A Day with BFS

[Big Swimbait]

As my username suggests, I am primarily a swimbait guy. But I decided to jump in on the BFS craze and give it a whirl. Not a shocker, but the heat was almost unbearable today. But I had so much fun, it almost didn't matter. I was using a Shimano BFS rod and a Conquest BFS 23 HG reel, 10 lb braid to a six lb leader. 

 

I put together a small assortment of BFS type lures, some Road Runners and some Ned baits. But the first bait I tied on was the Jackall  Pikupiku 78. I never took it off.  I lost count of the number of fish I caught of every species - probably close to 75-80. Most were bass up to 3 lbs, a lot of crappie and some big bluegills. I even caught 2 catfish. It was an absolute blast fighting these fish on light line.

 

One thing that this did open my eyes to was is the next time I'm in a tournament and the fishing is tough, I am not going to zero. My 5 biggest bass today were about 11 lbs - not an eye opener but no zero. Now to change out those hooks on the Pikupiku!

[BlakeMolone]

Bfs is a blast! I’ve been having great luck on black kalins Maribou jigs, pointer 65 jerkbaits, and the z man micro finesse stuff.

[Cbump]

Pics of your setup? 

[Big Swimbait]

26 minutes ago, Cbump said:

Pics of your setup? 

 

31 minutes ago, Cbump said:

Pics of your setup? 

Reel is tiny!

[The_Bear]

Oh man, I have gone down the rabbit hole on research for BFS. I want to try it out like you wouldn’t believe! 
 

Thanks for the report! 

[Big Swimbait]

6 minutes ago, The_Bear said:

Oh man, I have gone down the rabbit hole on research for BFS. I want to try it out like you wouldn’t believe! 
 

Thanks for the report! 

This was certainly a stretch for someone that usually throws 65 lb braid with a 25 lb leader. But I am hooked now. It did take about 30 minutes to really dial in the reel, but after that I could cast as far as I wanted with one hand.

[Drew03cmc]

I've got a Pikupiku as well and I must say, that thing is crazy. It's a slow way of fishing, but it gets crushed.

[Jason Penn]

i've gotten bit by the bug as well. probably what i've enjoyed most about it (on top of basically catching everything that swims) is at the end of the day, i don't feel as tired through my shoulders from slinging 1/2oz baits.

 

i've got 3 setups right now, and will add a 4th when bfe gets the tsu legend rods back in stock

[ska4fun]

Got bitten more than 3 years ago. Improved both quality/size and quantity of my catches. I'm fishing under very clear waters, where fishes are very wary of the surroundings.

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings,

I recently had my day using BFS for the first time too. During the past weekend I was able to examine and purchase a BFS reel. This brings casting reels closer to my preferred UL spinning gear. Due to traveling a long way to be able to examine the reel I only brought six pound mono to install. My research identified instances where folks using small diameter line experienced line bind due to line getting caught between the spool and reel frame. I figured six pound mono would be safe and provide a reasonable experience to start from.

Yes, I greatly appreciate the lower overall weight of the BFS reel. The particular BFS reel is similar in weight and line capacity to my 500 series UL spinning reel. It was impressive and fun to take on the bass, catfish, and tilapia using this little mostly polymer reel. There was very low user input needed to make distance with accuracy. I will eventually explore changing to four pound mono. For now I'll simply explore more angling adventures using the six pound mono. Good time, just wish there were more available and more affordable, low cost options. Hopefully to come to a store nearby. Be well and cheers!

[bulldog1935]

This is the JDM Underground version.  

Smith Plugger synchro reel with Try-Angle BFS spool.  

 

Matched with Smith Super Strike FO-56 glass ML rod

 

[Dye99]

This season I went to a Alderbaron and a Loomis IMX swimbait rod to throw my keitechs and little dark sleepers. 1/4 ounce heads are the biggest and 3.3 inch is my standard.

Its so much fun being able to one hand pitch baits under docks, pretty much my first " BFS " set up and Im having a blast catching fish on it..

[redmeansdistortion]

I too am a one-handed caster.  In the BFS world, most of the trout and salmon rods under 7' have a much shorter rear grip compared to the bass rods, making them much better for a one-hander.  My Palms Rera Kamuy 6'9" ML has a grip not much longer than my 5' and under creek rods.  I really appreciate the range of motion given with the shorter rear grip.