small_limit

Hmm...I guess disposable reels are sexy. The most interesting thing is guys buying reels from companies that have a well established reputation for NOT supporting their reels in the aftermarket. There's some truth to that. Last time I called the BPS service center (Outdoor World Rod & Reel Repair) they did not have a good parts supply for the last generation ProLite, and still haven't got an initial stock of parts for the Carbonlite BC reels. Parts/repairs for those reels are possible with salvage reels. Shame on BPS - if they want to be mainstream - they need to reduce the number of BC reels they offer, and make sure they keep spares. However, parts for PQs ARE available and I expect will be for a long time. Since MANY of the parts on the PQ are interchangeable with a Revo - there's an alternative parts supply. BTW - I got a GREAT PQ parts deal last year. I bought EVERY single part on the reel for only $30........I bought a used reel on eBay.... ;D And that's another way to get parts... For both the PQ and Carbonlite reels, you can get the same parts, albeit a bit more expensive, from ABU ... the STX and Premier parts (previous gen) fit in the PQ & CL reels. I have the winch gears and Revo Skeet handles on my ProQualifier Tournament edition reel.

I think some (or many) of us have us have used the BPS Rod Balancers. They work well ... but for some rods, they're either too small or too big as it only comes in one size ... also, it's kind of expensive; retailing around $10-$12 depending on it being on sale or not. These two items bugged me. I have rods that require smaller butt caps and other rods that require bigger butt caps. So I've been searching for a solution. I think I've found what I'm looking for to solve both the cost and size problem. Above shown on the right side of the picture is a very inexpensive item that can be bought from your local Lowes hardware store for $2.50 I think. It comes in a pack of four. This is the 1 1/8" size shown. But also available in 1" and 1 1/4" as well. To help with additional weights, one can use your US quarter and simple disc sinkers (with the loop cut out as shown in the picture) inserted inside the chair tip to add weight. These disc sinkers come in a variety of sizes (1oz, 1.5oz, 2oz ... etc); enough to balance any rod. The real cost of the kit is probably around a little over a $1 or so ... or about 1/10th of the BPS rod balancer cost! Below is a picture of the same rod model with both the BPS Rod Balancer and the much cheaper chair tips.

Well this in itself is a very personal statement regarding balance. I personally CANNOT fish with a rod that's overly tip heavy. I have personally told Keith at Powell this. Personally, for me, it's a comfort thing. If you're 20 something, then it's not an issue. If you're 50-60 years old like some of us are, the arm muscles are a bit old and tired to begin with, balance can make or break a fishing day. The second part of your statement is what I have stated. If you're younger, no issues. Those young studs on the BASS tour can beat you with a broomstick ... been there done that; getting beat that is.

I'm going to recommend the Dobyns Champion 765 FLIP or the 766 Flip ... now before you say it's too expensive (retail for $240), here's a little deal for you. Right now at The Hook Up Tackle, they're offering 20% off with the coupon code "blacknovember". But 20% off is not getting you down to $150. However, go buy a gift card (probably one for $100 and another for $50) ... They will give you the 20% off the card. Then immediately use the GC for the rod; yes, they allow that. Now you can get an additional 20% off the rod. So ... basically about 40% off the rod if you do this. That will get you to your $150 mark!! ;D Better yet, call them and work this through on the phone. They're great people and will help you out!! BTW, I'm not related to those folks. Just a customer!

I probably have about 10 of these ProQualifier Tournament reels. The've been on sale on and off all year. I also own several of the Carbonlite reels as well. I'll tell you what, if you think $80-100 reels cannot be good, think again. I have owned those $300 reels ... still so, have 4 of the Core 100MgFV. These PQ Tourney reels cast nearly as well as the Cores. PLUS they're just as light. Love them ... I interchange the slow 5:1 gears out of a few of them off of the Revo Winch ... plus upgrade their bearings ... SMOOTH cranking reel!!! Don't worry, go get a few. I will when the go on sale this weekend.

I have 6# Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon on it now. It works great. Handles well and is a tough son of a gun to break ... when I can tie on a good knot

Well, for baitcasting setup, check out the BPS Carbonlite combo. Generally less than $200/setup. For the money, the rod is pretty kickass ... the reel, some thinks is a Revo Premier knockoff!! Have a friend who bought the ProQualifier and he thinks it's like a better '09 Premier. Said it casts better than his Premier ...

I've ran tests myself in the past ... 6# breaks ~10#'s. 20#'s ... forget it. Cannot break it off w/o help! That said, this line is very high in memory ... I've switched to the Berkley Big Game Hi-Test. But they've discontinued it! > P-Line certainly meet this criteria. As Raul said, 10 or 12 is probably all you need. This line is approximately 40% stronger than the stated pound rating. 8-)

Gear ratios are really not all too meaningful. The one thing you should know is how much line the reel will pickup with a single turn of a handle. Some small reels (such as the Core50Mg) say 7:1 gear ratio. But their spools are small, so even at 7:1, they may only pickup the same amount of line in a bigger spool like the Curado 200 ... That said, in GENERAL, I use the higher speed ratios for topwaters, flipping. For cranking and blading, I use 5:1 and all others I use 6:1 ...

Wow, this is one question if you ask 10 different people, you'd get 10 different answers. But that said, I like Berkley's Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon. It's a little expensive, but not any more so than some of the top fluoros. The 100% Fluoro line is limp and handles very well on spinning or casting tackle. I use 6# for my spinning and 10-15#'s on my baitcasting. I like the 6# so much that I am on my second bulk spool in 3 years!

These premiers are pretty good reels. Depending on what you want to fish with it, I would take a look a the BPS new Carbonlite rods. Their 7' M is a pretty awesome stick for worming or even spinnerbaits. It would pair well with the light weight of the PRM as these Carbonlite rods are very well balanced and light weight. Also ... they're on sale now.

I bought one of the ML spinning rods last week when they were on sale for $80. I took it out fishing yesterday and like the way it fishes. I'm not crazy about the reel seat though. I think for me, I'll need to get something to fill out the top of the reel seat. But otherwise, seems like a pretty good little rod for shakey head and dropshotting.

yeah, what's the deal with NO spare spools for a $200 spinning reel? I read in the BPS catalog that there was a FREE Spare spool, but was that a miss-print?? All my local guys tell me no spare spool! >

Wow ... $256 for the Core100MgFV?? Where you get a deal like that, please do share! ;D I have two of them and like it very much. The power handle, the 7:1 gear ratio and the light weight works great on my Steez flipping stick!! But ... I am a fan of the Shimano reels. Though I did buy a couple of Steez reels, I think the Core reels fishes better, IMHO!

Overall, I would say that the Powell rods for the money are pretty good. However, I will add that I would NOT buy them myself because they are extremely (depending on model) tip heavy. I'm very sensitive to balance and most of these Powell rods feels like a club to me in my hands. In this regard, I would recommend Dobyns rods. But they're much more expensive. However, in a few weeks, they will start selling a lower cost series of rods. Look for them in your local stores soon. (BTW, I'm not sponsored by anyone except by my own retirement fund )