Bass Pro Extreme Baitcaster: BRAND NEW HORRIBLE NOISES TODAY!

[AJ Hauser]

Hey fellas, 

Today my BP Extreme blessed me with new, horrible noises while I was having all sorts of fun throwing a new wakebait around. I wasn't sure if you guys did any reel diagnosis as this seems rather difficult on a forum - but let me describe what happened: 

 

All of the sudden, when I would make a cast, there was a loose rattle on the right side of the reel, which is the side the handle is on. This rattle continued for about 75% of the cast, and as the lure would slow down, the noise would let up. It is not a screech. The reel has a magnetic braking system, not the tabs that fly out. I just cleaned it and oiled 'er up, but it made no difference. I also tightened the plastic screw on the front of the guide (not sure on the terminology here) that moves back and forth on the worm gear.

 

When I remove the spool, there is what looks like a little gold castle nut on the side with the handle. The spool slides through it. While still holding the reel sideways, if I press the thumb bar, this little gold nut seems to move down slightly. When I reel, it pops back up, and it makes a bit of a rattling noise when I move the handle. The thing is though, this part has always made a rattling noise when the spool has been removed. 

 

Today was the first day the extra rattle with everything all put together started. I haven't oiled it since last year, been using it every other week, f not weekly, but I'm not sure what to do next. 

 

Any suggestions?

 

Many thanks. 

[T-Billy]

The little castle nut thing is the pinion gear. Don't crank the handle with the spool removed. The spool shaft keeps the pinion lined up with the main gear. Time for a full tear down and servicing.

[KP Duty]

Bass pro does over the counter swaps on any of their house brand stuff.  I'd just take it back to the store and trade it.

[newapti5]

One of the common issues with old reels, or reels that have been used a lot.

 

[volzfan59]

15 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Bass pro does over the counter swaps on any of their house brand stuff.  I'd just take it back to the store and trade it.

I agree with @KP Duty. I used to work p/t for BPS in the fishing dept. This was prior to the reintroduction of the Extreme b/c reels. BPS has a one year, no questions asked warranty on all house brand products. Take it back and swap it or upgrade to a Pro Qualifier. The new, reintroduced Extreme b/c reels are not as good as the old reels.

 

[ScottW]

I got one of these this past July. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for any trouble. Hope you get yours fixed/swapped out. I’ve swapped their rods out before so that house-brand policy @KP Duty mentioned is worth pursuing if still within a year.

[Bankbeater]

Take it back and get a Shimano SLX 150 for the same price.

[AJ Hauser]

Hey fellas - I appreciate all of the feedback here - it sounds like it's an issue with the pinion gear, and probably due to the fact that I had often spun the handle when the spool was removed... and the fact that it's an 8 year old reel. 

 

I should have mentioned that. Sorry. I believe that puts me past the BP return policy. 

 

That said, I may pick up another reel soon, but it's not in the budget right now, especially as I look into getting a fancy new LI battery so my trolling motor doesn't die on me in the pit lakes I'm fishing. 

 

Question: do you guys know of any videos that show full baitcaster teardowns / servicing that you have seen and recommend? @T-Billy and @newapti5 you guys both mentioned the issue - do you have any favorites that you could share?

 

Looks like I have a project on my hands...

 

Good! 

 

Thanks again - talk soon. 

[TnRiver46]

The reel schematics online are usually good enough to break one down all the way. I can do it and I’m like the geico caveman. The only problems I have are losing pieces and being too cheap to order replacement parts. I typically don’t do that until I’m down to my last one…….

[AJ Hauser]

2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I can do it and I’m like the geico caveman. 

 

[TnRiver46]

1 minute ago, AJ Hauser said:

 

Hahaha! I might have to reuse that here and there…….

 

 

 

I forgot!
 

Put all the parts on a white towel you don’t mind ruining. It’s harder to lose them that way 

[AJ Hauser]

2 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Hahaha! I might have to reuse that here and there…….

 

Go nuts - just tag me so I can remember this meme and laugh again! ?

[newapti5]

There are many YouTube videos about that. The channel "Tackle Advisors" is all about tearing down reels. And here's another good video:

 

 

[TnRiver46]

4 minutes ago, newapti5 said:

There are many YouTube videos about that. The channel "Tackle Advisors" is all about tearing down reels. And here's another good video:

 

 

I can tell that’s an experienced guy from the thumbnail. I learned as a youngster not to try in in the boat or on the couch haha. C clips can move, baby!!!

[FishTank]

Before I share this story, the BPS Extreme has improved greatly over the years but the OPs scenario sounds familiar. 

 

I guy I used to fish with about 10-15 years ago would buy 5 new BPS Extreme rods and reels every year. He was retired and would fish 5-6 days a week, tournaments every chance he could get and travel to any where there was fish in the winter. By the end of the year about 2 or 3 of them would be missing paint, all were having issues of some kind and at least one would be non functional.  He would take them to BPS and trade them in during the spring sale. He would bring $500 to the sale and buy the 5 setups, a bulk 100 bag of green pumpkin Zoom lizards, 25 pack of 3/0 worm hooks, and a bulk spool of BPS mono. That would be his only tackle purchase all year. He might get a few baits for his birthday,  at Father's day and then again at Christmas but nothing else. 

 

I finally after a few years asked why and he said the Extreme is a one and done reel. Meaning one year of his fishing and it was toast. 

 

One year I asked if I could look at one to see if it could be fixed. When I started to work on it,  it was falling apart in my hands. Once apart, I could see what he meant. This reel wasn't meant to last. Also, no parts available from BPS and the repair from them cost as much as a new reel. 

 

I later asked why he didn't invest in better reels that could be repaired and last him longer. He said, it was what he liked and he wouldn't pay any more money for a his combos, even if it saved money in the long run.

 

He was kind of set in his ways but he could catch fish anytime,  anywhere. 

[newapti5]

31 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Before I share this story, the BPS Extreme has improved greatly over the years but the OPs scenario sounds familiar. 

 

I guy I used to fish with about 10-15 years ago would buy 5 new BPS Extreme rods and reels every year. He was retired and would fish 5-6 days a week, tournaments every chance he could get and travel to any where there was fish in the winter. By the end of the year about 2 or 3 of them would be missing paint, all were having issues of some kind and at least one would be non functional.  He would take them to BPS and trade them in during the spring sale. He would bring $500 to the sale and buy the 5 setups, a bulk 100 bag of green pumpkin Zoom lizards, 25 pack of 3/0 worm hooks, and a bulk spool of BPS mono. That would be his only tackle purchase all year. He might get a few baits for his birthday,  at Father's day and then again at Christmas but nothing else. 

 

I finally after a few years asked why and he said the Extreme is a one and done reel. Meaning one year of his fishing and it was toast. 

 

One year I asked if I could look at one to see if it could be fixed. When I started to work on it,  it was falling apart in my hands. Once apart, I could see what he meant. This reel wasn't meant to last. Also, no parts available from BPS and the repair from them cost as much as a new reel. 

 

I later asked why he didn't invest in better reels that could be repaired and last him longer. He said, it was what he liked and he wouldn't pay any more money for a his combos, even if it saved money in the long run.

 

He was kind of set in his ways but he could catch fish anytime,  anywhere. 

 

Interesting story. It kind of reminds me of the unknown brand sneakers shoes I used to buy from Walmart. They were extremely comfortable to my feet, but broke down after a year like clockwork.  For $10 a pair, they're my essential yardwork shoes, and I changed them when each spring started.   

[FishTank]

Another thought on this....

 

The clutch could be broken causing the pinion to fall out but this unlikely.  The springs that hold the clutch down could have broken or fallen off causing the clutch to loosen which would allow the pinion to fall out. That would probably be the rattle that is heard inside the reel. 

 

If it is still under warranty, take it back to BPS and ask for mercy.  If not, I would invest in a new and better quality reel. Shimano, Daiwa and Lews each have one around $100. 

[MAN]

Yeah check part CO42 which is the plastic yoke.  I don't think that BPS model has a shim there to prevent the yoke from slightly moving and then getting grinded up by the pinion gear teeth.  We found that problem out quickly in our reels during proto testing and added a metal shim to prevent it. 

[AJ Hauser]

Appreciate all of the info, fellas. I'll attempt a teardown and reconstruction but based on what I read here, I'll not be heartbroken if I can't get 'er working again... then it'll be time for an upgrade methinks. I got 8 years out of this reel fishing it about 4 times per month, and caught many nice fish using it... but this is a nudge from the good Lord to invest in some better gear. 

 

Too bad gas is currently $5 a gallon and I can't afford groceries

 

Thanks guys!

[AJ Hauser]

Hey all - been a minute but quick follow up on this one - I took the reel completely apart last night, but didn't disassemble all of the guts. I have a better understanding of what it looks like in there - and the noise is definitely the pinion gear hitting the main gear (drive gear, I believe) at the beginning of the cast. 

 

I'm not sure if the spool is causing that pinion gear to spin slightly - because it's disengaged when the thumb bar is pressed... right? 

 

I'm thinking that the yoke has either worn down or possibly cracked? Not sure what else it could be. Doubt I'm going to be able to find a replacement park for a reel that has given me a great run for 10 years. Might just be time to call it a day and upgrade. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

None of these pinion related issues should affect casting. If the reel disengages and engages then retrieves without issue the pinion is fine. Rattling during the cast is more likely spool support related. Ck the cast control knob and be sure it’s functional and adjusted (no side to side of the spool). Make sure the spool bearings are all free and seated fully with retainer clips in place. Ck back here or contact me directly 

[AJ Hauser]

9 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

None of these pinion related issues should affect casting. If the reel disengages and engages then retrieves without issue the pinion is fine. Rattling during the cast is more likely spool support related. Ck the cast control knob and be sure it’s functional and adjusted (no side to side of the spool). Make sure the spool bearings are all free and seated fully with retainer clips in place. Ck back here or contact me directly 

 

I will check - thank you for the tips!