bass pro shops prolite special

[21farms]

looks like another limited-run conglomeration special with a name intended to invoke fond memories of a well-liked discontinued reel

[central.PA.bass]

sweet! is that in store only?

[21farms]

this was in their classic sale flyer but not listed on the BPS website.

the strange thing about this reel is that its lineage isn't noticeable apparent to me. if you squint, the profile actually looks like a daiwa sol.

[OHIO]

sweet! is that in store only?

I think so. I don't see anything on the website.

[Goose52]

I'm a fan of the last version of the discontinued ProLite...but this new reel sorta has me stumped. The old ProLite was a 7-bearing, aluminum frame, dual-braking reel, at a regular price of $110. I'm having a hard time seeing how they're adding 3 more bearings (probably 2 more in the handle and 1 on the wormshaft) and selling it for $50... Of course, we haven't seen any other specs on this, like weight, and can't tell if it has similar quality/components to the original ProLite.

Externally, there's hardly anything in common - see photo of an original below.

[WdyCrankbait]

looks like another limited-run conglomeration special with a name intended to invoke fond memories of a well-liked discontinued reel

I didn't see stainless steel Ball Bearings.

[Punkinseedfyretailz]

looks like a nice reel $50 cant beat that...

[rubba bubba]

Looks like another variation of the Pro Qualifier.

[MarauderYak]

I had my hands on one today.  It's not the same as any of the reels mentioned (nor any other reel I've seen).  It seems like it might be just slightly larger than the old ProLite, but according to the scale I weighed it on, it was only 7.6 oz.  To me, it felt as smooth as  PQ, but I didn't have both side by side to compare.

[hitchhiker]

It does look like a Sol.  Wonder if it performs like one.

I'd be very curious if I were wanting another reel right now.

[B A S S E R]

in my experience, these sale special reels are junk. The one I got last year didnt make it through the season with out crapping out on me. Maybe this one will be different. I may buy my dad one since he wants to try a bc this year.

[WdyCrankbait]

I agree with B A S S E R on this one.  I have a Prolite from 4 years ago and do not use it anymore.  In fact, I bend a shaft in the reel and it had to be taken out and machined down.  The problem with these reels are there are no parts for it!  It gets broken and you are dead in the water.

BPS just shapes it cool like, puts some flashy stickers on it and sell.  It is visucally appealing, but mechanically garabe.

[CFFF 1.5]

I agree with B A S S E R on this one. I have a Prolite from 4 years ago and do not use it anymore. In fact, I bend a shaft in the reel and it had to be taken out and machined down. The problem with these reels are there are no parts for it! It gets broken and you are dead in the water.

BPS just shapes it cool like, puts some flashy stickers on it and sell. It is visucally appealing, but mechanically garabe.

I have never had an issue getting parts for a BPS branded reel. Have you tried calling their parts number.

[skunked_again]

It does look like a Sol. Wonder if it performs like one.

I'd be very curious if I were wanting another reel right now.

if BPS sold a reel for $50 that preformed like a Sol, it would change everything.

[WdyCrankbait]

I agree with B A S S E R on this one. I have a Prolite from 4 years ago and do not use it anymore. In fact, I bend a shaft in the reel and it had to be taken out and machined down. The problem with these reels are there are no parts for it! It gets broken and you are dead in the water.

BPS just shapes it cool like, puts some flashy stickers on it and sell. It is visucally appealing, but mechanically garabe.

I have never had an issue getting parts for a BPS branded reel. Have you tried calling their parts number.

Nope, I had the reel about year and a half of fishing and got this problem tells me the reel is junk.  A Curado, Revo, or Zillionare would not do that.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

I agree with B A S S E R on this one. I have a Prolite from 4 years ago and do not use it anymore. In fact, I bend a shaft in the reel and it had to be taken out and machined down. The problem with these reels are there are no parts for it! It gets broken and you are dead in the water.

BPS just shapes it cool like, puts some flashy stickers on it and sell. It is visucally appealing, but mechanically garabe.

I have never had an issue getting parts for a BPS branded reel. Have you tried calling their parts number.

Nope, I had the reel about year and a half of fishing and got this problem tells me the reel is junk. A Curado, Revo, or Zillionare would not do that.

your 100% positive that none of these reels have had to be returned or repaired???

[WdyCrankbait]

I guess you are getting one then?

[hitchhiker]

It does look like a Sol. Wonder if it performs like one.

I'd be very curious if I were wanting another reel right now.

if BPS sold a reel for $50 that preformed like a Sol, it would change everything.

Yes it would change everything.  I had the last version of the Prolite and for a finesse casting reel it handled those duties very nicely. 

Like I said, if I were looking for a new finesse reel, I'd be very interested in these.  For $50 they might have hit a home run.

BTW I don't think BPS makes junk, there are exceptions I'm sure, but for the money I think they put out a decent product.  They just don't have an elitist aura surrounding them.

[SWMIBASSER]

The old Pro Lites were the best reel for the $$ hands down. No comparison. And that was at list price, not on sale.

If they picked up more line I would have bought and used them exclusively.

[MarauderYak]

I agree with B A S S E R on this one. I have a Prolite from 4 years ago and do not use it anymore. In fact, I bend a shaft in the reel and it had to be taken out and machined down. The problem with these reels are there are no parts for it! It gets broken and you are dead in the water.

BPS just shapes it cool like, puts some flashy stickers on it and sell. It is visucally appealing, but mechanically garabe.

What shaft did you bend?  The spool shaft?  I don't see how this could happen on any reel while fishing.  And if it got bent... why would you "machine it down"?

[Falkus]

I rather to spend the money on the pro qualifier instead of this, its only 29 bucks more

[KenG85]

picked one up on saturday. Feels great. The only thing I'm unsure about is if I should of bought more. First thing I did was break it down and swap the handle. I put a 2010 stx handle on it feels more solid. The stock handle is kind of flimsy, but lighter.

On the inside its very daiwa-like. looking at the spool, yoke posts and other parts.

The coolest thing about it is the main gear/drag set up. It's the first reel i've seen with full size washers on both sides of the main gear. I'm not referring to that tiny thing most reels have. This main gear actually has impressions on both sides to fit full size drag washers. Then that tiny one that lies over the antireverse gear is else where. It's freaking awesome. I just need to figure out which smoothies will be compatible. I'm guessing those that fit daiwa 100's will do.

Stock the drag supplies good tension, but has the feel of rulon washers inside. I prefer smoothies.

Might drop some abec 5's in as well.

[21farms]

keng85, please, please, please share some pics, especially of the side plate with the magnetic control dial....pictures of the innards would be even better.

i just called my local bass pro shops...the guy at the reel counter said the regular price is still $49 and that they have a lot of them.

[Goose52]

They just started showing up on eBay...

[KenG85]

I dont want to crack it open again just for pics. But i'll get some shots of the externals and spool. I already swapped the handle and dropped some eva knobs on it.