Goose52

Well, a lot of BPS reels certainly do have palm-side covers that look a lot like this Silstar model...

I haven't tried anything lighter than 1/6 oz yet. I imagine I could get some distance out of a 1/8 oz spinner - but if I have to go down to 1/16 oz, I'll be using an UL spinning rod...

I have a BPS Extreme 6' ML that I've been using to throw 1/6 oz baits and it works well - it's rated at 6-14lb line and 1/16-1/2 oz baits. I'm using 8lb mono on it right now but I might go to 6lb Yo-Zuri in the Spring. BPS also has Pro Finess ML rods in 6'6" and 6'9" with the same ratings as the Extreme.

Can you identify the company? Or do you have a confidentiality agreement? Is there a web site? Inquiring minds would like to know!

A great question for anyone that has an answer. I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone that has the new Pflueger Patriarch XT. The new XT weighs 6.8 oz and I'm wondering if the new 6.7 oz BPS Carbonlite is some sort of "decontented" XT. In any event, I will be getting a Carbonlite as soon as I can get one on sale!

Interesting - Banax has an English-language web site - it's mostly dated 2005 but I hit one link that said that their site was under construction and would be updated by January. Here's a link: http://www.banax.co.kr/eng/com/com0101.asp Here's a photo of one of their reels...

Great report - thanks for taking the time to type it up. I have a vested interest in this thread as I have 3 of the 2009 model Pro Qualifiers, as well as a 2009 Rick Clun and a 2009 Prolite. I got all of these reels (except 1 PQ) on sale for $80. One of the PQs I got on eBay for $40 - after cleaning and lube - it works as well as the new ones so I think I got a LOT of reel for $40. All of these reels seemed to me to be good values for the money and with the features of higher-priced reels. Fit/finish and quality of components seemed good as well. I still plan on getting at least two more BPS reels - one of the new 4.7 ratios PQs, and at least one of the new Carbonlites. As for longevity - I guess time will tell...

Thanks for the tip. I may still end up getting something from the Glacier line to wear over the Under Armours I have now. I'm thinking the layering is a good idea with the temperature variances we can have here.

140 miles round trip back to Gander Mountain so no returns for now. Anyway, I think these will do for the higher temps and will work well under another glove when it's colder. Being thin, they give me a layering option that I wouldn't have with a thicker glove. AND, as I mentioned above, the dexterity is pretty good with these...I'm touch-typing with them on right now just as a test. Besides fishing, I will also get some use of these 4 times a week when the wife and I take our morning 6-mile walk - tomorrow morning it will be in the low 20s when we walk and I can wear these under my usual gloves so these things will earn their keep 8-)

And, they had Carbonlite rod/reel combos listed as well. I got a $20 off on an order over $100 coupon from BPS and was just about to order one of the combos as my Christmas present to myself but by then both the combos and reels disappeared from their web site. Drats - between the combo price and the coupon I would have come in about $60 under the individual list prices. The reels were initially listed as "limited stock" and they probably sold out in the first day so they took the combos off as well... Now, will probably have to wait until the annual Spring sale to get an equivalent deal.

Went fishing today about 2pm - temp was 32deg and it was sunny with no wind. Used the Under Armour gloves alone for about the first 15 minutes and started getting a little "finger sting." Then put a thin wool glove over the Armour on my cranking hand and used just the Armour on the hand holding the rod to try to retain some "feel" in the rod hand. Fished that way for about another hour or so. By then, the Armour only fingers were stinging pretty good so I gave up some more "feel" and put on the other wool glove. I quit around 4:15pm. By then, all fingers were stinging pretty good, the temp was down to 29deg, and all the line guides on the rod (and the line guide on the BC reel) were constantly icing up and had to be cleared every few casts. I had reasonable dexterity and was using both spinning and BC rigs and could work the reels OK. I think the Under Armour glove liners will work great in 40 deg and above temps. However, in the 30s, it's pretty clear that I'll need to make sure I bring along an outer glove to add a layer when I need to. And if it's in the 20s, I ain't gonna fight the rod/reel icing, and the stinging fingers, and will stay home!

I'm talking air temps in the mid-30s, with wind chill a bit lower than that (although if it gits too windy, I'm outa there...). I was in a Gander Mountain store today and came across the Under Armour liner glove pointed out by BassBandit in post #12 of this thread. I'm not sure it's the optimum solution, but I need SOMETHING for right now and these seemed like a good balance between retaining some feel - but still having some level of protection/warmth. Certainly better than the dollar store gloves I'm wearing now! I might get a chance to go fishing tomorrow - temps will probably be in the high 30s so I'll see how they do. Thanks to eveyone for the tips. Sounds like there's no one answer, and no "magic glove" that anyone has yet found.

Now you're talkin' - this looks like one of the better solutions I've seen so far!

Interesting design - thanks for the tip!

The Ice Armor Gloves and X Gloves look really warm but a bit bulky. The Outdoor Glove line seems to be more what I'm looking for. I'll add them to the "consideration list." I'll check out bow-hunting gloves as well but I'm thinking that they might have stiff reinforcements on the draw fingers that I wouldn't need (but I haven't used a bow in about 40 years so I guess I haven't a clue anymore what the gear is like!). Thanks everyone for the tips. I've got to decide pretty soon what to get if I want to keep fishing through the winter...

I was fishing with my brother near Ocala FL last week. I only had an hour to fish and I got skunked but the next day my brother got a 1lb and a 2.5lb LMB fishing an unweighted T-rigged 6" plastic worm slooooow. Surface water temp was 70deg in FL - when I got back to TN the water temp was 48...and dropping.

Or brandy, or a manhattan, or a.... Just as I use low- to mid-range fishing gear... I'm a beer kinda guy. Didn't go fishing today...but did have a beer and browsed the forums!

Me too - I have three of the Pro Qualifiers and was getting ready to get some of the new low-gear ratio PQs !

Yep - I saw those when I searched the BPS site - thanks for the recommendation.

Thanks for the additional info. I think I will end up going with the Glacier Gloves (or similar design) where you can flip up the thumb so you can still "thumb" the spool on a baitcaster.

Thanks for the report. I might go for one and match it with the new CarbonLite reel. Of course, as will all BPS stuff, I will have to wait for the sale - perhaps they'll mark 'em down during the annual Spring sale.

Thanks for the tip - they sure look like they would keep your hands toasty. Can you work a reel in those?

I'll be interested in reading some reviews on this one...even if it doesn't have a Powerhump !

I see they put the ProLite back on-line and still at a clearance price. The new CarbonLite is 6.7 oz - I would think this is the replacement for the ProLite. Unless perhaps they will come out with a narrow-spool version of the CarbonLite and take another ounce out of the reel?? Now, how long 'till the new CarbonLite goes on sale?

Well, an angler from Green Bay certainly knows about cold weather. I spent some time up the penninsula from you in Ephraim and I know how cold it gets up there ! Anyway, I think I have poorer circulation than other folks 'cause I can't take those cold fingers for very long. I've already got three split fingers from the cold already. I guess I have the choice of having better feel through the rod - but only fishing for 20 minutes - or losing some feel, and fishing longer. OTOH, fishing has really dropped off here since mid-November so perhaps I need to follow RWs advice !