BPS Pro Qualifier 2

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, here is the situation. I recently bought a BPS Pro Qualifier for $49, my local BPS had to search extensively to find a 7.1:1 model as they had sold out. They finally found me one in a Florida store and had it shipped to me. I received it yesterday and was excited until I opened it up and discovered that it was a LH version and not the RH version I had ordered. Needless to say i was a little bummed after waiting 2 weeks to get this reel so I emailed my local store assistant manager alerting her to what had happened. She just replied back to me and has offered to take the wrong LH Pro Qualifier and replace it with a brand new Pro Qualifier 2 for the $49 I paid in whichever ratio I would like, the 6.8:1 or the 7.5:1 (since they no longer come in the 7.1:1 ratio)...so, which ratio should I get?

[TH-Outdoors]

Seems like a question only you can answer, but since you were already on board with a 7.1:1 a 7.5:1 that'd be my choice. It all depends on what applications you want to use it for as well. 

[Mokujon]

I'd take the 7.5. It's easy to slow down your retrieve if you need to. 

[Brett's_daddy]

Well, I'm thinking I will later this Spring get a Daiwa Tatula CT in the 7.3:1 ratio for my new IRod Fiber 7'5" Heavy/Fast Fred's Magic Stick which I will use for my heavier topwaters like Whopper Plopper 130's, MS Mini Slammers etc. as well as heavy jigs and frogs. This reel I'm thinking will go on whatever rod I will use for my all-around rod for stuff like senkos/craws, smaller spinnerbaits and jigs, buzzbaits etc.

[MassYak85]

for the applications you mentioned I'd go 7.5:1. 

[lmbfisherman]

I'd go with 7.5.1 but I'd double check the IPT instead of the "Ratio".  When you go and get it exchanged, check the IPT on both vs the 7.1.1 PQ you have.  Pick the closest one.

[Brett's_daddy]

13 minutes ago, lmbfisherman said:

check the IPT on both vs the 7.1.1 PQ you have.  Pick the closest one.

I checked and the old 7.1:1 has an IPT of 29", the new PQ2 in the 7.5:1 has an IPT of 31" and in the 6.8:1 it's 28".

[jimf]

Agree with looking at the IPT rather than ratio.    I forgot what big name pro is was that said they use the exact same gear ratio for every reel they own.   I really wouldn't overthink gear ratio, get the one you are most comfortable/used to would be my advice.

 

And congrats on scoring a BPQ2 for $49.   Sounds like BP did right by you.

[lmbfisherman]

44 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Well, I'm thinking I will later this Spring get a Daiwa Tatula CT in the 7.3:1 ratio for my new IRod Fiber 7'5" Heavy/Fast Fred's Magic Stick which I will use for my heavier topwaters like Whopper Plopper 130's, MS Mini Slammers etc. as well as heavy jigs and frogs. This reel I'm thinking will go on whatever rod I will use for my all-around rod for stuff like senkos/craws, smaller spinnerbaits and jigs, buzzbaits etc.

If you're going to use the PQ2 for jigs and after looking at your IPT I'd go with the 7.5.1 ratio.  Like a previous poster said, you will just have to slow down on the bladed baits.  I usually like using a lower IPT for buzzbaits and spinnerbaits and a higher IPT for jigs, senkos and craws.

[fishnkamp]

All of my multi purpose reels are 6.3 or 6.4 to one. Since you were happy with the 7.1  (29 ipt) I would go for the 6.8 (28 ipt). You would never notice the difference for baits like spinnerbaits, buzzbaits Senco or texas rigs and as for baits like jigs most of the guys using faster reels just want to get the bait back to the boat faster in order to make their next cast, not because they fish the baits  that quickly. We do not "burn" a swim jig much!  LOL

[Brett's_daddy]

2 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Since you were happy with the 7.1  (29 ipt)

I have no idea if I was happy or not, never used the reel...lol. Seriously, I'm still new to baitcasting so don't have very much experience at all with different gear ratios/IPT on casting reels. Right now I have a Lews Tournament Pro in a LH version at 6.4:1 and I haven't really used it much other than practice casting last year. I wanted to get a RH reel so that I can actively compare which version I prefer (am a righty but reel with my left hand on spinning reels) and whichever one I am more comfortable with I will sell/trade the other for a comparable reel in the opposite hand.

[fishnkamp]

I am sure you have read my thoughts on that subject before.  I use 6 lefties and 6 righties.

Here is what I find most helpful and my habits today have evolved over 40 plus years of fishing.

 

 If I am fishing a bait that I cast out and basically just retrieve, "chuck and wind", like a crankbait, spinnerbait, rattle traps and chatterbaits I prefer to use a right handed reel.

 

If I am fishing any bait that I impart action into using the rod, than I prefer to use a left handed baitcaster.

This list of baits includes paddle tail swimbaits like a Skinny DIppers of Flukes. jerkbaits, topwater walking baits and frogs, texas rigs, carolina rigs and jigs. My dominate hand is holding the rod, imparting the action and is ready to make a good hookset. My left hand's job is to keep up with the slack line basically.

 

 Seeing you have the 6,4 lefty already, I like the idea of getting a right handed reel. You may want to keep both reels in the 6.x to one ratios for most of your general purpose fishing. Of my 12 baitcasting reels 9 of mine are either 6.3 or 6.4 to one reels.  I have one 7.1 reel I fish topwaters with and 2 8-1 I throw frogs and punch with. 

 

Man I wish you were located near me. It would be so easy to take you out fishing on my boat, then just put my gear in your hands one combo at a time. Nothing beats casting it and feeling what each setup can do.

[Jaderose]

Hey BD...let us know how you like that PQ2 after you've used it a bit, please.

[Brett's_daddy]

12 minutes ago, Jaderose said:

Hey BD...let us know how you like that PQ2 after you've used it a bit, please.

Will do but...that may not be for a while, just getting another fresh 3 - 5" of snow today and most lakes/ponds still frozen over :(.

[SFL BassHunter]

What are you going to be throwing on it as far as lures?

[CTBassin860]

Take that 7.5:1.Getting a newer and lighter PQ for 49$ is a good trade off.

[Brett's_daddy]

2 hours ago, SFL BassHunter said:

What are you going to be throwing on it as far as lures?

I'm thinking it will be put on my all-around rod and be used for spinnerbaits, senkos/craws, smaller jigs and maybe some jerkbaits?

[SFL BassHunter]

I would use the 6.8:1 for Spinnerbaits, and Jerkbaits

The 7.5:1 for Worms and jigs.

 

So which technique do you see yourself spending the most time on? Even as an all round reel. That is how I would pick the speed. Either way, you'll be able to do all those things regardless of which speed you get. 

 

My all round bank fishing reel does everything I need it to do. But I mostly fish worms, jigs, frog with a fast retrieve and sacrifice a little cranking power for the Spinnerbaits.

[jbrew73]

i think you will find out that the 7:1 reels have the same ipt. the new reel has a smaller spool so they increased the ratio to keep the actual line speed consistent.. the same goes for the 6:1 reels.

[Brett's_daddy]

1 hour ago, jbrew73 said:

i think you will find out that the 7:1 reels have the same ipt

I listed the IPT specs above...7.1:1=29, the new 6.8:1=28 and the 7.5:1=31.

[Brett's_daddy]

Thanks all, I ended up going with the 6.8:1 right handed PQ2 for $50. I figured if I'm getting a 7.3:1 Tatula later this Spring why be redundant. I believe it will be very good for every technique I plan on using it for. We'll see :).