Help Please

[MstStudent10]

correction: "obviously they're cheaper when bought in the combo"

[CaptainJoe]

I'd like to get one new rig anyway, and based on what was posted above I was thinking of waiting for the BPS Spring Fishing Classic and buying a Pro Qualifier combo. Now CaptainJoe's recommending the BPS Extreme combo - which do you think would be better?

Bear in mind I'm not a tournament fisherman or even a real serious bass fisherman. Much of my bass fishing is with spinning tackle, and I've got that covered. With a casting outfit I like to fish Texas and Carolina rigs, jigs and grubs, and spoons. I'm 5'10", and a 6'6" rod works better for me than a 7' one. I especially like to fish big worms on a Texas rig at night in the summertime, and I come up with a few real "hawgs" every year doing that. I'm thinking a "medium heavy" rod might be best for that deal?

Thanks for any opinions/suggestions!

Sam,

I agree, since you are under 6' tall, the 6'6" rod would be the best length. For what you are going to use the rod for, the medium heavy rod would be the best overall rod for you.

I have not used the Pro Qualifer, but have extensive experience with the Extreme reels. But, here are some comparables from the BPS catalog:

Pro Qualifer and the Extreme both have 7-bearings.

Drag is the same.

Pro Qualifer is a dual brake system, which requires magnetic adjustment and pin-release sideplate centrifugal adjustments.

Extreme is a 11-position magnetic braking system only.

Pro Qualifer does not have a flipping switch (I like the flipping switch).

Pro Qualifer is $20 more than the Extreme.

Bottom Line (my opinion): Pro Qualifer has great features that a "tournament angler" would like/prefer. The Extreme is a weekend angler reel that has similar features and is more affordable.

One thing that convinced me to go with the Extreme: Go to BPS. Line up a couple reels that you like and include the Extreme. Now disengage the reel on the Extreme and spin the spool with our finger has hard as you can. Now, do the same with the other two reels. The other reels will stop and the Extreme will still be going, even though it was the first reel spun. The spool justs keeps going and going and going. I liked that.

Good luck,

[Gone Fishing]

They usually have the extreme's on sale for $59.99 in the Spring Classic.

[CaptainJoe]

They usually have the extreme's on sale for $59.99 in the Spring Classic.

I agree....I hope this year they are even lower. If not, I will wait until the Fall when they want to get rid of last years model and get ready to introduce the new model.

As a side note, I also like and use the Extreme Spinning Reel. The wide spool is such a plus. It significantly reduces line twist and it is just as smooth as the baitcaster. My clients use nothing else, except for the little Wally Marshall spinning reel when we go after crappie.

[cofobasser]

I dont know what part of the country you are from but If you can wait till the end of the month,(or in some locations march), you can find a great deal on a higher priced reel or rod at the Bass Pro spring fishing classic. If I was in your position, I would wait and get a higher quality rod or reel for less expense. I would look at the Abu Garcia Revo. I have a few of the "cheapest" ones that they make and I don't know if I will ever go to anything else. I absolutely love this reel. It has a smaller profile than most of the ones on the market and this allows it to fit perfectly in the palm of my hand, it is also a light weight reel and has a great drag system. Also at the spring classic, they run great deals on bass pro brand products. One of the rods that I would recommend is the Bass Pro Extreme, the 6'6 med/heavy is a great rod that will allow you to throw anything you want. Keep in mind that a 6'6 med hvy is not the best rod to throw a dd 22 on but it can. I hope this helps out.

cofobasser

[XRAY]

I dont know what part of the country you are from but If you can wait till the end of the month,(or in some locations march), you can find a great deal on a higher priced reel or rod at the Bass Pro spring fishing classic. If I was in your position, I would wait and get a higher quality rod or reel for less expense. I would look at the Abu Garcia Revo. I have a few of the "cheapest" ones that they make and I don't know if I will ever go to anything else. I absolutely love this reel. It has a smaller profile than most of the ones on the market and this allows it to fit perfectly in the palm of my hand, it is also a light weight reel and has a great drag system. Also at the spring classic, they run great deals on bass pro brand products. One of the rods that I would recommend is the Bass Pro Extreme, the 6'6 med/heavy is a great rod that will allow you to throw anything you want. Keep in mind that a 6'6 med hvy is not the best rod to throw a dd 22 on but it can. I hope this helps out.

cofobasser

Jeez you guys are so helpful, thanks to everyone, especially Captian Joe. Im going to hold off till BPS has their sale though. Do they usually have sale products online too or is it just in the store? No big deal I'd just have to travel a bit. Thanks again.

[MstStudent10]

ps... cofobasser really doesn't know what he's talking about so I would just disregard that information...

[redbud]

are you right or left handed?if you cast your spinning rig with your right hand and reel with your left,you might want to check into a lefty baitcaster. If you cast with your right and you have a right hand reel [baitcaster]you will have to switch hands everytime you cast. I was sceptical about the lefty so i bought a rebuild from the outlet store at bass pro.I got used to it in about an hour.Now all of my casters are lefty even though im right handed.Bass Pro has a reel trade in during the fishing classic, trade in any old reel and they will give you up to $50 bucks off a new one that was also on sale. I walked out of there with a new Johnny Morris high speed for around $120.Whatever you decide on, buy yourself a nice reel ,you should have it for a while.

[Sam]

are you right or left handed?

Wow, that's like a light bulb just went on - something I never thought about. I'm right-handed, and I've mostly been fishing with spinning reels since they first came out - casting and holding the spinning rod with my right hand and reeling with the left.

20 years ago we moved back here to MO, and I started using casting rigs again for the first time since the early 60's. My fishing partner showed me how it's done here, and he suggested equipment like his. All my casting reels crank on the right.

That still feels awkward as all get-out to me, especially when I've got a fish on. I just went out to my shop and turned one of my bass rigs upside down so the handle was on the left. That felt GOOD, even though I had to reel it backwards. O.K., I'm looking for a left-hand reel, and why didn't I think of that in all this time? Thanks.

Sometimes I'm not near as smart as I think I am.

[techo]

are you right or left handed?if you cast your spinning rig with your right hand and reel with your left,you might want to check into a lefty baitcaster. If you cast with your right and you have a right hand reel [baitcaster]you will have to switch hands everytime you cast. I was sceptical about the lefty so i bought a rebuild from the outlet store at bass pro.I got used to it in about an hour.Now all of my casters are lefty even though im right handed.Bass Pro has a reel trade in during the fishing classic, trade in any old reel and they will give you up to $50 bucks off a new one that was also on sale. I walked out of there with a new Johnny Morris high speed for around $120.Whatever you decide on, buy yourself a nice reel ,you should have it for a while.

I (as some of you are sorely aware) fish left handed. For the very reason you stated. I fished spinning reels first for a long time. It is hard to argue the benefit of it for fishing when you watch the Pros casting, but I cast and reel. I don't cast, switch hands and then reel. It would be like drawing my gun with my let hand, switching hands and then shooting. I wonder how it ever ended up like that?

The nice thing about fishing left handed with a baitcaster, beside the above stated reason, is you often get better discounts on reels. The downside is less variety. Tacklewarehouse only carries one gear ratio on the Curados for lefties.