BFS rod

[FishTax]

Got the kast king zephyr bfs reel for Christmas. Now I need to choose a rod and line. Looking to be under $100. 

 

Not sure exactly what I'm throwing on it, this is my first bfs experiment. Probably weightless wacky and stuff like that I guess. What do you all throw on BFS setup? 

[MickD]

I could help with recommendations for building a rod, but not with factory rods.  But a few things that I've learned might help select a rod: 

-  Pretty light power so it loads with light lures

-  The longer the better to help with loading and casting distance

-  Moderate or Mod/Fast action.  You want it slower than "fast" or "X-fast" so it loads over more of its length.  Will help with casting distance with light lures.

 

In spin rods, rods of this type are often called "walleye rods."  A friend built a BFS from a 7 foot 2 spin "walleye" blank, called M-L power, but it was measured to be more like what most would call "light" power.  It works well.  I think since manufacturers describe their rods differently between spin and cast you want the lightest power casting rod you can find.  

 

Others may disagree, but this is my opinion.

 

"What do you all throw on BFS setup? " My friend casts neds on pretty light jigs with his. Not sure of the exact weight.  

[JN94]

Agree with all the above^. Wacky rigs end up weighing a decent amount and are really overpowering for BFS in my opinion. I think BFS is best with lures up to ~7g. I would look for a rod rated 1/8-3/8 or so

[FishTank]

Above your budget but the Dobyns Sierra Ultra-Finesse 700C is a good do it all rod. It would be a good place to start and its a rod that definitely brings in the fish.

[dave]

Why not match it with the Kastking Kestral?

[WRB]

Buy a reel you don’t know what to use for and looking for rod to use with it.

Most bass anglers use BFS combo to replace a ML spinning combo. Bass fishing lures under 1/16 oz (1.7 g) are uncommon, a few not many. Rods with lure ratings between 1.7 g to 2.7 g should cover your needs. Line is usually small diameter braid under .005D.

Good luck,

Tom

[msgf91]

You could probably try one of the AliExpress rods under $100. They get good reviews like the ace hawk venom rods. 

 

 

For baits I know some people use BFS in different ways. I use it for bass and crappie and pretty much use it as a scaled down version of standard bass rigs. Micro t-rigs, micro cranks, and micro swimbaits on underspins.

if you were really wanting to try wacky rigs, I just picked up moondog bait companies finesse stick baits. They work great. Essentially a micro senko. But they're really light and probably need an UL rod. I use an Old 18 Authentic 6'6 UUL to cast them wacky rigged and 1/32nd ounce roadrunner with a donkey tail jr 

[FishTax]

Didn't realize it was for baits that light, I was thinking it'd just replace a spinning rod. Now I'm thinking I'll just use this as a crappie rod. 

[Jmurphy87]

25 minutes ago, FishTax said:

Didn't realize it was for baits that light, I was thinking it'd just replace a spinning rod. Now I'm thinking I'll just use this as a crappie rod. 

Don’t just limit yourself to using it as a crappie rod, I caught my pb on a bfs setup 4.74lbs and it worked great. I caught a lot of fish on it and species. I was amazed by how well it handled decent bass and made the fights more fun. I recommend getting a rod within your budget and give it a shot. Just a word of warning, 7lb braid and wind will drive you nuts. Stay away from overhead limbs on windy days lol. I used 5lb fluorocarbon also and caught plenty of fish in all sorts of cover, just gotta use your head and skills. Good luck on your bfs journey it’s a blast and addicting all at the same time, eventually you will be trying to cast trout magnets and that’s where the rod becomes very important.

[Hoosierman]

CU DOUBLE NEW 1.8m Lure Fishing Rod Fast Action UL/L Tips Carbon Spinning Rod Jigging Fishing rod 2 sections Fishing Tackle on Aliexpress.

 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832678003912.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.305.21ef1802pSZKvD&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

 

Caught 7# catfish on BFS reel and this rod.

 

Youtube Reel Test uses this rod too!

[msgf91]

16 hours ago, FishTax said:

Didn't realize it was for baits that light, I was thinking it'd just replace a spinning rod. Now I'm thinking I'll just use this as a crappie rod. 

Like the guy above said, don't limit it to crappie duty, that's on the lower side of bfs that I was talking about using an UUL rod with 1/32nd ounce roadrunners. I also have Light powered rods for 1/16 to 1/8th weight roadrunners and t-rigged worm weights (the baits add a little weight). You could even pair the reel with a ML. I use a ML for 1/8th to 3/8ths. All of these baits I catch good size bass mixed in with crappie and dink bass. Try a 1/16th ounce roadrunner with a Zman shad FryZ and you'll be hooked. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Some big bass have been caught while crappie or panfish fishing. However, I suggest you build a combo to effectively fish the baits you want to use and call it bfs, power finesse, redneck spinning, goober casting or whatever you like. 😆

[FishTax]

Thanks Everyone! I'm thinking I'll do what @Delaware Valley Tackle suggests. Don't want to get boxed in calling it BFS, so I'm just gonna build a combo that's good for 1/8-1/4oz lures and go catch some fish on it  

[BC VC basser]

I’ve throwing the 1/10 zman Ned’s

and some 1/8 oz swimbaits on my bfs. Going to try some micro cranks and Skirted Ned’s (jig style) when the fish start moving towards the shallower water.

Spooled it with 7lb sniper fluorocarbon

Its my entry level bfs setup to see how it goes.

Been happy with it for the most part.

Unfortunately the rod is over your price range but gives you some ideas on bait choices…

 

 

 

[Bass Rutten]

2 hours ago, FishTax said:

Thanks Everyone! I'm thinking I'll do what @Delaware Valley Tackle suggests. Don't want to get boxed in calling it BFS, so I'm just gonna build a combo that's good for 1/8-1/4oz lures and go catch some fish on it  

Good call and great advice from dvt. Most of my hard lures are 3/16 and1/4oz jerk baits, poppers, and cranks. The plastics I use are mostly 4-6.5in finesse worms rigged all manner of ways; weightless, weightless wacky, 1/16-1/8oz jig wacky, 1/16 shaky head, neko rig, free rig, 1/16oz ned rigs. Basically just downsizing my conventional confidence techniques/lures. I'm using a medium light/fast rod rated for 1/16-3/8oz lures, it's got a soft tip and shuts off fast which I find is ideal for bass. The ultra light and moderate tapered rods commonly suggested are better suited for targeting panfish and trout.

[FishTax]

Thanks guys. @Bass Rutten and @BC VC basser are throwing pretty much what I had in mind. I'm going to spend some time this weekend looking at rods. ML/F sounds great to me as I used to have a ML until I snapped it and it was the most fun to catch bass on, what a fight! I think building this combo will open up a lot of interesting options for lures that I previously may not have considered because of casting accuracy with spinning rods. I am great at launching a lure into trees with spinning. Ok with all rods  but I'm pretending just spinning to justify this purchase!

[MickD]

On 1/4/2024 at 12:09 PM, BC VC basser said:

Going to try some micro cranks

Bill Norman Crappie Cranks and Deep Tiny N's are very good, I especially like the gel craw and bumblebee finishes.

 

Just checked Norman's site, and looks like the lures I recommended have been superseded by some others.  Might find some on Ebay, worth a try because they really do work well.  Bass , walleye, perch, bluegills, and of course, crappies.