BPS LINECOUNTER REELS

[Big Eyes]

Has anyone put these bad boys through the mill. Are they what you pay for or a good value. 79.00 for the combo(with walleye angler rod)seems too good to be true! I appreciate the input!

[Shellback]

Can't be sure, but I think this is the first year for them. Haven't seen them in a catalog before so I doubt you'll get much info.

[Two Dogs]

>Has anyone put these bad boys through the mill. Are they
>what you pay for or a good value. 79.00 for the combo(with
>walleye angler rod)seems too good to be true! I appreciate
>the input!

I haven't used them personally as they just came out with them this year, but think I would be more inclined to go with Cabelas new Line counter reel as this seems to be more their expertise than BP's.

[Gary Parsons]

I've done some testing and design work on the BP Line Counter reels. They are built on the Daiwa Sealine frame (same OEM company that builds the Daiwa's). This is a good solid reel. I think most guys will like them. As for the combo being an awesome value? I couldn't believe the price either when I got the Catalog. Gary Parsons

[RDJ]

Hey Gary, I have a question that maybe you can answer or point me in the right direction. I have already ordered 2 of the combo's and had talked to the BPS people trying to find out if the paddle handles they list in their catalogs will work on these line counters and they could not give me an answer. Do you have any idea if they will work or how I can find out. Thanks... RJ

[CarpetBagger]

I disagree with Gary's post. I seem to see a keen resemblance to a shakesphere Tide Water Line Counters in these reels. If u wana good line counter at a fair price, go with okumas. I just set up 2 more combos for erie this year for 90 bucks a combo. They are great for a walleye battle, just dont hook up to a king salmon. Daiwa's by far are the best LC for fresh water on the market, but i like the okumas just fine too.

On my boat night now i have 4 daiwas and 4 okumas....

CB

[MOeyez]

Hey RJ, Mike from Bass Pro here. We think they'll fit, but we're going to have to pull from stock to be sure. Should have an answer for you in a day or two, okay?

That is a mongo-sized "paddle" on that reel! :)

Mike

[TBO/MN]

If you are from BP, maybe you can tell us why those line counter and combos aren't on your website to view. I heard talk of them last week and tried to find them, then again today, but "no find"....whats up?

Thanks, and Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[MOeyez]

TBO/MN: Uh, good question. I couldn't find 'em either. And as fast as they're selling, you'd think they'd be there. :o I will find out...

Mike

[RDJ]

Hey MOeyez, thanks for the help, I guess I have just gotten used to a double paddle reel handle with a tighter winding motion. I saw there were 2 or 3 choices of double paddle handles in the misc section of the catalogs but the customer service rep I spoke with when ordering the combo's didn't have the foggiest if they would bolt right on or not. If you can shed some light on this question it would be much appreciated. RJ in Montana.....

[MOeyez]

Every item in the new Master Catalog will be on the website before long. The Gold Cup reel & combos should be up very soon--they were about half-built when I checked. Sorry for the delay.

[Gary Parsons]

RDJ it sounds as if Mike from Bass Pro is checking on the handles, I honestly do not know if they would fit. I'm hoping he can answer the question about the web site also, as it would seem that the combo's should be featured there as well as the catalog. As far as the post by Carpetbagger...I'm sorry you disagree...but what I posted is a fact. The reel designer from Bass Pro worked with the same company that builds Diawa frames, they took the sealine frame and changed the line counter and a few other things. Carpetbagger, I was instrumental in helping to bring the 27LC's and 47LC's into public awareness and popularity...all I'm saying is that this seems to be a solid, sturdy reel capable of handling our walleye fishing duties. I only posted here to help answer a question with solid information. Gary Parsons

[Gary Parsons]

Thanks Mike. Gary

[Paul Wright]

Thank you Gary Parsons! I appreciate it when some one posts a message or response and uses their name so we all know who's talkin'. This is a Great board.

[rmitchel]

So what is the bottom line here? Are the BPS combos worth it? I am planning on buying 6 rod/reel combos. I had pretty much settled on the Daiwa reels -- still deciding on a rod. But if I could save some money that would be great. On the other hand, I am categorically against half-stepping it with regard to gear, but I don't want to over pay either. It is unlikely that trolling will every be a "big" part of my fishing, but I want to do some. So are the BPS combos a good deal -- obviously they are in price -- I want to make sure in quality. If there is too much question, then I should probably just go with the Daiwa's.

As an aside, does Bass Pro sell the Daiwa line counter reels? I can not find them in their Master catalog. Any other brands or line counter reels. How about rod/reel combos? I prefer to purchase from Bass Pro when possible.

Thanks for your input -- is this a great site or what!!

[two dogs]

RMITCHEL

I KNOW YOU SAID YOU PREFER TO SHOP BP, BUT CABELA'S HAS A GREAT SELECTION OF LINE COUNTER REELS, INCLUDING: OKUMA,PENN, DAIWA, SHIMANO AND THEIR OWN BRAND, AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE CREW CAN ANSWER ABOUT ANY QUESTION THAT IS THROWN AT THEM. JUST A THOUGHT IF YOU CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR,PLUS I FEEL THEIR INTERNET SIGHT IS SET UP ALOT BETTER.

[rmitchel]

I certainly agree with the note about Internet sites -- Cabela's is MUCH better.

[eyegetit]

rmitchel, What bottom line? Noone on this site has field tested them yet. Reading the remarks from BPS and Gary Parsons was an unexpected bonus. If Daiwa played a part in these new reels then they are worth my serious consideration. My first LC purchase was an Okuma Magda because it was cheap. It now sits in my junk reel bucket.

[rmitchel]

Good point eyegetit -- too early to tell -- I agree, because of the information posted here, I am considering the BPS reels -- but do I risk it -- I just don't know.

[Keith Kavajecz]

Just to clarify, we did not work with Daiwa to produce this reel. The reel is based on the same body as the Daiwa Sealine series. We tested a couple of different reels before deciding on this body (some of which have been mentioned in this thread). It was chosen mainly because of the durable reputation the body has and they held up in our testing. BP then designed the Line Counter to fit it.

Good Walleye Fishing

Keith

[Denied]

This debate rages every winter. The bottom line is most folks that buy something other than Daiwa end up later buying the Daiwa's. I have eight of them mated to Ugly Sticks that I use for trolling cranks, dipsy's and down riggers.
Save yourself some big money and go for the Daiwa's first.

[REELMAN]

THe bass pro line counter looks like a very solid built reel. With Parson's and Kavajacz I would guess they are the real deal.
The combo price is very good. For $79 you get fine reel and one of the best trolling rods on the market.

[rmitchel]

What does it mean "All rods have retractable butt sections"?

BPS Master catalog -- p. 39 -- Walleye combos

[MOeyez]

MathMan, check out the photo (item C). The upper, narrower rod blank slides right down into the tapered, hollow butt section for easier storage. In effect, it makes it a kind of "nested" 1-piece rod; your 8-foot rod becomes maybe a 6-foot rod at the end of the day; unlike a 2-piece rod, you can keep it rigged up and be ready to fish in seconds next time out. Also keeps the rod light and easy to handle, with no appreciable loss of power or performance. Very convenient, and I've never seen anyone have a problem with this type of rod. The design is quite common among trolling rods like this one, in some musky rods and in the flippin' sticks that the bass fishermen use. Hope that answers your question.

Mike

[rmitchel]

When I went to the BP site to look at the Daiwa LC reels, it looks to me like the SG27LC-W and SG27LC-W are different sizes.

But when I went to the Daiwa site, they list the two reels having the same line capacity. See http://www.daiwa.com/tackle/

Are the two reels the same or different? Except I think that the SG27LC-W has two handles included.

Also, looking at the BP and Daiwa LC reels, it looks to me as if the Daiwa is more compact because the LC does not extend past the reel. I am really leaning back toward the Daiwa reels.

Spend the money.

Rick Mitchell

[Dutchman]

I don't know anything about the reels but the Walleye Angler rods are top flight. You can spend lots more for any rod. For the money they are without a doubt the best rods on the market. Compare to a high end Loomis you might psyche yourself into believing the Loomis are better, but you should feel that way, you just spent a fortune on it. And they most likely are, but not $300.00 better....Just my 2 cents


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[SUPERTROLLER]

Yes, the SG27LC and the SG27LC-w are the same reels with the same capacities. The W signify's that you get the double paddle walleye handle with the reels. I much prefer my Diawa's over my Okuma. Had some problems with my Okuma last fall and have not yet been able to see if I fixed it when I had it apart. Appears to be okay but I want to run it on the water. Never had to do anything for any of my Diawa's. Own two SG27LC's, two baitcasters, and four spinning reels.

[MOeyez]

Mathman, you gotta do what you gotta do. If you have any reservations, then definitely go with the Daiwas. There's certainly plenty of support for that here, and that's fine. I've used the Daiwas myself, and they really are fantastic reels--tough and dependable, exactly as advertised. Bass Pro is just offering a very similar reel at a pretty good price, which will appeal to some anglers, but not all--one more option for everyone to consider.

Meanwhile, thanks for helping clear the air on this topic. Hopefully once the season really gets underway we'll get some solid feedback--good, bad, whatever--on these reels. That's what makes this board so great! Good luck,

Mike

[slab]

Do you guys realize that Cabela's is offering almost every line counter on the market? They offer 3 reels under house name, plus Diawa's, Shakespeare, and Shimanos. The only reel BP has is their own. The must not be much of a market for choice.

[Dave Dalluge]

I just recently bought one of the BPS combos, and I was impressed with the quality of the rod and reel for the money. I will use it in the IWTT (Iowa Walleye Tournament Trail) this year, and let you know what I find out. I really like this site!!!

[kinda catchy]

I guess there is one in every crowd, and I hope I don't get jumped all over on this, but the story is like this. I have several of the Daiwa line counters, as well as the Tidewaters, and the Okuma's, and a couple of the Cabela Depthmasters. The only reels I have had a problem with is the Daiwa's. During the Walleye Central outing in Huron this last fall, we broke the drags on 2 different Daiwa's the same day, pulling the small Off Shore boards due to the fact it was too rough to pull the big boards. Maybe we put to much stress on them, but the other reels mentioned we had no problem with. I like my Daiwa's and I am working with their customer service department to get this problem resolved, and if they take care of it timely and properly for me, I would not hesitate to buy more of them. They are the smoothest of all the reels I own. I will say that when I spoke to the dealer that sold them to me, he was not surprised, and said that drag failure was a common problem. I will post the results with the customer service situation when resolved. Kinda Catchy.

[hammertime]

if ya really want to find out what a reel is made of, let a 25 or 30 lb salmon tell ya ! if the drag is sticky you will know it, if the gears arnt good, you will know it. i ran diawa line counters all last year and put them through the test and never a failure. but u hear the guys every week talking about the gears letting go or the sticky drags on the okuma,s ( they have re-done drag system this year ) or some of the other line counter reels that never lasted the first fishing trip. the penn 875lc,s (planer, dipseys,riggers and 895lc,s (lead core)are were my heart is and just picked up 16 more penns just to have them. it comes down to this, most co,s just dont put in the quality gears, bearing and (smooth drags)in trying to save a buck or two and thats a shame, it usally ends up costing the fisherman more money replacing these reels, i still got my diawa,s and will never be afraid to run them for any fish.if these companys really want to test there reels out for durability, let the salmon test them to see. never fails to bring out the weak spots in a fishing reel. mike/hammertime

[MOeyez]

RJ, sorry to report, the Hog Handler handles don't fit the Line Counter. (We tried it.) The reel's shaft is larger than the hole in the handle. For what it's worth, the large Hog Handler's winding radius would be only 1/4" tighter than what's on there now. Wish I had better news for you...

Mike