Want to buy new reel

[frenchbritt]

Wanting to buy new reel this winter. Planning on buying either BPS Pro Quailifier or Lews LFS. What are the opinions on these two reels. Thanks

[Basfis]

I reel lefty....

that said I own a couple of Lew’s and probably 18 of the pro qualifiers. I don’t use the Lew’s. 
 

I take a reel out of the box in the store, turn  the handle and listen for any noise. If none, I check where the spool is set, loosen to just contact the shaft and give it a spin. If it spins for a 5 count, it’s a keeper.  (The high end shimano spins a little longer fwiw). For the LH reels I’d say 4 of 5 pass the test.

Neither of my Lew’s will cast as far as easily as the pro qualifiers. Never mind the $ difference 
 

 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I love my LFS's, never have used the PQ.  But ive been slowly changing over to Daiwa Tatulas. There are a ton of good reels in that $100 range.  Only one i regret is a 13 fishing i got for $99. It would be better off in the bottom of the lake

[rps]

If you can stand it, move up to the Lews BB1. I have found these to be the best in the "value" category. Every PQ I bought was good for 18 months. The BB1 more than doubles that.

[slothman]

I got a tatula sv last summer on eBay for about $120ish. I really like it and will probably get another if I find myself needing another reel. Other than that, I have really liked my lews reels. 

[drew03cmc]

Honestly, the PQ and Lew's are the same reel. They're made in the same Korean factory. They're both Doyo reels. I've gotten good use out of my Haibo reels, Ardent and Piscifun's higher end stuff. 

[fshndoug]

I own 14 pq they work great just don't hold much line