Bps rods/reels

[Dan N]

So what’s the opinion on BPS brand equipment? I have a lot of it , and think it’s great , and not super expensive. 
Ott Defoe, Edwin Evers, use it. I believe both won the classic, And use it in all UTube content. I realize they are sponsored by BPS. But if they using it full time - it must be pretty good? 

[Lead Head]

In my experience, the Pro Qualifier and above reels are solid but only a great value when purchased on a big sale. At regular price I feel like they are below average compared to other brands in the same price range. 

 

As far as rods, I liked the crankin sticks for moving baits and loved the old green extremes. I actually liked the extremes so much that I stripped my old ones down and rebuilt them when I got into rod building. 

 

To sum up my opinion, there is nothing wrong with BPS gear. It performs similar to other brands in the same price range and they never gave me any trouble when I needed to exchange stuff. 

[Hammer 4]

Around 2007 I bought a couple of BPS rods, and 2 JM reels. They worked fine, no complaints. Then when I needed 2 more rigs, I went with Shimano which at the time was made in Japan, I also got 2 Dobyns Champion rods.

Wound up selling the BPS stuff, and replaced it with Shimano rods and reels.

[T-Billy]

I have a Pro qualifier, a couple carbonlites, and a crankin stick. Zero complaints.

[Deleted account]

Most of their rods are good, some are excellent, some are just ok, and some are trash. The issue with house brand sticks is that while the model name may remain the same, the rods usually change year to year, and often not for the better, particularly those other than top of the line ones, which are aimed at a price point. I have some old Extremes that are fantastic rods, been happy with the bionic blades, and some of their salt water rods. The reels are average for their price points for the most part.

[Phil77]

I'm not a fan of their dual brake reels but I did love the older green extreme baitcaster models. I think most of their house brands are good quality you could fish tournaments with.

[LCG]

9 hours ago, Dan N said:

Ott Defoe, Edwin Evers, use it. I believe both won the classic, And use it in all UTube content.

 

I have two Carbonlite 2.0 rods that I really like. They are good values in my opinion. Comfortable, sensitive, and durable.

 

The pros use what their sponsors want to sell consumers at the end of the day. Hence the nascar style decals . I may have the same rod a pro uses, but that doesn't mean my skills are at a pro level. That's a much bigger conversation.

 

no experience with their reels. I prefer Shimano or Daiwa.

[Mike L]

As far as thier branded reels go, I have 3

JM Sig

Pro Qualifier

Extreme 

All are over 10 yrs old and still going strong. 
 

In my opinion the Pro Qualifier and to a lesser degree the Extreme are 2 of the toughest reels ever made. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Bankc]

They're a good value.  At one time they were the best value in their respective categories, but times have changed.  They didn't get worse, just other companies got better.  

 

I have a Pro Qualifier 2 rod and reel.  The rod is really nice.  Compares favorably to other $100 rods.  Not as good as some.  Better than others.  If you can find it on sale, it's probably going to be nicer than most.  The PQ2 is pretty decent.  For $100, there are better made reels out there that will last longer.  But again, on sale, it's gonna beat most reels in it's price range.  

 

I had a BPS Tourney Special rod.  Great blank for the money.  Terrible reel seat and line guides.  But at $50, you get what you pay for.  And I think this was a good value, as you normally don't get a blank this good at that price (though often find better reel seats and line guides).  Still, probably worth spending an extra $20 to get something better.

 

I also have a BPS Fish Eagle.  Pretty nice rod for $70, if you like micro guides.  It won't compare to a $100 rod, but it'll hold it's own against other rods in its price range.  Better than my Kast King Perigee II, which was known as a good value for about the same price.  

 

Bottom line, if you get them on sale, you probably can't find a better rod or reel in their price range.  If you pay full price, they're probably as good as the average rod and reel in that price range.  So you might be able to do better if you shop around, if they're not on sale.  But if you're looking to improve on the BPS gear you already own, expect to pay more than what you originally paid for those.  

[PBBrandon]

From what I’ve used of theirs:

 

7ft MHF Carbonlite 2.0 rod - wouldn’t pay 120 for them but if you get the combo or get it on sale it’s a good deal. Probably closer to a 100-110 dollar rod performance wise. Love the Winn grips and the line dial on the butt is nice

 

7’1” MF Platinum Signature rod - very good, light, nice sensitivity. Back when they were 180 they were a good price. For 200, there are better rods but nothing wrong with the Platinum Sig. Fuji SiC guides, Winn grips, etc

 

7ft MHF Patriot rod - same price as the PS rods but made in the USA. Very soft tip followed by a nice strong backbone 1/4-1/3 of the way down. Where the PS rod is more stiff and would be a better bottom contact rod, I feel the Patriot is a better moving bait rod with the tip it has. I love it for slinging rat-L-Traps. It’s VERY light. Paired with a 6.4oz Lews Custom SLP I forget I’m holding a rod sometimes. I’d happily pay full price for these rods.

 

Carbonlite 2.0 reels - nice and smooth, only 6.7oz for a 130 dollar reel. Basically like any other 10 bearing, dual brake Lews. I’m sure it’s very similar to a Tournament MP but with 6 pin centrifugal brakes instead of 4 pin. I’d take a Tatula or an SLX XT over it for the price but if you are a Lews fan then you won’t be disappointed. 

[ironbjorn]

Fine budget stuff, but then I don't know why someone wouldn't just go Lews in this range.

[Eric 26]

I have and still use a 2000 something bps pro qualifier spinning reel(2000) size that has given me no problems. I also have 2 Bionic Blade spinning rods (2006) that are still going strong. More recently I have a Carbonlite 2.0 bait cast combo and I agree with everyone who said it’s pretty much a Lews in white color meaning no issues. I have a 1500 carbonlite spinning reel made by Daiwa I believe. I have a cranking stick the split grip model and finally a panfish elite rod that I like so much I’m looking to grab another one. All of my purchases with the exception of the pro qualifier were purchased during the spring classic sale  or when they’re closing out their product line. I’ve had no issues with any of the rods or reels. 

[TOXIC]

Being on pro staff for BPS for 15 years, I used a lot and I mean a lot of their gear.  With the guide service, I put it through the ringer.  Granted, I used mostly all JLM Signature gear but had my favorites in all of their price points.   It’s good gear for the price.  When not using the JLM gear, I preferred another company owned by BPS, Browning.  I had a lot of Midas and Citori gear and as a matter of fact still have some today spooled up and going to Florida with me next week.  Gotta be 10 years old.  I really liked the Wide Spool Technology reels.  

[Scott804]

Generic but they work. You can get some darn good deals if you check often and are fast on the website, too. 

[MAN]

2 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I preferred another company owned by BPS, Browning.  I had a lot of Midas and Citori gear  

 

Wow I forgot all about those reels.  Just went down memory lane for a couple minutes. 

[Eric 26]

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Being on pro staff for BPS for 15 years, I used a lot and I mean a lot of their gear.  With the guide service, I put it through the ringer.  Granted, I used mostly all JLM Signature gear but had my favorites in all of their price points.   It’s good gear for the price.  When not using the JLM gear, I preferred another company owned by BPS, Browning.  I had a lot of Midas and Citori gear and as a matter of fact still have some today spooled up and going to Florida with me next week.  Gotta be 10 years old.  I really liked the Wide Spool Technology reels.  

I remember the wide spool technology and thinking must be marketing hype by all manufacturers ?, nowadays people talk about bigger spool sizes comparative to rod size for less line twist. Me I’m happy putting a 500/1000 size reel on an ultralight rod, 2000 on a light/med light and so forth ?.  Just saying I think this is why BPS is still around as Johnny Morris was always ahead of/in the game, kind of like @Deleted account coming up with new “fun” technology for bicycles. With that said I traded in my old Citori baitcast reel in 2019 because I realized I prefer left handed reels in both spinning and bait casting. 

[dodgeguy]

BPS Johnny Morris Signature series rods are awesome. The only reason I'm switching to Dobyns is BPS has had issues during covid with keeping any rods in stock. The Patriots even disappeared from the website for a while.

[WRB]

I lost any desire to do business with BPS after the Cabela’s buy out killing the town of Sidney NB where the headquarters was located.

Tom