Bass Pro Shops Rods and Reels

[wolfewiz]

I have never owned any. Who makes them? I read somewhere that Pfleuger made their reels, is that true? What about the rods? Some of thier reels look pretty good, but most of the rods seem cheap and heavy. I looked at every rod in the store, and maybe there was a couple I would want to try. Maybe I just can't get past the Bass Pro name on the stuff. I know it sounds crazy, but obvoiusly Bass Pro has been successful in their efforts to brand reels and rods with the store name. Great store, but essentially aren't they just a distribution outlet? They dont actually manufacture any of that stuff do they? Anybody that knows, you reply is appreciated and I hope I havent hurt any feelings of those who use/like their rods and reels. Maybe I should give them a chance.

[hairball]

Last summer I really needed a froggin outfit but didn't have a lot of money. I bought a Carbonlite combo and both rod and reel have performed well past my expectations. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

[walkeraviator]

I bought a used BPS pro qualifier reel on an XPS rod from craigslist for a really good deal in the spring. It is by far the nicest setup i have now. It is butter smooth and casts a country mile. The rod is a tad bit heavy, but has good sensitivity and has the action and backbone i think of what in a MH-Fast rod. It has convinced me that my next few reel purchases will be a Pro Qualifier instead of the Revo S i was considering.

As for who makes em, It seems like a big conspiracy to cover that fact up. Either they are made by Shimano, and Shimano doesnt want that info getting out so that they can keep charging twice as much for reels with their onw name on it.... or BPS wants it covered up because they are all Zebco's made in China. In Reality, most of these companies design a reel and then contract factories in China or Korea to make the product for them. And sometimes multiple companies hire the same plant. So BPS reels are probably really Designed by a guy who worls for BPS, then the production may be accompliched at a plant that is also contracted to build Abus, Shimano, Daiwa, etc.

This practice is common in other sectors of business as well. For instance camping tents... a coleman or ozark trail you buy at wal-mart runs a really good chance of being manufactured in the same building but on a different line as a Kelty or MSR tent costing 3x as much...

But that all is just my hypothesis...

My big question is more Rod related. Regardless of where they are assembled, where do they get their blanks to make the rods???

[coombro]

I've never purchased the "higher dollar" rods and reels as fishing costs enough as it is. I have purchased bass pro rods and recently a reel. The rod was one of my favorites. Used it for years til I had to retire it due to the grooves my line had wore in it. Purchased a left hand crank bait casting reel which I absolutly love. So far as price worth ever penny.

[twise7]

Weird timing...I just posted on someone else's post about how much I like the BPS Extreme rods. Very light, great sensitivity, and usually in January or February they are marked down to $59.99. Can't beat it at that price!!

[nlex104]

I would guess it changes from time to time who actually makes the BPS reels. I do know that Pfleuger is no longer a mfg of reels the name is owned by pure fishing. Pure fishing owns berkley, shakespeare, zebco, johnson and all star rods. If you look at the Pfleuger reels and compare them to a shakespeare they are about identical. If your in the store you could compare the BPS reels to the other brands and prolly figure it out. I have heard that silstar who is the maker of pinnacle reels have made some BPS reels in the past. In my personal opinion if you are looking for a good baitcaster and dont want to break the bank then I would try a pinnacle reel, but that's just me.

[MagikSmallie]

I think that whoever makes the browning reels is making the BPS reels too they are nearly 100% the same. I'm positive it's not Shimano, And to Walker aviator; you must not have a revo s or have used one becuase I really think that you would choose a revo over a BPS anyday...if you have tried them then thats cool opinions vary, but if you haven't tried the Revo I highly suggest trying it I think you'll like it better than any BPS...just my 2 cents.

[zx150]

I have some problems out of their lower end reels. The Johnny Morris reels are pretty good, but I do like the Revo much better.

[kygorski]

IU have to agree with coombro. having broke aq special order loomis blank, and watching my son close the trunk on another high end rod, its BPS rods for me. I like my extreme left handed bait caster almost as much as my diawa, and its almost 90 bucks cheaper.














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[RoadToad]

I own exactly one baitcasting combo, a Johnny Morris Signature Series reel on a BPS BionicBlade rod that I bought to learn how to use a baitcaster. It's worked out well, I feel real confident casting it, and I really like the combo. The reel looks a whole lot like a Pflueger President, in fact the knobs and drag star are pretty much identical, and the guy who sold it to me told me it was "made by the same company as the Pflueger." They're both made in Korea. I'm thinking it probably is the same outfit making them both.

[Tim_T]

I've never purchased the "higher dollar" rods and reels as fishing costs enough as it is. I have purchased bass pro rods and recently a reel. The rod was one of my favorites. Used it for years til I had to retire it due to the grooves my line had wore in it. Purchased a left hand crank bait casting reel which I absolutly love. So far as price worth ever penny.

I tend to run towards Coombro's way of thinking in that I try to get the absolute best tackle that I can afford. That often means a good Loomis etc. is out of my price range, but if I could afford it, you could bet that I would have it. You can find some pretty nice tackle for good prices these days and that is what I look for. Guess I am getting older and possibly wiser (okay, probably not wiser, but you get my point)!

[walkeraviator]

I guess i Should clarify. Given the choice between a revo s or PQ from bass pro, i would take the Revo S (buy at wal-mart where regular price is $100)... but being as my next few reel purchases will be in the 5:1 ratio and i cant afford a revo winch i will be sticking with the PQ....

I will say that after using a Revo S and a new PQ they really are exactly the same in performance... i say the PQ is every bit as good as the Revo, but that is all my opinion.