Bass Pro Qualifier Help

[Fishin24/7]

I bought a pro qualifier several months ago because of all the good reviews I read. However I'm having some problems casting it, it seems like no matter what line, rod, or lure I put on I can't cast it very far at all. Obviously a 1 ounce bait cast farther than a 1/4 on it but, still extremely short compared to all my other reels. I know this reel has dual brakes but I'm assuming they both work off of the knob on the side plate of the reel? Also I'm no pro but I have used many different baitcasters before with no problems. Thanks

[aavery2]

I bought a pro qualifier several months ago because of all the good reviews I read. However I'm having some problems casting it, it seems like no matter what line, rod, or lure I put on I can't cast it very far at all. Obviously a 1 ounce bait cast farther than a 1/4 on it but, still extremely short compared to all my other reels. I know this reel has dual brakes but I'm assuming they both work off of the knob on the side plate of the reel? Also I'm no pro but I have used many different baitcasters before with no problems. Thanks

The Pro Qualifier has dual brakes as you know, the dial on the palm plate is for adjusting the magnetic brakes, the dial on the handle side plate is the spool tension, not to be confused with brakes. To adjust the centrifugal brakes you will need to remove the palm side plate and adjust the tabs to the on or off position to your likeing. Sounds like you may have several on now, if you are familar with baitcasters, try casting with two on and the mag brakes adjusted about half way.

[BenBassmaster]

Did you try loosening your spool tension knob beside your handle? It's a little knob beside the handle.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

No the centrifugal brakes are inside the left side plate. The brake pads have a tag on the face that you push up or down to turn the brakes in or off. Only the magnetic brakes are controlled by the dial on the side plate. The knob on the right side is spool tension. Reel the lure up till its about 6 inches from the tip of the rod and rotate the knob counterclockwise to losen the tension until the lure slowly starts to fall. If you are new to baitcasters than set the tension to where a light shake of the rod will make the lure fall. You will lose a little casting distance but it will help with backlashes.

FWIW my pq's have 2 centrifugal brakes on and the magnetic brakes are set to 2 after I have correctly set the spool tension.

[Fishin24/7]

Yes I have the mag brakes set to two and the tension knob set correctly. All the centrifugal brakes look like there off but when I try to slide them out I feel like I'm going to break them so I stop. Is that how you engage them, by sliding toward to little spring?

[aavery2]

Yes I have the mag brakes set to two and the tension knob set correctly. All the centrifugal brakes look like there off but when I try to slide them out I feel like I'm going to break them so I stop. Is that how you engage them, by sliding toward to little spring?

In, towards the center of the hub is the off positon, out towards the rim of hub is on. It only takes a little pressure to adjust these brakes, and you should feel a positive click when they are moved to either the on or off position.

[Arv]

All the advice you've been given is good. If you continue to have problems beyond adjusting the cast control and brakes I would take it back and exchange it. I just got 2 for Christmas and they cast just as well as any other reel that I have. You shouldn't need to modify a new reel out of the box.

[Fishin24/7]

Thanks everyone I figured out the brakes and there all off. I know this thing is defiantly not casting right so I will be taking it back. How is the warrenty on these things? I have the receipt and its been almost 4 months so I can't do a return on it.

[flyfisher]

Bass pro is pretty good about returning items well after the return window. I had a abu garcia veritas snap at the second eye on a hookset after owning the rod for probably 3 months and they took it back and exchanged it for me no problem and also provided me the option of taking it in the form of a gift card if i wanted something different.

just go in there and talk to them and be honest about what you are seeing and they should help you out.

[retiredbosn]

They will replace it, one year warranty. I have 4 of these reels, not a dud in the bunch. But as with any manufactured product every so often there is a bad one. FWIW a one year warranty is pretty much industry standard on reels, that's what my Abu's, and Shimano had as well.

[jhoffman]

The other thing is when you buy a new reel they come absolutely CAKED in packing grease. The first thing I do is tear it apart, clean all that grease out. Put new grease in, drop the bearings out and soak them in lighter fluid, spin them then relube with something good, clean all grease in the spool areas out... basically it doesnt even get the first test till its been totally blown apart and reassembled.

[Fishin24/7]

The other thing is when you buy a new reel they come absolutely CAKED in packing grease. The first thing I do is tear it apart, clean all that grease out. Put new grease in, drop the bearings out and soak them in lighter fluid, spin them then relube with something good, clean all grease in the spool areas out... basically it doesnt even get the first test till its been totally blown apart and reassembled.

I thought about doing this but I've never tried it before so I don't want to screw anything up. I'm just going to take it back to bps in a couple days because its not to far away.

[jhoffman]

Start small, open up the side plate and pull the spool out and clean in there. When you feel brave again take the handle off and open the other side and look at it. Theres really not much to be scared of when you have the diagram.

 

Lay out a clean paper towel and lay the parts in order as they come out, then reverse it to put it back together. When you open that gear side the first time, just pay attention and clean what you can without removing too much.

 

Youll build confidence over time. If youre REALLY afraid of it, go on ebay and find an OLD baitcaster that someone is practically giving away to practice on, or even the forums here. Heck you might end up with a really awesome reel once you get it cleaned up.

 

My cheapest reel performs like a reel twice its price. Initially before I started tearing into them I thought it was junk. Now I think its awesome, amazing what good bearings, cleaning and good grease/oil can do for a reel. I bet I could pitch an 1/16th ounce lure on it if I really wanted to try.