BFS Gear

[1Fishdude]

Being a long time angler I just dont get this BFS direction of fishing. I personally have always used the lightest gear thats effective for the species and baits that I\'m using for the quarry. I am going to buy a BFS set up soon with a baitcaster Can someone tell me a good baitcaster to buy first. I have been thinking the Shimano curado BFS slx . The biggest question i have is this The problem I have always had with light gear is finding a lightweight rod that has the backbone to set the hook. I have fished spinning gear with 1000 size reels and ultralight trout poles to catch many fish that i never thought i coul catch because of fear i would break the rod or strip the drag on my reel.I think that especially in this day and age with all the pressure on our local lakes that finesse is the way to go But I need advice to steer me toward the solutin of finding my first ever BFS combo. I am a big fan of shimano and also phenix rods

[Gotfish?]

I have a Shimano Curado BFS reel spooled with 4 lb line on a SUF 740 rod.

https://dobynsrods.com/product/suf-740c/
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano ... -CRBF.html

I like casting finesse size (4") weightless plastics with it but I usually prefer slightly heavier gear otherwise. I don't find that it casts super well anyhow, nothing like spinning gear. I haven't used it in a while.

If I had to do it over, I would get one of the Daiwa TW reels, maybe https://daiwa.us/collections/baitcastin ... tatula-bfs . I really like the SV TW 70 Tatula reel I have now. It is almost BFS already.

Shimano recommends not using mono on their BFS reel. But light braid digs into itself and fluorocarbon doesn't cast great so I have used mono, have not had a problem so far. I don't think anyone else recommends against mono on their reels.

I like the Phenix Maxim rods a lot, maybe MAX-C 73ML although it is a bit heavy for BFS.

I have a 6.5' Wally Marshall crappie baitcasting rod and a 7' kokanee Lamiglass baitcasting rod, both will do light weights and I can't say the much more expensive Dobyns rod is noticeably different. None of the BFS rods have much backbone.

Forcefully setting the hook is not that critical if you use small light wire hooks. Just wind down when you think you have a fish on while raising the rod tip. Like you are supposed to do with a drop shot. One thing I really like about baitcasting is that it is easy to run the line between your forefinger and thumb for great sensitivity, not so easy with spinning.

For spinning, I use a 7' Shimano Crucial dropshot rod with a 1000 series reel with 6 lb Nanofil or Gliss. It casts even light weights a long ways and has plenty of backbone. Most people would use a 2000 or 2500 series reel for dropshot but 1000 is more than enough and you have better sensitivity with the lighter reel.

I could probably be talked into parting with some of the BFS stuff I have.

[1Fishdude]

Thanks for getting back to me on this quandry I have been having on the BFS issue. The reel I had my mind pretty much set on is the Shimano Curado. I havent pulled the trigger yet because I really dont need it its a want to try thing. The curados are pretty expensive. for a reel that most likely wont see alot of use since i will throw light stuff on a stradic 1000 on my phenix old boron lightweight rod . Being 6'^ inch i can cast 1/8 really far. But also what you said about Laminglas intrigued me . I've been fishing Laminglas for years now and really love their products. I use my 8.6 lamiglas paired with a stradic 3000 to throw lucky crafts in the surf for mainly Halis and am very successful. It also appears to me that you are probably go back to spinning gear soon. A really good rod for lt. weight lures is Fenwick hmg light its does have a bit more back bone but loads up well for 1/16 or 1/6 wgt kures . Thanks again for the info and if you do part ways with some gear my garage still has room.

[Early release]

Hi, I have the Shimano Aldebaran for BFS, which has been amazing. I realize that you are looking at the Curado, which is probably just as good, just a little heavier. I have it paired with a 7' rod and it's really nice. I feel that I can cast further with it, than I can with my similar size spinning rig. I am using braid with a fluoro leader, and it's been fine. I also agree with Gotfish? that setting the hook is a different matter with these light lures with their spiderweb thin hooks. Basically it's trained me to keep a tight line, and then just make it a bit tighter. I also haven't had any issue with landing fish, so far the biggest has only been 4 pounds 11 ounces though.

I believe Dannicus has a setup that he likes a lot. It was an ARK gravity on a dobyns rod. He's posting good success with that setup too. That reel looks like a great deal and if I add a setup, it might be my pick, if I can break loose from the Shimano hold.

[Just_Bass]

Really depends what spice is your target and importantly lure weight.
If you are mainly target bass and use normally bass lure down to about 1/8oz, I think L (rated BFS) or Modern ML 1/16-3/8 oz is the way to go. It is soft enough to lunch 3-4” weightless worm or 1/8oz hair jig a good distance and got some backbone that you can set hook with out fear of breaking the rod.
For reel the easiest and most beginner friendly, I recommend any Daiwa with SV/air bfs spool. Shimano make good reel but casting still need some pratice especially for those that usually do hard whip cast for distance. The T-wing line guide help a lot with thin braid when being pull out from reel un-uniformly as well as cone shape guide from Aldeberan.
If you looking for something to start with I’m selling my MajorCraft Speed Style UL/BFS pair with Abu Revo ALX with AMO spool.

3” Senko Curado 70 with Rays spool Curcial 6’6 drop shot special (comparable to ML) Izor line 6lb.

[Just_Bass]

For spinning, I use a 7' Shimano Crucial dropshot rod with a 1000 series reel with 6 lb Nanofil or Gliss. It casts even light weights a long ways and has plenty of backbone. Most people would use a 2000 or 2500 series reel for dropshot but 1000 is more than enough and you have better sensitivity with the lighter reel.

I could probably be talked into parting with some of the BFS stuff I have.

I can agree with you on many counts, first of all Crucial dropshot is my favorite too until I lost both of them, Nanofil and Gliss are my main spinning line for both bass and crappies and I caught plenty of big bass with 1000-2000 size reel.
Only thing that I wanna point out though, these modern reels especially from trusted name brand 1000 and 2000 size are basically the same only difference is spool diameter. The 1000-2000 might be best with super line but if one prefer mono then 2500 size might be better in line management.
I even go beyond by using 2500 compact (base of 1000 frame with even larger spool) the weight difference from spool is very minimal but I gain even more distance and less headache of wind knot. My last purchase was Tatula MQ FC 2500ss total weight with line is about the same as my KAGE LT 2000d.

[1Fishdude]

thank you gentlemen for the responses to my questions but i do have one more about the clicker feature on some of these bfs reels. Why do they have it because it would certainly drive me nuts. I am now trying to find An Ark Gravity Bfs because i do here nice things about it and the price point is so much better than the Curado.

[Surferjohn]

I have my Shimano Curado BFS paired up with the Shimano Curado Rod ML, extra fast. Im throwing small shad raps and Karshi's with it. Cast a mile with 8 lb Sunline flouro on it.

I love it so far. It has plenty of backbone. I've already caught a barrett fisty 3.5 lber on it. The clicker makes it fun in my opinion.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Shimano ... e-CUR.html

[Just_Bass]

thank you gentlemen for the responses to my questions but i do have one more about the clicker feature on some of these bfs reels. Why do they have it because it would certainly drive me nuts. I am now trying to find An Ark Gravity Bfs because i do here nice things about it and the price point is so much better than the Curado.

Have you fish one with drag sound?
I guess it give more excitement when fish pull the line out just like spinning gear. On light line reel which you set drag pretty loose it can turn heads when fish start pulling nonstop. You can deactivate that feature easily if you want though.
4 of my reels got that sound,conquest dc100, zillion sv tw, zillion HD, alphas and salamandura. It doesn’t sound loud nor obnoxious like some of the after market ones.

[1Fishdude]

thank you gentlemen for the responses to my questions but i do have one more about the clicker feature on some of these bfs reels. Why do they have it because it would certainly drive me nuts. I am now trying to find An Ark Gravity Bfs because i do here nice things about it and the price point is so much better than the Curado.

Have you fish one with drag sound?
I guess it give more excitement when fish pull the line out just like spinning gear. On light line reel which you set drag pretty loose it can turn heads when fish start pulling nonstop. You can deactivate that feature easily if you want though.
4 of my reels got that sound,conquest dc100, zillion sv tw, zillion HD, alphas and salamandura. It doesn’t sound loud nor obnoxious like some of the after market ones.

I am of that age where all reels baitcasters and spinning reels had that feature and some you couldnt turn off. So yes I have fished with them but not the new ones.

[Just_Bass]

thank you gentlemen for the responses to my questions but i do have one more about the clicker feature on some of these bfs reels. Why do they have it because it would certainly drive me nuts. I am now trying to find An Ark Gravity Bfs because i do here nice things about it and the price point is so much better than the Curado.

Have you fish one with drag sound?
I guess it give more excitement when fish pull the line out just like spinning gear. On light line reel which you set drag pretty loose it can turn heads when fish start pulling nonstop. You can deactivate that feature easily if you want though.
4 of my reels got that sound,conquest dc100, zillion sv tw, zillion HD, alphas and salamandura. It doesn’t sound loud nor obnoxious like some of the after market ones.

I am of that age where all reels baitcasters and spinning reels had that feature and some you couldnt turn off. So yes I have fished with them but not the new ones.

When I asked have you fish with one, I meant newer ones. Of course most ppl know and fish with bait clicker type reel before lol. Maybe you should stop by some tackle shop and ask them to try with one of those. Bass is not a hard run type, sometimes with 2-3lb bass I don’t even notice my reel making noise. You might hear more with BFS reel though. A little bit of sound

[jmpatacsil]

I always run braid to leader for BFS, I don't have trouble setting the hook on bass up to 4 lbs. I use 0.6 - 0.8 goh sunline with a 6-8lb leader depending where I am fishing. I really like the Daiwa Alphas Air and Shimano conquest for BFS. These are pricey options but I heard nothing but good things about the CDM BFS reels if you are looking for cheaper alternative.

Look at the Phenix BFS classic and Curado, SLX, and Scorpion BFS reels. Although, I think the SLX and Scorpion might be JDM offerings.

BFS has a time and place I've found. It's very difficult to cast in windy conditions and sometimes the spinning reel is the only option. BFS is super fun from shore!

[camobass]

Spinning reel/rod NEVER becomes the only option haha

[Roncador]

Not a Shimano but the kastking zephyr is a great beginner bfs reel for the money, bought one for $36 on ali Express just to try and I love it. I also have a aldebaran bfs a brenious and a custom bantam that I turned into a bfs reel and they each have their purpose. Aldebaran I use more for bass with ned rigs and such, the brenious I use in saltwater for croakers and vina, and the bantam gets used for everything. If your gonna be fishing trout I recommend going with a fiberglass rod. Either a dankung or palms egeria. Both great rods and relatively affordable. If your dead set on a Phenix I'd recommend the feather PHX-FTX-C71L. Actually plan on buying that rod soon to pair up with my curado 50.

Some pics of my custom bantam. I've put over $200 in parts into it. Latest addition are the magnetic breaks you see.

[camobass]

Not a Shimano but the kastking zephyr is a great beginner bfs reel for the money, bought one for $36 on ali Express just to try and I love it. I also have a aldebaran bfs a brenious and a custom bantam that I turned into a bfs reel and they each have their purpose. Aldebaran I use more for bass with ned rigs and such, the brenious I use in saltwater for croakers and vina, and the bantam gets used for everything. If your gonna be fishing trout I recommend going with a fiberglass rod. Either a dankung or palms egeria. Both great rods and relatively affordable. If your dead set on a Phenix I'd recommend the feather PHX-FTX-C71L. Actually plan on buying that rod soon to pair up with my curado 50.

20231206_123659.jpg
20231206_130237.jpg
20231206_131616.jpg
Some pics of my custom bantam. I've put over $200 in parts into it. Latest addition are the magnetic breaks you see.

That thing looks rad!

[Roncador]

Not a Shimano but the kastking zephyr is a great beginner bfs reel for the money, bought one for $36 on ali Express just to try and I love it. I also have a aldebaran bfs a brenious and a custom bantam that I turned into a bfs reel and they each have their purpose. Aldebaran I use more for bass with ned rigs and such, the brenious I use in saltwater for croakers and vina, and the bantam gets used for everything. If your gonna be fishing trout I recommend going with a fiberglass rod. Either a dankung or palms egeria. Both great rods and relatively affordable. If your dead set on a Phenix I'd recommend the feather PHX-FTX-C71L. Actually plan on buying that rod soon to pair up with my curado 50.

20231206_123659.jpg
20231206_130237.jpg
20231206_131616.jpg
Some pics of my custom bantam. I've put over $200 in parts into it. Latest addition are the magnetic breaks you see.

That thing looks rad!

Thanks! Its pretty awesome. I fish 6lb flouro on it with a little 4'11 fiberglass noodle. Makes it a battle every time!

[galen]

Not a Shimano but the kastking zephyr is a great beginner bfs reel for the money, bought one for $36 on ali Express just to try and I love it. I also have a aldebaran bfs a brenious and a custom bantam that I turned into a bfs reel and they each have their purpose. Aldebaran I use more for bass with ned rigs and such, the brenious I use in saltwater for croakers and vina, and the bantam gets used for everything. If your gonna be fishing trout I recommend going with a fiberglass rod. Either a dankung or palms egeria. Both great rods and relatively affordable. If your dead set on a Phenix I'd recommend the feather PHX-FTX-C71L. Actually plan on buying that rod soon to pair up with my curado 50.

20231206_123659.jpg
20231206_130237.jpg
20231206_131616.jpg
Some pics of my custom bantam. I've put over $200 in parts into it. Latest addition are the magnetic breaks you see.

That was my first bass reel, minus the upgrades. After all the thousands I’ve spent on tackle, that reel still landed my biggest largemouth ever. Had it on a 5’6” Fenwick pistol grip. Wish I had held onto it.

[Gotfish?]

From Shimano's website, https://fish.shimano.com/en-GB/product/ ... 6tqac.html , under Features and Technology, they claim their BFS reel has "exciting drag sound". Might be a cultural thing.

[Just_Bass]

From Shimano's website, https://fish.shimano.com/en-GB/product/ ... 6tqac.html , under Features and Technology, they claim their BFS reel has "exciting drag sound". Might be a cultural thing

It started with 2018 scorpion bfs that come with exciting drag sound. Nowadays a lot of higher end reel from Daiwa and Shimano come with this feature not only BFS reels as well as other smaller company that equipped with this feature even on cheap reel. I guess a lot of consumers prefer a little bit of sound to get more exciting when fish pulling drag. There are plenty of kit to give your old reel drag sound some good some bad some too loud and reduce drag capacity. I think 5 of my reels come with OEM drag sound. I also modified two or my reels so far to have this feature.

[StinkyPinky23]

My son has an slx bfs on a kast king kestrel rod, and I can cast the tiniest rapala countdown or a 1/32 hookup bait a mile. Straight 5lb flouro