OOooooHH!!!! What does anyone think of the new BPS Pro Qualifier??

[The Rooster]

Here's the link to check out the new Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier baitcast reel.  What do you think of it??  Very similar to the Extreme I like so well, but has different brakes with the centrifugal and magnetic combined instead of the inertia transfer system.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_102287____SearchResults

[Muddy]

Hey Rooster, thats the same brake as the Extreme , just stated a different way. I have owned both reels, same brake

[The Rooster]

Really??  They said it had a 6 pin system in it.  I never knew exactly how the one in my Extreme works, so I guess it has the 6 pins in it also??

Since I got your attention with this post, can you tell me if the BPS baitcasters and the Pfluegers have the same paddle grips on the cranks as each other??  I know the Extreme is somewhat different from the Pfluegers cause its grips are basically flat, but the other BPS branded reels all look like the grips are twisted, such as the Pro Qualifier and the Rick Clunn signature series, and the Johnny Morris ones also.  

I'm definitely going to get another reel, either tonight or tomorrow, by ordering one online.  I'm looking at that Rick Clunn model since they're on sale and very similar to the Extreme, but I'm not sure if the grips are going to be comfortable or not with that twist in them......however, I've seen some Pfluegers at Dick's such as the Echelon and also the ones they put on that All Star Select/Pflueger baitcast combo (the Criterion??) and they all have twisted grips also and they do feel comfortable to me in the store while looking at them.  I have no way to go see the BPS reel before ordering it though, not without driving 3 to 4 hours away that is.  

[Muddy]

OOPPSSs They have a new one. I do not know this reel. I used the older Qualifier. This has the same brake as the Extreme also that joins a 6 pin centrafugal with a magnetic brake

I would, and this is the last time I will say it Avoid a new model reel for 100 bucks when I can get a tried and true Trion for the same money. For another 10 to 15 bucks you can get an after market handle and customize yourself

[The Rooster]

Oh I'm completely sold on my Extreme but I was just thinking these are like the Extreme but maybe a grade up or something.  They're built on the same frame and all.  I also learned that Pflueger makes the BPS branded reels and that's another plus for me.  I love the frames and bodies they use, it's so small and palmable, just really comfortable and very light weight also.  

[Muddy]

Well good luck. I had a lot of great experience with the Pro Qualifiers. When you buy it and use it , please put up a review. 8-)

[Big Tom]

I am a big fan of the Pro Qualifier rods but I have never tried any of the low profile Pro Qualifier reels.  If its anything like the old Pro Qualifier round reels then this thing is probably great.  It caught my eye not too long ago and it looks like an awesome little reel.  

If you get it, make sure to let us know what is up.

Have you been catching them lately?

[The Rooster]

Not really.  I've been out a couple of times in the last two months and one time by boat I did decent with 7 fish and the last time it was shore fishing and I caught one single lousy crappie and that was it.  Oh well, it was still fishing and I had a good time trying anyway.

IF....I get that Pro Qualifier I'll do a review for you guys.  Not sure I want to shell out the $100 for it when the Extreme is only $65 in the Fall Angler catalog right now.  They are nearly the same reel, even the same number of bearings, just the PQ has a newer crank and slightly different brakes it appears.  Otherwise, not much different.  

[Big Tom]

I would say the Extreme is a better value but everyone loves new crap.

I like the Extreme reels too.  My friend was using his Extreme reel when he caught a 5 pound smallmouth and dozens of 5-8 pound drum during the week we spent at Erie.

I haven't got a chance to fish Yatesville much but I would say they are probably getting shallow now.  I am gonna have to get back out there.

[cart7t]

As you said, this is just an upgraded Extreme.  I'm not sure the price diff is worth all the extra $$.  

[catchnm]

Extreme. Get two or three, you'll be happy. Or.......just give in and get a Citca D or E model. Ebay's prices on these are hard to beat. I see you like Pfluegers as well, ever think about the LP Trion?

[Pencil Pusher]

Bass Pro has the replaced Pro Qualifier on line for $69.77.

[The Rooster]

I would say the Extreme is a better value but everyone loves new crap.

I like the Extreme reels too. My friend was using his Extreme reel when he caught a 5 pound smallmouth and dozens of 5-8 pound drum during the week we spent at Erie.

I haven't got a chance to fish Yatesville much but I would say they are probably getting shallow now. I am gonna have to get back out there.

Yatesville is down about 2 feet as of last Saturday.  I was able to stand on the shore where water would normally be at and it would have been knee deep at that point but it was dry instead.  

[The Rooster]

Extreme. Get two or three, you'll be happy. Or.......just give in and get a Citca D or E model. Ebay's prices on these are hard to beat. I see you like Pfluegers as well, ever think about the LP Trion?

I'm thrilled with the Extreme I have now.  But since the Rick Clunn is on sale for only $5 more then I'm gonna get it and see what it's like.  So no Pro Qualifier for me.  Really it just looked like a silver Extreme with a different brake.  The Rick Clunn looks like a blue Extreme with an extra bearing and slightly more line capacity, not that that matters.  The extra bearing is nice though.

I looked at the Trion today at my local tackle shop.  It's nice, it really is, but it's a bit bulky and it's also $100 compared to that BPS Rick Clunn only being $70 right now.  So I'm gonna get one of those in the 7.1:1 ratio, and hopefully by spring time I'll have another one or maybe even two more, and a few Shimano Compre rods for them all.  

[The Rooster]

Bass Pro has the replaced Pro Qualifier on line for $69.77.

I saw that.  They only had the 5.4:1 ratio left though and I wanted a faster one.  Really I want one of all three ratios, but I'm starting off with the faster one right now.

[The Rooster]

AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

I was on BPS website and completely through the checkout process with the Rick Clunn 7.1:1 ratio reel in the cart, all I had to do was hit "confirm" and it was mine..............then I cancelled it at the last minute and went back with a 6.4:1 ratio instead. I figured if I didn't get that one now, then I might end up talking myself out of it later cause I already have an Extreme with the same ratio that I'd use instead.

For right now I'll just have two 6.4:1 ratio reels, and I won't have a 7.1:1 version at all like I wanted so that's incentive for me to get one later on. The 6.4:1 will fish like I'm used to already so I can use it for cranks, spinners, jigs and T-rigs all alike. I wish I had the money to just shell out and get everything I want all at once but I don't. :'( So I'll just have to get it a piece at a time and eventually get it all bought up.

Incidentally, I tried to go through Bass Pro Shops from the link here on this site in the tacklebox pull down menu above, so the bass resource site gets credit, but when I did that I was unable to add items to the shopping cart on the BPS site, it just kept saying "error" and wanted me to fill out a form describing the error specifics and submit it to the BPS site. But it also said it was unable to show what the error even was and I didn't know what it was either, so how could I explain it??  I had to just go directly to the BPS site to get it.  Sorry all. :-[

[Big Tom]

Thanks for the heads up about Yatesville.

I think you will like your Rick Clunn reel.  My buddy has one and its been flawless so far.

[Fishing Rhino]

I have a BPS Extreme combo and a Nitro combo (apparently discontinued).  I was satisfied with the Extreme but wanted something with more snot so I picked up the Nitro.

If the Qualifier is anything like the Nitro, go for it.  I can "heave" the Nitro with everything I've got and not get a backlash, without thumbing the spool.  The difference is dramatic.

I use 20 pound braid on the Extreme, and 30 pound on the Nitro.  

[The Rooster]

That Nitro is new out this year I believe.  It shouldn't be discontinued already.    It's identical to the Browning reels though if you look at it, just it's a bit larger.  

[brandonmccray]

I've had my Rick Clunn combo for a year now, and it's a really good setup for the money. It's my first baitcaster and can cast relatively light lures well (like Booyah Pond Magics). I just wish it had more torque on the retrieve (I fish for bowfin occasionally). I'm looking at the Curado E's or a Chronarch 101 B as an upgrade.

[The Rooster]

Which gear ratio did you get?? They make them in 5.4:1, 6.4:1, and 7.1:1. The lower the ratio the more torque you have.

[Grumpy413]

Picked up the New PQ at the Ft. Lauderdale BPS and took it up to Lox. 20 fish on the day the biggest wa 5 lbs the smallist was crib robbin.

The reel did ok, took sometime to configure the breaks but then it was smooth. 10lbs Yo with flukes and sinkos no weights casted ok with no over runs. the reel handel is swepted back so the reel sits on the top of the rod well and cranking is smooth. The only thing I found funny was that it make a wineing noise on the casts I tried to figure out why while fishing but was having to much fun catching fish. I have several Revo's and this reel feels about the same size, but you do not feel the line guide moving on this reel.  I cannot testify to the drag preformance as we did not hook any big fish.  I guess i colud have asked a gator to test the drag for me as they are always trying to steal your hooked fish.

Any way hope this helps.