Bfs Experts

[deep]

I'm considering, but at this stage only considering, getting a reel that would (comfortably) cast true 1/8 oz lures.

 

I'm aware that I'd need the right rod, which'll probably have to be a custom, but that's another story.

 

So what reel do I need, and what's a good price to pay for it (I'll buy used)? Trying to keep it (the reel) under $300; lower the better, of course.

 

Thanks guys.

[IAY]

I was using IMX CR722 for a long time casting 1/8 oz things (measured) with a KTF spool/HedgeHog Air Bearings Metanium 13. It went down to 1/16 oz okay, but you kind of have to whip it out so it wasn't particularly accurate. My advice to you would be that you should try to find a Core50 or Aldebaran 50 for 200 or less, and spend good money on the spool for 100 or so.

[Jrob78]

If you're simply trying to go the cheapest route, you could probably buy a spool for one of your existing Shimano reels.  If you want to buy a new reel, I would look at the Aldebaran BFS XG Limited or a Daiwa SS Air, both for right around $300 NIB, after shipping.

[PitchinJigz]

I was using IMX CR722 for a long time casting 1/8 oz things (measured) with a KTF spool/HedgeHog Air Bearings Metanium 13. It went down to 1/16 oz okay, but you kind of have to whip it out so it wasn't particularly accurate. My advice to you would be that you should try to find a Core50 or Aldebaran 50 for 200 or less, and spend good money on the spool for 100 or so.

Finding either of those reels for less than $200 would be pretty tough. Another option is buying a Scorpion Xt 1000 and dropping in Hedgehog Air BFS bearings and an Avail Honeycomb or KTF spool.

 

Edit: As Jrob suggested, the Aldebaran bfs xg limited is around $300 and will require no work to cast 1/8oz lures.

[John G]

I would buy the BFS XG Limited or if you already have a 50 size Shimano, as has already been stated, get a shallow spool for it.

[new2BC4bass]

Well, Mr. Deep, definitely not a BFS expert here.  Have never tried any of the reels mentioned.  You can get a used PX Type R within your budget.  Only got out once with mine and was casting a 1/8 oz. spinnerbait....which we all know weighs more than 1/8 oz.  Not nearly as aerodynamic as something like a jig or Roostertail.  I fully expect it to handle a true 1/8 oz. given how far it would cast the spinnerbait.  Straight out of the box.

 

I freely admit I am not the caster so many of you on here are.  Especially with lighter weights.  I have thrown 3/16 oz. Shad Raps with 3 of my other reels....2 older gold Carbonlites and a TD-Z 105H.  I feel confident that someone like yourself could do 1/8 oz. with any of them.  The 105H is on an older 7' ML HMG.  I bought them as a combo and the seller said it would cast 1/16 oz.

 

The 7' ML Crankin' Stick is currently on sale for $70.  I have a feeling this rod is not one you would be interested in.  The other rod I was using has been out of production for a few years.  A Falcon Expert 6' 9" Light.  I also have the Tatula 6' 10" M-XF rated from 3/32 and a Fenwick Smallmouh 6' 10" MF rated from 1/8 oz.  I have yet to try 1/8 oz on either rod.

 

I imagine a Dobyns or GLoomis or Japanese rod would be more to your liking.  Can't help there.  Bet some of the guys on TT could give you some good suggestions.  Course it probably would be for $500-$1000 rods and reels. 

 

 

[DogBone_384]

I have a Pixy 68R, 6' 10" *** ML, and 7' Tatula ML.  I've thrown only small Rapalas & weightless 5" worms with it.  Both toss them well, but the *** goes farther and feels a little better with it.   I bought the Pixy on eB**, new, for S H O R T cash....   There's my 2 cents.  Best of luck with your choice.

[new2BC4bass]

I have a Pixy 68R, 6' 10" *** ML, and 7' Tatula ML.  I've thrown only small Rapalas & weightless 5" worms with it.  Both toss them well, but the *** goes farther and feels a little better with it.   I bought the Pixy on eB**, new, for S H O R T cash....   There's my 2 cents.  Best of luck with your choice.

 

What is the lure range for the 6' 10"?  Only could find one reference to this rod, and specs were not given.  As far as I am concerned, the Tat ML with its 1/4-5/8 oz rating is more Medium than ML.  My Med Smoke has the same rating.  My Falcon Mediums are rate 1/4-1/2 oz.  I don't consider a rod a true ML unless it can handle 1/8 oz. lures on its low end.

 

My ML Tat throws a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait with ease.  I'm quite certain it will do as well with a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait.  A 1/2 oz. spinnerbait is not something I would consider as fair game for a ML bass rod.

[DogBone_384]

What is the lure range for the 6' 10"? Only could find one reference to this rod, and specs were not given. As far as I am concerned, the Tat ML with its 1/4-5/8 oz rating is more Medium than ML. My Med Smoke has the same rating. My Falcon Mediums are rate 1/4-1/2 oz. I don't consider a rod a true ML unless it can handle 1/8 oz. lures on its low end.

My ML Tat throws a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait with ease. I'm quite certain it will do as well with a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. A 1/2 oz. spinnerbait is not something I would consider as fair game for a ML bass rod.

 

My 6' 10" ML is a 14 - 1 fishing OBCA610ML, rated for 1/8 - 3/8 oz. I agree with your Tatula assessment, it's more M than ML, but still a piece of artwork for $150.

 

EDIT: Don't know quite what's happening.  My rods' manufacturer is being edited out. I've never had this happen when posting my opinion about fishing gear. 

[rippin-lips]

As already mentioned buying a finesse spool for an existing reel is the cheapest route. Some good bearings wouldn't here either. Assuming you don't already have them. My finesse reel is the one reel I noticed a real difference in performance. Where's the fun in that though,right? The bfs xg seems like a great choice and is in your budget.

[Hogsticker]

My Alphas SV casts 1/8 Oz just about as well as my Scorpion XT with Yumeya BFS spool. I've used both on a Major Craft Bfs rod as well as a custom Bfs rod. Mostly casting 1/16 Oz wacky head with 4.8 inch flick shake worm. I'll admit the Scorpion did it a slight hair better, but you're looking at a hundred dollar spool if you can even source one vs a 200 dollar reel that will perform out of the box. Drop in a set of air bearings and you should be set. That shallow SV spool is great for darn near anything.

[adam lancia]

I would go with either a Pixy Type R/PX68 (they use the same spool, they're just different colours from what I understand) or an Alphas 105 SV.

[desmobob]

You can pick up a JDM Daiwa Alphas SV105 for a little over $200.  As for rods, check out the Major Craft Volkey BFS series.  I have the light power version and it is a VERY impressive rod for the money!

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Tim Kelly]

If you can wait it looks like Daiwa have an Alphas air coming soon. That should be within your budget and ideal for BFS.

 

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=66786

[deep]

Help much appreciated fellas.

 

Seems like my options are either to buy a 50 size reels and upgrade it, or go with a true BFS reel. I'm not confident about the first route, plus I'm not sure how much cheaper that'll turn out.

 

The Aldebaran BFS XG looks good. I'll keep my eye out for one, and research the Daiwas too.

 

My 200 size Curados can handle true 1/4 oz baits just fine, and the last time I researched the Alphas 105, I think I found that the Alphas was a little more finessier, but not by much. Maybe I need to do some more reading.

 

 

 I feel confident that someone like yourself could do 1/8 oz. with any of them. 

 

The 7' ML Crankin' Stick is currently on sale for $70.  I have a feeling this rod is not one you would be interested in. 

 

I'm not sure if that was a subtle dig, but my casting skills are at best only slightly above average.

 

I do have a 7'6" M crankin stick I like a whole lot. It's kinda heavy (weight, not power), but that's all right considering I bought it for $50. Gets a lot of work with small jerkbaits, and lately, dropshots.

[DogBone_384]

I'll chime in here regarding the ML Crankin' stick. I bought one in '13 and retired it after only a few trips out with it. It felt too 'whippy' for my taste. It now lives in a rod shipping tube in my shed.

[new2BC4bass]

Help much appreciated fellas.

 

Seems like my options are either to buy a 50 size reels and upgrade it, or go with a true BFS reel. I'm not confident about the first route, plus I'm not sure how much cheaper that'll turn out.

 

The Aldebaran BFS XG looks good. I'll keep my eye out for one, and research the Daiwas too.

 

My 200 size Curados can handle true 1/4 oz baits just fine, and the last time I researched the Alphas 105, I think I found that the Alphas was a little more finessier, but not by much. Maybe I need to do some more reading.

 

 

 

I'm not sure if that was a subtle dig, but my casting skills are at best only slightly above average.

 

I do have a 7'6" M crankin stick I like a whole lot. It's kinda heavy (weight, not power), but that's all right considering I bought it for $50. Gets a lot of work with small jerkbaits, and lately, dropshots.

 

Not a subtle dig.  You don't have to be great with a baitcast reel to be better than me.     I've been using b/c reels almost exclusively since 2009, but I don't get out as often as many and I don't learn as quickly as I did 50-60 years ago.  I'd bet that 90% of the people here are better than I am with a b/c reel.  I like to think that I am starting to get decent with one, but don't delusion myself that I will ever be as good as many of the members here.  It is my experience that light lures separate the men from the boys. 

 

I assume anyone looking at a $300 finesse reel wouldn't be interested in a cheap rod for it.  I know I wouldn't be.  I can enjoy a low cost fishing rod as well as the next guy, but given my druthers, I'd druther have a nicer rod.    If I can't afford a higher priced rod, I'd druther be     with a cheap one.

[thehooligan]

Like everyone else has mentioned, use an existing reel and drop a finesse spool/bearings in. Or buy a dedicated bfs reel. Best I've used out of the box is the bfs xg limited and ss air. The abu lt/ltx/ltz are also great choices if you prefer abu Garcia.

Bfs can get addicting, I know it was a personal goal to see how proficient I could get casting extremely light rigs down to 2 grams.

[kickerfish1]

Like everyone else has mentioned, use an existing reel and drop a finesse spool/bearings in. Or buy a dedicated bfs reel. Best I've used out of the box is the bfs xg limited and ss air. The abu lt/ltx/ltz are also great choices if you prefer abu Garcia.

Bfs can get addicting, I know it was a personal goal to see how proficient I could get casting extremely light rigs down to 2 grams.

This man has used a lot of reels and spools for BFS, especially Shimano reels. He is a true finesse guy and has been using finesse rigs for many years. He would be a great resource for BFS info!

[68camaro]

Not to hijack thread, but what is benefit of bfs reel over spinning reel for very lightweight applicarions, like down to 1/16 oz.

Also, what exactly does "bfs" stand for, Bait finesse ???

Thanks

[IAY]

Not to hijack thread, but what is benefit of bfs reel over spinning reel for very lightweight applicarions, like down to 1/16 oz.

Also, what exactly does "bfs" stand for, Bait finesse ???

Thanks

 

You can use heavier fluorocarbon in the 8-10 pound range and still go down to 1/16 oz, so it makes pulling fish out of cover easier. Its a lot more fun to use than regular spinning in a lot of people's mind. Yes it stands for bait finesse.

[DirtyDeuceGoose]

Bait Finesse Special

[68camaro]

Thanks, I just didn't realize how badly I needed one I just bought a stradic ci4 spinner for Orochi finesse rod, haven't received yet, but may look onto bfs for future.

[John G]

Bait Finesse System is what BFS stands for.

[Senko lover]

My 6' 10" ML is a 14 - 1 fishing OBCA610ML, rated for 1/8 - 3/8 oz. I agree with your Tatula assessment, it's more M than ML, but still a piece of artwork for $150.

 

EDIT: Don't know quite what's happening.  My rods' manufacturer is being edited out. I've never had this happen when posting my opinion about fishing gear. 

 

Apparently there was a bad experience with their pro staff and we can't mention them anymore.