Which of my current reels would be the best option for conversion to BFS?

[DaveT63]

I'm just now thinking about venturing into the BFS realm.  I've got a 7' MLF casting rod rated for 1/16 - 3/8 oz, 4-10 lb line I plan to start off with.  I've got the following reels.  Which would you all recommend for BFS, if any, as they are now, and what mods would you make to any of them for BFS use?

 

Curado 51E

Scorpion 1001XT

Aldebaran Mg (51 size)

Steez 103HL

Steez SV103HL

TD-Z 103ML

Pixy PX68L

Alphas SV 105

Alphas Ito 103L

 

I prefer to start off with something I have.  Or am I better off buying something else?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

 

[bulldog1935]

In my experience, the most versatile (and forgiving) spool for BFS on Daiwa is Ray's Honeycomb SV.  I've fished 2 of these in 34-mm size for 4 years and never backlashed.  

 

Current stock limits you to Alphas, and I would snag one of the spools either from Thailand (last one, red) or China (tell him purple, blue or black) 

 

 

Japan vendors are also listing 34-mm (Steez/Zillion) and 31-mm (Pixie) at scalper prices.  

 

I always set mag brake baseline using disposable 6-lb YZH - cast the lightest thing you're ever going to throw, dial out mid-cast backlash.  When you switch to braid, never go below this base mag number, and add a couple of notches for casting into the wind.   Otherwise, the mag is set, and there's no reason to change it.  

 

The trick with lighter weights on these spools is improving spool bearings.  

Can't go wrong with Roro bearings and their bearing pin tool.  

 

 

Better add I've never backlashed fixed-rotor Roro-X or AMO spools, either, but by design, these spools are less forgiving and won't compensate for start-up jerk either from wrist snap or casting heavier weights.  

 

If going this route pings you, AMO 34-mm spool outdistances everything else casting the lightest weights.  

None of this is feely, it's all measured on casting range and proved on the water.  

[GPtimes2]

I would consider one of the lighter weight reals may feel/balance better with lighter lures. Not sure of all the weights, so maybe the Aldebaran?

[Bigbox99]

The Steez and TD-Z all take the same spools.  That gen of Steez magnets are super weak so I would lean TD-Z just for the spool options.  You can get every Ray's and Amo Aliexpress spool as well as high end JDM spools for the TD-Z 103.  

 

You can get Ray's Studio spools for all of those Daiwa reels but while I am a big fan of those spools they aren't great below 1/8 oz total weight.  They have a dynamic brake that doesn't play well with the super UL baits like used in stream fishing.  As long as you stick to bass baits such as small "weightless" plastics and little jigs the Ray's Studio spools are great.  

 

Personally I use my Alphas SV 105 with stock spool for 90% of my BFS needs.  It's basically a mass produced Daiwa knock off of an Alphas KTF with a bit more capacity and spool weight. I've been slinging 1/16 oz flick shake heads on 5 inch skinny finesse worms as well as weightless 4 inch stick baits for years on a ML Shallow Cover Finesse 1st gen Steez rod.  While we're at it, the Steez LTD 105 spool is also very shallow and super light weight.  I'd fish it stock for BFS for all my finesse skipping needs on 8 to 10# Sniper ans a L to ML BFS rod.  

 

Also why are we buying $55 Aliexpress spools on Ebay for $80 plus THIRTEEN dollar shipping? 

 

[Bigbox99]

Oops I thought the Steez SV was a limited with the shallow light weight dimpled spool.  I'd leave that one as is due to the weak magnets not playing nice with after market spools.  I had a Ray's in an SS SV and I had to fixed the inductor into the extended position to get the spool to behave with those magnets.  I also have a Scorpion 1000xt with a used Yumeya spool.  This will fit your Curado 51, Scorpion 1001xt and Alde.  I'm not a fan of it.  It's fast and good at slinging compact finesse baits but anything that slows rappidly or skipping, just forget about it.  I break it out once a year to sling some 1/8 to 3/16 ounce hard baits.  

 

The Alphas SV 105 is the closest to a stock BFS reel so would use that and if you want to go lighter or cast lighter baits further then get a Ray's spool for the Alphas assuming you are using bass baits fishing for bass.  All bets are of if you're casting trout magnets.  Fun fact, of my two Alphas SV 105 spools, one has a Ray's inductor and spring on it because I was so impressed with the casting performance of the Ray's spool but wanted more capacity so I just put the Ray's brake on the Alphas SV spool.  If you're doing the stream fishing UL stuff then the TD-Z and a fixed inductor Roro or Amo spool would be good.  

[Robin]

I have converted several Shimano Curado 50, Adebaran 50 and Scorpion Xt 1000s to BFS using Avail spools and Roro bearings. They all perform great. I love the simplicity of the basic Shimano centrifugal brake system. More of a set and forget routine. They can all throw down to 2 grams without any problems. I do have some of the current BFS specific Aldebaran/Alphas that can throw lighter, but the old school modified Shimanos will beat them in distance once you get to 3-4 grams.

[new2BC4bass]

OP:  Wow!  We have a similar line up.  Never touched an Aldebaran.  My Scorpion 1000 series is the 1001 4x4 SVS and my two matching Steez are right hand....only because that hand was what I got a good deal on for used reels.

 

I too am going to try BFS with casting gear.   Recently received a Roro BFS spool that fits an Alphas.  Bulldog1935 gave me the link for it.  The spool was out of stock the day after I ordered mine. 

 

First I have to unpack all my reels and get them sorted out.  When we removed them from my rods, we didn't have time to sort through the boxes and put each reel in its proper box. 

 

BTW, my two matching Alphas reels will remain as they are.  Will be using a Purple Alphas with the Roro spool.

 

[redmeansdistortion]

Your PX68 is most suitable for conversion out of what you have.  It uses a 31mm spool, which makes the spools from the Alphas Air Stream Custom a direct swap.  You could also use a Ray's spool with that one if you so choose.  31mm will be best for short range low trajectory casts.

[bulldog1935]

@redmeansdistortion and the spool is listed on ebay for $170 from Japan scalper.  

 

If you want to check current stock on Ray's Studio, go first to the Thailand ebay vendor I linked above, where Ray's Studio is made.  

[redmeansdistortion]

1 minute ago, bulldog1935 said:

@redmeansdistortion and the spool is listed on ebay for $170 from Japan scalper.  

Here it is on Amazon for half that.  https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Alphas-Stream-Custom-00614121129681/dp/B07TSDLD6R

[bulldog1935]

@redmeansdistortion - best thing about that spool, it's made for mono.  

 

and of course it will fish braid also.  

Braid doesn't warp spools, which is how they can make braid-only BFS spools down to 4 g spool weight -- relaxing stretched mono warps and blows-out spools that aren't reinforced for mono/fluoro.  

[redmeansdistortion]

Just now, bulldog1935 said:

@redmeansdistortion - best thing about that spool, it's made for mono.  

It's completely fine with braided lines.  I fished mine hard the 3 years I owned it, never warped the spool.

[Bigbox99]

14 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

@redmeansdistortion and the spool is listed on ebay for $170 from Japan scalper.  

 

If you want to check current stock on Ray's Studio, go first to the Thailand ebay vendor I linked above, where Ray's Studio is made.  

What is the reasoning behind spending $93 on Ebay for an Aliexpress spool that typically run $55?  Is the shipping faster?  I've bought numerous Ray's spools since i 1st discovered them in 2016 and we always bought them from Aliexpress and about a month later they would show up in the mailbox. 

[DaveT63]

Thanks for all the replies!  I think I'm going to start with the Alphas SV105 with stock spool.  I'll play with that for a while.  If I decide to go further, I'll order a Ray's spool.

 

Dave

[redmeansdistortion]

3 hours ago, DaveT63 said:

Thanks for all the replies!  I think I'm going to start with the Alphas SV105 with stock spool.  I'll play with that for a while.  If I decide to go further, I'll order a Ray's spool.

 

Dave

Before you order the spool, try a TD-Z Type R+ inductor spring first.  You can get them at Tackle Trap.  It makes the inductor take a higher RPM to actuate which helps in casting lighter stuff.  It's a pretty simple swap, remove the C clip securing the inductor, swap springs, reattach the C clip, go fishing.  It would also be a good idea to flush the bearings and use a low viscosity oil.