Bass Pro Shops rods?

[jacker]

ive heard alot of good about them, and i am planning on picking up a curado E pretty soon along with a johnny morris elite series rod, or possibly the model down from the elite.

I want a 6'6" heavy action for flipin and pitchin, since i dont really have any heavy rods.

the reason i want a 6 6 is because i dont own a boat and only do alitle bit of boat fishing and dont want to haul a 7'+ rod around shorines

what do you guys think about that combo for a flipin/pitchin combo, and has anyone used the elite series rods? compared to st.croix? thanks

[William Wessels]

I have always had good luck with the elite series rods. I usually buy them cause of  the discount i get on bass pro merchandise. I think they are a good quality rod. You get what you pay for. I use a little longer rod for flipping and pitching. Just what I like though.

[jacker]

nvm i thought they made a 6'6". looks only like a 6'8" MH, guess ill just make a trip to bps and check them out

[CWB]

You won't be disappointed with anything from the Bionic Blade up.

You also might find that a $80.00-$100.00 rod will do the same job or better than a $200.00 rod.

I did.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_59070_100002000_100000000_100002000_100-2-0

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_59070_100002000_100000000_100002000_100-2-0

[adclem]

I've had a couple of the Johnny Morris Signatures and Elites and they are very very nice rods.  My only complaint about them is the power hump grip, HATE IT(Carpal Tunnel, hates it) and I do not like the way the front grip tightens down the reel in the seat.  If you use the front grip at all it will easily come lose.

Later,

[Georgia Jeff]

I have two Johnny Morris Elite 6' 8 MH rods and love them.  They have the recoil guides and they are super sensitive.  You get far more rod for the $ than most other rods.  The same can be said of there other rods.  

I have a near new 6'6 MH Pro Qualifier and Extreme that I am selling ($135 TYD) in the Flea Market for less than the price of one new Pro Qualifier if you are interested.  

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I think the Pro Qualifier is one of the best deals they offer at $99.

[burleytog]

Not bad rods, but you could do just as well using a 2x4 with paper clip guides.   :-X

[DINK WHISPERER]

A 6' 6" for flippin and pitchin!?! You might want to look into there 7' 6" Nitro rods instead for those techniques! Atleast for flippin anyways. For pitchin a 6' 6" should do.

[jacker]

A 6' 6" for flippin and pitchin!?! You might want to look into there 7' 6" Nitro rods instead for those techniques! Atleast for flippin anyways. For pitchin a 6' 6" should do.

well like i said earlier, i dont own a boat, and im on banks with overhanging trees and have to crawil through trails and such,  so a 7'6" is just too long for that, im settlin on a 6 8 or 6 10

[jacker]

I've had a couple of the Johnny Morris Signatures and Elites and they are very very nice rods. My only complaint about them is the power hump grip, HATE IT(Carpal Tunnel, hates it) and I do not like the way the front grip tightens down the reel in the seat. If you use the front grip at all it will easily come lose.

Later,

THANKS, i was wondering about that, anyone else dislike?

[jacker]

Not bad rods, but you could do just as well using a 2x4 with paper clip guides. :-X

why you say that? thats the first negative thing ive ever heard about bps rods except the power hump

[fishfordollars]

You have not been here long enough to have a clue as to why it was said. LMAO...

[adclem]

You have not been here long enough to have a clue as to why it was said. LMAO...

Care to enlighten?  Just curious.

Later,

[skillet]

Don't care for the "power hump" myself. 120-150 grit sandpaper used as if you were shining your shoe cures that problem ...

skillet

[burleytog]

Not bad rods, but you could do just as well using a 2x4 with paper clip guides. :-X

why you say that? thats the first negative thing ive ever heard about bps rods except the power hump

I'm trying to be Mr Non-negative, but...

BPS rods aren't bad when they're on sale.  Any of them at full retail are ripoffs.  I've fished everything they've got from the Tourney Special to the Pro Qualifier and haven't cared for them.  

The only BPS rods I've remotely cared for are two Crankin' Sticks.  The Tourney Special is junk, the Extremes and Pro Qualifiers are heavy and about as sensitive as fishing the aforementioned 2x4 with paper clip guides.

IMO there are much better rods on the market at the various price points.  I'm honestly surprised BPS sells any rods at full retail.

[SirSnookalot]

Their inshore extreme rods are wonderful. I know 2 people that use them on the pier and in the surf and I see them almost daily. Great backbone and casting distance that I have never seen matched by any rod at any price.

My next purchase.

[skunked_again]

i agree with burley. theres nothing wrong with the rods, i just feel that if youre spending $100 for a rod theres a lot of great choices.

for me personally the powerhump grip kills any chance of me buying any more BPS rods.

[jacker]

Don't care for the "power hump" myself. 120-150 grit sandpaper used as if you were shining your shoe cures that problem ...

skillet

nice! maybe ill try that, that way you can make it custom fit your hand, thanks for all the input everyone, helped out alot!

[Daniel A.]

I don't have any experience with the model of rod you're looking at, but I have used the Bionic Blade. At the time, I wanted to save a little money. Little did I know, I could have paid a few extra bucks for a significantly better rod in the Compre.

Since my experience, I've stayed away from BPS rods. They're not for me.

[21farms]

okay, here's the deal. BPS rods tend to be on the heavy side. they use an added inner core to enhance strength (BPS calls it 'powerwall construction') which adds weight but can hamper sensitivity. why do they do this? because they don't want people returning broken rods. in my own experience, BPS is really strict on returns and warranty claims.

besides, i would dare say that most of the people who buy BPS rods don't even notice the weight and probably value the rods' toughness more.

[Branuss04]

WOW!!! There is some good information about BPS rods here.  I'll add my .02

When I started bass fishing a few years back, I bought a 7' MH BPS Extreme Casting rod paired with a Citica 200D for $115.  So it was a good deal to start off with.  Being my first baitcast combo I didn't have anything to compare it to and it was love at first site.  So I don't mind the power hump, it makes no difference to me.  But it is very heavy compared to all my other rods (Higher end).  I no longer use it for techniques that involve sensitivity (Jigs, senko's) and use it for small swimbaits, cranks, etc.

I like this rod because it is very durable and versitile.  I use it when hiking to ponds, or bank fishing in the dark.  It's been through some battles but still stands proudly in my arsenal...

[MarauderYak]

I have a couple of JM rods, and really like them.  They have really fast actions, and for casting light(ish) lures you have to get used to that.  But they're very sensitive & well ballanced.

On a side note, I know someone who regularly tests rods/reels for BPS, and he just got a brand new prototype rod from them.  I got to cast around with it yesterday & it's unbelievable.  I can't say any details because I don't want to get this guy in trouble, but the rod was unlike anything I've ever seen from BPS.  I wonder if BPS could get him another test rod if his gets stolen.  :

[jacker]

any info on if and when they are coming out with this new prototype ??  

So would everyone probably agree with a st croix avid over a bps elite?  I am a previous owner of an avid and i loved it so ill probably go with that.  Im lookin at the 6'6" heavy avid series.

maybe all star or gloomis? what have you guys had best luck with for price?  

[21farms]

just keep in mind that BPS rods only have a one-year warranty. their rods are date coded. i recently tried to exchange a BPS prolite finesse rod because the trigger had broken off in my hand while fishing. it was 14 months old. not only can you not return a rod you bought online to a retail store, they also would not budge on the warranty although obviously it was a manufacturing defect. i will never buy a BPS rod again. with the st. croix, you get a much better warranty and it'll be lighter and more sensitive to boot.