Pro Qualifier Modifications/upgrades

[The Rooster]

DVT, did I catch a reference that the PQ could be upgraded to hold level wind bearings in your post?? I'm under the impression that the current reel in factory form does not have these now, but would be made more like my old Extremes where it only has plastic bushings on the level wind worm gear instead.

So, if I understand right, then you can add bearings to the level wind where none exist now. Knowing what I know about the handle paddle grips, you can add one to each of those as well, turning a standard 7 bearing reel into a 9 bearing reel. If the level wind is another place to add them then I could have 11 bearing PQ's when finished (but probably also one of the heaviest reels out there by then as well).

To the OP, I know you can add at least one bearing to each paddle grip, replacing a bushing that's there now. This will do nothing in terms of performance but it does make it nicer feeling to fish moving baits with resistance to them, like spinnerbaits or crankbaits. It's really slick feeling. I did this to my Extremes and they have become some of my favorite reels because of how they feel. I fish them along side of my Shimano E reels and for moving baits I think I like them better than the Citica for sure. In terms of ease of casting and casting distance though, my Shimanos do out gun the Extremes by a fair margin. But you cannot upgrade the Shimanos to feel as slick as the Extremes do due to their design of the handles, and I've also never tried upgrading the spool bearings on the Extremes either, which might make a good difference. That's one reason I'm starting to like the Lew's reels now. From what I'm told they're everything the Shimanos are with the slick feel of an upgraded BPS reel. I compare my Extreme for reference here since its build design is similar to the PQ in many ways. What you can do to one, you can do to the other in a lot of cases.

[LgMouthGambler]

I know this has already been stated by the OP, but is it really that hard to answer the simple question he ask? As soon as I read the first post I knew why he specified that this thread was about PQ mods and not Shimano fan boys....And that it was directly related to you. There are different strokes for different folks, so why do you always, and I mean ALWAYS, try and push everyone towards Shimano?

I can confidently say that I will never own a Shimano reel because of you and the way you try to force their product on people.

Rant off.

To answer YOUR question, I am simply trying to save the OP the money that he would spend to try and do something that will make the reel perform in no noticable difference. I have owned PQ's, and have tried to modify them to cast farther/smoother, etc. It was a was a waste of money, and was nowhere close to the performance of my Shimanos. You can take it any way you want. Sure I suggest Shimano products for the reels, and if you dont like them then dont buy them. I will not loose any sleep over you not fishing a Shimano reel.

[Jake P]

I know this has already been stated by the OP, but is it really that hard to answer the simple question he ask? As soon as I read the first post I knew why he specified that this thread was about PQ mods and not Shimano fan boys....And that it was directly related to you. There are different strokes for different folks, so why do you always, and I mean ALWAYS, try and push everyone towards Shimano?

I can confidently say that I will never own a Shimano reel because of you and the way you try to force their product on people.

Rant off.

X100000,000,000,000000000000,00000000.

[bassh8er]

To answer YOUR question, I am simply trying to save the OP the money that he would spend to try and do something that will make the reel perform in no noticable difference. I have owned PQ's, and have tried to modify them to cast farther/smoother, etc. It was a was a waste of money, and was nowhere close to the performance of my Shimanos. You can take it any way you want. Sure I suggest Shimano products for the reels, and if you dont like them then dont buy them. I will not loose any sleep over you not fishing a Shimano reel.

I am the OP, and the original topic was about the BPS Pro Qualifier. Maybe I should have never mentioned the Shimano reels, but I hate when a topic is started with a question about a specific brand and somebody else mentions a completely different product.

A Chronarch is twice as much as a PQ, and maybe deservedly so, but I wouldn't mention a Zillion or a Pixy in a post about Chronarchs.

Back to the original topic, which is what I want to actually get info about...

I posted this on another forum and got some info about swapping Revo worm gear and pawls since they are titanium coated. Would that be worth it?

Even if it is a little steep, I think that I'm going to "pimp" out one of my PQs, even if it costs me as much as a new reel during the Classic, just to see if I notice the differences.

Thanks again for all of the helpful replies.

[K_Mac]

Bassh8er I have never done anything to my PQs but use them with an infrequent clean and lube. I will be curious to see what you think of your pimped out reel. I like your attitude.

LMG you make a good case for Shimano, and I agree they are fine reels. They are not the answer to every question though.

[dam0007]

I know its BPS who 'makes' the PQ reels, now may be a dumb question, but who is the actual manufacturer?

[bwell]

Pure fishing I think

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

DVT, did I catch a reference that the PQ could be upgraded to hold level wind bearings in your post?? I'm under the impression that the current reel in factory form does not have these now, but would be made more like my old Extremes where it only has plastic bushings on the level wind worm gear instead.

So, if I understand right, then you can add bearings to the level wind where none exist now. Knowing what I know about the handle paddle grips, you can add one to each of those as well, turning a standard 7 bearing reel into a 9 bearing reel. If the level wind is another place to add them then I could have 11 bearing PQ's when finished (but probably also one of the heaviest reels out there by then as well).

To the OP, I know you can add at least one bearing to each paddle grip, replacing a bushing that's there now. This will do nothing in terms of performance but it does make it nicer feeling to fish moving baits with resistance to them, like spinnerbaits or crankbaits. It's really slick feeling. I did this to my Extremes and they have become some of my favorite reels because of how they feel. I fish them along side of my Shimano E reels and for moving baits I think I like them better than the Citica for sure. In terms of ease of casting and casting distance though, my Shimanos do out gun the Extremes by a fair margin. But you cannot upgrade the Shimanos to feel as slick as the Extremes do due to their design of the handles, and I've also never tried upgrading the spool bearings on the Extremes either, which might make a good difference. That's one reason I'm starting to like the Lew's reels now. From what I'm told they're everything the Shimanos are with the slick feel of an upgraded BPS reel. I compare my Extreme for reference here since its build design is similar to the PQ in many ways. What you can do to one, you can do to the other in a lot of cases.

The Revo level wind parts are pretty much interchangeable with the PQ. I would expect the extreme as well but I'm not positive.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I am the OP, and the original topic was about the BPS Pro Qualifier. Maybe I should have never mentioned the Shimano reels, but I hate when a topic is started with a question about a specific brand and somebody else mentions a completely different product.

A Chronarch is twice as much as a PQ, and maybe deservedly so, but I wouldn't mention a Zillion or a Pixy in a post about Chronarchs.

Back to the original topic, which is what I want to actually get info about...

I posted this on another forum and got some info about swapping Revo worm gear and pawls since they are titanium coated. Would that be worth it?

Even if it is a little steep, I think that I'm going to "pimp" out one of my PQs, even if it costs me as much as a new reel during the Classic, just to see if I notice the differences.

Thanks again for all of the helpful replies.

The coated worm gear parts should last longer but won't notice any performance difference. If the stock parts wear out and need replacing you might consider upgrading them but outside of that I'd pass. If you're curious I'd suggest picking up a Pflueger Patriarch and fish it beside the PQ. Let me know if you need help with whatever you decide to do.

[11justin22]

The coated worm gear parts should last longer but won't notice any performance difference. If the stock parts wear out and need replacing you might consider upgrading them but outside of that I'd pass. If you're curious I'd suggest picking up a Pflueger Patriarch and fish it beside the PQ. Let me know if you need help with whatever you decide to do.

I just went and looked that patriarch up and it looks exactly like my jm signature lol

[cody161]

To answer YOUR question, I am simply trying to save the OP the money that he would spend to try and do something that will make the reel perform in no noticable difference. I have owned PQ's, and have tried to modify them to cast farther/smoother, etc. It was a was a waste of money, and was nowhere close to the performance of my Shimanos. You can take it any way you want. Sure I suggest Shimano products for the reels, and if you dont like them then dont buy them. I will not loose any sleep over you not fishing a Shimano reel.

That right there would have been a much better first answer than only saying, "save your money, buy a Shimano." To each their own I guess.

[TNBassin']

I know this has already been stated by the OP, but is it really that hard to answer the simple question he ask? As soon as I read the first post I knew why he specified that this thread was about PQ mods and not Shimano fan boys....And that it was directly related to you. There are different strokes for different folks, so why do you always, and I mean ALWAYS, try and push everyone towards Shimano?

I can confidently say that I will never own a Shimano reel because of you and the way you try to force their product on people.

Rant off.

AMEN! :battery-062:Any posts I make about Abu Garcia products always have at least 2 comments on how I should have gotten a Shimano. Obviously if I wanted one, I would've bought one.

[retiredbosn]

U guys must not remember the Shimano posse, back when Shimano had the place pinnacle now does on the boards, well lets just say the gambler is mild. Except in those days there were about 12 members of the posse and every reel thread was hijacked for a while.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

One thing that needs mentioning is that while you may replace components and get some better performance you cannot change the tolerances to which it was built. That is gonna be the differance between higher dollar reels like Shimano, daiwa, pfluegers , or abus vs the pq.

[shootermcbob]

I have owned several pro qualifiers over the last 4-5 years. I liked them very much. I have since replaced them with "another" brand of reels because I got great deals on them, loved the performance, and most importantly to me...LOVE the way they feel in my hand.

That being said, your pro qualifiers will respond very favorably to a clean and lube at DVT. I sent a couple to him and was very impressed with the extra casting distance I was able to attain after the service. I did not really notice extra smoothness upon retrieve, but was wowed by the casting distance. I am not exaggerating when I say 5-8 yards, maybe more. Even better, DVT has very reasonable prices.

[guitarkid]

U guys must not remember the Shimano posse, back when Shimano had the place pinnacle now does on the boards, well lets just say the gambler is mild. Except in those days there were about 12 members of the posse and every reel thread was hijacked for a while.

i remember that, there was even a "shimano support group". any ways back on topic. I like my PQs, I too have been thinking about fixing one up just because.

PS. I also have shimanos, abus, and a quantum. I'm not a fanboy of any make or model.

-gk