Bass pro's edorsements, the same or modified?

[Guest avid]

Personally, I do not believe that elite pros like KVD or Rick clunn etc. who endorse low to mid level products such as BPS and Quantum are using the same version sold to you and I.  I firmly believe that these rods and reels are modified to meet the standards they require to win tournaments.

What do you think?

[Pa Angler]

Without question MODIFIED.

[cabela10]

What could they do to modify these reels? Put higher quality gears in their reels? Other than gears, what else is there to modify that would make that much of a difference from store bought items.

I would guess they use the same rods/reels as we do.

[Catt]

Absolutely!

Not the same  

[dodgeguy]

kvd uses quantums top stuff and not the cheaper signature series they sell under his name.as far as i know clunn uses the bps clunn series rods/reels.

[Guest Texas_Bass_Pro]

Modified. Don't most "Pro Athletes" (football, baseball, hockey, pro anglers, etc.) use better quality gear or equipment than is sold to the general public.

I don't see anything wrong with it as long as they can make it available to the general public "unless it is specialty made for them and for the way they want it."

I think us anglers are all guilty in one way or another when using modified equipment. It may not be so much in the reels but I know some of us have people that build our rods to or standards and I know for sure we modified or baits so we can get a edge on the competition which MOST likely are not sold in stores.

[Grey Wolf]

I imagine they modify some of their equipment.

[Valascus]

I gotta imagine their equipment is modified specifically for them. If they are going to use it day in, day out then the comfort and fishability of that equipment must be top notch for them...and I am sure their sponsors have NO problem coming up with a rig modified to their Pro's sepcifications.

[Bud]

All of the top angler used modified gear.  None is the same as you or I buy.

[flechero]

I know that many of the rods are different, they custom build and use the stock thread and decal under the finish so the rod appears to be a "rack" rod.  When I lived in Dallas, I spent too much time at Southwestern Parts & Service (that was before they handled shimano and were just Abu)  anyway, I asked them if the reels used by sponsored pros were altered-  their response was yes, all reels were taken from stock but then completely "tuned" and depending on the model, certain parts upgraded.

[Big T]

I believe they use the modified stuff. Money talks and given the right amount any athlete or pro fisherman will swear by a product. For example, I have been watching George Poveromo's World of Saltwater fishing for years, and he always fished with and endoresed Yozuri Hybrid line, now for this season all of a sudden he swears by Suffix and has them as a sponsor. I konw people change their mind a try new stuff, but it just seem funny when you see someone like that do it. It seems too commericial. I also would be willing to bet that Shaw Grigsby has never fished with one of those cheap Quantum Combos that Dick's Sporting Goods sells with is name on it either. However these are just my opinions.

Big T

[senile1]

I think professional anglers are using different equipment.  "Replica" equipment from many sports is sold to the general public.  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I know a lot of drummers who are sponsored by certain brand names and they all use drum kits that are customized and beefed up for them They have to the harware alone on a traveling drummer takes a beating but they still use the Brand they display The most customized thing on the kit is always the snare but they get it from thier sponsors shop.

So why shouldnt the Pros in Bass Fishing do the same? I think its ethical so long as the they dont slap a label on something custom made by some one else that would be deceptive!

[RoLo]

I'm willing to bet that the pros who use the "Pocket Fisherman" have full-roller guides,

a polished tungsten tip-tip, and instead of zoom flukes they're probably tossing Banjo Minnows!

It Just Isn't Fair!

Roger

[Guest Texas_Bass_Pro]

and instead of zoom flukes they're probably tossing Banjo Minnows!

Roger

Now that is funny!!!   LOL ;D

[The_Natural]

They use the same reels you and I buy, but go through a lot of them.  I'm a little surprised by the answers...I think its a little absurd to think that they have these 'special' supertuned reels with all these custom spools and ceramic bearings; that sounds totally ridiculous.  Pro's aren't tackle enthusiasts- They just use what they are given and get as many as they need.  Do you think Denny Brauer is using a 'modified' Team Daiwa X-HSDF reel?!  Come one...it's not his signature reel.  Why wouldn't he just buy a Steez?!  He said they work fine and has used them for years...he doesn't yearn anything more.  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Natural i dont get the feeling that they have super reels but from the example I gave from the line of work i was in You would think it would be important not to have to swich up or have a reel repaired in the middle of a competion day So what would be unusual or so far fetched if these reels has lets say (spinning) a beefed of bail spring, a special handle on a rod , or on a bait caster amybe  a more sturdy frame I dont think it would be a matter of an edge but a matter of durability

[George Welcome]

Endorsing a product has nothing to do with using a product exclusively. I use all Chronarchs but I have no problem telling you that Curados are good reels. I drive a Dodge but I do believe that a Chevy truck is a good truck. No product endorser that I know of ever made the claim of exclusive use of the endorsed product.

Do you really think KVD only eats Wheaties.

[flechero]

They use the same reels you and I buy, but go through a lot of them. I'm a little surprised by the answers...I think its a little absurd to think that they have these 'special' supertuned reels with all these custom spools and ceramic bearings; that sounds totally ridiculous.

I think I was the only answer specific to reels and what I said came directly from the Abu service center that did the work and replaced the parts. No one mentioned custom spools and ceramic bearings but if they have them why would it be far fetched to think that a stock, sub $100 reel wouldn't be upgraded for a sponsored touring pro? You really think Hank Parker, Larry Nixon and other Abu users were just swinging by the local wal-mart or Academy when they need another reel? Not likely... and not according to Abu's own service center.

Pro's aren't tackle enthusiasts

I got to meet Alton Jones in December and within 2 minutes of the handshake we were talking about cusom rods and rods/reels/line in general... I would comfortably say he's a tackle enthusiast... Maybe he is unique, but I doubt it. The tools of their trade are as important to them as to any other tradesman.

I would bet (even though I think it's more) that just a high of percentage of pro's are tackle enthusiasts as the population in general.

Every company that makes rods or reels wants you to think the pros use only off the shelf product... their sponsorship/advertising money goes WAY further that way.

[The_Natural]

You really think Hank Parker, Larry Nixon and other Abu users were just swinging by the local wal-mart or Academy when they need another reel?  Not likely... and not according to Abu's own service center.

They don't buy any of their stuff if they are on that level, but do have tons of spare reels ready to go if one gives way.  

I prefish all the Stren series events with my uncle, a Skeeter Pro, and hang out with several of the other anglers.  These aren't pro's that fish the Elite Series or FLW tour, but I consider them semi-pros; the equivalent to Baseball's farm teams.  It's fun to hang out with them, and they give me a hard time for all my 'fancy' rods and reels.  Most have never heard of Pixy's or Alphas, and really the only Japanese baits they fish with are a few Lucky Crafts.  My uncle is sponsored by Falcon, and has been using the Cara's for years.  I let him fish with my Loomis rods a few times, and he liked them, but didn't run out and buy any.  His Cara's are sensitive enough to get the job done, and his Calais reels are on their third season.  His buddy uses IMX's and Curados, with the curado being the most popular reel I see out there.  Most of these guys don't chat in fishing forums, or stay on top of the latest and greatest.  They just use what works, and end up doing well in the tournament if they have located concentrations of fish that hold up over the four days.  If a reel breaks; they just toss it.  They usually have several spares in the boat that are spooled up and ready to go.  I realize you might think that with entry fees for the Stren Series being $750, they would want the 'best of the best' when it comes to equipment, but that isn't the case.  I'm not saying this is fact...just my opinion based on what I see.

[flechero]

I realize they don't buy it and meant to put the same reels that ship to wal-mart or academy.  Anyway, I see you point.  I'm sure there are pro's that do use stock stuff and pro's that have modified gear.

[FishTank]

I think they are modified as well but what would these pro's change on these reels?

Just a question to everyone, if you could get a custom/modified made reel what would you ask for?  

What parts or enigineering design would you change to fit your fishing style?

[SBM-RL]

I think they probably modify most of there equipment but i bet when they get it its the same that we could go get from the store for example if a pro is fishing the zillion other than a dif handle or spool maybe its probly the same. When i met KVD a few years ago i got to see his reels and he had the energy's (quantems top reel at the time) and the apeared to be the same product i could go pick up at BPS

[Michael H]

I know for sure vandam dosen't use that cheap combo with his name on it. I am pretty sure he uses the tour edition pt reels and vandam and normal tour edition pt rods. As for have modified versions of the off the rack stuff i doubt it but it is a possiblity for pros like vandam to get rods and reels modified for their needs.

[cart7t]

Here's a great example.  

If you took one of the new Shelby GT Mustangs or even a new Ford GT, stock,  out for a weekend of road racing you'd melt the brakes off of it before the weekend was over and you're tires would be shot.  Those cars are more than equipped to run off the showroom floor on the street or even some very light racing but would not be prepared for serious, competition racing unless new brakes, suspension mods and adjustments and transmission mods were made.