Power BFS Rod Recs

[JN94]

What's everyone's favorite? I'm looking for a new one. I had been using a Fenwick Techna PX 6'10" ML that was a pretty solid rod but has now fallen apart on me. This will be more of a "power" bfs rod, will be throwing 5-8g. Don't want something too whippy. I really prefer the 6'8" - 6'10" range due to versatility but will look at anything up to 7' or so. Don't want to go less than 6'8". Would like to stay under ~$200. Let me hear whatcha got!

[FryDog62]

Goes up to 1/4 oz which is close to 8 grams:

Phenix Classic BFS Casting Rod 6'8" Light/X-Fast Action
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Extra Fast	4-10lb	3/32-1/4oz	14+Tip	Classic BFS Cast A	13"	In Stock: 5+	$189.00

 

Or, this ML from Phenix as well, a little more power (starts at 8 grams), however an inch longer than what you want:

Phenix Feather Casting Rod 7'1" Med Lt
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Fast	6-12lb	1/4-5/8oz	10+Tip	Feather A	***/2"	In Stock: 5+	$159.00

 

[JN94]

3 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Goes up to 1/4 oz which is close to 8 grams:

Phenix Classic BFS Casting Rod 6'8" Light/X-Fast Action
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Extra Fast	4-10lb	3/32-1/4oz	14+Tip	Classic BFS Cast A	13"	In Stock: 5+	$189.00

Have heard good things about this rod, but have heard it fishes a little soft (like most Phenix rods). Beautiful rod though. I think if they came out with a ML I'd pick it up

[FryDog62]

1 minute ago, JNorman said:

Have heard good things about this rod, but have heard it fishes a little soft (like most Phenix rods). Beautiful rod though. I think if they came out with a ML I'd pick it up

I have the ML in the Feather line up... use it for heavier Neds, lighter Texas rigs, etc. Works well and I actually prefer the 7'1" length to get longer casting distance when needed. 

[JN94]

7 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Goes up to 1/4 oz which is close to 8 grams:

Phenix Classic BFS Casting Rod 6'8" Light/X-Fast Action
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Extra Fast	4-10lb	3/32-1/4oz	14+Tip	Classic BFS Cast A	13"	In Stock: 5+	$189.00

 

Or, this ML from Phenix as well, a little more power (starts at 8 grams), however an inch longer than what you want:

Phenix Feather Casting Rod 7'1" Med Lt
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Fast	6-12lb	1/4-5/8oz	10+Tip	Feather A	***/2"	In Stock: 5+	$159.00

 

That ML looks a little strong. I've got M powered rods with that rating that I power fish with. I'll do some digging on it though

[FryDog62]

Just now, JNorman said:

That ML looks a little strong. I've got M powered rods with that rating that I power fish with. I'll do some digging on it though

Consider the "Light" then, its the one I use the most:

Phenix Feather Casting Rod 7'1" Light
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Fast	4-10lb	1/8-3/8oz	10+Tip	Feather A	***/2"	In Stock: 5+	$149.00

 

[JN94]

5 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Consider the "Light" then, its the one I use the most:

Phenix Feather Casting Rod 7'1" Light
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Fast	4-10lb	1/8-3/8oz	10+Tip	Feather A	***/2"	In Stock: 5+	$149.00

 

I think that 1/8-3/8 is the sweet spot. I will check it out. Thanks!

[Darth-Baiter]

 i have the Phenix Light.  i think it is as you describe perfectly.  i find it too "not whippy" enough..but it sounds like what you are looking for.

 

i'll be honest, i dont love the handle.  (i have two) the Feather is the first rod i picked up and my first impression was "yuck".   i have gotten used to it, but still.  

[JN94]

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/collections/shimano-20-22-zodias/products/shimano-20-zodias-baitcasting-168l-bfs

 

Anyone have any experience with this? When they say it's "1 piece + grip", I'm assuming that's a standard one piece? Or no?

[MickD]

Light, medium light, medium, descriptions that are highly unreliable.  Actual CCS numbers are the only way to really know what you're getting for power.

 

I have a rod I built from a Phenix M1 7 ft 2 inch that fishes very well.

 

What does "fishes soft" mean?  

[JN94]

13 minutes ago, MickD said:

Light, medium light, medium, descriptions that are highly unreliable.  Actual CCS numbers are the only way to really know what you're getting for power.

 

I have a rod I built from a Phenix M1 7 ft 2 inch that fishes very well.

 

What does "fishes soft" mean?  

Right, that's why I had been referencing lure weight. Soft just referring to underpowered relative to what "most" other manufacturers would consider the same power rating. Obviously every rod fishes the way it is intended to by the manufacturer and lines up according to their opinions on power, actions etc. But all of that is relative due to no industry wide standard on what is a M, MH, etc

[Bass Rutten]

I'm rocking a 7ft Kistler Helium, 1 power medium-light. It's a little over your budget, I got mine for $247, I picked up two more in different powers for $209 recently, they have sales quite often. It's rated 1/16-3/8oz, but 3.5-10g is right in it's wheelhouse, it doesn't load or cast well with 1/16 despite it's rating. A very light and sensitive rod and well balanced.

[bulldog1935]

Except for USM 13Fishing Omen Green

I don't think any of my JDM favorites have current stock. Valleyhill Odessa

Abu Salty Stage XKRC Prototype.  

 

[JN94]

1 minute ago, Bass Rutten said:

I'm rocking a 7ft Kistler Helium, 1 power medium-light. It's a little over your budget, I got mine for $247, I picked up two more in different powers for $209 recently, they have sales quite often. It's rated 1/16-3/8oz, but 3.5-10g is right in it's wheelhouse, it doesn't load or cast well with 1/16 despite it's rating. A very light and sensitive rod and well balanced.

Ok awesome. That sounds promising. I will check it out. Just ordered a Kistler Helium last week actually and I haven't had a chance to fish it yet but feels great

2 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

Except for USM 13Fishing Omen Green

I don't think any of my JDM favorites have current stock. . 

 

 

Haven't ruled this out yet at all. Super pretty rod. Just doing my DD on options

[bulldog1935]

ps - just out of your price range with rod shipping added, here's an inch-longer Valleyhill bad boy.  

https://fishingshop.kiwi/VALLEY-HILL-Cyphlist-HRX-Pro-Spec-Hard-Rock-Edition-CPRC-72LS-RFF/

Note this vendor has always had the Valleyhill stock edge, and with discounted prices.  

 

 

[FishTank]

I have been using the Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse and have caught tons of fish on it. For the money, it's not bad. The cork is starting to look a little beat up but otherwise it performs great.  It has a pretty fast tip and soft mid section, which, believe it or not,  is great for treble hook baits when landing some bigger fish.  The fast tip sets the hook and the soft middle keeps them pinned without bending the hooks completely out. 

 

If you get the JDM version....I also like the Megabass P5 Siglett.  It's just a fun rod to fish.

[FryDog62]

43 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

ps - just out of your price range with rod shipping added, here's an inch-longer Valleyhill bad boy.  

https://fishingshop.kiwi/VALLEY-HILL-Cyphlist-HRX-Pro-Spec-Hard-Rock-Edition-CPRC-72LS-RFF/

Note this vendor has always had the Valleyhill stock edge, and with discounted prices.  

 

 

If I get “Cyphlist” do I need to take Penicillin?  Lol… Actually looks like a nice rod - how is it for throwing a 1/16th hair jig? Wondering specifically if the tip loads right to really cast something that light, and if it can pull through a little light cover/weeds without folding? A tough balance to achieve..

[bulldog1935]

@FryDog62 In that rod series, I have the 7'5" MH that's rated 1/4 to 1 oz, and it fishes both ends perfectly, I'm fishing 1/4 oz neutrual density TSL grasswalker to winter 7/8 oz Corkys and 1 oz topwaters.  

  

My other Valleyhill rod also fishes both ends of its rated range perfectly, so I would say it's probably perfect for 1/16 oz.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

17 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@FryDog62 In that rod series, I have the 7'5" MH that's rated 1/4 to 1 oz, and it fishes both ends perfectly, I'm fishing 1/4 oz neutrual density TSL grasswalker to winter 7/8 oz Corkys and 1 oz topwaters.  

  

My other Valleyhill rod also fishes both ends of its rated range perfectly, so I would say it's probably perfect for 1/16 oz.  

You ever look into getting a Zenaq?

[bulldog1935]

@GetFishorDieTryin Never heard of them, but just googled their website.  

On the TX coast, Waterloo rods are renowned, and my buddy Josh fishes nothing else.  Come to think of it, this high-$ marina where I'm staged to launch below carries nothing else in their pro shop.  

I'm really pretty set on tackle, and don't expect to be in the market for awhile with a new truck payment.  

[JN94]

Anyone have any experience with Old 18? In the past I think I had read that they wouldn't reveal where they sourced their blanks from which gives me a little pause. But if someone has fished one and likes it that's what matters at the end of the day

 

https://old18.com/collections/fishing-rods/products/ascent-70-light-casting-extra-fast

[FryDog62]

56 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@FryDog62 In that rod series, I have the 7'5" MH that's rated 1/4 to 1 oz, and it fishes both ends perfectly, I'm fishing 1/4 oz neutrual density TSL grasswalker to winter 7/8 oz Corkys and 1 oz topwaters.  

  

My other Valleyhill rod also fishes both ends of its rated range perfectly, so I would say it's probably perfect for 1/16 oz.  

I believe your other Valleyhill is 6'7" - I was thinking something 7'2" to 7'4" to throw the 1/16th hair jigs farther... but maybe the 6'7" loads particularly well? 

[FishTank]

53 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I believe your other Valleyhill is 6'7" - I was thinking something 7'2" to 7'4" to throw the 1/16th hair jigs farther... but maybe the 6'7" loads particularly well? 

 

I know guys do it but I'm not a big fan of hair jigs on BFS gear. They tend to go all over the place, even in a light breeze.  Most of time I still like to use spinning gear so I can feather the cast but with the wind to my back BFS gear isn't so bad. 

[Robin]

I thought I would chime in on Waterloo Rods. Although designed for the coast, they make excellent BFS/power BFS rods. They are very light, sensitive and strong and many of the models can easily cast down to 1/8 oz. I am currently using one of their Slam Mags as my 110 jerkbait rod. Best jerkbait rod I have ever used. Just trying to make a point on their versatility. Their lighter action rods really shine for any type of bottom contact fishing including finesse jigs.

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

 

I know guys do it but I'm not a big fan of hair jigs on BFS gear. They tend to go all over the place, even in a light breeze.  Most of time I still like to use spinning gear so I can feather the cast but with the wind to my back BFS gear isn't so bad. 

I think the chance of backlash is higher with BFS but I find the casting distance is farther - less line slap. Plus, after 3 wrist surgeries, spinning is out of the equation for me now...