Rod for BFS reel

[roarlionsxc]

Would a medium light bass pro cranking stick be good for a BFS reel? I have one sitting around that I’d rather use than sell.

[new2BC4bass]

Know nothing about that rod, but one of my most expensive reels (PXL Type R) sits on one of my cheapest rods ($75 on closeout) a MLM.  Love the pairing.

[roarlionsxc]

47 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

Know nothing about that rod, but one of my most expensive reels (PXL Type R) sits on one of my cheapest rods ($75 on closeout) a MLM.  Love the pairing.

The rod is a graphite composite rod with a “fast” rating but it’s definitely moderate since it’s a composite rod. 

[T-Billy]

9 hours ago, roarlionsxc said:

The rod is a graphite composite rod with a “fast” rating but it’s definitely moderate since it’s a composite rod. 

Sounds like a good combo for small cranks, poppers, grubs, keitechs...

[ska4fun]

No medium-power rod is adequate for BFS. Go for UL/L rods, with casting up to 7g, for faster action rods, and up to 10g, for slower ones.

[QED]

Some ML rods are BFS capable (e.g., Phenix K2 TX-C 683ML} but in general, UL/L power rods are probably a better choice for BFS use cases.  Or better still, get a BFS specific rod - mine have been JDM sourced but they are becoming increasingly available in the US market.

[new2BC4bass]

13 hours ago, roarlionsxc said:

The rod is a graphite composite rod with a “fast” rating but it’s definitely moderate since it’s a composite rod. 

You might be surprised by the number of crankbait rods that are listed as having a 'Fast' action.  I'm afraid I don't understand why.  Maybe it is relative.  Crankbait rod 'A' has a 'Fast' action compared to crankbait rod 'B'.  I have 4 crankbait rods with a 'Fast' rating.

[bulldog1935]

ML and MM rods are choice matched with BFS. 

I'm going to take rare exception with @QED.  I fish a BFS reel in my salt ML niche, and love the combo for 1/8 oz jigheads - it will cast them too far, but thumbing for range is what you want to do.  Fast rod with some flex in the tip. 

 

My bass BFS rod is MM all-range and extremely versatile for kayak fishing - I can take it out as my only rod.  This rod will cast and fish both ends extremely well - 1/16 oz jigs and neds to 5/8 oz crankbaits.  Valleyhill calls this rod Regular Fast, and you wouldn't guess from the fast tip that's it's able to throw 1/16 oz. 

These are big fish rods, light-in-hand and extremely sensitive - my Omen Green feels every blade of grass,

 

and very different from L/UL stream rods. 

[Eric 26]

For what it’s worth (not much) I’m using a med light bps crankin stick also. I’m late to the bfs party just trying it this year and only a handful of hours on the water at that. I was using a 1/8 ounce Rapala minnow. The rod handled the weight well but I was either accurate casting to a specific target with no distance or no accuracy but getting distance? I’m sure it’s due to my reel and not the rod which I know @bulldog1935 explained setting it up in another post. I did manage to catch 2 dinky bass which is mostly what is in this particular retention pond anyway and I know the rod will be capable of handling sizable bass when I’m dialed in and seeking them out. I would keep the rod and give it a shot ? Here’s a photo of the setup.

[Cbump]

1 hour ago, Eric 26 said:

For what it’s worth (not much) I’m using a med light bps crankin stick also. I’m late to the bfs party just trying it this year and only a handful of hours on the water at that. I was using a 1/8 ounce Rapala minnow. The rod handled the weight well but I was either accurate casting to a specific target with no distance or no accuracy but getting distance? I’m sure it’s due to my reel and not the rod which I know @bulldog1935 explained setting it up in another post. I did manage to catch 2 dinky bass which is mostly what is in this particular retention pond anyway and I know the rod will be capable of handling sizable bass when I’m dialed in and seeking them out. I would keep the rod and give it a shot ? Here’s a photo of the setup.

What line is that?

[WRB]

Try the rod you have!

The are several Medium Light casting rods that work, Daiwa offers ML in a wide price point range for example.

Tom

[NavyToad]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Try the rod you have!

The are several Medium Light casting rods that work, Daiwa offers ML in a wide price point range for example.

Tom

Exactly. Worst thing that could happen is you’ll get a better idea of what you want/need. Those BPS Crankin’ sticks are underrated and overlooked. I’d bet you’ll like the rod you already have. 

[WC53]

I use a ML crank rod for finesse. 2.5-4.5 grams and it does pretty good.  As you get closer to <2 the worse it gets.  I like the backbone it has vs a light or UL, depending on your target species.

[Eric 26]

1 hour ago, Cbump said:

What line is that?

It is SeaKnight 7 pound test line. I bought it on Amazon several years ago and I’m actually quite happy with it. I have it on 2 light powered spinning reels also. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase again.

[KP Duty]

I just otdered my first bfs rod....mainly for UL crankbaits.  I went with the Yamaga Blanks blue current 69b (6'9", 2-6lb).  If it is too light for the bass in my area, it will become a crappie caster.

[bulldog1935]

@KP Duty, you will be giggling with any and every YB rod.  Anyone I know who has bought them just says WOW. 

 

 

Mr. Yamaga always lands fish with shoulders at the end of his rod videos.  Unfortunately, whatever big was bending his 69/B for several minutes at the end of that video, he never landed it. 

[ska4fun]

Am I wrong, or I just read about a medium-medium BFS rod?

[T-Billy]

BFS reels are great for throwing light Trigs, shakey heads, weightless worms etc. on a medium rod. I had the same issue with my KK Zephyr as everyone else. Loose line loops getting between the spool and the frame when using 6# mono or less, or light braid. The reel is very smooth and casts great however. I paired it with my 6'8" M XF St Croix Avid, and spooled it with 8# XT. 8# is large enough diameter to eliminate the line issue while still being small enough to get a good amount on the spool. This combo is a joy to fish with. It throws 1/8+ small plastic very well, while giving me a bit more power than my ML Feather. 

[ska4fun]

So, now any rod capable of casting lighter lures, with parabolic action, can be called BFS? Really?

[WC53]

Last year on, maybe, tactical bassin?? They were using/recommendations for the g loomis para crankbait rod.  Out of my price range, but I have always done better with a moderate rod and light baits despite conventional wisdom. I have one XF jdm rod that flat casts but I hate the feel of it.

 

[KP Duty]

51 minutes ago, ska4fun said:

So, now any rod capable of casting lighter lures, with parabolic action, can be called BFS? Really?

Heck...I don't know.  Are you implying 'baitcasting finesse' mrans more than the title indicates? (not rhetorical..I'm asking) I figured any light powered bait rod would be consideted a bfs rod.

[ska4fun]

47 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Heck...I don't know.  Are you implying 'baitcasting finesse' mrans more than the title indicates? (not rhetorical..I'm asking) I figured any light powered bait rod would be consideted a bfs rod.

I'm seeing the finesse thing is lacking here, since a ML/MM rod is in no way or form, a finesse one.

 

BFS means more than lure weight, it involves several strategies over fishing with light presentations, either in a power fishing or pure finesse manner.

 

Seems like several people  want to claim do baitfinesse, without the cons of fishing with really UL gear.

 

 

[Tatulatard]

1 hour ago, ska4fun said:

So, now any rod capable of casting lighter lures, with parabolic action, can be called BFS? Really?

Whatever meaning it had in Japan has been completely lost and roughly translates these days to "baitcasting ackle for light weights for any species".  We have Ajing, 7+ foot long salt rods and trout rods being thrown around as "BFS" just because it's an easy acronym to throw around.

36 minutes ago, ska4fun said:

I'm seeing the finesse thing is lacking here, since a ML/MM rod is in no way or form, a finesse one.

 

BFS means more than lure weight, it involves several strategies over fishing with light presentations, either in a power fishing or pure finesse manner.

 

Seems like several people  want to claim do baitfinesse, without the cons of fishing with really UL gear.

 

 

ML does fall it into the BFS camp.  Shimano BFS lines of their bass rods top out with ML.  

[WC53]

??‍♂️?

[new2BC4bass]

21 hours ago, roarlionsxc said:

Would a medium light bass pro cranking stick be good for a BFS reel? I have one sitting around that I’d rather use than sell.

Apparently I didn't do a very good job reading your post the first time.  I have an older BPS Crankin' Stick...a 7' MLF rated 1/16-1/2 oz.  Paired with on older gold colored Carbonlite, it was one of 3 combos I learned to cast 3/16 oz. #5 Shad Raps on so I know it will do a good job with that weight.