In case any of you guys missed it in this week's Sunday paper, Dick's Sporting Goods has a 20% off coupon for both apparel and any one item.  I picked up a new Shimano Stradic FI 2500 for $127.99 and a paper of breathable waterproof pants for $14.99.  

http://dickssportinggoods.shoplocal.com/DSG/default.aspx?action=browsepageflash&...

Along those lines, if you never signed up for ScoreCard, do so!  I have been getting coupons for lures like once a month, for 10 or 20% off total lure purchase, including those on sale.

Not to mention that for every $300.00 you spend, you get a gift certificate for $10.00.

I'm not going to mention how many I have recieved.

The Dick's in Robinson has a pretty decent selection of fishing gear. The store itself is huge and their fishing section is 3x bigger than most other Dick's stores. I like this coupon because every year I make a big purchase with it. Last year, I got them to price match a new 30# trolling motor and then used the 20% coupon. I ended paying around $70 for a new trolling motor. If you can find a clearance item, this 20% coupon usually makes it an irresistable deal. At least, that's what the bait monkey keeps telling me.  Thankfully, this year, I had a nice $100 gift card to spend so I didn't shell too much out for my new reel.

lol looks like your baitmonkey doesnt take no for an answer anyway ;D

The Dick's in Monroeville as well as the one on Rt 30, and the one in the Pittsburgh Mills mall all have a decent amount of fishing gear.

The only thing I hate about Dick's is that they buy a surplus of fishing lures at the beginning of the year and once it is gone, it's gone.  

So if you see something good or find something that's works well, buy em up.

Hey, the baitmonkey found a nice little surprise today.  I forgot that I got a coupon in the mail from Dick's for a free Field and Stream IM6 fishing rod with any reel purchase.  I brought my receipt in and got a new rod with my Stradic too.  20% off plus a rod that my kid's could use or I can beat up is not too shabby.  

And I'm sure you don't need reminded to go to Giant Eagle and buy a Dick's gift card first before you shop so you can get the gas points as well!!!  

Don't forget to ask for duplicate receipts so you can send in for the rebates on certain prodcuts (Berkeley usually has rebates.)!! Don't mess with a master bargain hunter! Geez, why did I get started...

I saw a similar thread started up for another state so let me ask the question here.

What's the best bass lake in SW PA?  (i say 2 hour drive from Pittsburgh to keep distance down).

oooh thats tough.  Can I say Mon river 10 mile pool?

if it has to be a lake then loyalhanna  ;D

Lake or river is fine.  I was looking for everyone's opinions in the area.  I wanted to keep it close given the price of gas these days.

2 hours is a good chunk of area around Pittsburgh.

You could make it up to Erie in about that time.

Edinboro is just south of Erie, and would be my pick.

Crooked creek is also a great lake.

Keystone power dam from what I hear has alot of nice bass in it too.

In fact, they're all good, you just gotta know where to find the fish at.

What's the best bass lake in SW PA? (i say 2 hour drive from Pittsburgh to keep distance down).

Best bass lake? 2 hour drive from Pgh.?

Hands down would be Erie. You will catch more bass there, and consistenty bigger bass there, than any other place in the entire state of Pa., not just W.Pa.

Of course you will catch some bigguns in other places, but once you are on them at Erie, you will be pulling up football after football. Guys catch 6lb smallmouth up there(sadly, not me yet, but close!) on a regular basis. You catch a 20" river smallie here, and you'll be lucky if it hits 4lbs.

lol its true about erie, i just think its too easy up there to be any fun

Okay, how about 1 hour from Pittsburgh?  What's the best place to catch bass?

I stick to my vote, ten mile

35 min, west of the burgh .no name lakes has some big fish i like to use a globe 1an1half dia  long6in.marv hary bug a musky bait you can make smaller i use coathanger for wire. this just way i fish . big lures

Like already mentioned, Erie is a great bet for a not too far trip from the Burgh.

I'm a little suprised no one has mentioned Wilhelm. It's probably less than an hour from Pgh and it has some of the areas biggest bucketmouths, cats, muskies, walleyes.

You can fish shoreline cover, go deep on breaklines, channel swings, humps, flip to standing timber in the electric only North end, worm the weeds, this place has it all!

Wilhelm is also close to I-79 making it easy to get to.

I stick to my vote, ten mile

Brett, where exactly is the 10 mile pool on the Mon??? Or at least some general directions? Any close boat ramps?

10 mile creek park, washington CO.  rt 88 south

Can you take a canoe out at ten mile creek park or do you need a bigger boat to get around?

10 mile creek is a no wake zone so you can probably get away with a canoe, but I wouldnt suggest taking a canoe out on the main river.  There are alot of idiots around that area with the launch ramp being right there

Okay, how about 1 hour from Pittsburgh? What's the best place to catch bass?

For me, I'd have to go with the Middle Allegheny. The rocks and skinny water keeps most of the crowds out of the area and fishing somewhere safer for their props and glass hulls. ;D

Quiet out there.  Anyone fishing?  I drove by High Point Lake today but the weather was horrible.  Lots of wind and waves on the lake.

I caught 47 today at a local pond