BPS Extreme Casting Reels vs Cabela's Prodigy Casting Reels

[snapper G]

Which one would recommend, they both seam to be great reels with a great value same gear rations, same bearings and line cap.

Bass Pro Shops Extreme Baitcast Reels:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_90338____SearchResults

Cabela's Prodigy Casting Reels:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0053216122487a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all_NYR&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=11&_D%3AhasJS=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&nyr=1&Ne=2510&Ntt=cabelas+Prodigy+Casting+reels&N=3366&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=23

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Please do not replie telling me to get a Shamano or any other brand of reel, only the ones mentioned in the post!

like Muddy says: "I DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' SHE-MONO"

THANK YOU,

[The Rooster]

Never used a Cabela's Prodigy so I don't know about them.  I think they are made by Daiwa if I'm not mistaken.  

But I have one of the BPS Extreme reels and I'm completely sold on them.  As far as I'm concerned, for the money they cannot be beat.  Every once in a while you see them on sale for $60, but regularly they are $80.  I'm waiting on the sale again and then I'm gonna get 2 more of them.  Just awesome reels for the price.  

They're just awesome reels in general.  I was able to cast a 1/4 oz. crankbait straight into the wind with mine and get no backlash.  That inertia brake they have is phenominal.  As it is, I nearly don't have to thumb it at all when I make a cast of anykind.  Just touch it before it hits water and never overruns at all.  Well, maybe just once in a while, but that's most likely my fault when that even happens.  

You'll never be sorry if you get one of these.  I've had mine for 2 years now and I love it.

[Long Mike]

I agree with Rooster.  I have two of the BPS Extremes and love them.

[fish-fighting-illini]

Cabela's catalog has a comparison chart in it. Or one year ago did anyway I may not have checked 08's

At any rate when you look at the chart it is VERY obvious in some cases ( not all ) who is making a Cabela's reel for them. They advertise the same feature with the same patented name as the OEM. No way could they use that name without an agreement or made by arangement. They have one chart for spinning and one for casting.

FFI - AKA Matt Crum

[The Rooster]

Actually the Daiwa name is on that Prodigy reel in my catalog.  It says something like "engineered for Cabela's by Daiwa", whereas the Daiwa version just says "engineered by Daiwa"........or something similar.  I'd have to look to know exactly what it says, right now I'm going on memory.  

[Certified Public Angler]

I think Snapper G and I are both looking to buy a BC set up in about the same range. He keeps asking questions that relate perfectly for me.  

[Muddy]

I like Cabelas rods, in the price range that I can afford, (under 100) much better than BPS Rods

Hands down in this area the BPS EXTREMES are a way better deal, not to mention that BPS can and will service them while Cabelas is somewhat generous about replacing their reels they do not service them and finding some one to is an issue

[snapper G]

I think Snapper G and I are both looking to buy a BC set up in about the same range. He keeps asking questions that relate perfectly for me.

Talk about killing 2 birds with one stone!

[J Francho]

I voted Cabela's.  It is a Daiwa.  It is better.

[Muddy]

Hey JF, I have used both products and have found the Extremes to be better casting, never needing to be sent back and easy to lube

The cabelas Prodigy: I have had to replace 2 of them because of manufacturer issues ( loose screws etc) and Cabelas just handed me a new one, THE TOURNY ZX and ZXHS, while being cheaper Cabelas products performed way beeter than the Prodigy

I like Cabelas the best but when it comes to house brand BC reels, they need to shape up a bit

Lrs hear your experiences with these reels, curious if you had similar issues

[J Francho]

My experience is that I prefer to fish with Daiwa.  I prefer magnetic brakes, and Daiwa has the best.

[Daniel My Brother]

I owned a BPS Extreme and it was a good reel. No complaints. If it floated, I'd still be using it.  :-[

Last year I purchased a Cabelas Prodigy and it is now my favorite reel. The newer Prodigy (engineered by Daiwa) is very similar to the TD-Advantage, but with an extra bearing and perforated spool, for the same price as the Advantage. It's small enough to palm comfortably and casts a great distance.  In a word; smooth.

I haven't had to service it yet so I can't speak to that, but I do know that when they go on sale this fall I will buy more.

Muddy, I notice you like the cabelas rods and BPS reels. I like the BPS Rods and Cabela's reels. We should be buying combos and swapping components!

[Jeff H]

The new Prodigy reels are no POS!!  Cabela's Prodigy was originally made by somebody other than Daiwa (Pinnacle??) prior to the 07 season and THOSE Prodigy were known to have some problems.  I have an 07 model (which is a TD-A 150H with an extra bearing) and I used this reel more than all my others this season without a hitch.  I love it!!  I don't care what others think of it, when the 08's go on clearance I'm buying 2 more AND the 08's are better than my 07.  Just as an aside.....the Prodigy spinning reels kick arse too!!

My 07 Prodigy is almost as good as my new Revo SX.  My Revo SX holds only a small advantage in it's ability to toss a lighter bait.  It isn't what I consider a $60 advantage (difference in retail pricing).  The difference is small enough that I think the 08 model Prodigy will match my Revo SX in this regard.

I've always trusted the Daiwa name as much as I do Shimano.  The Prodigy is a good deal at $100, it's flat out unbeatable at clearance pricing.  The BPS Extreme would have to be one stellar reel to be better than the Prodigy. 8-)

[Muddy]

Thanks Jeff: I found the Extreme to be better than the older Silver Prodigy ( I believe thay are Pinnacle made) , I have not used the new ones that say Manufactured by Diawa. I gave up with all house brand reels and after trying many different products I am back to and staying with Pflueger Trions. Sometimes i don't know when to leave well enough alone

BTW I was at Cabelas recently and there seem to be 2 new prodigys, One with the Diawa tag and a newer one that is black and looks like a Pinnacle Product: HAVE YOU SEEN THESE YET?

Thanks, It is refreshing to see a review by someone who actually used the reel! Try an Extreme you might be surprised.

Dominick

[Jeff H]

Muddy,

I haven't looked lately, but they had a Prodigy round body reel too, besides the Daiwa low profile version.  Thats the only other one I'm aware of.  Don't know who makes that for them, but I recall a thread awhile back speculating about it.  Since I'm not into the "rounds" I have never even looked at it.

I know the BPS Extreme is a pretty popular unit, and seems to get plenty of good reviews here.  I don't have a BPS near me and I won't buy rods or reels without handling them first.

I have never bought "house brands" before last year.  There is definitely some stuff worth considering.  The BPS line of rods/reels is staggering....so many different models covering all budgets!!  

[21farms]

as far as i can tell, the current cabela's prodigy is basically a daiwa tierra and the BPS extreme is a pflueger (because ITB is proprietary to pfluegers). i've heard good things about both.

[Muddy]

I really don't care who makes em, I just care if they work

[sal669]

I own 1 Prodigy and 2 BPS Extremes, and I'll be buying another Extreme (5.4:1 ratio, for CBs).  This Prodigy is way better than the previous model (wich crapped out in 2 seasons), but is not as smooth as the BPS reel.

Just my opinion....

[The Rooster]

I gave up with all house brand reels and after trying many different products I am back to and staying with Pflueger Trions. Sometimes i don't know when to leave well enough alone

Muddy,

You mind me asking what it was about the Extreme that made you switch back to the Trion reels again?? Just curious. I have an Extreme and have also looked many times at the Trion but didn't go for it since I was so satisfied with the Extreme I own.

BTW, what did you do with those Extremes you "no longer need"??

[Muddy]

I gave 2 to some guys in the Giveaway program

I gave 2 to a couple of kids here

I prefer centrafugal braks then the hybird, and I know most guys like to go lighter, a like the heavier trion. Plus for me the Trions cast better.

[tennwalkinghorse]

Cabela Prodigy will be the best $100 bucks you ever spent great reel use the hell out of mine. I all so have a MG 51 but let me tell you the Prodigy gives the MG a run for its money in every way except smoothness but the MG was twice the price.