Looking for a new rod I have come across good deals on cabelas rods. Does any body have any and know if they are good or seem to have major problems?
Are you referring to Cabela's brand rods, or rods sold at Cabela's? A few models you are looking at might help get a more useful answer about a particular rod (or model line) you are looking at. Specifying spinning or casting would help as well.
EDIT: I have several Prodigy rods sold by Cabela's. I like the casting rods just fine, but don't like the smaller eyes on their spinning rods. No experience with any BPS rod, but may buy one of their Crankin' Sticks.
I have a Bass Pro Shops JM Carbonlite rod. I think it's a really good one. It's very sensitive and is very light. The construction seems solid too. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if I needed a new rod for anything.
On 11/3/2013 at 8:13 AM, new2BC4bass said:Are you referring to Cabela's brand rods, or rods sold at Cabela's? A few models you are looking at might help get a more useful answer about a particular rod (or model line) you are looking at. Specifying spinning or casting would help as well.
Cabelas brand rod
I have rods from the Prodigy and MagTouch lines. I wholeheartedly recommend the MagTouch. The Prodigy....not so much. Poor build quality and a much slower action than advertised were my issues with the Prodigy.
Never had any Cabela's rods, but Bass Pro rods served me well. I had Extreme's, Bionic Blade's, and Cranking stick's. I miss the cranking stick, it was one of the best crankbait rods I ever had, and I have had quite few that cost a lot more than the $79 BPS charges for them.
I just checked my 4 Prodigy rods. I don't see the poor build quality VolFan speaks of. Blanks are straight. Eyes are mounted straight...none bent...maybe a bit extra glue on a few. Admittedly all my rods before I got back into fishing in '09 were mostly cheapies so I am definitely not even close to being an expert on quality rod construction.
I own a couple Cabela's XML, they are fine rods for the money. I've heard very good things about BPS Crankin Rods, again good value. The rest of my rods are G. Loomis'. The G. Loomis's are of course better rods, but again the Cabelas & BPS are still good values. IMO
On 11/3/2013 at 9:00 AM, jignfule said:I own a couple Cabela's XML, they are fine rods for the money. I've heard very good things about BPS Crankin Rods, again good value. The rest of my rods are G. Loomis'. The G. Loomis's are of course better rods, but again the Cabelas & BPS are still good values. IMO
I have a g loomis and its incredible but I do not wanna have to pay a few hundred for the rod and another hundred or two for a reel
On 11/3/2013 at 9:00 AM, jignfule said:I own a couple Cabela's XML, they are fine rods for the money.
Especially when you buy them at almost 50% off.
I know several people who use several different lines of Cabelas rods, and none of them have the problems I had with my Prodigy. I didn't want that to sound like an indictment; I really like most of their rods.
Agree with previous posts about the Cabelas XML. Ive got 6 different ones in different lenghts,never had a issue with any one of them.Every rod came with a warranty card of 25years of exchange if found defective. Caught alot of big fish with them too.
My first baitcast combo was a round pro qualifier reel and bionic blade rod. I used it for 10 years before the rod broke.
Good value for the price.
Have a BPS Carbonlite, can't go wrong with that rod. Worth double its price tag
I've had a BPS Tourney Special casting rod, one of the older ones, and it was excellent quality, built well, the whole 9 yards.
I currently use two Cabela's Tourney Trail casting rods, the current models they sell now. Mine are just now a year old and I find them to be of the same quality as my BPS rod was. One is a MH/MF rod that I use for crankbaits. Landed a few fish on it so far and performance was just as expected. The other rod is a H/F that I use for heavy spinnerbaits, jigs, and frogs. It's sensitivity isn't what I had hoped for but I haven't really given it a fair chance yet to impress me with jigs. Since I have other, better rods for that, I usually keep a spinnerbait on this rod, and hardly cast it, LOL.
I have 10 Cabelas XML rods. I have nothing but good things to say about these rods. I would also recommend getting some of the balancing weights that screw right into the bottom of the rod to balance it as you like. I love that feature.
I've only had BPS house brand rods. Excellent value for the price. I've only heard good about Cabelas rods.
I own several Cabelas rods which includes the XML and XMLTi models in both spinning and casting rods. I have never had a problem with any model be it the one piece or two piece designs and the customer service with Cabelas is great. I have an XMLTi 6'9" model that has hit the water with me each time I'm out since I purchased the rod and it has been perfect in every aspect.
I've had an XML spinning rod, when on sale the balance of price, weight, and sensitivity is just right.
I have the BPS Tourney Special in a pistol grip, and a Bionic Blade that I use for casting crankbaits. I've never had any issues with them.
The Carbonlite Rods at basspro are just sick. It's actually going to be my next rod purchase.
I've got 2 BPS Carbonlites and love them. My 6'9" MH with xfast tip is my favorite worm rod. They go on sale for $80 several times a year.
On 11/3/2013 at 9:06 AM, new2BC4bass said:Especially when you buy them at almost 50% off.
When do they go on sale?
On 11/7/2013 at 6:43 AM, dtruesdell24 said:When do they go on sale?
They were just on sale like a month ago, but most sold out online.
Cant wait for that BPS in atlantic city in 2015.
I have a BPS Johnny Morris Carbonlight mated to a BPS JM baitcaster and find it a great combo. The rod feels very light and sensitive. A great value for not a ton of $$$.
Good luck with your choice.
On 11/8/2013 at 8:05 AM, DogBone_384 said:I have a BPS Johnny Morris Carbonlight mated to a BPS JM baitcaster and find it a great combo. The rod feels very light and sensitive. A great value for not a ton of $$$.
Good luck with your choice.
How about the BPS Pro Qualifier reel?
On 11/8/2013 at 10:06 AM, dtruesdell24 said:How about the BPS Pro Qualifier reel?
BPS Pro Qualifier BC Reel - 5 Year Challenge
Pro Qualifer probably the best $99 reel out there. I have two of them: they're not quite as smooth as higher priced B/C, but mine cast great and are pretty bullet proof - IMO.
Others on this forum will likely agree.