BFS?

[rboat]

I am thinking of jumping on the band wagon and trying a BFS setup. Before I go down that rabbit hole, I am wondering how many people are using this BFS equipment and tiny lures, and is it worth the investment? Thanks.

[Bass Rutten]

[MickD]

No one can answer except you.  I will say that many are doing it and enjoying it.  A buddy just built a rod and since he really likes baitcasters better than spin, he's having a ball.  Even with light neds.  

 

I'd say go for it.  

[Cbump]

Depends. Do you like to catch big fish and be confident in getting them in the boat with powerful manly equipment? Or do you like perch jerking equipment that you’re scared a bass is going to break your line every time so you have to look like Mike iaconelli running around screaming to land a 1.5lber? 
 

 

Im just kidding guys. 

[Cgolf]

I thought about going for it, but I have fished spin rods for so long and can cast super accurately by feathering the line and stopping it against the spool that I figured it wasn’t worth it for me. Heck I even got a MH inshore legend tournament spinning rod for pitching plastics to reeds last year, b rod at factory store. 
 

The big downside to BFS for me was I would need a high end reel, most expensive reel I would own, to cast the light baits accurately. So for me spinning gear is a lot more economical. 
 

If you are more comfortable with baitcasters I say go for it. 

[JediAmoeba]

I love it but it isn't something that is necessary or better than a spinning rod. You can easily sink 500+ into a combo that a $100 spinning combo does just as well...

[FryDog62]

I have only put one foot down the rabbit hole, with 2 BFS rod/reel set ups… but I REALLY like the two I have. Neds rigs, hair jigs, even jig worms. Light finesse stuff with fluorocarbon to get a good smooth cast and uniform sink rate. The advantage over spinning is no line twist. 
 

It’s not an inexpensive category, but at the mid-lower end is the Phenix Feather Light rod paired with a Curado BFS reel. My other BFS rod/reel combination is more expensive but I like both outfits equally and they work great with 7 lb Sniper fluorocarbon ?

[roadwarrior]

Well, if anyone is looking for a premium rig, I have this for sale:

 

Megabass Destroyer FOst-66X Siglett  $475

https://megabassusa.com/product/destroyer-p5-f0st-66x-siglett/

 

Shimano Conquest BFS HG  $515

https://jdmfishing.com/vault/2017-2018-calcutta-conquest-bfs-hg/

 

Spooled with #6 Tatsu

 

$990 for immediate delivery via FedEx

 

-Kent  a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

[walleyecrazy]

I’m going to preface this by stating that I am not a tournament guy, and strictly fish for fun. I decided to try BFS before the fishing season last year, and found that I absolutely love it. I have more fun fishing now that I use BFS gear than I have since I was a little kid. I am up to 9 different BFS combos, and have probably 8-9 spare rods now. I enjoy it so much that I actually have not touched any of my 25+ conventional combos yet this year. 

[optimator]

15 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I have only put one foot down the rabbit hole, with 2 BFS rod/reel set ups… but I REALLY like the two I have. Neds rigs, hair jigs, even jig worms. Light finesse stuff with fluorocarbon to get a good smooth cast and uniform sink rate. The advantage over spinning is no line twist. 
 

It’s not an inexpensive category, but at the mid-lower end is the Phenix Feather Light rod paired with a Curado BFS reel. My other BFS rod/reel combination is more expensive but I like both outfits equally and they work great with 7 lb Sniper fluorocarbon ?

Same setup I have. ML Feather & Curado BFS. It’s a blast. 

[T-Billy]

I don't do a lot of finesse fishing, but when I do, it's with a Curado BFS and a Phenix Feather L or ML. Spinning gear is for crappie now.

[ghost]

I Do fish BFS. It's been a blast using this technique instead of a spinning outfit.  BFS rod and reel doesn't have to be expensive to catch fish.

[bulldog1935]

Can't get enough.  

 

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/finesse-101.html

[msgf91]

It doesn't have to be too big of an investment. You could start with a Kastking zephyr reel and rod. Or you can watch 100 YouTube videos about BFS reels and flip flop between a cheap CDM reel or a high end JDM then decide to get the new daiwa SS Air. I should have it by the end of the month. 

I've been moving more and more towards finesse after starting drop shot. I already fish micro t rigs with a MH rod with 8 lb sniper. So I figured that the next step was to keep moving from finesse to BFS. 

[Tennessee Boy]

With all the hype I ordered a 2022 Alderbaran to see how I like it.   I was extremely disappointed with the reel, not necessarily the concept.   It will not cast anywhere near as far as my spinning reels and not even as far as my Scorpion DC reels.

[Tatulatard]

I do a lot of skipping of lighter baits to docks on 10 lb sniper with frequent re-ties to the point that a leader to braid is not viable.  10lb sniper and spinning reels are a no go for me.  Enter the alphas sv and ML steez shallow cover finesse rod and I haven't looked back.  It's light, skips as painless as a spinning reel and reel is on top of the rod.  No more egg beater beating into my thighs while seated in a kayak.  

 

 I'll also do some open water with 20 lb braid and an 8 lb big game leader for casting and winding small baits on an L powerd rod.  I could use a spinning reel but I hate cranking with a spinning reel.  There is just something unnatural about making that hand motion below the rod no matter which hand I use. 

[FishTank]

I use to be in the camp where I would say something like "Why would I use BFS gear, when I can use spinning gear?", "Small baits only catch small fish", "Why would anyone use that light of equipment to catch bass" or "You're only putting yourself at a disadvantage when using BFS gear."

 

Ya, no longer. I have caught plenty of big largemouth and smallmouth, crappie, bluegill, catfish, trout, carp and walleye on 5lb or 6lb test FC with lures I probably wouldn't have bought or used with spinning gear. I have a total of 4 BFS/light casting setups. It has opened up a whole new world of fishing fun for me and that alone is worth it. 

 

 

[dave]

I've gone toward what I differentiate between what is true BFS and "bass BFS".  I have a Scorpion BFS and a Stile. (thanks Puggz).  6'3"-6'8" light power, fast action, 1/16th oz. - 3/8th oz. lure weight range.

[Big Hands]

After trying the Phenix Feather ML and L for BFS duty along with a couple of Curado BFS reels, I was contemplating an end to my BFS journey and just relying on spinning rods for those techniques. I actually sold the L Feather and one of the Curados. I ended up trying a Phenix Classic BFS rod and paired it up with the Curado BFS with 7 lb Daiwa Samurai fluoro. This rig hit the jackpot for me. I can toss an 1/8 oz Texas rig bait over 100' and it handles fish pretty well, which has made it a super fun rig to fish. 

[Bigassbass]

I've been fishing BFS with light line and small lures for years.  I have to say, you will loose a few fish especially if you catch one in a lot of trash, but it is a lot of fun.  I use spinning reels, UL rods always have always will.  

[Valvodinho]

Does anybody have any recommendations for a solid, for lack of a better word, “do everything” BFS rod that would be great for just getting into the BFS world? $200ish budget. 

[walleyecrazy]

6 hours ago, Big Hands said:

After trying the Phenix Feather ML and L for BFS duty along with a couple of Curado BFS reels, I was contemplating an end to my BFS journey and just relying on spinning rods for those techniques. I actually sold the L Feather and one of the Curados. I ended up trying a Phenix Classic BFS rod and paired it up with the Curado BFS with 7 lb Daiwa Samurai fluoro. This rig hit the jackpot for me. I can toss an 1/8 oz Texas rig bait over 100' and it handles fish pretty well, which has made it a super fun rig to fish. 

The Phenix Classic BFS is my current favorite BFS rod for specifically targeting bass. I’ve fished it with a few different reels including the Daiwa Gekkabijin, and new Daiwa SS Air, but currently have it paired with the 23’ Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS. This combo is a dream to fish with, and I think Phenix absolutely nailed this rod. It has a great crisp, but light tip, and enough backbone to give you at least some control on your fish. I went with the 7’1” version to start, and I like it enough that I will likely end up buying the 6’8” and 7’4” versions as well. 
 

 

7 minutes ago, Valvodinho said:

Does anybody have any recommendations for a solid, for lack of a better word, “do everything” BFS rod that would be great for just getting into the BFS world? $200ish budget. 

I can’t recommend the Phenix Classic BFS enough. It has an awesome action, and excellent build quality. It is my current favorite, and I reach for it more than any of my other BFS rods every time I go fishing. 

[NoFroFishing]

13 minutes ago, Valvodinho said:

Does anybody have any recommendations for a solid, for lack of a better word, “do everything” BFS rod that would be great for just getting into the BFS world? $200ish budget. 

Got my Doomsday BFS rod in November and since then its the rod I have consistently picked up. I paired it with a Shimano SLX BFS I got from digitaka.  Both can be had for under 300. 

 

https://shop.doomsdaytackleco.com/collections/rods/products/the-47-by-doomsday-tackle-co-7-ml-bait-finesse-custom-casting-rod

[bulldog1935]

20 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

With all the hype I ordered a 2022 Alderbaran to see how I like it.   I was extremely disappointed with the reel, not necessarily the concept.   It will not cast anywhere near as far as my spinning reels and not even as far as my Scorpion DC reels.

Seems like Shimano's variable FTB brake would shine in a trout stream niche, where casts need to be short, reliable and accurate.  

 

Distance that exceeds equivalent spinning tackle comes from linear mag brake, and the fastest BFS reels I know have larger spools, e.g., 34-mm Daiwa SV (w/ Roro-X aftermarket spool) and ZPI Alcance (Mg-frame Revo with Mg/Ti spool).  

 

Unlikely you'll ever find a packaged BFS reel that will toe-to-toe with these two.  Alcance is so fast, casting it seems like your hair is on fire.  

[FishTank]

42 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Seems like Shimano's variable centrifugal brake would shine in a trout stream niche, where casts need to be short, reliable and accurate.  

 

Distance that exceeds equivalent spinning tackle comes from linear mag brake, and the fastest BFS reels I know have larger spools, e.g., 34-mm Daiwa SV and ZPI Alcance (Mg-frame Revo with Mg/Ti spool).  

 

 

 

I feel the same.  I took two set ups this weekend and fished them head to head to see what reel I liked better for stream fishing. One was a Daiwa Millionaire CT on a Megabass P5 Siglett and the 22 Aldebaran BFS on a Dobyn's Sierra Ultra Finesse 700c both with 6lb FC Sunline Invisible and I used a Megabass Great Hunting 50 Flatside on each.

 

The Aldebaran was the clear winner between the two.  That's not say I don't like the Millionaire CT. I just don't think the breaking system is suited for this type of fishing. Put a 3/16oz+ crankbait on it and it shines but it struggles with anything less than that. 

 

I also tested the notion of spinning gear using a Shimano Vanquish with a G.Loomis NRX+ NRR and a 1/16oz Ned Rig. It worked well except for tight casts. I found I struggled to make short accurate casts with tight windows but had no issues sidearm casting when using the Aldebaran. 

 

I also believe I would have benefited from having a shorter rod for the Aldebaran,  maybe 6' or under.