Johnny Morris Signature Series Baitcast Reel 2025

joshmb1999 reply :

This reel is on sale at the Concord, NC store for $79!!! I want to get one but just wanted to check with everyone here before I do...What does everyone think of this reel? Is this as good of a deal as I think it is?

Pencil Pusher reply :

The JM Signature reel that is "on sale" for $79 is not the JM Signature reel that is in any BPS catalog from 2005 to 2008. My opinion after going to BPS and looking at them is that BPS had these reels made to sell for $79 with the JM Signature logo so that an unknowing buyer would think that they are getting a $169 reel for $79. In fact, the left side plate is exactly the same as the Pfluegar Trion plate (not knocking the Trion but it is a $99 reel).

roadwarrior reply :

Well, last month this same marketing ploy was reported on some of the BPS rod sales. If this post on a reel switch-a-roo is true, that is just terrible on the part of BPS. Does anyone have more "proof" that this is happening?

(I'm not challenging Pencil Pushers' post, just asking if anyone else knows something more about this).

Chad. reply :

Its not the anodized one with the dial braking system, but give it a try as when i felt the demo it was fairly smooth.

NBR reply :

I'm with you Roadwarrier. I can't believe that any major retailer would risk their reputation with such a tactic. One thing over the years I have learned don't believe most of what you read on the web.

If I was interested in that reel I would compare the features with the features of the same model in the catalog and make a decision.

It might be an older model on close out but BPS sure has an obligation to make that known.

Micro reply :

They do this all the time. Last time if came up it was about Pro Qualifier rods.

The current (2007 rather) Pro Qualifier rod was a 70 million modulus rod with alconite guides. It's a very nice rod that retailed for $119. (Placed on sale for $59).

Then a Pro Qualifier combo was advertised. I had the chance to look at the combo in the store and it was certainly NOT the Pro Qualifier that went for $119. The rod was an IM-6 rod with aluminum oxude guides, and a reel I didn't recognize.

I liked BPS rods, but you gotta be careful ordering deeply discounted rods/reels or special combos from BPS. Often times you won't get what you think you are getting.

Pencil Pusher reply :

I live ten minutes from a BPS store, so I check these sales out all the time when I get a flyer in the mail. I was going to jump on this deal. When I got to the store, I compared the on sale JM Signature reel to the "regular" JM Signature reel that was on display: not the same. I looked at the Pfluegars and that is where that comparison comes from. I thought it was probably a prior year's model, so when I got home, I pulled the BPS catalogs for 2005, 2006 and 2007 and looked at the JM Signature reels: none of them were the same as the reels on sale. That's how I drew my conclusion (along with the fact that BPS has a history of doing this). I'm not saying that this reel is no good or that it isn't worth the money, just that it isn't what most people will think it is.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
I live tem minutes from a BPS store, so I check these sales out all the time when I get a flyer in the mail. I was goning to jump on this deal. When I got to the store, I compared the on sale JM Signature reel to the "regular" JM Signature reel that was on display: not the same. I looked at the Pfluegars and that is where that comparison comes from. I thought it was probably a prior year's model, so when I got home, I pulled the BPS catalogs for 2005, 2006 and 2007 and looked at the JM Signature reels: none of them were the same as the reels on sale.

That's just pitiful. >

joshmb1999 reply :

Wow!!! I am glad I asked about this before I just went and bought one. That is a shame that BPS would do this. It sure seems to me to be an intentional attempt to trick people into buying these reels under the guise that they are getting "the" johnny morris signature baitcaster. Thanks for the heads up guys. I guess the old saying is true...if something seems too good to be true - it probably is.

dodgeguy reply :

that reel is a leftover from a few years back.no where does it say it's the current model.that was the previous design of that reel before this one came out but it is a signature series reel.

Micro reply :

Anything is a Signature Series if they label it that way.

.ghoti. reply :

They did this last year at their big spring wing-ding in Springfield. I picked one up and called a buddy of mine back home and asked if he wanted another one. I picked up one for him too.

Then a guy, whom I'd never seen before, stopped me and suggested that I open up the box before I buy it. It was absolutely NOT the JM Sig series reel that I know and love. Don't know what it was, but it was not what I expected. It pizzed me off enough that I left a cart full of stuff sitting in the aisle, and departed without buying anything.

I don't know who that guy was, but thank you buddy, whomever you are.

Cheers,

KYbass1276 reply :

A little off the topic but with the behavior of some of BPS employees I have seen I wouldn't be surprised that they would pull a stunt like that.

FishTank reply :

I went to their spring sale last year with the same expectation of buying the JM reel that was in the ad. Once I looked at, I asked old timer there what the deal was and I was told it was a reel made just for the sale not an older model. He then took the reel apart to show me the details of it and I noticed that it was loaded with grease and oil. The box was similar in looks and color as the current model.

Don't get me wrong but this form of sales just bothers me. How would any of us feel if we got an ad that said Shimano Curado (or whatever reel) on sale $125 and went to the store to find it to be a different reel? Not a good way to do business. I would hope that BPS would make a consumer look at it and compare the product to the current model before they buy so they can make an informed decision.

Bankbeater reply :

BPS is a retail store and they are in business to make money. For the most part I think that the people they employ are very honest and helpful, but just like in all companies there will always be that so and so that will try to get more $$$ by cheating the consumer.

Pencil Pusher reply :

I looked at the Bass Pro website yesterday and they ae no longer calling this reel a Johnny Morris SIGNATURE reel, it's just the Johnny Morris reel. So, now they show the JM Elite, the JM Signature and the JM reel. BTW, the real JM Signature is on sale for like $134.99 (could be $139, not sure).

roadwarrior reply :

I don't get it. With all this "smoke and mirrors" stuff be tossed around, why not buy something else? Man, there are a lot of alternatives at that pricing point.

dodgeguy reply :

you guys are getting your panties all bound up over nothing.over the years different versions of jm reels have been made and probably will continue to be made.the reels you are talking about look like new versions of older reels from previous years.either way they look nothing like the top of the line jm reels now produced.how we could confuse them is beyond me.

guest reply :

THIS IS WHY I STOPPED BUYING FROM BPS HERE IS 2007 TRAK RECORD

They listed a BPS Proqualifier reel and rod on sale: It was a blue colored reel never in thier line up and the rod was special made, that acccording to thier sales force at HARRISBURG PA store.(The Flyer was not clear, and an inexperienced buyer would think thwey were getting the everday Pro Qualifier package)

They Put out a sale for an exterme combo: The reel was an older and good reel THE ROD WAS NOT THE USUAL EXTREME ROD, again it was advertised as if it was their current combo

I went to the Harrisburg store to check out the Extreme Reel sale, three for three the reels IN NEW BOXES were used and repaired reel

BPS IS MISLEADING and practices BAIT AND SWITCH. Just go during a sale with these lesser rods/reels and all the sales force are pushing customers to other products :-/

BAD NEWS FROM A STORE I USED TO LOVE BUYING FROM

the have made me a full time CABELA"S customer now

guest reply :

Quote
you guys are getting your panties all bound up over nothing.over the years different versions of jm reels have been made and probably will continue to be made.the reels you are talking about look like new versions of older reels from previous years.either way they look nothing like the top of the line jm reels now produced.how we could confuse them is beyond me.

I agree that many of us would know the difference but the way they advertise it many wouldn't! That's the point , a lot of thier older stuff discounted is still a great buy, but misleading advertising is deceptive at best." YOU DON"T NEED A WEATHERMAN TO KNOW WHAT WAY THE WIND IS BLOWIN"

joshmb1999 reply :

Quote
you guys are getting your panties all bound up over nothing.over the years different versions of jm reels have been made and probably will continue to be made.the reels you are talking about look like new versions of older reels from previous years.either way they look nothing like the top of the line jm reels now produced.how we could confuse them is beyond me.

Dodgeguy,

I couldn't disagree more. I started this thread because I was about to buy one of those reels thinking that they were the new version of the johnny morris signature series. Now some people may be able to tell the difference right away but i'm just getting into baitcasting and I had absolutely no idea. It IS deceptive - maybe not for you but to those of us who haven't been in this game as long. Here I was thinking that I had found the deal of the century - good thing I didn't buy it right away because I sure would have been upset after the fact.

dodgeguy reply :

a reel at $79 that is item # 38-350-760-00 is no way going to be the same reel as a reel for $179 item # 38-350-508-00 .it is a johnny morris signature series reel but it is a totally different model.no different from jeep having a grand cherrokee with a 6.1 hemi for $40000 or a grand cherokee for $30000 with a 3.7 v6.

guest reply :

It is not as simple and clear cut as that go back and see other threads and you will see that they have a well deserved reputation for misleading and deceptive ads. Many members have been duped and have had to bring stuff back, An interesting point here is that in at least 3 cases posted here through out 2007 when the customer went to the store the BPS salesmen gave them the implied rod or reel in the ad and in the Exreme sale case it was an outright other rod and reel but the picture of the rod and reel in the flyer was the current one>

cart7t reply :

Hmmmm...

A few years ago BPS was having a free rod n reel giveaway with every Nitro boat that was purchased. The rods were IM6 6'6" special made for the promotion rods which never appeared in the stores or catalog. The reels were Pro Qualifiers which I sold a number of here. The guy at Tracker Marine sales, who I was buying the rods and reels from, said they were left overs from the promo.

Has anyone here bought a Nitro the past couple years that had a rod n reel giveaway? Is it possible these were the reels that were part of that combo?

Just a thought.

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Dodgeguy must have stock in Bass Pro. He defends this store and their house brands as if they were his own. Would you feel different if it was Cabelas pulling a little bit of a bait-and-switch with their Prodigy reels?

I purchased an "Extreme" combo from Bass Pro a while ago and when I received it, the rod was a "XPS Extreme Performance" rod and not an "Extreme" rod. If they were not trying to fool people, then why didn't they call the rod "XPS Performance" instead of "XPS Extreme Performance" and advertise it as an Extreme combo knowing full well they have a line of popular rods labeled "Extreme." I like Bass Pro, but I can see everyone's point about them being deceptive.

Picture it, a 14 year old boy is saving for his dream set-up, a Bass Pro Extreme Rod and Extreme Reel (obviously, this boy hasn't been exposed to G Loomis, Shimano, Daiwa, Dobyns, Kistler, etc. yet). The boys grandmother decided to do something very nice for this boy for Christmas, since he had just lost his parents (they didn't die, but they left their son, because his dream set-up was a BPS Extreme Rod and Reel). This Grandmother found one the boys Bass Pro Catalogs laying around and saw the "Extreme" combo on sale. The Grandmother orders this combo and on Christmas day, the boy opens up his gift. The boy sees that the Grandmother had bought him an "XPS Extreme Performance" rod and not the "Extreme" rod he had dreamt of. He expressed his disappointment and the Grandmother ended up selling the boy on eBay along with the "Extreme" combo.

Micro reply :

Lucky, I've seen it happen that way a hundred times. :'(

Tpayneful reply :

I ordered a Johnny Morris Signature baitcast reel with my BPS gift cards that I got for Christmas. I bought it for $134.99 and had been watching it for months to see if it dropped any further. I noticed that they came out with another Johnny Morris reel that isn't the "Signature" reel or Elite reel. The introduction of another Johnny Morris reel that is entry level doesn't fit the product category. It was a bad decision and causes confusion. It didn't affect my purchase but I did notice it.

TexasTom reply :

I bought this reel today. Havent gotten to fish it yet, so I dont have much to say on it. I can however respond to the comment about BPS workers not acting correctly. I was helped by a very nice man, who was very explanatory, kind, and polite. I have never owned a baitcasting reel before, and he explained to me how to set and work the brakes. The reel runs very smoothly, from what I can tell, and I'm sure it will live up to its $80 potential. BPS was running a special, and they threw in a pole for free. Overall I think it was a good buy, but I will agree that it's not the same reel as the $180 reels.

BassChaser57 reply :

I have had to learn the hard way that Store Brands are not going to be the quality for the long haul. I bought 2 Cabelas Prodigy Baitcasters and they did not last, I bought a JM Signature Series with 10 bearings. After the purchase I was told it would soon develop thumb bar problems--it did. Since those mistakes I stick to Shimano Calais for my baitcasters and have had nothing but a good experience and reliable reels. With store brands you never know what you will get, with a regular brand regardless of price you know what you are getting.

guest reply :

I am fortutante enough , thanks to our flea market and a friend close by to now have all four of my Baitcasting rigs Hooked up with my favorite Baitcaster; PFLUEGER TRIONS. Before I could have afforded this my staples were;

Cabelas Prodigy's

Cabelas TX

BPS Pro Qualifiers

BPS Extremes

all were enjoyable reels, that took a beating and are now still being used by other memebers on this forum

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Johnny Morris Signature Series Baitcast Reel 2025

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