BFS spinnerbaits

[Robin]

Just curious what everyone is using in this area. I have primarily been throwing Stanley baby 1/8oz spinnerbaits and have had tremendous success with them. I have been a huge fan of their spinnerbaits in all sizes forever. They just plain "work"! It appears they have recently been acquired by GSM Outdoors (like a lot of fishing companies) and you are not currently able to order anything off their website. I called the number they posted

for questions, but every time there was approximately 20 people on hold ahead of me. Hopefully, they will get things up and running soon and maintain the existing product line. In the meantime, any suggestions on alternatives? I have tried the Strike Kings babys and Booyah pond magics and they are way to flimsy. I routinely run into 2lb plus bass and the Stanleys can handle them.

[MediumMouthBass]

I wouldnt call 1/8 BFS.... but i like the spinnerbaits from Berkley(Power Blade).

I agree on the Strike King and Booyahs, its almost like a joke. So flimsy.

The Power Blade comes in many different blade variations, lots of really nice detailed colors.

Great keeper for trailers, comes in 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 for the smaller ones.

I have 2 and fish them for pickerel, but i think they would do great for bass.

[FishTax]

So I'm just dipping my toes into BFS, and one thing that always worries me is breaking off. Are you able to set the hook on a spinnerbait without it breaking? I assume you're running with light drag but I'm nervous about having enough pressure on a spinnerbait to get a hookset without breaking off. Maybe I'm anxious for nothing, but I break off on 10 lb line regularly (switching to 12+ this week actually) so my 6lb line on BFS is sure to be in danger! 

[king fisher]

Beetle spin

[FishTax]

7 minutes ago, king fisher said:

Beetle spin

That is actually what I was throwing Saturday at the tournament with @Pat Brown. Turns out, beetlespin on 6lb test loses the battle fast to the tree fish.  

But right now that's about the only lure I'm comfortable throwing on it, so I'm with you on that! 

[LrgmouthShad]

BFS what? 

[Robin]

BFS covers a wide range of lures/weights. It is more about down-sizing. I also throw a lot of 2-4 gram hard baits, but love throwing very small spinnerbaits on my BFS gear. I guess you could call it "power " BFS. I do not believe there is one single concrete definition of what BFS actually is.

In Japan they throw some fairly heavy stuff and often use 10lb test fluoro in many situations. I am not a trout magnet guy as most of my quarry are largemouth, Guadalupe and smallmouth bass in Texas Hill Country rivers and streams.

[Bass Rutten]

I'm not in your area but booyah has a little spinnerbait called the pond magic. Small underspins like roadrunners are a great alternative for a finesse lure with a little flash, they don't see them much and they flat out catch fish, and not just bass if your into the multi-species thing, just a thought. TW has a nice selection of them.

 

[WRB]

Super Rooster Tail comes 1/8 oz w/ single hook.

Tom

[FishTax]

I'm definitely interested in a single hook rooster tail. The trebles basically hang every time it touches bottom where I fish most of the time, so much submerged wood. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Never had an issue with the Pond Magics I use and I absolutely smash em on them.  When they bend I bend them back and go at it again.  I did break 1 trying to behind it back, but by that its had paid for itself 10x over.  I used to buy them by the half dozen every time I went to walmart, so they are older, hopefully they didnt change too much.    

[RRocket]

7 hours ago, FishTax said:

. Are you able to set the hook on a spinnerbait without it breaking? I assume you're running with light drag but I'm nervous about having enough pressure on a spinnerbait to get a hookset without breaking off

I run 4-6lb (on spinning though) and have never broken a hookset. Ever.

 

You must be really yanking it! 😃

 

Much of the point of running this light stuff is for unparalleled feel. I feel the rod start to load from the fish and then it's just a light sweep for the hookset. That's it. No need to drive anything home. Don't rush it.

 

Bear in mind these smaller spinnerbaits have smaller, sticky hooks. And, more importantly, a smaller overall profile. So it almost feels like they hook themselves. Easier for them to inhale it? Beats me...but just a gentle swipe and they're hooked.

 

Someone mentioned the Pond Magic and it is quite good. I'm not a spinnerbait expert by any means as there's a VERY short window here before it becomes Pike City.

 

Jackall Deraspin is quite nice too...but has been impossible for me to get consistently.

 

3 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

 Small underspins like roadrunners are a great alternative for a finesse lure with a little flash, they don't see them much and they flat out catch fish, 

 

If we're talking SMALL underspins, the Zappu Bredy is exceptional and totally weedless.

[Bass Rutten]

12 hours ago, RRocket said:

If we're talking SMALL underspins, the Zappu Bredy is exceptional and totally weedless.

That's a nice little reccomendation for bfs, what plastic do you run on it?

I like the Deek's deadspin for an open hook underspin, it's just a tad bigger than roadrunners but more compact than most underspins, the eye and blade hanger location lets it shed weeds pretty good too, great design. Pictured below is the 1/8 with a 3 inch largo shad, about 9.5 grams total, not what most would consider bfs though. Sorry op if we're threadjacking you.

[WRB]

Hook set technique using sharp hook is reel tight with rod sweep, no need to cross thier eyes hard rod set anymore.

Tom

[RRocket]

3 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

That's a nice little reccomendation for bfs, what plastic do you run on it?

I like the Deek's deadspin for an open hook underspin, it's just a tad bigger than roadrunners 

They also have an equivalent to Roadrunners called the Micro Bredy. Photo below with regular Bredy.

 

The regular Bredy?  3" and smaller swimbaits. I'm quite fond of OSP Dolive Stick or Dolive Shad.

 

Here's an article relating to BFS:

 

https://www.tackletour.com/reviewinsightzappuweedlessunderspin.html

 

[PhishLI]

15 hours ago, Robin said:

Just curious what everyone is using in this area.

This one has been great for me. 5 grams. Uses a beetle spin-esque rigging arm. Dirt cheap too. .98c at Wally's.

 

[GreenPig]

Strike King Mini King 1/8 isn't too fragile, I caught 9 lb 9oz LM on one using 30lb braid and kept on fishing it. I'm not saying it's BFS.

[scaleface]

I used both the Bomber Mini Whacker and Strike King Mini King with zero problems. I've caught hybrids in current and they stood up. 

[Robin]

Still lamenting yet another takeover of a long time/trusted brand by a VC group. Having worked in this industry in the capacity as a CPA for the past 45 plus years, it is all about the profits. Nothing else really matters. I have represented buyers and sellers over the years and most acquisitions turn out bad for the loyal long time supporters. Wishing GSM the best though! From what I can tell, they have a very good reputation and are led by a bunch of outdoor enthusiasts. Keeping my fingers crossed that they maintain the Stanley line.

 

sts. 

s.

[Munkin]

Check out the Jackal Deraspin bait.

 

Allen