Bass Pro vs. Cabelas

[shootermcbob]

Who makes or carries the better fishing poles?? I have a cabelas tourney trail rod that I like, and it is teamed with a revo sc baitcaster. I also have a cabelas gold label rod that is teamed with a cabelas prodigy baitcaster that i also like very much. I am a working man with two children. Gloomis poles are out of my stratosphere, let alone my budget. However, bass pro has the extreme poles reduced from 99.00 to 64.00. anyone use this rod?? I am still getting my feet wet only having fished since this past june. Bass pro has a wide range of their brand rods, while cabelas has gold label at 49.00, tourney trail at 59.00, fish eagle at 79.00, then xml and xmlti at 139.00 amd 179.00. bass pro also has more sales on thier rods it seems. I am going to get another rod, maybe rod and reel for my upcoming birthday. not sure which direction to go. anyone use rods from both places that can provide some first hand comparisons???

I will have maybe 150.00 bucks to spend. thanks for all your input.

[Jake P]

Alot of my friends use the BPS rod/reel combos and i havent heard a complaint yet.Ive never bought a rod or reel from cabelas so im not sure.Im sure the other guys will let you know once they log in though.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Well, here are all the rods I have extensively used and feel I can give a good review on. From Bass Pro, I have used the Tourney Special, XPS Performance, Bionic Blade, and Extreme. From Cabelas, I have used the Classic, Tourney Trail, Fish Eagle II, and XML. From my experience with comfort, balance, sensitivity, light weight, and performance considered, the best rod by far is Cabelas XML (not the XML Ti, which I don't like much). I have 8 XML rods and have gotten rid of all the other previous rods mentioned. The only two rods in my arsenal are my XML's and my G Loomis rods. In my humble opinion, you can't go wrong with the XML and last year around this time they were on sale for $99.99. If they happen to offer that sale again, I wouldn't hesitate getting one.

BTW I didn't mention warranty as a consideration, because both places have great customer service and are very good at dealing with broken rods.

[shootermcbob]

thanks Lucky Craft Man. Just the kind of info I was looking for.

[grimlin]

I go with Cabelas as well,both make decent rods,but cabela has the better higher end rods.

Shimano has some good rods as well in that price range with the warranty.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I go with Cabelas as well,both make decent rods,but cabela has the better higher end rods.

Shimano has some good rods as well in that price range with the warranty.

As a follow up, I had a Shimano Crucial (same price as a regular priced XML) and when I went to exchange it, because of a broken tip, I had a little difficulty (since I didn't have the receipt). That over-the-counter warranty the salesman tells you shimano has is misleading. It only applies to the first year after purchase (if you have a proof of purchase) and any break or defect in the rod after that has to be sent to Shimano (at your expense) and if they determine it was broken because of manufacturers defect, they will replace it. Here is my experience with Cabelas when my nephew stepped on the tip of my XML rod. I went into Cabelas to ask for a tip repair kit and the guy asked what rod I was repairing. I told him it was a XML. He told me to just bring it in and they will exchange it. Well, without a receipt I returned my XML and they told me to go get a new one and that was it. I walked out with a new rod with no questions asked. That kind of customer service has really spawned some loyalty in me towards Cabelas (and Bass Pro) brands. Those two stores are top notch.

[grimlin]

Wow,i didn't have a problem returning my clarus MH once(no receipt and i didn't even buy it from that store)...only problem was they had to try and find another rod for the same specs. which they didn't have in stock yet. So they just gave me credit.I believe i ended up getting another clarus with a higher power rating.Ended up spending more than my credit was worth. ;D

Maybe it was just the store i was dealing with...i have no problems with cabelas or Bass pro shops customer service.The only horror storys i hear are online purchases.

[luckyinkentucky]

I tend to prefer BPS signature stuff over Cabelas.  I love the BPS Pro Qualifiers, and own several of them.  The only problem is that the rods alone cost $120 not on sale.  I've found them to be just as good as any other brand out there for the money.  I love the BPS Extreme series rods and baitcasters.  I own 5 of the casting rods in various lengths and actions.  The $99 BPS Extreme baitcaster combo is my #1 rod/reel combo for the money.  I have a 'NEW' BPS Extreme real in the trading forum for sale if you are interested.

By the way ..... if you are a budget angler, and are looking for deal.

BPS has their Pro Qualifier Limited Edition series combos on sale from 11/22 to 11/25.  You won't find a better deal than $70 for this combo.  The rod alone usually sells for $120, and the reel sells for $100.  The only thing 'Limited' about these are the graphics jobs on them, and the 10 bearing reel instead of the 6 bearing reel.  These are a definite steal, and I'm going to be there Thanksgiving morning for their 5 hour sale to buy 3 or 4.    It's a store only deal, so you won't be able to get them online.  I spoke to the person at the BPS near me today, and he said they are only getting around 60 of them in.  So, they'll go fast.  

[Bassbilly]

I tend to prefer BPS signature stuff over Cabelas.  I love the BPS Pro Qualifiers, and own several of them.  The only problem is that the rods alone cost $120 not on sale.  I've found them to be just as good as any other brand out there for the money.  I love the BPS Extreme series rods and baitcasters.  I own 5 of the casting rods in various lengths and actions.  The $99 BPS Extreme baitcaster combo is my #1 rod/reel combo for the money.  I have a 'NEW' BPS Extreme real in the trading forum for sale if you are interested.

By the way ..... if you are a budget angler, and are looking for deal.

BPS has their Pro Qualifier Limited Edition series combos on sale from 11/22 to 11/25.  You won't find a better deal than $70 for this combo.  The rod alone usually sells for $120, and the reel sells for $100.  The only thing 'Limited' about these are the graphics jobs on them, and the 10 bearing reel instead of the 6 bearing reel.  These are a definite steal, and I'm going to be there Thanksgiving morning for their 5 hour sale to buy 3 or 4.    It's a store only deal, so you won't be able to get them online.  I spoke to the person at the BPS near me today, and he said they are only getting around 60 of them in.  So, they'll go fast.  

This is an insane deal... do you have any more details? Is this all the Bass Pro Shops stores? What are the hours they are running the sale? I will definitely be buying two of those on my way to the in-laws house if that is the case!!

[S I G M A]

i have a cabelas gold label that i got on sale for 20 bucks... its not a bad rod especially for the price i paid for it. i use it with a pinnacle solene baitcaster

[luckyinkentucky]

I tend to prefer BPS signature stuff over Cabelas.  I love the BPS Pro Qualifiers, and own several of them.  The only problem is that the rods alone cost $120 not on sale.  I've found them to be just as good as any other brand out there for the money.  I love the BPS Extreme series rods and baitcasters.  I own 5 of the casting rods in various lengths and actions.  The $99 BPS Extreme baitcaster combo is my #1 rod/reel combo for the money.  I have a 'NEW' BPS Extreme real in the trading forum for sale if you are interested.

By the way ..... if you are a budget angler, and are looking for deal.

BPS has their Pro Qualifier Limited Edition series combos on sale from 11/22 to 11/25.  You won't find a better deal than $70 for this combo.  The rod alone usually sells for $120, and the reel sells for $100.  The only thing 'Limited' about these are the graphics jobs on them, and the 10 bearing reel instead of the 6 bearing reel.  These are a definite steal, and I'm going to be there Thanksgiving morning for their 5 hour sale to buy 3 or 4.    It's a store only deal, so you won't be able to get them online.  I spoke to the person at the BPS near me today, and he said they are only getting around 60 of them in.  So, they'll go fast.  

This is an insane deal... do you have any more details? Is this all the Bass Pro Shops stores? What are the hours they are running the sale? I will definitely be buying two of those on my way to the in-laws house if that is the case!!

You'll have to check the online sale bill for your local store, OR call them to see if they will have them.   Even if they don't have them on sale I have known other Bass Pro Shops outlets to honor other sale bills at other locations.  The sale bill I am looking at is at the Clarksville, IN store.  

Here is a link to the sale bill.  Clarksville,IN Sale Bill

I told the wife I didn't care if they were Pink, because that is a steal!   ;D  She said that if they were PINK then SHE would be buying 3 or 4 of them.    Fortunately they are a blueish purple color.  

[Daniel My Brother]

Hey LuckyinKentucky,

Beware of the Bass Pro combo deals that appear too good to be true, they usually are. The rod in that ad is NOT a BPS Pro Qualifier. The pro-qualifiers use different guides, and BPS advertises their graphite content as HM70 not IM8 (don't ask me the difference because I don't know). That reel is not the traditional BPS Pro Qualifier, either. That's a 10 bearing reel, where the traditional Pro-Qualifier is a 6 bearing reel.

If this was the traditional Pro-Qualifier combo that you know and trust, it would have a value of $220, not $169 like the ad says. This still may be a good deal, but it's not the rod and reel you think you are getting. In fact, it's probably considerable less than that.

Bass Pro has done this before with their Extreme line, and it's the worst kind of bait and switch there is.  They take a name, like pro-qualifier, that anglers trust, and replace it with a cheaper knockoff of itself.

Disappointing to say the least.  

[Daniel My Brother]

One last thought "Limited Edition" appears to be the phrase to look out for when dealing with BPS.

That's a "Pro-Qualifier Limited Edition" combo.

The Extremes that weren't actually Extremes were advertised as "Extreme Limited Edition" combos if I remember correctly.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

all i know is when i order from Cabelas it takes um 2 days to get to me REGULAR mail even so if i order next day i should get in in 6 hrs  LOL .truthfully though Cabelas has always been great with me and i like there exclusive stuff they get from the big named companies like the revo SC and abu c5 mags  .Seems like cabelas has more reel and rod  choices while BPS has more selection on terminal tackle and lures

[MickD]

I've used many models of both BPS and Cabelas rods and I think you get about what you pay for (except sales will move this around significantly).  Buy the best you can afford at either place.  With spinning, the rod is the most important, in baitcasting the reel is the most important.

The whole system has to be right, but my point is if you have to compromise a little, do it on the reel in spinning and on the rod in casting.

A couple things to keep in mind on reels- Pro repair people sometimes will not work on reels other than the name brands like Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum, etc.  

You can get really good deals on name brands from the stores on Ebay-just make sure the seller has 98%   or better in the seller ratings.

[luckyinkentucky]

Hey LuckyinKentucky,

Beware of the Bass Pro combo deals that appear too good to be true, they usually are. The rod in that ad is NOT a BPS Pro Qualifier. The pro-qualifiers use different guides, and BPS advertises their graphite content as HM70 not IM8 (don't ask me the difference because I don't know). That reel is not the traditional BPS Pro Qualifier, either. That's a 10 bearing reel, where the traditional Pro-Qualifier is a 6 bearing reel.

If this was the traditional Pro-Qualifier combo that you know and trust, it would have a value of $220, not $169 like the ad says. This still may be a good deal, but it's not the rod and reel you think you are getting. In fact, it's probably considerable less than that.

Bass Pro has done this before with their Extreme line, and it's the worst kind of bait and switch there is.  They take a name, like pro-qualifier, that anglers trust, and replace it with a cheaper knockoff of itself.

Disappointing to say the least.  

Well from speaking to the Pros today at BPS there isn't any difference between their HM70 and IM-8 rods.  I'm not worried about them.  I think they'll be a good deal.  Yeah, they might be something to draw people in, but BPS has been known to take a hit on a popular item if they think people will swarm in to buy more items.  

[hammer84]

My quick 2 cents on BPS vs Cabelas.

I love my XML rods and my Revo SC ( if that counts ), but when I wanted a drop shot rod I had to go with the Woo Daves model.  Great rod for the money.

I have been very happy with both both house brands.  If your not hung up on one brand you can assemble  and nice quiver for a great values using both places.

[hummbug]

Cabelas has a much better variety of rods in their combos, especially 2-piece rods.

They never have that at BASSPRO

[Charger169]

Consider the Rick Clunn BPS XPS. They do go on sale from time to time. This is a very good bait specific rod. From cranks, spinners, jigs and worms.

[Jason Schwartz]

I bought a Pro Qualifier Limited edition on thanksgiving a great combo the reel cast great and smooth

[Big T]

The only problem that I have with Bass Pro's stuff, like their rods is that they only have a 1 year warranty. I did not know this when I bought mine and after the year was up the ceramic insert came out of the tip. I am rough on my stuff and probably caused it but if I am going to spend a $100 dollars or more on a rod, I expect a longer warranty. My Clarus was only $69 and it comes with a lifetime over the counter warranty. Just my $.02 worth.

Big T

[KYbass1276]

I started off using BPS rods and they worked good.  But after upgrading to St Criox then upgrading to Loomis after them I haven't looked back at BPS rods.     Never used cabela's rods.