy your fishing tackle and equipment online at Bass Pro Shops is they offer some solid holiday deals throughout the year. This can be a great opportunity to buy your favorite gear at a discount.

What You Can Buy at Bass Pro Shops

  • Rod’s & Reels
  • Fishing Line
  • Baits & Lures
  • Hooks & Terminal Tackle
  • Bass Fishing Gear
  • Fly Fishing Gear
  • Saltwater Fishing Gear
  • Ice Fishing Gear
  • Musky Fishing Gear
  • Trout and Pan Fishing Gear
  • BowFishing Gear
  • Tackle Storage
  • Fish Finders
  • Boating Accessories
  • Trailer Accessories
  • Kayaks & Canoes
  • Apparel
  • Sunglasses
  • Books & DVD’s
  • And Much More

2. Tackle Warehouse

Tackle Warehouse is an online fishing store that guarantees the lowest price on bass fishing tackle from every top brand. Tackle Warehouse is by far one of the most popular and best bass fishing tackle shops online and is many anglers preferred way to shop. They are based in San Luis California and offer a wide range of shipping options to both the United States and internationally.

Here are some of the main reasons why we think they are awesome:

Why We Like Them

Price Matching

Tackle Warehouse is always scanning the competition and ensuring they offer the best price. However, if you find a lower price to any of the products that they stock on their website, they will match it. This really speaks to their dedication of being the best online bass fishing shop around.

Holiday Deals

One of the best times to shop at Tackle Warehouse is around their holiday sales. Oftentimes they will offer 10-15% on almost everything they carry. Their main sales usually occur on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. This can be a great time to get stocked up on your favorite bass fishing tackle.

Military, Collegiate & High School Discounts

Another great thing about Tackle Warehouse is that they offer military, collegiate and high school club discounts. Which is a great opportunity for those who have served our country and anglers that are growing up in the sport.

Here are some of the discount details.

  • Military service men and women get a 10% discount on all orders
  • High school clubs can work with their athletic director or principle to get a 15% discount
  • Collegiate anglers can also receive a 15% discount through their school

Bass Fishing Focused

Being primarily a bass fisherman, I love that Tackle Warehouse is focused mainly on bass fishing. As a result, all of their products are used and are for bass fishing anglers. They even sponsor a lot of bass fishing tournaments and have professional anglers on their pro staff.

They also have specific Tackle Warehouse exclusives where they partner with certain lure and fishing manufactures to make exclusive products and lure colors.

Great Customer Service

I have personally ordered from Tackle Warehouse a dozen times and anytime I’ve had issues with my credit card or something else they have always been great about helping me and ensuring I have a great experience.

Solid Website Design

Tackle Warehouse also has a great website that is clean, easy to navigate through, and makes shopping for bass fishing gear and equipment an enjoyable experience. They have great product pictures and details that make your buying decisions easy.

What You Can Buy

  • Rod’s & Reels
  • Fishing Line
  • Baits & Lures
  • Hooks & Terminal Tackle
  • Tackle Storage
  • Fish Finders
  • Boating Accessories
  • Apparel
  • Sunglasses
  • Books & DVD’s
  • And Much More

3. Simms Fishing

If you’ve spent any time fly fishing, you probably already know or have heard about Simms. This company is one of the industry’s leaders in fly fishing gear and apparel and for good reason. They make some excellent products that are beloved by anglers.

Simms is really known for making high-end fly-fishing waders and boots, but they also sell everything from shirts, luggage, fishing vests, packs, tools, accessories and so much more.

If you are shopping for fly fishing gear and equipment online Simms should be one of your go-to websites.

Here are some of the reasons why we think they are awesome:

Why We Like Simms

Fly Fishing Focused

Simms is a brand that is passionate and dedicated to the fly-fishing discipline. For this reason, they strive to provide fly fishermen and fly fisherwoman the absolute best gear and equipment out on the market. You don’t have to worry about getting knocked off brands and bad quality products.

Great Waders & Boots

If you are looking for a pair of waders and boots then Simms is the place for you. Simms makes some of the best waders and boots in the fly-fishing industry. Investing in quality gear that will last a long time and is comfortable will make your overall fishing experience much more enjoyable.

Great Apparel

Simms has a wide variety of fly-fishing apparel. They make everything from t-shirts to rain gain and everything in between. All of their apparel are highly quality products that are comfortable and will hold up in tough fishing conditions.

Excellent Customer Service

Sure, you can find Simms products at other online retailers, but I recommend going straight to the company. Their customer service is great and their products are extremely high quality and they also offer free shipping over $100.

What You Can Purchase

  • Waders
  • Boots
  • Jackets
  • Shoes & Sandals
  • Vests
  • And Much More

4. Fish USA

This store has quickly become my go to online fishing store when shopping for bass fishing and kayak gear. They offer a great selection of fishing gear for all types of anglers. Whether you are fly fishing or targeting bass or walleye they have the right gear you need. They also offer some great customer service and are an all around great online tackle shop. If you haven’t already, I’d highly recommend checking out their website.

Why We Love Fish USA

Great Selection

One of the big reasons why I like shopping online at Fish USA is because of their wide selection of different types of fishing gear. Regardless of your preferred fishing method they will have the tackle, gear, and equipment you’ll need. For those that like to target multiple fish species this is super convenient that you can get them all at the same place.

Fast Shipping

Another great benefit of Fish USA is how fast they process and ship your orders. They offer free shipping to orders that are above $60 dollars and usually have a turn around time of less than 6 business days. You also have the option for faster shipping if you need something last minute before you hit the water.

Great for Kayak Fishing Gear

I’ve been fishing in a kayak for a couple of years now and have gotten a lot of my gear from Fish USA. They offer a wide variety of products that are specially designed for kayak anglers. This is something that a lot of other online stores don’t offer.

What You Can Purchase

  • Kayak Fishing Gear
  • Rod’s & Reels
  • Line
  • Terminal Tackle
  • Fly Fishing Gear & Equipment
  • Ice Fishing Gear
  • PanFish Gear
  • Walleye Gear
  • Bass Gear
  • Trout Gear
  • Apparel & Eyewear
  • Marine Electronics
  • And Much More

5. Amazon

If you frequently shop online, you probably already have an Amazon Prime account and enjoy the benefits that come with it. However, you might be wondering why you should be shopping on Amazon for fishing tackle and equipment? Well, they actually have a huge selection of fishing products, and it can be a simple and easy way to get stuff fast with free shipping.

Here are some of the reasons why I suggest picking up some tackle online at Amazon:

Why Shop for Fishing Tackle on Amazon

Prime

A huge reason why I shop online for fishing gear on Amazon is because I already have Amazon Prime. One of the biggest pains of online shopping is the extra cost of shipping. Most online tackle shops will offer free shipping only after you have purchased a certain amount. If you already have prime you won’t have to worry about shipping cost regardless of what you buy.

Easy Returns

Amazon makes it super easy these days to return items. You can simply go to their app, hit return, scan a code, and drop it off at one of their designated locations. I’ve done this a ton of times and it’s always been a super easy process.

Huge Selection

Amazon is such a huge online store that they carry a ton of different tackle and products in each fishing category. Now granted at times you can’t find certain brands or tackle and that can be frustrating, but overall, they have a ton to choose from.

Trusted

Because Amazon has such a huge customer base, most items come with really helpful customer reviews and product photos. These can be extremely helpful when deciding on which item is the one you want to buy.

What You Can Buy at Bass Pro Shops

  • Rod’s & Reels
  • Fishing Line
  • Baits & Lures
  • Hooks & Terminal Tackle
  • Bass Fishing Gear
  • Fly Fishing Gear
  • Saltwater Fishing Gear
  • Ice Fishing Gear
  • Musky Fishing Gear
  • Trout and Pan Fishing Gear
  • BowFishing Gear
  • Tackle Storage
  • Fish Finders
  • Boating Accessories
  • Trailer Accessories
  • Kayaks & Canoes
  • Apparel
  • Sunglasses
  • Books & DVD’s
  • And Much More

Other Online Fishing Stores

  • Sportsman’s Warehouse
  • DICK’s Sporting Goods
  • Tackle Direct
  • Backcountry
  • Fishing Booker

Best Online Bass Fishing Tackle Stores

Angler holding a Bass

If you are obsessed with bass fishing and that is all you care about, it’s nice to shop online with websites that feel the same way. On these websites you’ll find tackle, baits, lures, and gear specifically catered towards bass fishing. A lot of the best bass fishing tackle simply can’t be found at your local fishing store.

Here are the 5 best places to buy bass fishing gear and tackle online:

  1. Tackle Warehouse
  2. Bass Pro Shop
  3. Fish Usa
  4. The Hook Up Tackle
  5. Tackle Direct

All of these online tackle shops have a great selection of bass fishing equipment and tackle. Go check these websites out and try not to spend too much money.

Best Online Fly-Fishing Stores

If fly fishing is your passion, having an online store where you can get the gear and equipment you need for your fishing adventures is extremely convenient and helpful. I’ve found that some of the best gear can be hard to find at local tackle shops but can be much easier online.

Here are the 5 best places to buy fly fishing gear and equipment online:

  1. Simms Fishing
  2. Trident Fly Fishing
  3. Backcountry
  4. Orvis
  5. Discount Flies

Best Online Saltwater Fishing Stores

If you enjoy chasing saltwater fish, you’ll want to pay attention to these websites I have listed below. They all carry the best saltwater fishing brands, gear, tackle and can be trusted with your hard earned money.

Here are the 5 best online stores to buy saltwater fishing gear and tackle

  1. All Tackle
  2. Tackle Direct
  3. Saltwater Edge
  4. The Tackle Room
  5. Salt Strong
  6. Fishing Booker

Best Online Musky Fishing Stores

If your goal is to chase some big game fish like musky, you’ll need to find and purchase some dedicated fishing gear that will hold up to these monster fish. Most of the best musky tackle and gear can be found online on these stores I’ve listed below.

Here are the 5 best online fishing stores to buy musky tackle and lures:

  1. Musky Shop
  2. Musky Tackle Online
  3. Chaos Tackle
  4. Big Wood Musky Lures
  5. Musky Shop

Why Buy Fishing Tackle Online

We live in a day where there are now more online tackle shops to choose from more than ever before.  Buying fishing tackle online is super convenient and offers anglers with some huge benefits. However, there are also some downsides as well that are worth noting.

Here are some of the big reasons why buying fishing tackle online is the way to go as well as some downsides you should keep in mind.

Advantages of Buying Fishing Tackle Online

Super Convenient

The closest tackle shop to where I live is about 30 minutes away and can be a pain to get to at times. That’s why I like shopping online so much. After all, who doesn’t like sitting on the couch in the comfort of your home and browsing through fishing gear. Buying online is super convenient and easy and is a great way to get the gear you need.

Better Selection

Perhaps the main reason as to why I do most of my shopping online for fishing gear is because these websites have a way better selection of gear and tackle than local stores. I can find brands, lures, specific colors, baits, and gear that I can’t simply get at my local stores.

Better Deals

Another huge advantage to shopping for fishing tackle online is you can sometimes get better deals. Most of the websites I’ve mentioned in this list offer some type of holiday deal on Memorial Day,
Presidents’ Day and Black Friday. These can all be great times to get stocked up.

As you can see from the list above there are plenty of advantages and reasons why shopping for fishing gear online is a great option for all anglers.

Disadvantages of Buying Fishing Tackle Online

Returns

One of the big downsides to shopping for fishing tackle online is the hassle of returns. Most online stores make the process pretty easy, but it can still be a pain if you have to return some of your items because they weren’t exactly what you were looking for.

Shipping Problems

Just like any online shopping if you do it enough you are bound to run into some type of shipping problem or delay. This can sometimes be a headache and is something to keep in mind when deciding whether to shop online or not.

Unable to Ask Questions

One of the big reasons why I like going to local tackle shops is often you get to talk with a local fishing expert. This can be helpful if you are not sure what you need or which products you should buy for your local waters. Sure, you can ask some online questions with tech support, but it isn’t the same.

Can’t Test or See Products

Most websites have detailed product descriptions and images, but you can’t physically look at or touch the products. As a result it may be difficult to understand what size you need or what the color actually is. There have been times I thought I was ordering the right thing but because I couldn’t actually see it before I bought it, I made a few mistakes.

Not Supporting Local Tackle shops

I’m a big believer in supporting local tackle shops and I try to do that as much as I can. However, where I live there are simply not a lot of them around and they don’t carry my favorite brands or tackle that I need.

As you can see from the list above there are few downsides to buying your fishing tackle and equipment online. If you buy tackle often you are bound to run into one of these issues. However, overall buying fishing gear from an online store is the way to go.

Other Fishing Resources

Final Thoughts

Shopping online can be a convenient way to get dedicated tackle and gear for your favorite angling method. I’ve been shopping and buying fishing gear online ever since I can remember and have had a great experience. I’d highly recommend checking out the fishing websites I’ve mentioned in this article and taking advantage of their deals and wide selection. 

Aaron Warner

Aaron Warner is an avid angler with over 15 years of experience. He has participated and won fishing tournaments all over the country and enjoys fishing for bass, trout, walleye and other species.

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