Curado BFS vs Curado MGL 70, differences?

[TheDude69]

I’ve been toying with the idea of buying a lighter and smaller baitcaster to go along with my BFS spinning setup. Does anyone have experience with either of these two and if so what if anything is the major difference? From what I have read both seem to serve the same purpose. Thanks in advance. Btw I’ve been lurking for a while and it seems like y’all have a great community!

[haggard]

Welcome to the forum. My fishing experience is limited (about 4 years now) and I haven't tried the BFS but I did own a trio of Curado MGL 71. In my experience the main benefit of the MGL was its compact size (more comfortable to me), rather than its ability to handle lighter lures. The lightest I most often used on it was a Texas rigged 4-inch plastic worm with 1/4 oz bullet weight and a 3/0 hook. It worked great. I tried lighter lures with it but for me a spinning setup works much better.

 

Only reason I sold the Curado MGLs was because Shimano came out with the Bantam MGL which is basically the same compact size but in a one-piece aluminum frame, which is something I had been wanting for a while. Bantam is roughly the same as the Curado MGL as far as lure weights go - my lower limit with the Bantam is the same 1/4 oz Texas rigged worm. I would guess that if Shimano puts BFS in the name, the Curado BFS will do better than the Curado MGL with lighter lures.

 

[TheDude69]

Just now, haggard said:

Welcome to the forum. My fishing experience is limited (about 4 years now) and I haven't tried the BFS but I did own a trio of Curado MGL 71. In my experience the main benefit of the MGL was its compact size (more comfortable to me), rather than its ability to handle lighter lures. The lightest I most often used on it was a Texas rigged 4-inch plastic worm with 1/4 oz bullet weight and a 3/0 hook. It worked great. I tried lighter lures with it but for me a spinning setup works much better.

 

Only reason I sold the Curado MGLs was because Shimano came out with the Bantam MGL which is basically the same compact size but in a one-piece aluminum frame. Bantam is roughly the same as the Curado MGL as far as lure weights go - my lower limit with the Bantam is the same 1/4 oz Texas rigged worm. I would guess that if Shimano puts BFS in the name, the Curado BFS will do better than the Curado MGL with lighter lures.

 

Thanks! Yea I forgot to ask about the Bantam…. I’ll be looking into that one too. I’m mainly looking for a smaller size. I do throw a lot of weightless plastics, most recently a baby goat on a 3/0 but it throws fine on a few of my setups. A little extra distance could never hurt though.

[CrankFate]

I know the curado is the standard meat of the lineup reel, done right. Great all around. I’ve seen them, held them in the store and seen lots of other people fishing them in all different  techniques. I just have a few reels that fit this spot already. If you ask me, the determining factor should be line capacity and then casting ease. I have quite a few reels, the curado BFS is the most user friendly, error proof baitcaster, fresh out of the box. By a lot. I had my son who never touched a baitcaster casting it with zero problems in less than 2 hours. I will be getting him one for a BC rig some time soon. If you need line capacity for deep water, the MGL will better suit you.

[fishballer06]

I'm not sure what you're trying to throw on said reel. The MGL 70 is not meant for BFS presentations/casting. If you want to go MGL, I wouldn't go much lighter than a 3/16oz weight + your hook/bait. 

 

A BFS reel is a BFS reel. The MGL is a compact version of the traditional Curado K. Buy accordingly. 

[roadwarrior]

So, what's the "cat's meow"?

I don't want line capacity, user friendly or the best value...just a great rod & reel.

[FishTank]

If you are happy with you spinning set up for light lures, then 70 MGL would be more useful.   BFS is a niche technique,  however ever fun.  The with the Bantam MGL I have thrown a few small baits but it really isn't designed to be a BFS reel.  With the right rod, which is key, I can throw a 1/8oz shaky head and a finesse worm but nothing lighter. 

[Lmsmbassaddict]

20 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

So, what's the "cat's meow"?

I don't want line capacity, user friendly or the best value...just a great rod & reel.

If that's your only requirement why even go bfs? Are you trying to dedicate a setup for light lures? If not why do you want a bfs reel. I understand the hype on bfs, but do you really need to be casting baits that freaking light? 

 

A weightless senko already hits a half ounce or more. Do you really need to cast lures 5 grams or less? I wanted one myself that's why I'm asking. I realized I was just spending money on a few techniques I'm not even really that interested in.

 

Bfs really is best reserved for trout lures than bass applications imo

[roadwarrior]

3 minutes ago, Lmsmbassaddict said:

I realized I was just spending money on a few techniques I'm not even really that interested in.

 

Bfs really is best reserved for trout lures than bass applications imo

 

I fish the White River in Arkansas for trout occasionally and that is exactly what I have in mind!

[Lmsmbassaddict]

2 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

I fish the White River in Arkansas for trout occasionally and that is exactly what I have in mind!

Ok, then bfs it is ?

[roadwarrior]

Recommendations?

[GetFishorDieTryin]

If you have the right rod you can go pretty light with the G1 MGL spool.  I throw 3.5" easy shiners on a 1/16 head without issues.  If you want to throw smaller baits that total less than 1/8 the BFS is the way to go IMO.  Not sure how you feel about Kast King, but they have a BFS reel for under $100 that some people really like. 

[desmobob]

It looks very much like the Curado BFS is turning out to be the best bang for the buck in BFS.  (I'm waiting on a LH retrieve version).  Match that with a Dobyn's Sierra BFS rod and I think you'd have a solid combo at a reasonable price.

 

[redmeansdistortion]

3 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

 

I fish the White River in Arkansas for trout occasionally and that is exactly what I have in mind!

It's a lot of fun with BFS.  I highly suggest it!

[Big Hands]

I have the Curado BFS and the SLX MGL 70. Two fairly different reels IMHO. The MGL is much closer to a regular everyday baitcaster, and the BFS is a much different animal.

[JustJames]

22 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Recommendations?

For you, the only reel I can think of is Conquest BFS. 

[roadwarrior]

https://fish.shimano.com.sg/content/fish/asia/sg/en/homepage/ProductPage.P-17CTCONQUESTBFSHG.html

[redmeansdistortion]

1 hour ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

For you, the only reel I can think of is Conquest BFS. 

It's probably the best there is right now.  It won't go as light as an Alphas Air TW, but it's really wonderful all around.  The build quality is impeccable.  If one were to shop around, they can be found for about $375.  My favorite lure for trout is the 1/16 Countdown, which in reality comes in at 2.7g and the Conquest performs really well with it 

[roadwarrior]

Went with this:

Megabass DESTROYER P5 F0st-66X

SHIMANO CALCUTTA CONQUEST BFS HG (Right Handle)

[redmeansdistortion]

31 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Went with this:

Megabass DESTROYER P5 F0st-66X

SHIMANO CALCUTTA CONQUEST BFS HG (Right Handle)

You're going to love the FTB system, it's very forgiving like the air brake found in Daiwa SV spools but doesn't sacrifice distance.

[TheDude69]

34 minutes ago, redmeansdistortion said:

You're going to love the FTB system, it's very forgiving like the air brake found in Daiwa SV spools but doesn't sacrifice distance.

I’m intrigued by the FTB system. I have two SV’s and I’m really not all that impressed. I’m way better with light lures on the Tatula Elite. I’m not impressed with Shimano’s DC line either.

[redmeansdistortion]

1 hour ago, YoTone said:

amazing how accurate  that guy in the video can cast.

That's the legendary Angler Saito, he makes casting look like art.  The rod he's using is a custom build from Anglo and Company, 3 piece fiberglass that runs about $1100.  I chat with a guy on another forum that has an Anglo rod, the wait time is often close to a year or even more depending on how backed up they are.  Their rods are built to order.

[redmeansdistortion]

22 minutes ago, Jer1983 said:

Whaaaaaat. Imagine how many snags he had getting this good

Just part of the learning process.  When I first started fishing woody streams, I had days where I'd lose at least $20 worth of baits, sometimes a good deal more than that.  The best way to mitigate snags is to run single hooks instead of trebles.  Running singles lets you fish closer to cover without getting snagged.  Since I quit running trebles in stream environments, I seldom get snagged.  Most of the time I get snagged is when my bait manages to find its way between rocks.

[JustJames]

2 hours ago, Jer1983 said:

Whaaaaaat. Imagine how many snags he had getting this good

No, the main question is how many opportunities he lost to catch fish, fumbled with spinning reel, open/close the bail, make sure line right before reel in to prevent line twisted, fix wind knot after a few casts and so on.

How many can use a flip of the wrist with spinning and send the lures to tight target? How many can backhand casting spinning? The ergonomic of palm holding baitcaster is beneficial this type of fishing better than finger holding spinning. IMHO.

is it for everyone, absolutely not, especially for those spend fortune of money , buy BFS reel, upgrade to lightest spool available and casting trout magnet in small farm pond. I would say it is a lot to do with passion too.
 

[Drew03cmc]

On 8/6/2021 at 7:25 AM, fishballer06 said:

I'm not sure what you're trying to throw on said reel. The MGL 70 is not meant for BFS presentations/casting. If you want to go MGL, I wouldn't go much lighter than a 3/16oz weight + your hook/bait. 

 

A BFS reel is a BFS reel. The MGL is a compact version of the traditional Curado K. Buy accordingly. 

So, an MGL isn't meant for less than 3/8oz? A 3/16 weight, 3/0 hook and 4" plastic hits right around 3/8. I guess the MGL spool isn't intended to have less start up inertia for lighter baits, or less capacity (150 vs 70 size). I have had MGL spool reels and they excel down to 3/16 or 1/4oz true weight, if your rod will adequately load them. The 70 MGL reels are the bridge between BFS and all around duty. Whoever mentioned the MGL has more line capacity for deep water is 100% wrong. Many folks prefer the 70 size reels for flipping and pitching at close range with flipping lines, 30 to 65lb braid or 15 to 20lb fluoro. At 20 feet, capacity does not matter. 

 

@road warrior there is a JDM SLX BFS as another option. How I would go is the Aldebaran BFS XG, but that's just my preference.