BPS Quality for the money

[lynyrdsky1]

Ive notice that not many people on here even talk about BPS reels and ive notice that shimano and abu garcia revo's are nice and great reels but it seems to me, because all i use is BPS extremes and pro qualifiers, that BPS is cheaper and still has good quality

[K_Mac]

There are many here that use BPS branded stuff. My experience has been very good with the equipment I have. I also use some of their plastics regularly. As with any large retailer, there are plenty of folks here that do not like their products. Many feel that as a long-term equipment investment there are better options. All of the major brands have loyal supporters.

I have several of the Extreme and Pro Qualifier rods and reels. I think the Pro Qualifier is easily the best reel on the market in its price range. Just my opinion.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I think the Pro Qualifier is easily the best reel on the market in its price range. Just my opinion.

x2

[iceintheveins]

I have a PQ baitcaster and it's for sure the best $100 baitcaster available. Most people that have a Citica as well say that the PQ is roughly about the same.

[Goose52]

I think K_Mac summed it up very well...

There are a LOT of people on this board with BPS reels and there have been periodic threads about BPS stuff, especially on the Pro Qualifier and the new Carbonlite BC reels. However, many of the threads start to go south with the various brand "posse's" trashing the BPS products, usually without any true objective evidence of any failures or problem areas with the current BPS reel line-up. Folks will say that they won't last, or that you won't be able to get parts for them, or no one will work on them. But, BPS has it's own repair department and parts will probably not be a problem. People have disassembled the higher-end BPS reels and have found similar quality of the internal components as other comparable name-brand reels so I'm not sure why the reels should wear-out prematurely.

The current BPS higher-end reels offer good value for money at their regular prices and are killer deals at their sale prices. I own 9 BPS BC reels - 5 PQs, 1 Carbonlite, 2 Rick Clunns, and 1 ProLite. I paid full retail for one PQ and for the Carbonlite. Two of the PQs and the ProLite I paid $80, the last two PQs I paid $40 and $30 on eBay (can't get those prices anymore - too popular now!), and the RCs I paid about $70. There aren't any better reels available for that type of money - especially when you consider that all of these reels have dual-braking systems - a feature not offered on any of the competing reels anywhere near this price.

Yep, I'm happy with my BPS stuff. Even happier when I read threads about some of the new "name" reels, like the brand new Shimano Curado 50e reel for $199 that eveyone is fawning over. I've been using a comparable reel for more than a year now - the 6.6oz BPS ProLite (it took Shimano a while to catch up with BPS) and I only paid $80 for it brand new!

[burleytog]

Yep, I'm happy with my BPS stuff. Even happier when I read threads about some of the new "name" reels, like the brand new Shimano Curado 50e reel for $199 that eveyone is fawning over. I've been using a comparable reel for more than a year now - the 6.6oz BPS ProLite (it took Shimano a while to catch up with BPS) and I only paid $80 for it brand new!

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.   :

[dodgeguy]

i swear by my bps johnny morris signature series rods.i've never broken one and i've fished with my friends glxs and there is no difference except price.

[Goose52]

Yep, I'm happy with my BPS stuff. Even happier when I read threads about some of the new "name" reels, like the brand new Shimano Curado 50e reel for $199 that eveyone is fawning over. I've been using a comparable reel for more than a year now - the 6.6oz BPS ProLite (it took Shimano a while to catch up with BPS) and I only paid $80 for it brand new!

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you. :

Ha - I knew for sure that would draw you out .... ;D I was waiting for your "training wheels" comment about dual-braking as well

[Senkoman12]

I think K_Mac summed it up very well...

There are a LOT of people on this board with BPS reels and there have been periodic threads about BPS stuff, especially on the Pro Qualifier and the new Carbonlite BC reels. However, many of the threads start to go south with the various brand "posse's" trashing the BPS products, usually without any true objective evidence of any failures or problem areas with the current BPS reel line-up. Folks will say that they won't last, or that you won't be able to get parts for them, or no one will work on them. But, BPS has it's own repair department and parts will probably not be a problem. People have disassembled the higher-end BPS reels and have found similar quality of the internal components as other comparable name-brand reels so I'm not sure why the reels should wear-out prematurely.

The current BPS higher-end reels offer good value for money at their regular prices and are killer deals at their sale prices. I own 9 BPS BC reels - 5 PQs, 1 Carbonlite, 2 Rick Clunns, and 1 ProLite. I paid full retail for one PQ and for the Carbonlite. Two of the PQs and the ProLite I paid $80, the last two PQs I paid $40 and $30 on eBay (can't get those prices anymore - too popular now!), and the RCs I paid about $70. There aren't any better reels available for that type of money - especially when you consider that all of these reels have dual-braking systems - a feature not offered on any of the competing reels anywhere near this price.

Yep, I'm happy with my BPS stuff. Even happier when I read threads about some of the new "name" reels, like the brand new Shimano Curado 50e reel for $199 that eveyone is fawning over. I've been using a comparable reel for more than a year now - the 6.6oz BPS ProLite (it took Shimano a while to catch up with BPS) and I only paid $80 for it brand new!

are those rick clunns the signature series or thr rcx, i have a signature series and love and will probably get a few extremes over the winter

[Micro]

I've owned a couple of BPS rods - two Pro Qualifiers and a Johnny Morris with the REC guides.  The PQs were nice but the clear coating on the guide threads flaked off.  And I just didn't like the REC guides so I gave that rod away.

I had a Johnny Morris reel.  The blue deposition-coated one.  Nice reel, but big and rather heavy.  It cast very nicely but the dual brakes were an unnecessary hassle.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I'll throw this in there other than just my generic agreement that I made earlier.

Lots of the lower end BPS reels are junk. The PQ's are a good quality reel for the price. Arguably the best in the 100 dollar range. I like them more than my Citica. They aint no Curados though. I'll eventually be phasing out my PQ's for Curados. I've got no complaints with the PQ's though. They're durable, cast well, and have served me very well. I've got no real experience with their rods other than the Carbonlites and Crankin Stick.  I returned the  Carbonlites when the hook keepers started to rust.  The Crankin Stick I have is still working just fine.  Can't complain at all about that rod.

[RussBert]

Ive notice that not many people on here even talk about BPS reels and ive notice that shimano and abu garcia revo's are nice and great reels but it seems to me, because all i use is BPS extremes and pro qualifiers, that BPS is cheaper and still has good quality

I've noticed you've been a member for 2 days. If you take a little time and do a search, you'll find page after page of talk about BPS rods & reels.

Also if all you've fished are BPS reels, how can you make a statement like that? Diversity makes life interesting

[RussBert]

Yep, I'm happy with my BPS stuff. Even happier when I read threads about some of the new "name" reels, like the brand new Shimano Curado 50e reel for $199 that eveyone is fawning over. I've been using a comparable reel for more than a year now - the 6.6oz BPS ProLite (it took Shimano a while to catch up with BPS) and I only paid $80 for it brand new!

And if you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you. :

I haven't been around here that long myself, but I'm yet to find ANYONE who has sold their Revo's, Citica's or Curado's and bought Pro Qualifier's instead, for whatever that's worth   

[lynyrdsky1]

I've noticed you've been a member for 2 days. If you take a little time and do a search, you'll find page after page of talk about BPS rods & reels.

Also if all you've fished are BPS reels, how can you make a statement like that? Diversity makes life interesting

[K_Mac]

RussBert may be right about people not selling higher end gear to buy cheaper. That is not the usual progression.

I have fished higher end, brand name reels. I liked everyone of them. I don't like them enough to spend more money for them. I am happy with the PQs. I could buy better, but see no need.

If you can afford high end tackle, and it makes you happy, buy it. You do not need it to catch fish. Entry level gear will limit you though. For me the PQ is a good compromise between high and low. Just my opinion.

[Goose52]

RussBert may be right about people not selling higher end gear to buy cheaper. That is not the usual progression.

I have fished higher end, brand name reels. I liked everyone of them. I don't like them enough to spend more money for them. I am happy with the PQs. I could buy better, but see no need.

If you can afford high end tackle, and it makes you happy, buy it. You do not need it to catch fish. Entry level gear will limit you though. For me the PQ is a good compromise between high and low. Just my opinion.

An opinion shared !

[Goose52]

I had a Johnny Morris reel. The blue deposition-coated one. Nice reel, but big and rather heavy. It cast very nicely but the dual brakes were an unnecessary hassle.

Yep - the JM reel (and my Rick Clunns) are a bit portly compared to what we're getting used to today. I'm curious though - what's the hassle with dual braking. You set the centrifugals to whatever is needed for the bait, and you can set the magnetic to 0 if you want. If the wind comes up, you always have some magnetic in reserve (or an educated thumb). There's no real maintenance or weight penalty (a fraction of an once) in having the magnetic in addition to centrifugal and it's there if you need it.  Sounds like a good deal to me...

[dmat]

i swear by my bps johnny morris signature series rods.i've never broken one and i've fished with my friends glxs and there is no difference except price.

Really...you're really going say that there is no difference between a BPS rod and a GLX?  not opinion...fact?

Not bashing BPS rods....thats what I started fishing with...the Bionic Blades and the Extremes.  They are very good value for the money especially if bought on sale.

One day I was fishing along side my father-in-law...me with a Bionic Blade and him with a GL3.  He was catching fish and I was not.  He handed me his Loomis and I started feeling the bite and landed a few fish.  A believer right then.

And that was only between a BPS and GL3...GLX is in a different universe. 

Fish with what you have and be happy...but to say that there is no difference between a store branded rod and a top of the line Loomis is just silly.

My $0.02

Don

[dodgeguy]

i swear by my bps johnny morris signature series rods.i've never broken one and i've fished with my friends glxs and there is no difference except price.

Really...you're really going say that there is no difference between a BPS rod and a GLX? not opinion...fact?

Not bashing BPS rods....thats what I started fishing with...the Bionic Blades and the Extremes. They are very good value for the money especially if bought on sale.

One day I was fishing along side my father-in-law...me with a Bionic Blade and him with a GL3. He was catching fish and I was not. He handed me his Loomis and I started feeling the bite and landed a few fish. A believer right then.

And that was only between a BPS and GL3...GLX is in a different universe.

Fish with what you have and be happy...but to say that there is no difference between a store branded rod and a top of the line Loomis is just silly.

My $0.02

Don

not really.the johnny morris signature series are made out of just as high a quality graphite as the loomis.have you fished both?i have.you pay for the replacement rod ahead of time with loomis.the reason the morris rod is cheaper is it has no lifetime warranty.performance wise there is no difference.

[Micro]

I agree the JM rods are excellent when it comes to sensitivity.  My JM rod with the recoil guides was superb.   You could feel every tick with that rod.  If there are rods more sensitive, they must be very good, indeed.  My issue with the rod was the guides, and the powerhump, which is completely personal preference.  I liked the reel seat, though. 

[Primus]

I use Loomis/ Dobyns for my soft plastics/ jigs but have been real pleased with my BPS Crankin' Sticks (I carry 3 on the boat with me because I crank a lot) and think they are terrific rod for the money. I like that I can get 7'6" crankin' rod that's telescopic since my boat is 18' it fits in my rod locker better. I only use Shimano for my reels so I can't comment on BPS reels because I haven't used them.

[dmat]

You have to remember that you were using the Bionic Blade and the Extreme series of rods. They aren't the top of the line BPS rods. In fact, the bionic blade is one of the lower end rods and the Extreme is only a mid range rod. Now if you compare one of the JM rods with a Gloomis you might have a better result.

I agree...I have not used the JM line...however I was comparing the lower end BPS rods to the lower end Loomis rods and the Loomis blew them away in weight and sensitivity...I simply extrapolated to the higher line of rods.

I also started with the BPS crankin stick and for the money (especially on sale) it was an excellent rod. However comparing it to the Loomis crank bait rods that I bought it felt very heavy and lacked sensitivity. I also hated the power hump!

In MY EXPERIENCE it was worth it to spend the extra money for Loomis rods and I am happy with my purchases.

My problem is with the statement "There is no difference" everyone's experiences differ and in a forum where many people come looking for advice...one should qualify statements and not state subjective qualities of a product as FACT.

Just my opinion...

Don

[Jake.]

I've fished both the Johnny Morris Signature Series and GLX models. The Johnny Morris is a nice rod and has good sensitivity, but the GLX outperforms it by a good margin, IMO.

[tkite16]

I have a johnny morris reel. The silver one that is 109 now I think  it  is.  It is a very smooth casting reel but it doesn't do real well with light baits compared to my revo s reels.  The cranking stick is pretty solid but man it seems to wear me out quick.  I just picked up a quantum pt energy that I hope will replace the cranking stick for my big cranks.   As for JM vs GLX.  Not even close and yes I've owned one.

[Bankbeater]

IMO, if you are going to buy a high end BPS reel, you might as well spend $20, or $30 more to get a Revo or Shimano.