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Description
Reviews
Q&A
Looking for a super-smooth, pro-style baitcaster that won't cost you an arm and a leg? Here's your "formula" for success: mount our surprisingly affordable Bass Pro Shops® Formula Baitcast Reel on your favorite rod, go forth, and tear 'em up! It works, because all the features you expect in a performance baitcaster are here (except the price). Full graphite frame and side-covers, for dependable strength and durability. Lightweight, double-anodized aluminum spool for easy casting and retrieving. Quality 10-bearing system that includes Powerlock™ instant anti-reverse, ensuring smooth hitch-free retrieves. Our exclusive Dual Braking System with external magnetic and internal 4-pin centrifugal cast control—a high-end feature that enables exceptional casting distance and accuracy. Smooth, consistent drag operation, to the tune of a full 12 lbs. of drag power. With all of that, plus its Recurve handle, Recurve star drag, and comfortable EVA handle knobs, our Formula baitcaster is a true force to be reckoned with out there!
A pro-style baitcaster at a modest price
Durable graphite frame and side-covers
Lightweight, double-anodized aluminum spool
Quality 10-bearing system
Powerlock™ instant anti-reverse
Exclusive Dual Braking System
External magnetic, internal 4-pin centrifugal cast control
Rated 1 out of
5 by
RT Also from
VERY DISAPOINTEDPerformance of this reel is awful. I have 11 Baitcasters and these two are my worst. You have to dial the spool to max (inside) to keep from backlash and thats only if your throwing a cinderblock. The whole reel slowdown mechanism is flawed. I bought two and hate them. Wish I had bought Pro Qualifiers.
Date published: 2018-10-28
Rated 2 out of
5 by
Not a fan from
Not sold.I was told this was an "top-of-line" reel in the price range that I was looking for. I have other more expensive baitcasters, and was looking for a more economical reel to complete a specific setup.
I will start with the price. I had purchased a while back another economy reel in the Abu Garcia Silver Max geared in 6:4:1. It was about $10 cheaper overall than this BPS Formula, but it outperforms it in every way. The Formula is geared in 6:8:1, but the Silver Max feels like a much quicker retrieve. The Silver Max is almost silent during the retrieve, while the Formula is quite loud. While used on the same 6' medium action rod, the Silver Max also outcasts the Formula pretty much every time.
The BPS Formula reel feels clunky in your hand. The magnetic braking system is ok, but the dial drag adjustment is off. It does not operate near as efficiently as some of the other cheaper reels that I have had.
Now I know that you typically get what you pay for. I wasn't expecting this economy reel to outperform my top end Lews, Abu Garcia, or Daiwa reels. Not at all. But I really didn't expect it to be this bad.
I gave it two stars because it does get a little better the more I use it, but I still wouldn't recommend it to a friend. Save $10 and get the Silver Max, or spend a few bucks more on a better quality reel.
Date published: 2018-10-10
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anthony J79 from
Definitely getting one or two more of theseBought this reel in left hand retrieve during the spring sale, expecting it to be a backup to my Citica, but this is my go to reel now. Handles great, throws the 3/8oz swimjig a mile, no issues battling large fish. The brakes are easy to adjust. Only slight issue I had was with the side plate pin when I first adjusted the reel. The plate didn't want to lock back into place when I finished my centrifugal adjustments. Had to kind of force it back into place at first. Hopefully they fixed that issue. But it throws lighter lures as well as heavier lures a country mile with no backlash.
Date published: 2018-09-20
Rated 4 out of
5 by
SgtThunder45 from
Great ReelHad it for a few months now and I love how easy it was to set up. No issues for me so far. I will be buying a few more of these in various gear ratio's because they are just so very easy to work with!
Date published: 2018-08-21
Rated 2 out of
5 by
Bassfishing the everglade from
Loose screwsI bought this reel about 14 months ago. It works pretty well if you consider the price point. I was using it this weekend when I noticed the screws that hold the handle fell off into the water, the problem is that the warranty just ran out.
Date published: 2018-07-20
Rated 3 out of
5 by
Funfish6501 from
Brake issueWorking well so far with one exception. I palm my reel and the brake adjustment on the left side moves so easily that it will move down just from working my reel. If I don't stop to look every cast or two I will end up with a big birds nest. Gets frustrating at times. Don't know if there is a way I can manually fix it myself or just have to tape it into place
Date published: 2018-06-30
Rated 2 out of
5 by
zachn1991 from
get what you pay forbought while it was on sale. first one the cast control knob would not work. drove over an hour one way to exchange it and get home get line on it and the second was exactly the same! reel is very smooth and is castable but backlashes way too much with absolutely no tension on the cast control knob!
Also about 3 weeks ago i wrote a review on this reel and it seems as if bass pro shops filters out the bad ones. I submitted it, and received an email verifying it and then it never showed. call customer serviced and they swore they do not filter reviews...guess we will see if this one makes it to the website!
Date published: 2018-06-23
Rated 5 out of
5 by
javelin363 from
good reelsuper smooth reel, really good reel, well worth the price good !!!
Is this reel braid ready? Will I have to put a floro/mono backing on it so that braid doesn't cut into the spool?
Asked by: BassBoi88
Braided fishing line can be used on this reel.
Braid Capacity: 30lb/190yds
Answered by: BPSResource5
Date published: 2018-10-31
What does the tension knob behind the crank handle do? And when should I do it?
Asked by: Charttn
If I cast with my right hand and reel with my left, which, is that considered right or left retreive
Asked by: Jim41
Thank you for choosing Bass Pro Shops. The retrieve is the hand that you crank the reel with.
Answered by: BPSProductSpecialist8
Date published: 2018-06-14
I just purchased this reel & i am trying too dial it in.how do you get the palm plate off too get to the pins?I pushed the button on the plate but it would not move? thanx
Asked by: sisco kid
what rod to pair this with
Asked by: Ivy D
Thank you for your question!
Rod choice is largely a matter of personal preference, combined with your application for this particular reel. However, we do offer pre-made combos using this reel, paired with the Pro Qualifier series rod, as well as rods from other well-known product lines like Abu Garcia, Quantum, Lew's, and Daiwa. You may want to look at the pre-existing combos to get an idea of which rods pair with the variant of the reel you're most interested in, but this reel will be compatible with any casting rod.
I hope this information helps!
Answered by: BPSAnswers9
Date published: 2018-03-22
Is this reel offered in a left retrieve for the 6:6:1 gear ratio?
Asked by: Dre246
Ues. Just bought this at BPS and they had both left and right available
Answered by: Kyfish
Date published: 2018-03-16
What is retrieve ratio?
Asked by: Jimbarry
Thank you for the inquiry: This reel comes in a 6.6:1 or a 7.3:1 gear ratio with a line retrieve of 27-30" depending on the model selected.
Answered by: BPSResource15
Date published: 2018-04-29
How much does this reel weigh ?
Asked by: Eddie Upchurch
Thank you for choosing Bass Pro Shops. These reels weigh 7 ounces.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - 
