just got my 2011 BPS master fishing catalog!!

[short_on_cash]

I don't care what anyone says about bass pro stuff. They bought out the new carbonlite micro guide casting rods, made a new casting reel that's called Enigma that weighs 7.6 ounces with anti-backlash technology.( the same technology that some reel companies charge $500.00 for), and they re-introduced the Bionic Blade with split grips and made that series of rods 15% lighter.  Still a little disappointed that they couldn't find a way to slim down the pro qualifier but I'm pretty impressed with them so far.

[J Francho]

Uhhhhh, that's a graphite reel.  Most other reel companies sell that technology for about $30.

[short_on_cash]

Care to name a few?? I have yet to see some sold for $30

[J Francho]

Look a little harder. All the manus make cheap graphite reels.

Here's some on Bass Pro's Site: http://www.basspro.com/Freshwater-Fishing-Reels-Baitcast/Large-Price-Under-50/_/N-1z11dcmZ8b1#Large%20Price

Keep in mind, if you payed retail for a Bass Pro reel, you over paid by 25-50%.

[short_on_cash]

I will indeed check out that link. Thanks alot.

[Grey Wolf]

Such high praise .They should give you freebees.

[J Francho]

Truth, would you pay $100 for a graphite framed reel? Do you know of any graphite framed reels that are $500?

Its a classic case of looking at ad hype, and not looking at the specs.

[short_on_cash]

I just felt the need to give credit when credit is due. Untill I upgraded my fishing equipment all I used was bass pro stuff and I remember people being sarcastic with me all the time about using bps gear. Like my grandfather use to tell me: "the equipment doesn't make the angler, the anger makes the equipment"

[BASSclary]

The Enigma reel looks like they took the Bionic Plus, aand gave it a few more brakes, and charged alot more.

I'm guessing they changed the style of the Bionic Blade to be more of a competitor to the Abbadabbado Vendetta and Veritas, possibly Vengeance.

[K_Mac]

Look a little harder. All the manus make cheap graphite reels.

Here's some on Bass Pro's Site: http://www.basspro.com/Freshwater-Fishing-Reels-Baitcast/Large-Price-Under-50/_/N-1z11dcmZ8b1#Large%20Price

Keep in mind, if you payed retail for a Bass Pro reel, you over paid by 25-50%.

With all due respect, your comment regarding over paying is an opinion I do not share. I do agree that most BPS reels can be purchased on sale occasionally and are a better value then. I respect your experience and expertise when it comes to reels, but the PQ baitcast reel is a good value even at retail based on my experience.

I think it is fine to say that you feel something else is a better value and why, but painting all BPS reels with the same brush is not really very helpful IMO.

[J Francho]

Painting all BPS reels with the same brush?

BPS puts everyone of their store brand products on sale at some point.  You also get double points for purchasing their store brand products.  There are very few items that carry their label that are equal or superior to the item they are copying.

Truth is, I don't see many BPS reels.  People tell me that they either completely failed after a couple seasons, or they gave them away.

The Pro Qualifier may be a decent reel.  Time will only tell.

[Goose52]

Painting all BPS reels with the same brush?

BPS puts everyone of their store brand products on sale at some point. You also get double points for purchasing their store brand products. There are very few items that carry their label that are equal or superior to the item they are copying.

Truth is, I don't see many BPS reels. People tell me that they either completely failed after a couple seasons, or they gave them away.

The Pro Qualifier may be a decent reel. Time will only tell.

I'll work backwards on the highlighted comments - and I'll mention that I'm talking about BPS higher-end BC reels, not all BPS-branded product lines.

You bet, time will tell and a bunch of us are the field-test crew I guess. I have 6 PQs (and 2 RCs, a CL and a ProLite). All great reels. However, I have so many, that I may be able to fish them for many years without putting a lot of mileage on any one reel so I may never have any problems (if indeed any problems ever develop).

On reels falling apart after several seasons - I wonder if that is from earlier BPS product lines? The current line-up of the higher-end BPS reels (PQ on up) seem to be well made, quality reels. Several folks on this board have conducted tear-downs of the PQ in particular and haven't noticed any shortcuts on quality of materials or any shoddy assembly. I heard one unsubstantiated comment on this board that the PQ used some "pot-metal" parts, but examples weren't given. It would be interesting to hear if you, DVT, RM, etc. ever do get a PQ in for service that you find any significant quality or construction issues... For me, I DO have one PQ that I have used the most, that certainly has thousands of casts on it, and the only problems so far are are that half the numbers for the mag brake setting have worn off from palming, and I had a grip/handle bushing start to click a bit - it had moved a bit out of position inside the grip - I pushed it back in place, stuck some grease in there, and it's been OK since.

On BPS copying others, perhaps. But in some cases they have been the product innovators, or at least been there with competitive product at the same time as the mainstream reel companies. All the buzz about the Curado 50 - the BPS ProLite was there a few years earlier. Other lightweight reels - the Carbonlite at 6.7oz seems pretty light - who else offers an aluminum frame reel with that weight, at a $120 price point. Whether folks think it's necessary or not - DBS on their higher-end reels, at a value price-point, sounds good to me. Lots of product choices? - yep, at least on the bread-and-butter PQ line - 8 models. The other reel companies seem to want to tell the purchaser what they can use by having limited choices of ratios (how many threads have we had on gear swaps for Citicas and Curados?).

BPS has provided competitive products, with either leading-edge or matching features, at value price points. There may or may not be parts issues in the future (but aren't we hearing about the mainstream reel companies not having parts for some of their older models?). So, we still have the issue of longivity. And I guess only time will tell !

[SeanW]

   I bought a $40 BPS bait caster a few years back. It still works just fine. I gave it to a friend that fish's 3 days a week. BPS is a good company, its not my preferred place, but they are a good store. I buy gear from them, rain gear, boots, that kinda thing.

   THeir points program is a joke as far as Im concerned, as they expire way to fast. They also rip ya off on shipping. That said I dont order from them. If I need something Ill drive to the store 90 minutes away. That said I can get just about anything I need locally and at better prices.

    I do know they supply a large percentage of recreational fisherman with their products.Heck, I had rods and reels when I first got into fishing. I love the catalog when on the throne. I can browse through and see if there is any new things Im interested in.

[Aluma-Bass]

mine was in the mail when i got home lastnight!! 

[Goose52]

mine was in the mail when i got home lastnight!!

Still haven't got mine yet - perhaps today. So far, I'm not hearing about anything new that's gonna get my money - but it's always nice to have that big catalog available to browse...

[Shane J]

Yup, my bathroom just got a new addition.

[fenderville]

Got mine lastnight as well.... As far as BPS reels I have had nothing but bad luck.. Thumb buttons fall apart, braking system failures..

But I have had nothing but great luck with the upper end rods.. Love'em...

I don't notice any inferior parts in the bps reels but i do see some mechanical design differences "could" have lead to the failures..

[5bass]

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

[Fisherprice]

Just go online. It's on their website now!