About Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 by Johnny Morris (who started selling fishing tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri), it has grown into a retail giant.

The brand is famous for its massive “destination” stores that feature giant aquariums, waterfalls, and taxidermy displays. They specialize in equipment for fishing, hunting, boating, and camping. In 2017, Bass Pro acquired Cabela’s, uniting two of the biggest names in the outdoor industry.

Bass Pro Affiliate Program Overview

Bass Pro Shops operates a “Cost Per Sale” (CPS) affiliate program, allowing partners to earn money by referring customers to their online store.

Feature Details
Industry Outdoor Retail & Recreation (Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Boating)
Product Type Physical Goods (Gear, Apparel, Firearms, Ammunition, Boats)
Affiliate Program Type CPS (Cost Per Sale) / Affiliate Network

Bass Pro Affiliate Program Offers

The program provides standard affiliate tools but has specific restrictions regarding the types of content and traffic allowed.

Feature Details
Promotional Materials Banners, Text Links, Product Data Feeds, Newsletters, Pre-written Content.
Affiliate Cookie Duration 14 Days (You earn a commission if the customer buys within 14 days of clicking your link).
Accepted Traffic Sources Content websites (blogs/reviews), Social Media (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram), Email Newsletters.

(Note: Coupon and Cashback sites may have restricted terms).
Accepted Countries Primarily United States and Canada.
Explicit Content Prohibited. Sites displaying sexually explicit material are not accepted.
Religious or Political Content Generally Prohibited. The brand typically avoids association with controversial political or religious sites to maintain a neutral brand image.

Bass Pro Affiliate Commissions & Payments

The commission structure is tiered based on product categories, which is common in the outdoor industry (margins on firearms are lower than clothing).

Feature Details
MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) No. This is a single-tier affiliate program (you only earn on your own direct sales).
Commission Rate Up to 5%
Commission Structure
  • 5%: General Merchandise (Clothing, Gear, Fishing Tackle, etc.)
  • 1%: Firearms & Ammunition
  • 0%: Gift Cards and select non-commissionable items.
Payout Frequency Monthly (Typically Net 30, meaning payments are processed 30 days after the end of the month).
Payout Methods Direct Deposit (EFT), Check, PayPal (Dependent on Impact network settings).
Minimum Payout $10 USD (Standard Impact network threshold).

Suitable Affiliates for Bass Pro Affiliate

This program is highly specific to the “Great Outdoors” niche. It is best suited for content creators who can demonstrate products or provide expert advice.

  • Bloggers: Writers running blogs about fishing tips, hunting guides, camping checklists, or survival gear reviews.
  • YouTubers: Creators doing “Unboxing” videos, field tests of fishing rods/reels, or hunting vloggers showing gear in action.
  • Influencers (Instagram/TikTok): Visual creators posting lifestyle content featuring outdoor apparel (e.g., RedHead, Ascend brands) or boating life.
  • KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Everyday users in forums (like Reddit’s r/fishing or r/camping) who share genuine product recommendations.
  • KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Professional anglers, survival experts, or hunting guides whose audience trusts their technical recommendations.
  • Video Editors: Creators who compile “Best of” gear lists (e.g., “Top 10 Fishing Kayaks for 2025”).

Bass Pro Affiliate Software

Bass Pro Shops does not use in-house software; they host their program on the Impact affiliate network. This is a third-party platform that handles tracking, reporting, and payments, ensuring transparency and reliability for affiliates.

3 Alternatives for Bass Pro Affiliate Program

If you are in the outdoor niche, you should consider these alternatives to maximize your revenue. REI is better for general camping/hiking, Sportsman’s Warehouse is a direct competitor for hunting/fishing, and Amazon is the catch-all option.

Comparison Factor Bass Pro Shops REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) Sportsman’s Warehouse Amazon Associates
Primary Niche Fishing, Hunting, Boating Camping, Hiking, Cycling (Eco-focus) Hunting, Shooting, Fishing General E-commerce
Average Bill (AOV) High (~$170) Medium (~$120 – $160) High (~$200+) Varies (Low to High)
Entry Fees Free Free Free Free
Withdrawal Threshold ~$10 ~$25 (AvantLink standard) ~$10 – $25 $10
Payment Frequency Monthly (Net 30) Monthly (Net 45-60) Monthly (Net 30) Monthly (Net 60)
Commission Up to 5% (1% on Guns) 5% Flat Up to 5% (Tiered) 3% (Outdoors category)
Cookie Duration 14 Days 15 – 30 Days 30 Days 24 Hours
Conversion Rate High (Loyal customer base) High (Member loyalty program) Moderate Very High
Marketing Materials Banners, Feed, Newsletters Banners, Data Feed Banners, Data Feed SiteStripe (Links/Banners)