How are Bass Pro Shop and Daiwa reels? Setup suggestions

[CrappiePapi]

I am getting a new 12' BoneHead crappie rod next week and I'm looking at the Bass Pro Shop Micro Lite Elite to pair it with. I don't have any experience with Bass Pro Shop reels. Anyone have any experience?

Alternatively, I have an 8' ProAngler rod with an Abu Garcia Cardinal STX. And I'm entertaining throwing the Abu on the 12' BoneHead and getting a Daiwa Regal LT to put on the 8' ProAngler. Would this be a better option?

I do mostly crappie, white bass, other panfish, and occasionally largemouth fishing. 90%-95% bank fishing on rivers, small ponds, and sometimes lakes.

[CrappiePappy]

Papi .... I would suggest putting whatever reel will balance those two rods. And by "balance" I mean putting the rod/reel on an outstretched finger, at the very front end of their handle. If it slowly tips towards the tip or butt, that's okay ... but if they drop towards the tip end of the rod, that's gonna be a cumbersome outfit to fish with and will strain your wrist/forearm with any length of time usage. If it drops towards the butt end of the rod, the reel is too heavy, but will only feel heavier in hand & not really strain your wrist/forearm as much as a tip heavy outfit. This is, of course, if you're using these outfits to cast with (not in a rod holder or bank stake).

As far as BPS reels ... the lower end reels are probably made by Doyo (Korea), while the upper end reels are from Diawa or Shimano (from what I can find on the internet)

[CrappiePapi]

Thank you. This is great advice

[SuperDave336]

I have an older qualifier reel I think is what BPS called it. It’s been an ok reel but I love my Daiwa Regal reels. Switched to those mainly.

[Ketchn]

silly me is going to ask a question that is not intended to hurt your feelings , but why a 12 footer from the bank ?
8 is my max bank rod and I only use it when I need to really reach out there on casts , 7 is my typical bank rod and 6 and under on docks .
my 10 once a year or 2 in the spring "if" I want to reach out and dunk in brush , but that is such a hassle to get a fish out of said stuff with a rod that long that it almost never happens ....
one thing for certain that's lots of rod , never held one , no clue what reel fits it well ....
and then this ....
get one , thank me later , likely better than the name brands you mentioned ....just fyi

[BuckeyeCrappie]

I echo pappy’s sentiments. Balance is everything for me anymore with worn out wrists.

[chaunc]

I like an eight footer and a 20 model president for bank fishing any time of year.