Bps Pro Qualifier Bc Reel – 5 Year Challenge – 4 Years Down, 1 To Go

[kschultz76]

Goose as all if said awesome work here, great dedication and great info shared. Has made me think about the future of my PQs. I was starting to consider trying something else like a Chronarch or Tatula thinking I would get better performance. But maybe I just need to send my PAs into DVT for some service, then practice practice practice until I'm better at using them. I've found I struggle casting them blustery windy conditions. Sounds like I'm probably the issue not the DBS. Any tips on how to get them adjusted and casting well in conditions, especially with crankbaits and spinnerbaits? I know the rod and other factors affect casting as well.

Thanks for your efforts and sharing all your work with us.

[ChiCityBasser]

Great report Goose and the reason I purchased my PQ was after reading the initial thread and reports. My PQ doesn't get as much use and does have that brake drum issue you mentioned but its a deep cranking reel and will be serviced this year. I purchased it used for $40 or so and it's just coming up on one year of usage.

 

Thanks again

[CWB]

I have a PQ high speed that I use for rattle baits, which is quite often, and I believe its at least 5 years old and still,going strong. Also have a Blue Rick Clunn BPS reel that is 6 or 7 or more years old and it still looks and works like new. Of course I don't put in near the days Goose does. Excellent report. Like Rooster said, you don't always need a $200.00 reel to get the job done. For $80.00 the PQ is a steal.

[Goose52]

Thanks again guys.

 

4 years is a long time to fish a reel that's obviously showing signs of wear. For me, I wouldn't even enjoy it anymore.

 

Rooster - sorry, I missed this comment earlier.  The reel is not THAT bad....the goal is to always have a fish on 'cause you don't notice the reel at all then...

 

..... I've found I struggle casting them blustery windy conditions. Sounds like I'm probably the issue not the DBS. Any tips on how to get them adjusted and casting well in conditions, especially with crankbaits and spinnerbaits?

 

Wind gives many people problems, especially if trying to cast directly into the wind. Gusting wind (as opposed to steady wind) can give you fits as well. Magnifying the problem are baits like spinnerbaits and some crankbaits that lose velocity quickly.  Assuming you have your reel working OK for no-wind conditions, when the wind comes up you can try adding more magnetic braking. If that doesn't work, add another centrifugal brake and play with the mag brakes.  AND, as everyone says, that educated thumb needs to come into play to lightly ride on the spool and feather, or stop, the cast if you feel the reel getting ready to backlash.  I have reels with centrifugal brakes only, Daiwas with Magforce magnetic brakes, and dual brakes.  I prefer the DBS reels in windy conditions, or in conditions like near- or sub-freezing temps when the educated thumb suddenly gets dumb....since you can add more mag braking to supplement the centrifugals.

 

In some cases, especially with really strong gusting wind, you end up using so much braking and/or thumb that you really sacrifice a lot of casting distance - in that case, it's time to re-position the boat (if you're afloat), or try another spot on the bank that is more favorable for wind.  THEN, when all else fails, grab a spinning rod ! 

[Basswhippa]

Goose as all if said awesome work here, great dedication and great info shared. Has made me think about the future of my PQs. I was starting to consider trying something else like a Chronarch or Tatula thinking I would get better performance. But maybe I just need to send my PAs into DVT for some service, then practice practice practice until I'm better at using them. I've found I struggle casting them blustery windy conditions. Sounds like I'm probably the issue not the DBS. Any tips on how to get them adjusted and casting well in conditions, especially with crankbaits and spinnerbaits? I know the rod and other factors affect casting as well.

Thanks for your efforts and sharing all your work with us.

 

 

 

The one PQ that was tested is solid.  It could be an anomaly.  There are Chevy Chevettes and Dodge Neons out there with 300,000 miles.  Get yourself a Chronarch and forget about it.   Shimano is the best period.  Every other reel maker aims at them as their goal, and bows before them.  There are 20 year old Chronarchs  in the locals boats that frequent Castaic, Clear Lake, Delta, Fork, Guntersville, Falcon, Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Kentucky Lake, Toho, Okeechobee,  Eufala, Amazon River, etc. that are still running solid.   Why buy a Korean made Kia when you can own a Japanese engineered Toyota or Lexus?  Or any Dodge truck when you could buy a Ford, which are clearly superior if you study Consumer Reports carefully.

[kschultz76]

Goose thanks again for the valuable info. As seen in this thread many others share your experience of long service and dependability from the PQ reels. As I said I've got four and they all perform well so far.

I'm glad it's not just me who struggles with the wind. I just need to adjust the brakes more and train my thumb more.

[Goose52]

Regarding the Shimano-bot that jumped on...

 

I own 13 Shimano BC reels: 3 - CU50E, 1 - CU200E, 1 - Core 50, 1 - Calais 100A, 1 - Calais 200DC, 1 - CTE-50GT, 1 - CTE-100GT, 1 - CTE-200GT, 1 - Calcutta 100DC, and 2 - Conquest 50.  Nice reels - they work, catch fish.  Usually good values at their price points.

 

The purpose of this study is to determine if the PQ, a sub-$100 reel, is a viable option at its price point.

 

It is.

[Dave P]

I have 4 that I use religiously. Maybe 50x per year and have had zero issues. When you get them dialed in, they will throw in the wind just fine. It helps to keep the cast low to the water. I also use a Quantum one remaining Shimano and three Daiwas. I had two other Shimanos and liked them just fine but after they got destroyed after flying out of the boat and onto the highway, I'm glad I went with PQs. Will buy more.

[kschultz76]

I don't much stock in Shimano bots. Besides I bought the Hyundai instead of the Toyota

[Darren.]

Very interesting "study" Goose. Appreciate the info you've gathered. Always liked the PQ, but never pulled the trigger. How do they do with light baits - like weightless 4" senkos, etc.? I can throw weightless Zoom Finesse worms wacky rigged with my Chronarch 50e and Lexa 100. Curious if the PQ could throw the same. And yeah, rod helps, my fave is a 6' MF casting rod for the light stuff.

[kschultz76]

Darren fwiw, and I'm a rank amateur so take that into consideration, I just demoed a Chronarch 201e7. I mounted it and a PQ 7.1 on the same 6'8" M/XF Croix LTB. With both reels I could throw a weightless 5" Senkos on a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook the same distance. I wasn't scientific about it and could only do this comparison over the span of a few hrs, but was pleasantly surprised when the PQ cast the Senkos that well. I didn't attempt anything lighter then that, and I know a weightless zoom finesse work will be a fair bit lighter.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

The one PQ that was tested is solid.  It could be an anomaly.  There are Chevy Chevettes and Dodge Neons out there with 300,000 miles.  Get yourself a Chronarch and forget about it.   Shimano is the best period.  Every other reel maker aims at them as their goal, and bows before them.  There are 20 year old Chronarchs  in the locals boats that frequent Castaic, Clear Lake, Delta, Fork, Guntersville, Falcon, Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Kentucky Lake, Toho, Okeechobee,  Eufala, Amazon River, etc. that are still running solid.   Why buy a Korean made Kia when you can own a Japanese engineered Toyota or Lexus?  Or any Dodge truck when you could buy a Ford, which are clearly superior if you study Consumer Reports carefully.

It's hardly an anomaly. Many post by PQ owners here support what goose has said and reported on. Shimanos being the best is an opinion and that's all it is. Maybe you should consider doing a 5 year report on your chronarch and your post may have a little more credibility.

[Goose52]

Very interesting "study" Goose. Appreciate the info you've gathered. Always liked the PQ, but never pulled the trigger. How do they do with light baits - like weightless 4" senkos, etc.? I can throw weightless Zoom Finesse worms wacky rigged with my Chronarch 50e and Lexa 100. Curious if the PQ could throw the same. And yeah, rod helps, my fave is a 6' MF casting rod for the light stuff.

 

Darren - I've tossed down to 1/4 oz with PQs with no problems. A GYCB 4" Senko weighs 1/4 oz not counting the hook and casts like a bullet so it shouldn't be a problem casting it with a PQ.  Now, under 1/4 oz?  I haven't a clue - I have better tools for that weight range than a PQ...

 

In theory, DBS equipped reels might be at a slight disadvantage in the lighter weight ranges as the spool might be a bit heavier than other braking systems due to the captive brake shoes and springs, and the cover plate that provides the surface for the mag brakes to act on.

[Dave P]

You can go lighter (1/8 is as low as I've gone), but you will want a tail wind or cross wind or no wind. You will not like throwing it into a wind. At all.

[CWB]

The one PQ that was tested is solid.  It could be an anomaly.  There are Chevy Chevettes and Dodge Neons out there with 300,000 miles.  Get yourself a Chronarch and forget about it.   Shimano is the best period.  Every other reel maker aims at them as their goal, and bows before them.  There are 20 year old Chronarchs  in the locals boats that frequent Castaic, Clear Lake, Delta, Fork, Guntersville, Falcon, Rayburn, Toledo Bend, Kentucky Lake, Toho, Okeechobee,  Eufala, Amazon River, etc. that are still running solid.   Why buy a Korean made Kia when you can own a Japanese engineered Toyota or Lexus?  Or any Dodge truck when you could buy a Ford, which are clearly superior if you study Consumer Reports carefully.

Got a chuckle out of this. Using this logic, why would you get a Japanese Toyota when you can buy a Swedish engineered Volvo or German engineered Mercedes (Abu)

Judging by the responses there are several anomalies out there.

[Basswhippa]

Shimano bot short circuited.  Buy the Shimano and quit worrying about it.   They are not good reels at their price point.  They are superior reels at their price point.  I would love to see the trash bin that BPS has for all their returned reels.   Got a Johnny Morris.  It ain't all that.   Drag is pathetic.  It is supposed ot be superior to the PQ.   Going on a trip of a lifetime.  It would stay in the garage for sure.

[Long Mike]

Opinions, opinions, opinions.  To paraphrase Shakespeare, "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

[Goose52]

Shimano bot short circuited.  Buy the Shimano and quit worrying about it.   They are not good reels at their price point.  They are superior reels at their price point.  I would love to see the trash bin that BPS has for all their returned reels.   Got a Johnny Morris.  It ain't all that.   Drag is pathetic.  It is supposed ot be superior to the PQ.   Going on a trip of a lifetime.  It would stay in the garage for sure.

 

Yes - the stock drags are "pathetic."  Good thing I was using a whopping 10 lb line on the PQ test reel so I didn't have to rely on stock drag performance to land these fish...

 

 

 

 

 

[cddan]

Bps! Those pics are awesome!If you have any more they sure color up the post! Thank you goose for your detailed information.

[Amarley]

I don't beat my equipment to death and am fortunate enough to have several rods and reels, but I love my PQ's. Never an issue with any of them.

[KDW96]

The post was a continued report on PRO QUALIFIER nothing else.Why the shimano groupys even chirpin here?

Goose,this has been a well written,thought out,and not to mention a extensive amount time put in to it. Anyone thinking of getting a new caster,would benefit greatly,by reading the entire thing. It clearly PROVES that this reel has the gutts and at alot less money!Because of your indepth dedicated review,ive been slowly switching all my casting reels to the PQ. I have been shown PROOF that ill get my moneys worth,thank you.

 

Until the shimano ladys can give a dedicated,indepth report on a reel,you need not chime in until you can 

PROVE IT as Goose has done.................................

[Goose52]

Thanks again guys - I appreciate the acknowledgements of the effort that it takes to conduct this test.

 

Since the "S" word got introduced a number of posts ago...let me make something clear.  This test is not about trying to demonstrate that the PQ reel in particular, or BPS reels in general, are better than Shimano or any other brand. There are lots of fine reels out there, representing a number of brands; most work well, will last, and will help you catch fish.  I personally own BC reels from BPS, Shimano, Daiwa, Abu, and even an Ardent.   The purpose of the test is to demonstrate that these mid-range BPS reels (PQ in particular) offer value that can equal or exceed their price.  They are viable options when shopping for a reel in their price range. That some of the internet lore about them is not correct.

 

Value is about more than a name, or how many "seasons" (whatever those are) a reel will last. It is the totality of the fishing experience with that reel.  It's the number of hours fished, or fish caught, or cycles (casts & retrieves), per dollar spent.  It might also be about the performance and feature set of the reel - how far it can cast, how good is the drag, etc.  For some anglers, the smoothness of a reel is important, along with other subjective characteristics,  The PQ, while not the best reel in any of those categories, offers a feature set, performance, and longevity that most users consider to be above its price range - thus offering value for money spent.  The PQ is offered in 4 gear ratios, in both left-hand and right-hand - pretty nifty.

 

Will a PQ last as long as an Ambassadeur 5000? No.  But it's OK for a mechanical device to eventually wear out - the question is whether you received sufficient value from it during it's useful life to justify the cost of the item.  The PQ, while not necessarily better than other competitor reels, offers such value.  The test PQ will likely eventually develop a frame crack at the grooved wear points illustrated earlier in this thread. At that point, it will likely have reeled in over 1,000 fish - achieving a cost per fish of about a dime - excellent value delivered.  To extract similar value from my Daiwa PX Type R, or Shimano Conquest 50, I would have to reel in 5,000 fish to equal that cost performance .....

 

Bps! Those pics are awesome!If you have any more they sure color up the post! Thank you goose for your detailed information.

 

Well, bass seem small compared to the grass carp but here's a few LMB.

 

 

 

 

 

[Basswhippa]

The post was a continued report on PRO QUALIFIER nothing else.Why the shimano groupys even chirpin here?

 

Until the shimano ladys can give a dedicated,indepth report on a reel,you need not chime in until you can 

PROVE IT as Goose has done.................................

 

 

 

 

 

Prove it?  I own two 93 second year Calcutta 200's and a Calcutta 100 that is 18 years old.   They have been used hard(albeit maintained) and work as good as new.  The Shimano Calcutta birthed the modern reel and they are as good 20 years later as they ever were, with few design changes.   A poster asked about possibly buying a Chronarch.  That is why I spoke up. Plus I loved the term "Shimano Bot".    I know it isn't apples to apples, Chronarch to PQ.  The PQ is a top option reel at its price point. Good as an ABU 4600C3?   Of course not.  Good as a low model Abu or Lews.  Of course.  It is the same thing.  It'll make it until you break it and then you just throw it away and go and get another, or take it back to BPS, as it's just a loss leader for them.     Some people prefer the lower cost KIA and Hyundai's to Toyota and Honda.  Consumer Reports readers know which is best.  Reel mechanics do to. 

[kschultz76]

The post was a continued report on PRO QUALIFIER nothing else.Why the shimano groupys even chirpin here?

Until the shimano ladys can give a dedicated,indepth report on a reel,you need not chime in until you can

PROVE IT as Goose has done.................................

Prove it? I own two 93 second year Calcutta 200's and a Calcutta 100 that is 18 years old. They have been used hard and work as good as new. The Shimano Calcutta birthed the modern reel and they are as good 20 years later as they ever were, with few design changes. A poster asked about possibly buying a Chronarch. That is why I spoke up. Plus I loved the term "Shimano Bot". I know it isn't apples to apples, Chronarch to PQ. The PQ is a top option reel at its price point. Good as an ABU 4600C3? Of course not. Good as a low model Abu or Lews. Of course. It is the same thing. It'll make it until you break it and then you just throw it away and go and get another, or take it back to BPS, as it's just a loss leader for them. Some people prefer the lower cost KIA and Hyundai's to Toyota and Honda. Consumer Reports readers know which is best. Reel mechanics do to.

Please do not suggest that my post, which you quoted, warranted your negative post which lacked any objectivity. I'd like to point out as well that I did not ask a single question about a Chronarch or any Shimano. I merely stated I was considering trying a Chronarch or a Tatula to try something different. Bottom line is the value demonstrated here in the PQ makes me very hard pressed to lay out more then twice it's cost for a Chronarch. In posting your rant of all you've managed to do is convince me your opinion is worth squat to me.

[Basswhippa]

Please do not suggest that my post, which you quoted, warranted your negative post which lacked any objectivity. I'd like to point out as well that I did not ask a single question about a Chronarch or any Shimano. I merely stated I was considering trying a Chronarch or a Tatula to try something different. Bottom line is the value demonstrated here in the PQ makes me very hard pressed to lay out more then twice it's cost for a Chronarch. In posting your rant of all you've managed to do is convince me your opinion is worth squat to me.

 

 

Don't try the Chronarch then.  I might re-read my posts, but I didn't mean it as a rant.  Opinion, admittedly.  Opinion of a lot of people. Many consider the dated Curado 200B to be the finest baitcasting reel ever made, and they can be picked up in like new condition for $100.  They hold their own against saltwater, which can't be said of many reels.  The surf boys love em.  Did I back this opinion by 5 years of almost daily use?  No.  20 years of weekends if I'm lucky.   Kind regards.