Do it all BFS travel rod recommendations.

[Obbai]

Hi guys,

 

Im currently in the market for a new BFS rod. I'm thinking of trying a "higher end" options for once. I'm looking for a travel rod for the ease of transport, ideally a multi piece (4/5 piece) rod. Currently im using a ex-fast 6' 4" rod which i do feel is a tad too long. Though casting distance is important to me but the comfort isn't there for me.

 

I mainly fish from the bank of reservoirs and lakes.

 

For lures, I mainly use lures around the 2g - 3.5g range. These lures are:

1.5" soft plastic w/ 2g jig heads

small 3g crank / jerk minnows.

However, I do want to try "replacing" the hard plastic with 2.5-3" soft plastic jerk baits such as the DoLive Stick , rigged weightless ( around 3g total) as I do fish in relatively rocky waters so loosing hard lures gets a little expensive after a while

 

As for fishes, I mainly catch peacock bass and zebra tilapia. 

 

My budget is around $200-300.

 

I do notice that travel BFS rods are mainly made for trout, thus they are a lot softer and shorter. The MegaBass Great Hunting line ( GHBF53-3UL & GHBF60-4L) has caught my eye, tho im unsure how a soft rod would feel.

 

I would love your thoughts on rod recommendation. Though im unsure if im asking for too much for a rod.

 

Thank you~

 

[bulldog1935]

I can recommend two - both will cast 2 g beyond 100' without windage swing.  

Both rods surprise you with light lure distance.  These are not trout rods, but baitfinesse rods with power to turn big fish.  Surprising quality and light-in-hand for the price.  

Abu Xrossfield 6'5" 4-pc BF is an inexpensive jewel - Abu named it for "crossing all fields" - inshore, shore casting, bass.  Closed length is 52 cm.  

Daiwa Black Label Travel 6'6" ML 5-pc, though rated 3-g low-end, will cast 2 g accurately into next week without windage swing, and is the best multipiece rod I've ever handled.  Daiwa also made this to be the All-Japan rod, inshore, shore casting, bass, and even vertical jigging to 4 oz.  Notably, 2 g loads the rod past the first joint, and it casts that light weight really well. Closed length is 46 cm.  

 

A 3rd rod to consider is Legit Designs Wild Side 6' ML

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/LEGIT_DESIGN_WILD_SIDE_5-Piece_Travel_Casting_Rods/descpage-LEFW.html

 

I have the 6'8" MM - this is all-bass, not a BF rod, and it's rated 5 g at the low end, but will cast 3 g without windage swing.  

[Obbai]

Thank you very much Bulldog. I'll definitely look into these rods especially the Black Lable travel rod!

[bulldog1935]

I got lucky, and scored mine, pre-owned but never used, on Yahoo auction for 30% less than retail (add 6% broker fee).  Also when I bought mine, there was still retail stock around Japan.  

There's one listed on ebay with shipping for 30% over retail/ make offer.  

They like this rod in Japan - it's the one rod in the BLX series that's sold out everywhere.  

 

The Xrossfield XRFC-654ML-BF-MB fishes well beyond its price.  

Baitfinesse is a forte for Abu rods.  

@softwateronly found the 2-pc Abu Prototype Kurodai 7'3" ML Baitfinesse at my recommendation, and he sounded delighted with it.  

[softwateronly]

42 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

 

@softwateronly found the 2-pc Abu Prototype Kurodai 7'3" ML Baitfinesse at my recommendation, and he sounded delighted with it.  

  It's true, I love it.  I'm only a dozen or so fish into it, but it's light enough to cast just a gram or three, balanced and floats in your hand, love the solid tip if you try to roll a jighead minnow, easy to get the line shake in resonance and feel the bites, and powerful enough to turn and control larger fish.  Very very happy with it and do recommend it if you end up wanting a longer 2-piece rod. 

 

scott 

 

https://asianportal-fishing.com/products/036282110861?variant=45041350967552&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=US feed&utm_content=Abu Garcia Salty Stage prototype Kurodai XKRC-73MLS-BF (Baitcasting 2 Piece)&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvvmzBhA2EiwAtHVrbzNPiXuzjl7PRCU_BV5COrPc-zSDxswNVE9TyzDAkkofbaE77eXedBoCm4QQAvD_BwE

 

 

[bulldog1935]

In last fall's kayak Redfish Rodeo (normally a week, but weather limited us to 3 days), Kurodai Prototype BF caught every fish that mattered, and likely made all the difference in presentation when I was on 200 redfish moving toward the tide pass, and a staked guide boat that was waiting for them.