Is Pro Qualifier My Only Choice?

[OkobojiEagle]

I'm looking for a left-hand retrieve spinnerbait reel with a slower retrieve that will not frustrate me on the windy lakes that I live on.  Pro Qualifier = left hand retrieve/ 5.2 - 1 ratio/ dual braking system/ aluminum frame/ <200.00.  I'm not finding another  option as close, am I correct?  Thanks for your input.

 

 

oe

[webertime]

Isn't there a Chronarch E5 in lefty?  The ratio may be a bit lower, but the IPT may be the same or higher?

Abu Garcia Orra Winch is 5.4:1 around $100

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A second hand Revo Winch or E5 comes to mind. I'm sure there's something else new, but it's not ringing any bells.

[OkobojiEagle]

I've been considering the past generation Winch but I'd like more assurance it will perform well in windy conditions.  I'll look into the Chronarch E5, I've got a new 51e I'm liking for hard plastic jerkbaits.  I thought the dual braking of the PQ might give it an advantage in windy conditions... centrifugal to control the initial thrust with mag to control wind induced deceleration.  Not having fished the PQ I don't know how well its braking system actually performs...  Thanks for the input.

 

 

oe

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The PQ is a good performing reel and good value especially at sale prices. 

[fishballer06]

Shimano Chronarch 201e5. Retails for $200 and is a much better reel than a PQ. 

[slainempire]

it may not be the only choice but its a d**n good one.  i picked up 2 pro qualifiers a couple weeks ago, including the right handed version of the model you mentioned specifically for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.  They perform exceptionally well.

[kikstand454]

Abu, shimano, quantum, ..... there's options for sure.

Ill testify for the PQ as well. I've been using one for about a year, and its been a great reel. Pretty forgiving. Its on a "general purpose" rod and does just about everything I ask it to do very well.

[OkobojiEagle]

I hope I'm communicating effectively... I don't doubt the quality of build or value provided in the PQ, I've read enough posts on this board about that!  What I'm asking for is information about the PQ's dual braking system and how effective it is in "real world" breezy situations.  Nothing really light weight; 1/4 oz - 3/4 oz spinnerbaits mostly.  With all of the PQs in board member's arsenals I'm looking for honest evaluation not sales pitches.  If the Chronarch 201E5 will have better control of spinnerbaits in the breeze please tell me that, I'm not opposed to other suggestions.  Left-hand retrieve/ 5.x - 1 gear ratio/ metal frame/ effective braking system in the breeze.  Thanks

 

 

oe

[BigMoneyGrip]

I have one of each, Pro Qualifier and a Chronarch E5. I much prefer the Chronarch over the PQ and even more so when it's windy. The downside? It cost twice as much but feels 10 times better.

[OkobojiEagle]

I have one of each, Pro Qualifier and a Chronarch E5. I much prefer the Chronarch over the PQ and even more so when it's windy. The downside? It cost twice as much but feels 10 times better.

 

 

BMG... Thank you.  The Chronarch is not out of my price zone if it is the reel that will be less troublesome to my spinnerbait fishing.  I'm looking forward to more "on the water" experiences... please.

 

 

oe

[shanksmare]

I have used a PQ for 4 or 5 years now. I'm retired so I fish 4 or 5 days a week. I fish off the bank so I try to keep things simple and use 1 rod.

 

I engage 2 of the centrifugal brake tabs on the spool. For spinnerbaits I usually don't set anything else. If the wind is really honking in my face I'll set the spool tension and magnetic brakes like glenn detailed in a video. But as I said I usually don't bother setting those adjustments when fishing spinnerbaits and don't have problems with backlashes.

 

I'm more vigilant with my settings when fishing in the wind with a t-rigged worm and a 1/8 oz weight.

 

I haven't used any of the newer high priced reels so maybe they are better. I just don't  feel the need.

[Felix77]

I own the Abu Garcia Revo Winch for crankbaits ... it should work for your needs.

[BigMoneyGrip]

BMG... Thank you.  The Chronarch is not out of my price zone if it is the reel that will be less troublesome to my spinnerbait fishing.  I'm looking forward to more "on the water" experiences... please.

 

 

oe

If the Cronarch is not out of your price zone, then why step down to the PQ? There is nothing wrong with a PQ, but the Chronarch absolutely smokes it.

[J Francho]

Spinnerbaits are notorious even on calm days. The Chronarch relatively trouble free in the wind. So is any Daiwa with Mag-Z brakes. Pinnacle Primmus is another reel that I use that handles wind pretty well.

[21farms]

oe, i'm with you in that i much prefer lower-geared reels for spinnerbaits. i've had more than my share of slow reels, including multiple PQs and shimano E5s. in my experience, the PQs are okay but the E5s outperform them wind or no wind. i personally do not buy into the dual-braking/best-of-both-worlds hype; i have not found that they outperform a good implementation of either centrifugal-only or magnetic-only reels. in fact, the ONLY braking system i've found that makes much difference in the wind is shimano's digital control (DC) which is simply amazing.

 

anyway, if what you want is a slower reel, you should not limit yourself to 5:1 reels...you should concentrate instead on the retrieve rate you want. the 5.2:1 PQ has a retrieve rate of 21 inchers per turn (IPT). daiwa sols or alphas have a 22 IPT and can be had under $200 and are fun reels to fish with. if you're patient and willing to accept a reel that's a little scratched up, you may be able to find a JDM shimano conquest 51 (20.5 IPT) under $200...i stress MAY BE but if you can get one of those, you will absolutely love it...conquests are terrific reels that can double as finesse reels as well.

[Raul]

.  Left-hand retrieve/ 5.x - 1 gear ratio/ metal frame/ effective braking system in the breeze.  Thanks

 

 

oe

 

Chronarch 201E5, Zillion Crazy Cranker lefty.

[OkobojiEagle]

If the Cronarch is not out of your price zone, then why step down to the PQ? There is nothing wrong with a PQ, but the Chronarch absolutely smokes it.

 

 

I wasn't looking at the PQ as a "step down" but as one alternative that filled my base qualifications.  Thanks to the good people of this board I now have more options than I was aware of previous to this AM.   What I'd REALLY like is a slow-ratio, lefty Tatula!!!  ANYONE LISTENING!!!  If I knew there was going to be a Curado I in a lefty slow-ratio next season I'd probably wait and ponder... As I grow older choice weighs more  heavily upon my shoulders!  Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, keep offering your opinions... I appreciate them.

 

 

oe

[Raul]

I recommend those two for a reason, if you can afford it why not fish with something that´s nice and going to last you a couple of lifetimes ? not because the PQ is a bad reel, it´s just because, in my case, nice fishing tackle is one of the very few "expensive" stuff I can afford and enjoy.

[shanksmare]

 

anyway, if what you want is a slower reel, you should not limit yourself to 5:1 reels...you should concentrate instead on the retrieve rate you want. the 5.2:1 PQ has a retrieve rate of 21 inchers per turn (IPT). daiwa sols or alphas have a 22 IPT and can be had under $200 and are fun reels to fish with. if you're patient and willing to accept a reel that's a little scratched up, you may be able to find a JDM shimano conquest 51 (20.5 IPT) under $200...i stress MAY BE but if you can get one of those, you will absolutely love it...conquests are terrific reels that can double as finesse reels as well.

Really! You can notice the difference in that 1" Per/Turn. I must not be too discerning because I can't tell if I'm using the reel with a 7:1 ratio or the one with the 6:1 ratio unless I look at the markings on the reel. I guess I just subconciously reel a tad faster or a tad slower depending on the reel and what I want the bait to do. Since I never retrieve a spinnerbait straight in at a steady retrieve and I almost never burn a spinnerbait in, I guess it doesn't much matter.

[21farms]

Really! You can notice the difference in that 1" Per/Turn.

i think you're misunderstanding me. i was trying to say that not all 5:1 reels are the same and that some 6:1 reels are actually slower than some 5:1 reels.

 

for me, my preference for slower reels is only partially about speed (i tend to crank very fast so a slower reel allows me fish at the pace i like while still maintaining the proper lure presentation). the other part is about torque...the lower geared reels are much easier for me to fish with when using resistance baits.

[shanksmare]

21farms, Whoops, sorry I didn't get the jist of what you were saying. my mistake!

 

Probably how much line is on the reel (thus reel spool diameter) ... filled, over filled, under filled will have an impact on IPT. Maybe more than the difference between a 6:1 and a 7:1.  Maybe?

[Tim Kelly]

I have a Chronarch E5 and it's a good real. Would have bought the equivalent Curado if they'd made a left handed 5:1 version, but they don't. I'm pretty sure you could get a low speed gear set for a curado if you wanted, would probably save a few dollars?

[Raul]

I have a Chronarch E5 and it's a good real. Would have bought the equivalent Curado if they'd made a left handed 5:1 version, but they don't. I'm pretty sure you could get a low speed gear set for a curado if you wanted, would probably save a few dollars?

 

There won´t be much difference after you add the costs of parts and shipping and stuff, for a few bucks more you´ll get the Chronarch.

[EmersonFish]

I use a Left Hand, 5.2:1 PQ, and have used many other PQ's (mostly 6.4s) over the years. It's a solid reel. You'll get your money's worth. But now you've seen that there are more options out there than you realized, and if your budget is up to $200, you can probably invest that cash in something that will make you say something better than, "meh."

The good news for us is, there will continue to be more and more reels available in "left-hand retrieve' as more right-handed people realize they were lunatics for ever using "right-hand retrieve" reels in the first place. (I'm kidding of course. I'm not trying to go there. I wish I used "righties.")