2009 BPS Pro Qualifier Baitcast Reel-->OUTSTANDING!!!

[ghost]

The Spring Classic this past Friday was pretty ROUGH on me. I ended up buying quite a few items...did I really need them...some say yes, others say no. The tackle wh*re in me said "YES"!

Anyways, I went away w/ a couple of the new PQ b/c reels. I got the 7.1:1 & 6.4:1 in left hand. This is the first time the PQ has come out in left hand & it's dual braking. I was very impressed w/ how the reel looks & how well it spun. The swept handle on this reel looks very sharp & the handles feel & look similar to the ones on the Shimano Citica. The handles are even designated for left hand retrieve, so it can't be switched over to right hand cuz it would have a weird feel. This is the first time I bought the same make of reel but in different gear ratios, & I vowed I wasn't going to buy store branded reels again...the PQ has changed my mind on how well it's constructed & the solidness of it. I played around w/ the reel before spooling on line, like adjusting the dual braking & noticed how well it worked. I feel I got twins from different motha's! ;D

I loaded the 7.1:1 w/ 30 lb(8 lb dia) Sufix braid & the 6.4:1 w/ 12 lb P-Line CXX. I put the reel on a few different b/c rods & it felt good & balanced on all of them. It really felt great on the Kistler Magnesium 6'10" MH & Falcon Cara Finesse Jig 6'10" MH b/c rods. I even put it on the new Cabelas Prodigy b/c rod & wouldn't you know it, the 2 different store brands got along very well!

I had thoughts of buying the new Extreme b/c reel instead of a 2nd PQ b/c reel. But the Extreme 7.1:1 I bought a few years ago was a "good" reel. I didn't like the mag braking which would every so often felt like it stopped working & I'd get backlashes, even though I set the braking & spool knob just right. It would act up & backlash, even using heavier lures.

If BPS ever comes out w/a slower gear ratio on the PQ b/c reel, I will definately get one. So BPS if you happen to read this post, this is something to think about, you would have a winner! But please have the slower gear ratio in left hand like on the Extreme. But make it w/ 21" IPT to make it really worth while.

With the reel trade-in the PQ's were $85 ea. Not bad but I tried asking the cashier if she could bump it up an extra penny for the $20 discount price...no go...bummer!

I'll be trying both out this week, see if the PQ's are as good working lures, as they are good looking. Something tells me that I won't be disappointed buying both these reels. From all the BPS brand b/c reels the Pro Qualifier is MONEY!

Now I gotta watch the BPS show on Versus & see if Edwin Evers is using the newer Pro Qualifier reels.

You guys really gotta check out the PQ baitcast reel. If you're on a budget & don't want to spend much on a quality b/c reel, this is one of the best for under $100; even better that it's that much cheaper during the Spring Classic sale. This is one reel that can take on the Simano Citica. The Citica may be an ounce lighter but that's about it. The PQ b/c reel is $20 cheaper when it's regular priced & has a swept handle & dual braking. Also it comes in 2 gear ratios while the Citica comes in 1. Also the PQ is slightly narrower width wise than the Citica & the PQ holds the same amount of 12 lb line as the Citica. The PQ is just a little taller than the Citica since it's a bit narrower, but it's still easy to palm. Also the little added weight on the PQ makes it balance out on a b/c rod very well. BPS got it right in redesigning the PQ to what it is now...a great b/c reel for under a $100!

[CWB]

I'm sure you'll be hearing from the Shimano guys on this!  

[dodgeguy]

good luck with the new reels.don't listen to the naysayers in the crowd.a lot of fishermen don't realize some of us are on a budget and that there are some very fine lower priced products out there.

[SWMIBASSER]

If you pick up an extra pawl, and drag washers you'll be able to own that reel virtually forever....That should be about the only thing you would have to replace.

People think because BPS can sell their reels cheaper they aren't any good.....Just a matter of volume. Same reason wal-mart can sell so cheap. Buying power.

Anyone who has had one of their reels apart would realize they are built well.

Last years ProLite is the same way. Equals reels costing $200, and I got it on sale for $69

[ghost]

I got my quality Shimano & Daiwas but the new PQ w/ dual braking intrigued me.  I really think this reel will give the name brands a run for their money w/ the quality that's in the PQ b/c reel.

I guess I would've bought other 2009 Curados & Citicas if they were offered in more gear ratios, especially for us lefties.  So owning a store brand reel in 2 gear ratio's is  first for me.

I've heard that BPS has the PQ on sale for $50, that's last years model w/o the swept handle & dual braking.  The 2009 PQ retails for $100 w/ swept handle & dual braking.

[BigBrotherThunda]

Agreed Ghost!

I am a daiwa guy, but i give all the ladies a shot, and i own a half dozen shimanos as well. One of my partners had a new PQ in the boat last week, and i played with it and was amazed. I offered him a new E5 for it but he didnt take, so i bought a new one in the slower ratio, and put it on a new powell 683, i love it. It literally cast better and farther than any of my smaller reels, even my fuego! Now it isnt quite as smooth as the fuego,zillion, or mg 50. but on a level of overall performance after a week of use I'll rank it above the new citicas and equal to the mg50. I am oh so impressed with this reel!

[DEbassman17]

hey ghost i remeber you posting a pic of your fishing room a while back and i would like to see it again could you, RW, or someone else post a link to that so i could look at it again??? I can't find it anymore lol thanks!

-Jason

[Micro]

Many of BPS's reels are excellent, and very underrated.  The PQ looks great and feels very Revo'ish.  

[burleytog]

And just think, next year you'll be able to buy yet another iteration of the Pro Qualifier.   :

[Micro]

And just think, next year you'll be able to buy yet another iteration of the Pro Qualifier. :

And Curado, too.  

[SWMIBASSER]

And just think, next year you'll be able to buy yet another iteration of the Pro Qualifier. :

And? :

[LAO162]

And just think, next year you'll be able to buy yet another iteration of the Pro Qualifier. :

That can be great news for patient value shoppers looking for closeouts.

I had to wait too long for my most recent Shee-Man-O closeout