Anyone have experience with the quality of any BPS line of reels? Im looking for a good crankin reel, mid to higher end, is fine.

Sorry.  My only experience with BPS reels is the older gold colored Carbonlites.  These are exceptional reels for the $$$$.  I do know that many highly regard the Pro Qualifier for its price.  Especially when bought on sale.  Goose did a 5 year test on them.  A search should turn it up if you want to read the thread.

I have the carbonlites (black model) in all the gear ratio's.  Use the 5.3:1 last couple seasons as my crankbait/umbrella rig set up and the 6.4:1 for my shallow cranking/wakebait fishing.  Both perform great. The PQ seems to have good reviews.  I just like a lighter reel.  

I like the Pro Qualifier spinning reel I have. I've heard the PQ baitcasters aren't very good.

I've got 6 BPS reels in all. The cheapest one was one of the "special edition" ones that they bring out for special events. I bought it over 10 years ago and it's still in service today but the bearings should be replaced. I've got a gold carbonlite that's been in service a few years and it's a nice little reel. The other 4 are all Johnny Morris reels I've got one each of the Gold, Elite, Signature, and Basscaster. The oldest of those is in it's 9th season and is still working great, as are the rest of them. They aren't the lightest reels ever produced, but they also aren't lead bricks either. I've been very happy with them and wouldn't hesitate to purchase again. 

 

Unlike Evan, I've heard nothing but praise for the PQ. I haven't heard much on the spinning reels, but then again I haven't been in the market for one for a while either. 

If you watch the Bassmasters, Edwin Evers fishes the new White Carbonlites, works well for him.  Man won two events with $130 reel and a $130 Carbonlite rod.  Before that he used a lot of PQ and then moved up to the Johnny Morris Line.  This last year is the first time though since the reels are white that you could really tell what reels he had.  But those are his bread and butter reels.

I have 16 BPS baitcasting reels. They work, catch fish. Most, at the time I bought them, were great values in their price range ($100-$130), and even better values when bought on sale (as most of mine were).  The reels I have include ProLite Finesse, Rick Clunn, ProQualifier, and several models of Carbonlites.  I have no experience with any BPS BC reels below the PQ on the price scale, nor do I have any experience with the various Johnny Morris reels in the price range above $130 or so.

 

I haven't had any problems with mine other than typical wear, with the exception of two JM Carbonlites (the black 5.7oz models - now discontinued and replaced by the white JM CLs) which were grindy out of the box - an issue that was fixed quite a while ago.

 

I use a couple PQs as part of my deep-cranking battery - a 4.7:1 (19 ipt) and a 5.2:1 (21 ipt) - both have given great service in this capacity. A selling point for the 4.7:1 PQ is that there just aren't that many reels available today with that low of ipt.  Another one of my PQs (a 6.4:1 - 26 ipt) was the subject of a 5 year long test - the results of which are here: BPS Pro Qualifier BC Reel - 5 Year Challenge

 

You mentioned "mid to higher end" - not sure what that means to you but most folks would consider the BPS reels as low- to perhaps lower-mid-range. While the BPS reels are usually good values in their price range, I'm not sure they make any reels that could be considered mid to higher end.

 

Even in their price range, the BPS BC reels are now being challanged by newer-generation reels like the Daiwa Tatula. While the Tat is not a direct competitor at its suggested retail price, the Tat can be found at bargain prices on-line and during store sales and is a very serious competitor to the PQ and probably taking a lot of the PQs market share.

 

Anyway - keep in mind that BPS reels go on sale often, so it pays to wait for a sale before picking up something like a PQ.

I have fished lh pqs for a few years and every one has been great. Easy to clean, always hold up to a beating. A tad heavy, but solid.

Hit em on sale and its a steal

Stick with the pq and carbon lite for the best value especially on sale which is frequently.

I would 2nd what Goose52 posted. I have at one point owned many of the same reels he referenced. The only one I felt was junk was the JM Carbonlite in the charcoal color at 5.9 ounces or whatever it was. Very grindy gears and aweful under load to the point it seemed like the reel was going to fall apart. All other reels are good values for what they sell for on sale. I too would consider the BPS line of reels to be budget friendly or low end on the price scale.

I have two carbonlite reels, a gold and a black. Cant beat 'em for the money.

Stick with the pq and carbon lite for the best value especially on sale which is frequently.

 

 

He speaks the truth.

 

The PQ is a great little reel for the money. When you can get them on sale, it's almost a no brainer.

How about the tourney special, any comments?

If you watch the Bassmasters, Edwin Evers fishes the new White Carbonlites, works well for him.  Man won two events with $130 reel and a $130 Carbonlite rod.  Before that he used a lot of PQ and then moved up to the Johnny Morris Line.  This last year is the first time though since the reels are white that you could really tell what reels he had.  But those are his bread and butter reels.

 

And Chris Lane. 

I have a PQ that I use for one of my cranking rods and have no complaints. Like someone mentioned, it's a little heavy but not really an issue with a cranking reel. 

I like the Pro Qualifier spinning reel I have. I've heard the PQ baitcasters aren't very good.

I would probably say that you've heard wrong. That's without doubt the best BPS baitcasting reel made. Just the comments and reviews on here, never mind the reviews on their website. I am also speaking from personal experience, since I have four of these reels and have "NEVER" experienced a problem with any of them.

Hootie

I have three of the old Johnny Morris reels, I believe the first two generations they put out. Yes, they are heavy b today's standards, but I've put a ton of miles on all three without an issue.

Slightly off topic, where would I go to look into bearing replacement? I'm mechanically inclined, but would like to learn more before I dig into a reel that works. Thanks in advance.

I have three of the old Johnny Morris reels, I believe the first two generations they put out. Yes, they are heavy b today's standards, but I've put a ton of miles on all three without an issue.

Slightly off topic, where would I go to look into bearing replacement? I'm mechanically inclined, but would like to learn more before I dig into a reel that works. Thanks in advance.

Check on YouTube. All kinds of videos on how to do just about anything to a reel.

Hootie

I have a carbonlite and think it performs great.  Fit and finish isnt as nice as some of my other reels,  but it didn't cost as much either.  I bought one just to see what it was all about and the only thing I would change is the handle knobs.  It casts great and for me palms great.  It makes me wonder sometimes why I spent so much money on other reels.

My only experience with them was about 12 years ago with the old green exteme low profile reels, and it was not a good one.  Based on what everyone here says I will need to look into a PQ when I'm ready for new reels.  I know a couple of guys that have them and they have had no issues.

My only experience with them was about 12 years ago with the old green exteme low profile reels, and it was not a good one.  Based on what everyone here says I will need to look into a PQ when I'm ready for new reels.  I know a couple of guys that have them and they have had no issues.

Edited because of cerebral flatulence. 

I would 2nd what Goose52 posted. I have at one point owned many of the same reels he referenced. The only one I felt was junk was the JM Carbonlite in the charcoal color at 5.9 ounces or whatever it was. Very grindy gears and aweful under load to the point it seemed like the reel was going to fall apart. All other reels are good values for what they sell for on sale. I too would consider the BPS line of reels to be budget friendly or low end on the price scale.

Same experience i had with mine. It would cast extremely well though just very grindy. Returned it bought a Core50.

How about the tourney special, any comments?

 

i have the tournament special it's ok nothing to write home about but it hasn't given me any problems this year thought the "anti backlash system" just seems like they have put a permanent brake on the spool i use it for topwater and flipping and it's reliable but i don't know if i would buy more than one

Same experience i had with mine. It would cast extremely well though just very grindy. Returned it bought a Core50.

That's almost like saying I returned my Hyundai Accent and bought a Porsche Boxster...lol.

Hootie