Quasi Bfs

[deep]

Researching about putting together a sort-of-BFS setup just because I have a little extra $$ burning a hole.

 

Requirements:

 

Under $400, but I'm looking to buy used. (Is it possible?)

 

3/16 to 3/8 oz baits. There's a little catch though. I like my rods to be slightly overloaded while casting and fishing. So what most folks will fish on a heavy rod will be fished by me on a MH, and so on.

 

7'3" or longer rod. I just like longer rods.

 

Preferably a Shimano reel, but a Daiwa will do too.

 

 

Thanks,

[new2BC4bass]

I'm throwing #5 Shad Raps (3/16 oz.) with several combos.  You can definitely do it for less than $400.  Heck, you can do it for less than $200.  Two of the combos are using old gold colored Carbonlite reels.  One on a ML Crankin' Stick.  The 2 reels cost $65 each.  I believe that rod was $40 used.  The other rod with a Carbonlite was $115 with shipping....so still less than $200 although the rod is no longer in production.  Unfortunately neither rod is over 7 foot.

 

Look for one of the older Prolite reels.  Should run about what I paid for my Carbonlites.  The Carbonlites are surprisingly good reels.  Cast as far as my tuned and upgraded TD-Z 105H...in my hands anyway.  A better caster could no doubt do better with the TD-Z.  However, a used TD-Z 105H with the appropriate rod should be doable within the $400 cap.

 

I feel certain you can easily make your budget and have a pretty nice combo.  Someone else will have to suggest a rod, tho.

 

The Alphas SV 105 can be had for just under $200.  it should make another great option for a reel.  I have some Curado 51Es and Alphas reels, but haven't gone below 3/16 oz. spinnerbaits with them.  However, I feel quite sure they would also be capable of casting a true 3/16 oz. lure.  Folks post how well some of the Lews and Concept reels cast light lures.  Probably a lot more options than I am aware of out there.  Nice thing about the Internet is so many people using different gear for the same techniques we fish,

[John G]

IMHO, anything much over 3/16oz is out of BFS territory. Just to give you an idea of what my BFS fishing consists of, the majority of my BFS hardbaits are around 3/16oz and under. Lately, I have been having a lot of fun throwing Strike King Bitsy Minnows - 2.4 grams, and the lightest plastic that I have thrown is an unweighted Zoom Finesse Worm. My jigs are the 5/32oz Keitech Finesse Jigs with Keitech Little Spiders as trailers. Lately, I have only been using hardbaits and I have been using 6# Floroclear.

[bootytrain]

Chronarch 50 and Abu volatile 6'9 ML. Chronarch 50 can do 3/16ths easily. I can sling LC pointer 65s really far. If you want a nicer rod maybe the Zodias 6'10 ML.

[John G]

Chronarch 50 and Abu volatile 6'9 ML. Chronarch 50 can do 3/16ths easily. I can sling LC pointer 65s really far. If you want a nicer rod maybe the Zodias 6'10 ML.

Easily with a factory spool? 

[bootytrain]

Easily with a factory spool?

Yep, I was using 4-6lb mono. Now whether the lure is really 3/16ths I don't know, but that's what lucky craft rates it at. oh and the metanium handled it with ease and cast it just as far it seems.

[John G]

Yep, I was using 4-6lb mono. Now whether the lure is really 3/16ths I don't know, but that's what lucky craft rates it at. oh and the metanium handled it with ease and cast it just as far it seems.

I have actually planned on trying my own testing with 50 size Shimano's using factory spools and shallow spools just to see if I am wasting my money on shallow spools. I know that you know that some lures just flat out cast better than others. For example, the Rapala Floater that is listed as 3/16 seems to just float in the air vs an 1/8oz Rebel Wee R casts great as does the Bitsy Minnow.

[bootytrain]

I have actually planned on trying my own testing with 50 size Shimano's using factory spools and shallow spools just to see if I am wasting my money on shallow spools. I know that you know that some lures just flat out cast better than others. For example, the Rapala Floater that is listed as 3/16 seems to just float in the air vs an 1/8oz Rebel Wee R casts great as does the Bitsy Minnow.

true, lc pointers cast really well. Shimano 50 are really underrated in their light lure abilities. See if filing your spool halfway makes a difference since the stock spool and Yumeya spool weigh virtually the same.

[masterbass]

I'd look at the phenix m1 7'4"ML and pair it with a shimano brenious.  I think a 50e could probably do 3/16 on this rod.  I've heard the chronarch 50mg was a capable reel too. 

[new2BC4bass]

IMHO, anything much over 3/16oz is out of BFS territory. Just to give you an idea of what my BFS fishing consists of, the majority of my BFS hardbaits are around 3/16oz and under. Lately, I have been having a lot of fun throwing Strike King Bitsy Minnows - 2.4 grams, and the lightest plastic that I have thrown is an unweighted Zoom Finesse Worm. My jigs are the 5/32oz Keitech Finesse Jigs with Keitech Little Spiders as trailers. Lately, I have only been using hardbaits and I have been using 6# Floroclear. I

 

 

Yeah, 3/16 oz. is doable with quite a few reels.  Dropping down to 1/8 oz. is another ballgame.  At least it is for me.

 

Remember guys that the OP wants a rod longer than 7' 3" so those 6' 9" and 6' 10" rods aren't going to make the cut. 

[OkobojiEagle]

 See if foiling your spool halfway makes a difference

 

Explain what you're doing when you write "foiling your spool".

 

 

oe

[bootytrain]

Explain what you're doing when you write "foiling your spool".

 

 

oe

Was a spellcheck typo lol.. it was supposed to say filling.

[Jrob78]

You might consider a custom if you're pretty well set on a long rod.  I'm sure you could build a bare bones custom on a spin jig blank that would fit your needs.  As a person who also likes longer rods, I haven't found much in the BFS world over about 6'9" or so.  You could probably get a 50e and stay in your budget.  Upgrade the spool later if you need to.

[The Budget Fisherman]

Phenix maxim 7'3 med/light 1/8 to 1/2 might work for you.

[Big Bait Fishing]

go with a custom rod !! check out the Phenix Ultra UMBX-S706M-B 7'6'' medium / fast action 1/8 - 1/2 oz lure rating

 

                                      

                   

[War Eagle 44]

I have actually planned on trying my own testing with 50 size Shimano's using factory spools and shallow spools just to see if I am wasting my money on shallow spools. I know that you know that some lures just flat out cast better than others. For example, the Rapala Floater that is listed as 3/16 seems to just float in the air vs an 1/8oz Rebel Wee R casts great as does the Bitsy Minnow.

Having just recently gotten into finesse spools and "bfs" style fishing I can confidently tell you that the Yumeya MG spool for the 50 size Shimano reels definitely makes quite a bit of difference over the factory spool.

I'm not the world's best caster but I was using my stock 50E spool with 20# braid (no backing) with zero brakes on quite successfully. I was fairly impressed with the reels abilities stock, all I've done is to properly clean and oil a set of Shimano spool bearings and thoroughly polish the inside of the pinion gear.

Changing nothing but the spool the reels abilities and ease of use went up greatly. I'm in love with the 2 shallow spools I have, both of them being Yumeya. The second spool is for a Chronarch B and it too made an amazing difference.