Are Bass Pro brand rods and reels any good?

[Luke Barnes]

Ive been looking at what i dont have setup wise or replacing a cheap combo.

 

I was looking at more dedicated cranking sticks and came across the BPS Crankin Stick. Anyone have experience? 

 

Also the Johnny Morris Carbonlite 2.0 is on sale. Looks like a nice reel but I wonder who actually makes it and if it's a good reel. 

[Isaac Lee]

the carbonlite 2.0 is a great combo at that price point.

[dodgeguy]

Carbonlite and higher rods are awesome.

[Bankbeater]

I have a Bionic Blade and a Carbonlite which were purchased this year, and an old Tourny Special that is about 10 years old.  I don't like them for bottom contact baits, but they're excellent for moving baits.

[Jaderose]

I have 5 of the OLD PQ's and a JM Signature reel.  All serve me very well.  I have an older Carbonlite rod and one of the old green Extreme rods that is my favorite rod.  I held one of the new JM Signature series Rods a few weeks ago and it felt very good in my hand.  It has the Powerhump like my old Extreme Rod.  I suspect I will own one soon.  

[Eric 26]

I have a carbonlite 2.0 7’-0” med power fast action combo and it’s one my favorites, it handles my 3/8-5/8 oz lipless cranks perfectly. I also purchased last year’s model crankin stick 7’-3” hvy  power fast action which I’m using pretty much for 1/2 and 3/4 oz chatter baits and I love it. Not sure how the new model compares but I can feel every turn of the blades and have no problem ripping  it through weeds. Going to try a Berkley 105 Choppo on it this season also.

[dodgeguy]

22 minutes ago, Jaderose said:

I have 5 of the OLD PQ's and a JM Signature reel.  All serve me very well.  I have an older Carbonlite rod and one of the old green Extreme rods that is my favorite rod.  I held one of the new JM Signature series Rods a few weeks ago and it felt very good in my hand.  It has the Powerhump like my old Extreme Rod.  I suspect I will own one soon.  

Jm signature series is a nice rod. 

[Jleebesaw]

I'll also vouch for the carbon lite rod. I have one for a crankbait rod and I really like it. I got an awesome deal for that rod with an abu revo sx on it for $169 last year at the spring classic sale!! My friend bought 2 of them. Great deal.

 

   I had a bionic blade and would buy another. For the money it was pretty good. I broke it though. The tourney special rods suck. 

 

    I've never tried their reals but I'm sure they are OK. There is one real that people rave about that they have but I can't remember what it's called. 

[Luke Barnes]

I would be using it for cranking most likely so M and maybe moderate action. If that makes any difference. 

[Blaine Donders]

Their reels are Doyo. If you like Lew’s, you will like these. 

[Bankc]

I have a Fish Eagle, Pro Qualifier 2, and had a Tourney Pro rod.  The Tourney Pro was garbage.  But the Fish Eagle and PQ2 are both good rods for the money.  I also have a PQ2 reel.  It's not bad, no complaints.  But a Daiwa Fuego is cheaper and better.  I can't say I've fished better rods than the PQ2 or the Fish Eagle for the money they ask.  But I haven't fished a lot in their price range, so I don't have a real good idea of what a $70 and $100 rod is supposed to be.  

[Eric 26]

3 hours ago, Jleebesaw said:

I'll also vouch for the carbon lite rod. I have one for a crankbait rod and I really like it. I got an awesome deal for that rod with an abu revo sx on it for $169 last year at the spring classic sale!! My friend bought 2 of them. Great deal.

 

   I had a bionic blade and would buy another. For the money it was pretty good. I broke it though. The tourney special rods suck. 

 

    I've never tried their reals but I'm sure they are OK. There is one real that people rave about that they have but I can't remember what it's called. 

I also caught a great deal when I bought mine at the spring classic I believe 3 years ago?  I paid $120.00 for the combo. I’m pretty sure you’re referring to the pro qualifier baitcast reel which receives a ton of praise for its price point. I also purchased a carbonlite 2.0 spinning reel last year and really enjoy it. 

 

49 minutes ago, Blaine Donders said:

Their reels are Doyo. If you like Lew’s, you will like these. 

I believe the bait casters are Doyo the Carbonlite 2.0 spinning reel I bought I believe is made by Daiwa.

[Michigander]

55 minutes ago, Blaine Donders said:

If you like Lew’s, you will like these. 

No wonder I don't like them.

[mcipinkie]

The BPS Crankin Stick is an excellent rod, well better than its price.  $80 normally.  Can find on sale for $60.

 

I use a 7'-0 MH for almost every moving bait except crank baits.

 

I like a M for CB's. 

 

Got a hand full of PQ's, Carbonlites, and JM's.  No problems. 

 

Here's my sermon for the day.  If you buy a $50 piece of equipment, regardless of brand, you get a $50 piece of equipment.  If you spend a $100, it will be better, $150 even better still.  Once you get above $150, IMHO, you have to ask your self "Am I buying status, or am I spending money that will help me catch fish?" Certain brands have features that you may like better, or worse than others, but the formula is generally true.

[Michigander]

1 minute ago, mcipinkie said:

If you buy a $50 piece of equipment, regardless of brand, you get a $50 piece of equipment.  If you spend a $100, it will be better, $150 even better still.  Once you get above $150, IMHO, you have to ask your self "Am I buying status, or am I spending money that will help me catch fish?" Certain brands have features that you may like better, or worse than others, but the formula is generally true.

Well said!

[LCG]

I own 3 carbonlite 2.0 rods. 

 

6'8" M-Xf spinning rod 

6'6" M-f casting rod 

6'9" MH-XF casting rod 

 

Love these rods. Very comfortable, plenty sensitive, they have been durable, and I like the actions of the blanks. 

[papajoe222]

If you're the type that likes to upgrade gear every few years, they are okay for anglers that only fish a handful of days a month. Their crankin' stick may be the exception for one you might hang on to. They are a great combination of materials and although a bit more tip heavy than some, I've spent more for what I thought was an inferior rod.  I still have and use mine along with a couple of rods with the power hump handle that I've used for spinnerbaits late in the season when my aches and pains start showing up.

[greentrout]

Own: 2 pro qualifier casting reels, 2 Bionic Blades, 2 Tourney Specials and 2 pro qualifier casting rods all bought on sale. If you play it right, you can get some on sale at a great price. 

 

Have used the rod and reel repair affiliated with BPS a couple of times with no problems. 

 

Happy camper with the rods and reels ...

 

Good Fishing ...

[Michigander]

I foolishly upgraded my gear over the last couple years and now I can't go back. ?

[Luke Barnes]

Thanks for all the input so far! Lots of good info. My favorite spinning setup is a BPS Crappie Maxx ML I use for neds and its lower end so I figured it is decent quality. 

 

Is a Doyo a reel manufacturer? I'm guessing some brands dont physically make their own reels and have patented designs they have an outside manufacturer make? 

Also why I'm asking is I have a Black Max 6'6 M casting combo and a Lews American Hero 7' MH/F I'm looking to upgrade. I have an upgrade for the Lews already but I dedicated it to chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. So either something sensitive for bottom contact baits or a good rod for crankbaits which is what I use the black max for.

 

My initial thought is another Speed Spool LFS but if the Carbonlite 2.0 is noticeably better and I can get it on sale then I may decide for it over the Lews.

I'm kind of a Lews fanboy and I couldnt tell you why. Just when I started fishing I was drawn to them. I have a SLX XT reel and SLX rod and love them, the BPS stuff may be really good, my favorite pro fishes Abu Garcia, but for some reason I always want Lews and I am absolutely in love with my Speed Spool LFS so would take something special to steer me away I guess haha.

[Blaine Donders]

5 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

Thanks for all the input so far! Lots of good info. My favorite spinning setup is a BPS Crappie Maxx ML I use for neds and its lower end so I figured it is decent quality. 

 

Is a Doyo a reel manufacturer? I'm guessing some brands dont physically make their own reels and have patented designs they have an outside manufacturer make? 

Also why I'm asking is I have a Black Max 6'6 M casting combo and a Lews American Hero 7' MH/F I'm looking to upgrade. I have an upgrade for the Lews already but I dedicated it to chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. So either something sensitive for bottom contact baits or a good rod for crankbaits which is what I use the black max for.

 

My initial thought is another Speed Spool LFS but if the Carbonlite 2.0 is noticeably better and I can get it on sale then I may decide for it over the Lews.

I'm kind of a Lews fanboy and I couldnt tell you why. Just when I started fishing I was drawn to them. I have a SLX XT reel and SLX rod and love them, the BPS stuff may be really good, my favorite pro fishes Abu Garcia, but for some reason I always want Lews and I am absolutely in love with my Speed Spool LFS so would take something special to steer me away I guess haha.

Doyo is a Korean OEM that makes reels for several companies. Lew’s, BP, Abu Garcia, to name a couple. Spinning and baitcast reels are often sourced from different OEM’s as well.

[Eric 26]

12 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

Thanks for all the input so far! Lots of good info. My favorite spinning setup is a BPS Crappie Maxx ML I use for neds and its lower end so I figured it is decent quality. 

 

Is a Doyo a reel manufacturer? I'm guessing some brands dont physically make their own reels and have patented designs they have an outside manufacturer make? 

Also why I'm asking is I have a Black Max 6'6 M casting combo and a Lews American Hero 7' MH/F I'm looking to upgrade. I have an upgrade for the Lews already but I dedicated it to chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. So either something sensitive for bottom contact baits or a good rod for crankbaits which is what I use the black max for.

 

My initial thought is another Speed Spool LFS but if the Carbonlite 2.0 is noticeably better and I can get it on sale then I may decide for it over the Lews.

I'm kind of a Lews fanboy and I couldnt tell you why. Just when I started fishing I was drawn to them. I have a SLX XT reel and SLX rod and love them, the BPS stuff may be really good, my favorite pro fishes Abu Garcia, but for some reason I always want Lews and I am absolutely in love with my Speed Spool LFS so would take something special to steer me away I guess haha.

As far as I was told the biggest difference between the carbonlite and lfs is the braking system, bps being dual braking and Lews magnetic only. That was before the dual pinion Lews is currently using. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

I have a few of the PQ2 reels, one PQ2 rod and a Carbonite 2.0 reel.  All are user friendly and work.  I use the PQ2 rod more than I ever expected to.  The Carbonite reel was my first baitcaster and the only issues I've ever had were user error.  I tried to do a thorough clean and tore it all apart.  Should have just done a quick clean and lube.  

 

Also have a rod they discontinued called the Titanium 8.  It is one of my favorite rods, and I believe it was replaced by the Carbonite 2.0 rod of that means anything.  

 

My personal opinion on BPS stuff is that I refuse to pay retail, but I'll take advantage of a good sale.  

[AmmoGuy]

The current Carbonlite 2.0 spinning reels are great reels. 

They are essentially Daiwa Excelers but with shallow spools and bearing under the spool (so better than an exceler IMO).  Plus BP warranty is tough to beat. When you can get them around the $60-65 mark, you're not going to do any better on a spinning reel. 

 

I also have a couple of the Carbonlite 2.0 / Revo SX combos that they had for $150 last year. That was a good buy. 

 

The trick to the BP stuff is get it when it's on a good sale. 

[bowhunter63]

I have one 2.0 spinning rod and have zero complaints . Going on a few years now if something happens to it I would replace it with the same thing . Great Rod