Non-BFS Reel For Light Line Techniques/Baits

[DEPS_250]

I hate spinning gear. Does anyone know of a non-BFS reel around $200 or less that can handle light line/baits/techniques with 6-10lb test? 

 

I really don't want to buy a dedicated BFS reel in order to fish some lighter lines and baits/techniques either. Even though there are baitcasters dedicated for BFS/light lines now a days, I would still much rather use a 'standard/run of the mill' baitcaster that has the capabilities of being able to fish light line/bait/techniques in a pinch if need be. That way, I can still use the reel on other rods for other baits and have it perform 'double duty' for more versatility and save me some money. 

 

Basically, I need a non-BFS reel that can handle free rigs, texas rigs, football jigs and drop shot rigs down to about 3/16oz. 3/16oz is the lightest I am planning to fish when it comes to these techniques. I am probably not going to go any lighter. I am a Daiwa guy and I have heard that the Tatulas with the SV boost spools are very good at throwing lighter lines and baits. How light can a Tatula with the SV boost spool cast light baits on 6-10 lb test? Would the 2022 Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70 be a good candidate? The 2022 Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70 costs 230 bucks! That is way too expensive and out of my budget! 

 

Are there any non-BFS reels from other manufacturers that would also make a good choice as far as fishing light line techniques/baits? Shimano? Lews? Abu? 

 

I have also heard of guys buying aftermarket BFS spools for non-BFS reels in order to get more versatility and double duty performance. Anyone know of a older and cheaper reel that is a very good candidate for finding an aftermarket BFS spool for some light line baits/techniques? Older Tatulas? Since I am looking for the most versatility and double duty, I think I am going to have to go with the aftermarket BFS spool option/route. 

 

 

[dodgeguy]

Lew's tournament pro at 199$ will do that no sweat.

[Tennessee Boy]

I've never owned a bait casting reel that couldn't cast a 3/16 oz jig.  This issue is how far will it cast it.   In my limited experience with reels marketed as BFS,  they cast heavier baits just fine.  The issue is with how much line they hold and that depends on the diameter of the line you are using.  There are lots of adjustment you can make to cast a specific lure better.   Don't let marking labels define what you can and cannot do with a reel.

 

[newapti5]

1 hour ago, DEPS_250 said:

The 2022 Daiwa Tatula SV TW 70 costs 230 bucks!

Yeah, spending $230 for a Tatula is a bit much. Take the JDM route; there're so many options for much less. I just got an Alphas CT SV in mint condition for just $120. For your choice of lures, I believe the new Alphas SV 800, or the old Alphas SV,  Alphas CT SV, they all would be perfect for that, while keeping the budget under $200. And they are superior reels than any Tatulas, design or performance wise. 

 

Or like you said, you could get a $35 third party finesse spool for your current Tatulas. They perform pretty well for light lures. 

 

[MediumMouthBass]

I have 2 reels that can throw light lures, not bfs light but close enough for me.

Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103 $210.

Shimano SLX MGL 70 $150.

These reels are both amazing at what they can do for the price they charge, they both excel at throwing lighter lures easier and farther, and thats both of their main selling points.

The great thing about these reels is that you dont spend $300+ on a reel that can only throw bfs stuff, these can throw light lures and then the next day you can fish a jig off the bottom or do some flipping and pitching in the lily pads (with a line change or spare spool of course).

Check out some reviews and videos on these 2 reels, they are a good investment and can be used for other bass fishing applications.

[optimator]

Shimano SLX MGL all day.

[DEPS_250]

32 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

I have 2 reels that can throw light lures, not bfs light but close enough for me.

Daiwa Tatula SV TW 103 $210.

Shimano SLX MGL 70 $150.

These reels are both amazing at what they can do for the price they charge, they both excel at throwing lighter lures easier and farther, and thats both of their main selling points.

The great thing about these reels is that you dont spend $300+ on a reel that can only throw bfs stuff, these can throw light lures and then the next day you can fish a jig off the bottom or do some flipping and pitching in the lily pads (with a line change or spare spool of course).

Check out some reviews and videos on these 2 reels, they are a good investment and can be used for other bass fishing applications.

 

27 minutes ago, optimator said:

Shimano SLX MGL all day.

Just read all the reviews on Tackle Warehouse for the Shimano SLX MGL 70. WOW! Can't believe all the positive and great reviews for this reel. Seems like it can cast anything from heavy/barely BFS to light/finesse weights/baits very well. Great price too if I can find one on sale or used. 

[A kid from Canada]

Grab a Tatula 100 and put a shallow spool on it. I've done it to 4 different Tatulas so I can use 15# braid without the line digging in. I bought my Tat 100 for $150 canadian and the spool was another $50. They are coming out with a new Tat 100 pretty soon so I'd wait for that one with all the "hyper" stuff and a cool new shape. 

[bulldog1935]

Any linear-mag-brake reel fits the bill.  If you have a deep spool, back it with 20-25-yds 20-25-lb mono, and top with your thinner working line.  

Lew's TP will cast 1/8 oz - measured 20% less distance than Super Duty G will cast 1/8 oz.  

 

A $200 reel plus an $80 spool instead buys a JDM Daiwa Zillion Silver Wolf on Amazon, ready out of the box to fish 8-lb mono/fluoro.  

[DEPS_250]

8 minutes ago, A kid from Canada said:

Grab a Tatula 100 and put a shallow spool on it. I've done it to 4 different Tatulas so I can use 15# braid without the line digging in. I bought my Tat 100 for $150 canadian and the spool was another $50. They are coming out with a new Tat 100 pretty soon so I'd wait for that one with all the "hyper" stuff and a cool new shape. 

Can you give me a link or the brand name of the shallow aftermarket spools your putting in the Tatula 100? 

[casts_by_fly]

The rod and line will be more of a limiting factor than the reel at that weight. 3/16 total weight is plenty fine as long as you don’t have stuff heavy line on the reel and the rod has a light enough tip. An Abu SX gen 4 will do it just fine with the stock setup and a medium light rod. 
 

alternatively, you could just pick up a bfs reel and use it for other techniques. The line and rod will be the main differentiators of what you can and can’t throw. 

[A kid from Canada]

5 minutes ago, DEPS_250 said:

Can you give me a link or the brand name of the shallow aftermarket spools your putting in the Tatula 100? 

Rays studio spools, I'll DM you.

[DEPS_250]

35 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

The rod and line will be more of a limiting factor than the reel at that weight. 3/16 total weight is plenty fine as long as you don’t have stuff heavy line on the reel and the rod has a light enough tip. An Abu SX gen 4 will do it just fine with the stock setup and a medium light rod. 
 

alternatively, you could just pick up a bfs reel and use it for other techniques. The line and rod will be the main differentiators of what you can and can’t throw. 

Your right. I kind of figured the rod and line would probably be the biggest variables as to how light and far I can throw light baits. Therefore the reel is probably the least of my concerns/problems. 

 

3/16oz is not all that light and isn't even that close to BFS weight range. As long as I make sure to get a rod that is light enough in action and has the perfect amount of tip, I would probably be fine with almost any current reel that is on the market. With the speed and rate that the fishing industries technology/manufacturing has seen over the last few years on a whole, I would bet any current reel in the $100 range from a reputable manufacturer would probably do just fine.

[Catt]

More concerned with the rod than the reel. I throw a Wacky Rigged Trick Worm with my Calcutta 100A when it was on my Powell Inferno.

 

I throw Flukes with a Lew's LFS, Tournament MP/MB, Tournament Lite, & Team Lite.

[ironbjorn]

SLX MGL is great for this.

 

SLX XT is really good too but I like it best going down to 10lbs, not really 6-8lbs.

[DEPS_250]

On a side note, does anyone know how much a weightless 5in senko weighs? How much does a standard fluke weigh when rigged weightless?

 

Forgot to mention that I will also be using the reel for weightless texas rigged plastics also like creatures, flukes and senkos. Weightless standard sized fluke with 8-10lb line is about as finesse/light as I will go for weightless plastics. 

[WRB]

I like the Daiwa Tatula TW SV 70 but...the spool is too Narrow! Daiwa is introducing a new Tatula with Steez drive train this year.

Shimano SLX MGL 70 is perfect for light weight lures loaded with Sunline Armilo 11#/.011D  line on a Medium fast rod of your choice.

5” Senko weighs 3/8oz.

Tom 

 

[Alex from GA]

I have an old, 70s, Shimano Bantam 100 that I use for 8 lb fluorocarbon.  I usually use a 1/16th or 1/8th oz bullet weight and a Zoom finesse worm.  Throws fine but a 4.7:1 gear ratio is kinda slow.

[optimator]

54 minutes ago, Catt said:

More concerned with the rod than the reel. I throw a Wacky Rigged Trick Worm with my Calcutta 100A when it was on my Powell Inferno.

 

I throw Flukes with a Lew's LFS, Tournament MP/MB, Tournament Lite, & Team Lite.

This. I throw unweighted plastics on a LMH no problem. Not doing that on a heavy regardless of the reel. 

[T-Billy]

I've been very happy with my Curado and Scorpion 70's for the techniques you describe @DEPS_250.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, DEPS_250 said:

On a side note, does anyone know how much a weightless 5in senko weighs? How much does a standard fluke weigh when rigged weightless?

 

Forgot to mention that I will also be using the reel for weightless texas rigged plastics also like creatures, flukes and senkos. Weightless standard sized fluke with 8-10lb line is about as finesse/light as I will go for weightless plastics. 

both are about 3/8 plus the hook. If that’s as light as you are going then a fast actioned medium power is a good choice for a rod. 

[LonnieP]

Daiwa Alphas SV 800. Throws light stuff a lot better than my Tatula SV.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

All  bfs reel is, is a lightweight spool and maybe light linear braking. Small reels with low capacity wiffle spools are a step in that direction. Make sure bearings are free as possible and #1 by far is choosing a rod that loads with the weight you’re throwing. That stands true for 1/8oz all the way to 1oz +

[ska4fun]

Shimano MGL reels, Alphas CT SV...

[Lead Head]

If you are already swapping rods, it seems swapping spools would be the way to go. Odds are you can find a bfs or low capacity spool for a reel you already own if keeping costs low is your priority.