BFS: Line Choice Isn't a Simple Thing to Figure Out

[Fishing_Rod]

Greetings All,

@Motoboss The drag on my newish lower cost, less than $85, BFS reel did rather well recently when I managed to hook up on a channel catfish. It is the only bait cast reel I have that has a click drag, you can hear a slight click when the drag releases. I got to hear that muted clicking while connected to the catfish. The drag was smooth in operation, it did not surge like many of the carbon disk type drags usually are known for. Some of my spinning reels with carbon disk drags have a very high startup required to get them to slip. Once they slip, then they exhibit the surging, stuttering. Probably not too much of an issue when using stronger line where you have a bit more tolerance. The UL configuration with the 4 pound mono has enough drama for me. So I prefer a more consistent performing drag. I'm happy to see this reel did well. I am continuing my search for a fish that will really put the drag to more extensive test!

 

I use 4 pound mono so I usually don't have much on the drag setting. Generally I'm not needing to apply a lot of leverage. There is only so much that is practical on a UL configuration. Many of the locations I fish at don't have a huge amount of snag hazards.

 

I'm hoping you get to test your configuration with great success. Be well and Cheers!

[roadwarrior]

#4 Tatsu for me.

[Robinhood21]

I have no clue what the diameter is but I have Suffix 832 8# on all my BFS setups and have never had an issue.

 

[Dye99]

On 5/6/2024 at 7:59 PM, Robinhood21 said:

I have no clue what the diameter is but I have Suffix 832 8# on all my BFS setups and have never had an issue.

 

Yup I use the same stuff. With 6 lb leader. Two SLX and a alderbaran

[Jig Man]

Big Hands I am in a situation similar to yours.  I am in the process of setting up a finesse baitcaster.  I haven’t bought anything special, just using one of my setups (Curado 70 XG with a Bronzeback ml rod).  I had 6# Yozuri on it but wanted to try braid.

 

 I stripped off some of the 6# but left quite a bit for backing.  I started out with 15# Power Pro and a leader.  I have fished with it two days with no digging in issues.  I plan to change to 10# soon so I can compare them.

[new2BC4bass]

On 5/6/2024 at 9:59 PM, Robinhood21 said:

I have no clue what the diameter is but I have Suffix 832 8# on all my BFS setups and have never had an issue.

 

TW lists 8# 832 as having a .007 diameter.

 

EDIT:  Once I got into my middle teens, I went to 4# XL.  Didn't change line size until I got into baitcasters.  Use a lot of 8# mono/co-polymer lines on Medium and ML power rods.  Going to try light braid on my finesse spools.  Not fond of the 5# braid I have.  Too thin.  Will try between 8#-15# braid.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, new2BC4bass said:

TW lists 8# 832 as having a .007 diameter.

That's what Rapala itself lists the line diameter on their web-site (Rapala owns Sufix)

[Robinhood21]

43 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

TW lists 8# 832 as having a .007 diameter.

 

EDIT:  Once I got into my middle teens, I went to 4# XL.  Didn't change line size until I got into baitcasters.  Use a lot of 8# mono/co-polymer lines on Medium and ML power rods.  Going to try light braid on my finesse spools.  Not fond of the 5# braid I have.  Too thin.  Will try between 8#-15# braid.

I have tried 8 10 and 15 and they all have work just fine

[As above, So Below]

I use 10# braid (Sufix 832) for standard guides and 8# of the same braid with micro guides (I love my megabass levante but they have the micro-ist of guides). I tie those to an 8# and 6# leader respectively (Sufix advanced fluoro leader). I use a modified Alberto knot, half hitch for the beginning instead of the traditional loop, this shows both tag ends to face away from the leader side of your line, thus less hang-ups on your outgoing cast.

 What I’ve found is this stuff is beyond tough enough. I’ve yanked lures out of vegetation with 10# no problem even tree branch cover. I also did not get line dig, you just need to be mindful of your spool and rod. Put your thumb on your spool to brace it if you’re pulling on say…a jig stuck under a rock. If you get super snagged or end up having to boat flip a lunker, grab the rod and line together and support them as one unit (really only applies to ultra light rods with 4# line and under…yes, there are people who use 2# fishing line). You should really be carrying a net just in case that double digit bass or 20+” rainbow pop up.

Also you mentioned you may have gotten line dig after setting the hook? You might be over doing that. Typically with BFS you reel down and keep pressure, you really shouldn’t have to lean into anything.

I stay within 1/16th to 3/8th oz. lures/baits (very rarely do I use 3/8s). I mention this because line diameter or pound test is proportionate to lure/bait size. Ever try to throw a 1/4 oz jig on 50# braid?…you can’t. The lie needs to pull the line, the line can’t push the lure. That being said I stay away from the 4# test mono bullcrap. To me the obsession with BFS ultra light is absurd. Nobody should be casting 1/32nd oz. lures unless you’re fly fishing and if that’s what you want to do go buy a fly rod 🤷‍♂️

BFS to me means multi species with one rod and reel and being able to adjust your lures. Today I caught a brown trout on a 1/16th oz. inline spinner. Tomorrow if I wanted to I could throw a 1/8th or 3/16 oz. Bitsy Bug jig and catch bass. That’s where the magic is.

[bulldog1935]

I didn't consider braid before 832 - FEP-coated braids make all the difference - round, abrasion-resistant, slick.  

 

However, at the same diameter of 6-lb 832, the finer fibers and tighter weave of Japan X-braid is 16-lb breaking strength.  

I've caught over 120 species on fly rod.  

For my money, modern finesse tackle makes fly fishing obsolete for all except moving water.  

Stillwater fly fishing is largely obstinance, though shooting a Teeny line with only a roll pick-up and single back-cast for line speed can make sense.  

(the 18" snook is hopping off the table and went back into the channel)

[Blackpolar2021]

6 lbs. fluorocarbon. Seaguar Invisx or Kastking kovert extreme. Give it a try.