Anyone had experience with this rod?

[ElijahH]

I'm looking at a BPS Graphite series, 7'6 H to start throwing some smaller, 2oz and below swimbaits. I know I'll probably get crap for looking at such a cheap rod, but I'm a student and cannot afford to drop $200 on a decent beginner swimbait. I watched one video on youtube recommending it, but wondered if anyone else has had experience with it? 

[Spankey]

Yes, many years ago. Don’t know how many generations back they are but they were a good rod for the money. Caught a lot of Smallies on them. They could be 30+ years old. I still have them. All 1 pc. rods but not the length you are talking about. I use to be a big BPS fan years ago. Not quite so much these days. But willing to bet they are still a decent rod for the money. I would not hesitate if I were you. It will not be a light pole like an ugly stick I’m pretty sure. 

[Bankc]

I haven't owned that one, but I've owned several of the more recent BPS rods.  Honestly, they're about as good as you can find for the money.  What I've noticed with BPS brand rods is they spend all of their money on the blanks, especially with their cheaper lines.  So you usually get a more sensitive rod than most other brands that you'll find in the same price point.  Though often times things like line guides, handles, and reel seats won't be as nice.  Years ago BPS and Cabellas had the best rods you could find for the money.  These days, there's a lot more competition for them, and they're no longer the clear cut winner in the value department.  But that doesn't mean that they're not as good as they used to be.  Just that other companies have come up to challenge them.  

 

I'd say go for it.  It should last you long enough to be done with school where you'll likely have enough money to want to upgrade whatever you get now anyway.  And the best thing about BPS rods, in my opinion, is that if it ever breaks, they'll often replace it for you, free at the store.  At least they always have for me.  And that's better than shipping it off somewhere far away and waiting on a replacement in the mail.