BFS fishing

[Laredo]

I want to get into bfs fishing. I’ve got my eye on the Shimano Aldebaran or Scorpion. What I’m not sure about is the rod length, power, and action. I really like the fast action of my spinning rods for finesse techniques and my bait caster for bottom baits. But also love the moderate action of my casting rod for cranks and jerk baits. I need something that will do tiny cranks and small jigs well. It will be my all around bfs set up.  Btw, I fish ponds and small lakes most of the time. I’m open to suggestions on bfs reels as well. Thanks in advance. 

[jimmyjoe]

   Try the search option at the top of the page.      jj

[JustJames]

You should head to tackle tour forum and look under Ultra light section. There are ton of enthusiasts about BFS over there. You will get a lot of comments for gear junkies who crazy about rods/reels more than fishing and some that uses the techniques or gears to their advantage.

You gonna need to provide more info like fish species, weight of lure prefer. 

[ubfishy]

Shimano Sensilite Casting Rod | FishUSA

[new2BC4bass]

6 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

You should head to tackle tour forum and look under Ultra light section. There are ton of enthusiasts about BFS over there. You will get a lot of comments for gear junkies who crazy about rods/reels more than fishing and some that uses the techniques or gears to their advantage.

You gonna need to provide more info like fish species, weight of lure prefer. 

 

Just bring your checkbook/credit card with you. 

[WRB]

Major Craft Iovino Splash-It rod fits the BSF requirements plus it’s a good all around finesse rod for 1/4 oz top water and small crank baits. 

Tom

[Michigander]

I never really understood the BFS lifestyle, what's the deal and why does it justify the gear expense over say.... A spinning rod? Genuinely curious.

[BrianMDTX]

1 minute ago, Michigander said:

I never really understood the BFS lifestyle, what's the deal and why does it justify the gear expense over say.... A spinning rod? Genuinely curious.

My guess is that some simply prefer fishing with baitcasters over spinning rigs. But that’s a big preference considering the cost difference! 

[Shimano_1]

Kinda like the big swimbait guys. Its a niche that some go all in on. I have caught some fish on big baits but I just can't get into it like a couple of my buddies. I think I'd enjoy the bfs thing but I spend too much money on fishing as it is lol. Like everything else it's all a personal preference deal. I much prefer using a baitcaster so I get the appeal

[Michigander]

I get the swim bait thing, it's much more comfortable (and lighter) to use a bait caster setup. But if BFS is just avoiding spinning gear, then to each their own. I'll stick with my spinning gear.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Michigander said:

I get the swim bait thing, it's much more comfortable (and lighter) to use a bait caster setup. But if BFS is just avoiding spinning gear, then to each their own. I'll stick with my spinning gear.

Half my rigs in the canoe are spinners - for me, certain techniques call for BC, others call for spinners.

[BrianMDTX]

7 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Half my rigs in the canoe are spinners - for me, certain techniques call for BC, others call for spinners.

Same for me. I run about 50%-50% baitcasters and spinning rigs in my inflatable boat. 

[Michigander]

7 minutes ago, BrianMDTX said:

Same for me. I run about 50%-50% baitcasters and spinning rigs in my inflatable boat. 

In the kayak I use two spinning (one is a Heavy). But I'm building a bait caster heavy to replace the second one. I figured out how to use bait casters this year and like what they offer.

[JustJames]

4 hours ago, Michigander said:

I never really understood the BFS lifestyle, what's the deal and why does it justify the gear expense over say.... A spinning rod? Genuinely curious.

If you never tried, you will never known.

There are some advantages of using BFS over spinning outfit. Line twisted/wind knot issue and accuracy cast in tight area are the most and obvious advantage. I know a lot will say they never have windknot problem. But in light lure and target casting windknot will happen.

In tight space like say Kayak or Float tube, baitcaster got some advantages over spinning, a lot easier to handle and control the rig.
Vertical jigging, baitcaster is easier to adjust the depth. There might be even more but that I can think of from hand on experience.

Expense or cost of BFS, a nice spinning outfit can cost even more than BFS setup. At least mine are and not even that nice.

Now of course since it look cooler to use baitcaster over fairy wand and a lot of YouTube started showing with those cheap Chinese BFS, the hype started, INCLUDING ME. The thing is, I bought my first ultra light baitcaster rod about 10 years ago, and I’d been using baitcaster throwing kastmaster for trout 10-15 years ago.
Nowadays I built up my UL spinning rigs, a few of them and enjoy using them more than BFS. I learnt how to deal with line twisted and windknot, I know when its gonna happen and how to prevent it before it really happened. Of course spinning is all about distance when talking light lure but that is not everything, isn’t it.

This video show why BFS.

https://youtu.be/ujmub9cW4tQ

[redmeansdistortion]

10 hours ago, Michigander said:

I never really understood the BFS lifestyle, what's the deal and why does it justify the gear expense over say.... A spinning rod? Genuinely curious.

It's just another means to an end, albeit expensive in some respects.  Used BFS reels can be an amazing value, for instance the 2012 model Aldebaran BFS and 2016 model Alphas Air.  Both can be had used for under $150.  Furthermore, some reels such as the Fuego CT and Revo X can be made finesse capable by swapping the spool for a micro cast spool but that can get expensive once you factor in the cost of the spool and the reel.  While those do work for many, they are still heavy (compared to true BFS reels) 100 sized baitcasters.  At that point, you may as well get one of the used reels mentioned a few sentences back.  

 

The main reasons why I like BFS over a spinning reel.  First is line control.  This makes them very accurate like their bigger siblings.  Running light braid on a BFS reel makes them much less prone to wind knots than a spinning reel.  Second is weight.  Most BFS reels weigh under 6 ounces, even lighter than most 500 and 1000 size spinning reels save for the Daiwa Luvias.  The Luvias is a $350 reel, more expensive than any BFS reel except for the Calcutta Conquest BFS.  Unfortunately, there are no budget oriented BFS reels from the Big 3 (Shimano, Daiwa, Abu) at this time, and most looking to spend under $100 will be stuck looking at Chinese reels such as the KastKing Zephyr, Tsurinoya Spirit Fox, and Fishband GH100.  Those reels aren't bad to get one's feet wet, but they don't have the advanced braking systems of JDM BFS reels.  Their brakes are more like the larger 100 size reels.

[JustJames]

@redmeansdistortiongood point on the weight of setup spinning compare to baitcaster. It was the reason I wasn’t fond of apinning at the beginning. I got left frozen shoulder thus I forced myself to use more spinning and started building up my UL. Now I have 3 setups that weight less than 10oz, it is not as light as my Pixy but comparable to others. I have no excuse not to use spinning rigs anymore. It is too crazy when one buy 3-400 reels then add another 200 for spool just to be able to cast 1/64oz trout magnet. 

Im pretty much done with BFS (still wanna try aldebaran though). I’ll utilize what I have for ultra finesse for my bass other than that would get sold.

[redmeansdistortion]

35 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

@redmeansdistortiongood point on the weight of setup spinning compare to baitcaster. It was the reason I wasn’t fond of apinning at the beginning. I got left frozen shoulder thus I forced myself to use more spinning and started building up my UL. Now I have 3 setups that weight less than 10oz, it is not as light as my Pixy but comparable to others. I have no excuse not to use spinning rigs anymore. It is too crazy when one buy 3-400 reels then add another 200 for spool just to be able to cast 1/64oz trout magnet. 

Im pretty much done with BFS (still wanna try aldebaran though). I’ll utilize what I have for ultra finesse for my bass other than that would get sold.

I feel most of those people chasing that magic 1/64 point are doing it for the novelty value, not so much practicality.  I can't think of a time where I used anything that light outside of jigging perch through a hole in the ice.  Most of the baits I throw weigh anywhere from 1/16-3/16, mostly for trout and panfish.  With bass, it's very rare I'm throwing below 1/4 and most any modern baitcast or spinning reel will do that effortlessly.  Even the budget stuff.  BFS for bass does have that novelty factor as well.  I feel it's a better suited platform for trout and panfish than bass.  

[roadwarrior]

9 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

BFS for bass does have that novelty factor as well.  I feel it's a better suited platform for trout and panfish than bass.  

[jimmyjoe]

   BFS reels and the proper rod with 8 lb. Stren or 12 lb InvizX will cast 1/8 oz. lures as far as spinning gear with 6 lb nylon line. The advantage is line that will fight the fish more aggressively and take abrasion better. If it wasn't for that, I'd never be interested in BFS. For me, though, that line advantage is important.

   As far as using braid for those little lures, I won't do it. Too many fish lost on jumps and head-shakes. Little treble hooks need "give" to stay connected.

   As always .......YMMV.    jj

 

P.S.   These 1/8 oz. lures are killer lures. They catch fair-to-middlin' size bass for me: Rapala Ultralights, Teeny Wee-R, Lil' Cleo spoon and Wordens Super Roostertail.

[WRB]

I consider Don Iovino the father of finesse fishing is also the father of BSF. Don started modifying Abu 2500C reels 40 years ago, using 6 lb mono and 1/8 jigs, doodle shaky T-rigged 4” worms etc. 

Today BSF has levels of light weight down to extreme ultra light.

In truth using 5 or 6 lb line on a bait caster is BSF.

Tom 

[jimmyjoe]

2 minutes ago, WRB said:

I consider Don Iovino the father of finesse fishing is also the father of BSF. Don started modifying Abu 2500C reels 40 years ago, using 6 lb mono and 1/8 jigs, doodle shaky T-rigged 4” worms etc. 

Today BSF has levels of light weight down to extreme ultra light.

In truth using 5 or 6 lb line on a bait caster is BSF.

Tom 

 

    I know you meant to type BFS instead of BSF, but now that I think about it a little longer, I think there's a lot of BSF in BFS!  ????

    Thank you for all of your contributions, Tom. They are greatly appreciated.   jj

[WRB]

Bull S Fishing does seem appropriate at times.

Tom

[JustJames]

@WRB @jimmyjoeWould it be bad if I agree with you guys? Even though I was one of them. Lol.

 

3 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

.    BFS for bass does have that novelty factor as well.  

I m not completely agree with this statement. It isn’t necessarily novelty but it can be “enchanting” especially my style of fishing. I do quite a bit of finesse fishing, like you said it can be done with modern reel easily, but with these BSF reel (thanks Tom) it can be done even more efficiently, further distance, more control, less worry of backlash, and more accuracy. I don’t even need BSF rod, just regular 1/8-3/8oz bass rod work just fine. 
Let’s talk BSF rod, these are not just typically trout, whippy noodle rod. There are some that as powerful as regular bass rod with the advantages of being lighter weight, and softer tip. Heck my Light/BFS 1/16-1/4oz, even have more backbone that my crucial Medium 1/8-3/8(dropshot rod). You can ask a lot of those 4lb bass I caught.

 

 

[jimmyjoe]

8 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Let’s talk BSF rod, these are not just typically trout, whippy noodle rod.

 

   When I first tried BFS, I had much better luck with a moderate action rod. I learned on fiberglass and in general I do better on softer rods. One of the guys who got me to try it makes his own rods, and he believes as you believe; fast action with soft tip. But I could never get my release point (my timing) down pat with those for at least five minutes after I had been using a heavier power rod. During that five minutes, I learned the hard way not to try and goose the rig for best distance, but just gently lay the lure out there. (Can you say, "Cut the line off!" ?    ?)

   Moderate actions are still much easier for me to time and get good accuracy. I guess that's what I get for being an old fogy.   ?    jj

[Angry John]

My bfs setup is a dobyns champion 702 with daiwa sol 2000 spinning reel with 15lb 832 that I tie 6lb sniper leaders on.  I dont have numbers but I would call it a medium fast action a lot slower than my fenwick or st croix rods.