Bps Pro Qualifier Bc Reel – 5-Year Challenge – Three Years In

[Goose52]

The test reel for the PQ 5-Year Challenge hit its third service anniversary on October 26 (today). The bite is dropping off a bit here on the plateau but the reel did manage to bring in one 14" bass today to celebrate the anniversary.

Background:

This previous thread detailed the background of the PQ 5-Year Challenge: http://www.bassresou...interim-report/

Briefly, the challenge resulted from some board members expressing the opinion that the PQ reel was a “one-season” reel, and certainly wouldn’t stay in an angler’s arsenal for as long as 5 years. The subject reel is being used to test those opinions.

Current Statistics (based on documented catch data and assumptions as discussed in the earlier thread):

Reel placed into service: 26 Oct. 2009

Months of service as of this report: 36

Number of “catch days” (days when fish were caught with this reel): 294

Number of fish caught: 630

Biggest fish caught: 48.6 lb grass carp

Biggest bass caught: 9.5 lb LMB

Number of cycles (casts & retrieves): 31,000+ (see note)

Note: Number of cycles is based on catch data, not on total days/hours of use. The reel was used many days where no fish were caught, especially during the winter months. Actual number of use days probably easily exceeds 400. Actual number of cycles could easily be in excess of 40,000-45,000.

Significant Events Since the Last Report:

The last report on this reel was on July 5, 2012, to report a repair to the centrifugal braking system - see this thread: http://www.bassresou...ad-to-paradise/

Since the last report, the reel has brought in another 117 fish - the most noteworthy being my new PB LMB of 9.54lbs. Another grass carp was foul hooked and landed - this one was 45 pounds.

Since this reel is on my primary lipless crank rod, it will be seeing quite a bit of use through the late fall and winter - as long as I have soft water. Since a lot of fishing is done in winter...but not very much catching, there will again be quite a few "undocumented" cycles that will be accrued by this reel over the next few months...

The 9.54lb LMB:

The 45lb grass carp:

Previous Maintenance/Repairs:

December 2010 – Annual cleaning.

December 2011 – Annual cleaning. Replacement of line guide pawl at about 26 months of use. Interesting factoid – the pawl had probably made at least 320,000 passes across the worm shaft at the time of replacement.

July 2012 – Repairs:

Repair 1 - debris jammed the line guide pawl causing the pawl to create a burr on the worm shaft. Filed off the burr and thoroughly cleaned the reel.

Repair 2 – centrifugal brake wear – replaced the palm-side sideplate assembly as reported in the July 5th thread linked above.

Current Condition:

The condition of the internal parts of the reel was reported in the July 5th thread. Externally, the reel has some minor rash on the top of the reel. Since the side-plate assembly on the palm-side of the reel was replaced in July, the cosmetics in that area appear nearly new. The spool bearings are noisier than when new but are still serviceable. The reel continues to feel a bit “loose” as compared to a new PQ but this is a subjective perception and I can’t attribute it to any particular causal factor other than "high-mileage."

As I mention with every report, this reel has not been babied, and has often been rode hard and put away wet. Indeed, in winter, the reel is frequently rode hard and put away frozen, with ice still in the line guide when taking the rod out of the trunk of the car! I still believe that much of the centrifugal brake wear that I reported back in July may have been a result of cold-weather service (air temps down to below freezing) - causing some of the grit and congealed oil film on the brake drum to become particularly abrasive - accelerating wear on the brass drum.

The only operational issue of note at present is that the anti-reverse bearing slips a bit from time-to-time: I'm hoping that will be resolved when the reel is cleaned/serviced over the winter...and not that the AR bearing is wearing out.

Added Maintenance:

BPS does not show the inside of the brake drum as a lubrication point; I believe that this is a BIG mistake. I now try to remember to clean and lube the brake drum whenever I remove the side plate. The wear to the brass brake drum, and the captive brake shoes in the spool, are my only areas of concern on this reel and I believe are the weak link in the overall durability of the reel.

Closing:

This reel continues to provide excellent service for a reel at its price point. I own six PQs, some bought new on sale, some bought used. My average cost per reel is $64. I have already, in my opinion, received more than that in value/use and it’s all bonus here on out.

In regards to the long-term durability of a PQ, my use data could be compared to your fishing activity. I have used the reel somewhere between 300 and 400 days and reeled in 630 fish. For some anglers, that might be many years of use - for other anglers, that might be only one "season." And, there is still lots of life left in the reel.

More to come – 5 years is a long time…

P.S.:

So, people keep telling me that the PQ is a "one-season wonder" - it will just fall into pieces after the first season, its parts will tremble and disassemble when confronted by a whopper, it's drag washers will melt when pulled by a smelt...

I think not...

[ClackerBuzz]

epic study goose. always a pleasure, thank you. i love my PQ's and now lubricate the brake drum thanks to you.

[j.bruno]

Very good review. My buddy is always talking his up. Might have to pick one up next time they go on sale.

[islandbass]

Nice report! Those that say this probably never once cleaned or took care of their reels as they should have. Even the best reels will cease to work without proper maintenance.

[kickerfish1]

Stellar post!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Good report Goose. I work with data and can appreciate the work that goes into gathering it. It's kinda too bad though that so much work is necessary to prove what should be a self evident point. Some folks will be impossible to sway from their pre-conceived notions but just as many look forward to your reports. Thanks & good luck.

[K_Mac]

Goose my friend your record keeping and attention to detail is an inspiration. All of my PQs have seen much service, though compared to yours maybe not so much. A fairly high percentage of my fishing is bottom contact techniques, so even with me and my wife using the reels we probably don't come close to your usage. With that said, I have yet to have a problem with any of them. They may not be as bullet proof or refined as some, but for the $80 a piece I have in them they continue to be a fine investment. Thanks for the update. I always enjoy your contribution to the site.

[Goose52]

Thanks folks! The old PQ is not going to win any smoothness contests...but it still reels in the fish which, at the end of the day, is the point (at least to me!)...

[retiredbosn]

I know that my 3pq's are holding up remarkably well. For the price they can't be beat. Machined aluminum frame good bearings and gears. They cast very good, the only reel I have that is better is my curado e series, and its not by much, not enough to warrant another 100 bucks. During the spring classic I can get 3 pq's for one e series. I own a b series curado, an e series, 2 abu garcia ext pros and 3 pq's. The pq is my favorite

[iceintheveins]

One of my PQs is in it's 3rd season, and is loaded with braid for frogs and tough fights winching bass out of the cover. It still pretty much performs like new. Awesome reel and IS smooth.

[ChiCityBasser]

Great report Goose and your previous report is the reason I purchased a PQ for roughly $40 bucks for deep cranks during the summer. It was only used in a couple of tournament events by me but was very smooth with deep strike crankbaits. It does have the same wear on the brake cylinder that you described and thanks for the information to get a new part as well. Again great report and thanks.

[shootermcbob]

Great Job Goose. I always enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to share the information.

As a side note to others...if you don't have the time/skill to clean your own reels, send them to Mike at DVT...a board sponsor...his work is very fairly priced and the results gained are well worth the price.

[The Rooster]

Well, I remembered (with the help of rereading all those old threads) that I questioned the function of the reels after some time or even when new. It does sound like that it's not as smooth as it once was, but I think the use you're subjecting it to is extreme compared to just about anyone else on the same reel so being a bit less than factory new feeling is understandable.

For me, I wouldn't be happy with one after it starts to feel rough from use, or rough out of the box either. Once it reached that stage, I'd be shopping for a new one. But it's clear to me that no one can argue against the fact that this reel would absolutely last 5 years and beyond with standard use, and even with abusive use from most people's normal fishing habits, as long as it was maintained sometime in between with a clean and lube when needed. So even if yours fails before that time, it doesn't mean a thing other than it saw probably ten years of use in about three years actual time, and is obviously capable of handling huge fish. A nearly 10 pound bass is a dream fish for at least 60% of us here so knowing that an abused reel was capable of landing it is plenty of testament to the reel. Having caught carp personally, I know how hard they pull so that is further testament again. I only caught carp in the 10 pound range and I thought it was going to pull my reel apart before I got it in. Carp in the 40 pound range, I can't even imagine.

[Goose52]

Thanks again folks. Still two more years to go!

...For me, I wouldn't be happy with one after it starts to feel rough from use, or rough out of the box either. Once it reached that stage, I'd be shopping for a new one. .

That's reasonable - you should enjoy using your equipment and if it doesn't feel right, then time to move on.

Me - I tend to "use things up"...regardless of the creaks, rattles, and whines the article might make as it gets "more mature". Like our "new" car that's only 24 years old (our "old" car is 40 years old). Although, we might actually get a new(er) car sometime soon...

.......As a side note to others...if you don't have the time/skill to clean your own reels, send them to Mike at DVT...a board sponsor...his work is very fairly priced and the results gained are well worth the price.

X2. I'm an amateur reel tinkerer - when I have needed expert work done - I've sent my reels to Mike...

[78Staff]

I bought one, at the time it was one of the only super low ratio'd leftys I could find, pulling in 19". It doesn't get a lot of use, as it sits on a heavy crankin rod for Big Deep Divers like DD22's, DT20's, etc. which I don't throw that often. At that price point, it's a no brainer choice. It can seem top heavy if used on a lightweight rod, but on most rods it's not an issue.