Bfs Experts 2025

deep reply :

I'm considering, but at this stage only considering, getting a reel that would (comfortably) cast true 1/8 oz lures.

I'm aware that I'd need the right rod, which'll probably have to be a custom, but that's another story.

So what reel do I need, and what's a good price to pay for it (I'll buy used)? Trying to keep it (the reel) under $300; lower the better, of course.

Thanks guys.

IAY reply :

I was using IMX CR722 for a long time casting 1/8 oz things (measured) with a KTF spool/HedgeHog Air Bearings Metanium 13. It went down to 1/16 oz okay, but you kind of have to whip it out so it wasn't particularly accurate. My advice to you would be that you should try to find a Core50 or Aldebaran 50 for 200 or less, and spend good money on the spool for 100 or so.

Jrob78 reply :

If you're simply trying to go the cheapest route, you could probably buy a spool for one of your existing Shimano reels. If you want to buy a new reel, I would look at the Aldebaran BFS XG Limited or a Daiwa SS Air, both for right around $300 NIB, after shipping.

PitchinJigz reply :

On 11/26/2015 at 7:30 AM, IAY said:
I was using IMX CR722 for a long time casting 1/8 oz things (measured) with a KTF spool/HedgeHog Air Bearings Metanium 13. It went down to 1/16 oz okay, but you kind of have to whip it out so it wasn't particularly accurate. My advice to you would be that you should try to find a Core50 or Aldebaran 50 for 200 or less, and spend good money on the spool for 100 or so.

Finding either of those reels for less than $200 would be pretty tough. Another option is buying a Scorpion Xt 1000 and dropping in Hedgehog Air BFS bearings and an Avail Honeycomb or KTF spool.

Edit: As Jrob suggested, the Aldebaran bfs xg limited is around $300 and will require no work to cast 1/8oz lures.

John G reply :

I would buy the BFS XG Limited or if you already have a 50 size Shimano, as has already been stated, get a shallow spool for it.

new2BC4bass reply :

Well, Mr. Deep, definitely not a BFS expert here. Have never tried any of the reels mentioned. You can get a used PX Type R within your budget. Only got out once with mine and was casting a 1/8 oz. spinnerbait....which we all know weighs more than 1/8 oz. Not nearly as aerodynamic as something like a jig or Roostertail. I fully expect it to handle a true 1/8 oz. given how far it would cast the spinnerbait. Straight out of the box.

I freely admit I am not the caster so many of you on here are. Especially with lighter weights. I have thrown 3/16 oz. Shad Raps with 3 of my other reels....2 older gold Carbonlites and a TD-Z 105H. I feel confident that someone like yourself could do 1/8 oz. with any of them. The 105H is on an older 7' ML HMG. I bought them as a combo and the seller said it would cast 1/16 oz.

The 7' ML Crankin' Stick is currently on sale for $70. I have a feeling this rod is not one you would be interested in. The other rod I was using has been out of production for a few years. A Falcon Expert 6' 9" Light. I also have the Tatula 6' 10" M-XF rated from 3/32 and a Fenwick Smallmouh 6' 10" MF rated from 1/8 oz. I have yet to try 1/8 oz on either rod.

I imagine a Dobyns or GLoomis or Japanese rod would be more to your liking. Can't help there. Bet some of the guys on TT could give you some good suggestions. Course it probably would be for $500-$1000 rods and reels.

DogBone_384 reply :

I have a Pixy 68R, 6' 10" *** ML, and 7' Tatula ML. I've thrown only small Rapalas & weightless 5" worms with it. Both toss them well, but the *** goes farther and feels a little better with it. I bought the Pixy on eB**, new, for S H O R T cash.... There's my 2 cents. Best of luck with your choice.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 11/26/2015 at 10:09 AM, DogBone_384 said:
I have a Pixy 68R, 6' 10" *** ML, and 7' Tatula ML. I've thrown only small Rapalas & weightless 5" worms with it. Both toss them well, but the *** goes farther and feels a little better with it. I bought the Pixy on eB**, new, for S H O R T cash.... There's my 2 cents. Best of luck with your choice.

What is the lure range for the 6' 10"? Only could find one reference to this rod, and specs were not given. As far as I am concerned, the Tat ML with its 1/4-5/8 oz rating is more Medium than ML. My Med Smoke has the same rating. My Falcon Mediums are rate 1/4-1/2 oz. I don't consider a rod a true ML unless it can handle 1/8 oz. lures on its low end.

My ML Tat throws a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait with ease. I'm quite certain it will do as well with a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. A 1/2 oz. spinnerbait is not something I would consider as fair game for a ML bass rod.

DogBone_384 reply :

On 11/26/2015 at 10:55 AM, new2BC4bass said:

What is the lure range for the 6' 10"? Only could find one reference to this rod, and specs were not given. As far as I am concerned, the Tat ML with its 1/4-5/8 oz rating is more Medium than ML. My Med Smoke has the same rating. My Falcon Mediums are rate 1/4-1/2 oz. I don't consider a rod a true ML unless it can handle 1/8 oz. lures on its low end.

My ML Tat throws a 3/8 oz. spinnerbait with ease. I'm quite certain it will do as well with a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. A 1/2 oz. spinnerbait is not something I would consider as fair game for a ML bass rod.

My 6' 10" ML is a 14 - 1 fishing OBCA610ML, rated for 1/8 - 3/8 oz. I agree with your Tatula assessment, it's more M than ML, but still a piece of artwork for $150.

EDIT: Don't know quite what's happening. My rods' manufacturer is being edited out. I've never had this happen when posting my opinion about fishing gear.

rippin-lips reply :

As already mentioned buying a finesse spool for an existing reel is the cheapest route. Some good bearings wouldn't here either. Assuming you don't already have them. My finesse reel is the one reel I noticed a real difference in performance. Where's the fun in that though,right? The bfs xg seems like a great choice and is in your budget.

Hogsticker reply :

My Alphas SV casts 1/8 Oz just about as well as my Scorpion XT with Yumeya BFS spool. I've used both on a Major Craft Bfs rod as well as a custom Bfs rod. Mostly casting 1/16 Oz wacky head with 4.8 inch flick shake worm. I'll admit the Scorpion did it a slight hair better, but you're looking at a hundred dollar spool if you can even source one vs a 200 dollar reel that will perform out of the box. Drop in a set of air bearings and you should be set. That shallow SV spool is great for darn near anything.

adam lancia reply :

I would go with either a Pixy Type R/PX68 (they use the same spool, they're just different colours from what I understand) or an Alphas 105 SV.

desmobob reply :

You can pick up a JDM Daiwa Alphas SV105 for a little over $200. As for rods, check out the Major Craft Volkey BFS series. I have the light power version and it is a VERY impressive rod for the money!

Tight lines,

Bob

Tim Kelly reply :

If you can wait it looks like Daiwa have an Alphas air coming soon. That should be within your budget and ideal for BFS.

http://forums.tackletour.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=66786

deep reply :

Help much appreciated fellas.

Seems like my options are either to buy a 50 size reels and upgrade it, or go with a true BFS reel. I'm not confident about the first route, plus I'm not sure how much cheaper that'll turn out.

The Aldebaran BFS XG looks good. I'll keep my eye out for one, and research the Daiwas too.

My 200 size Curados can handle true 1/4 oz baits just fine, and the last time I researched the Alphas 105, I think I found that the Alphas was a little more finessier, but not by much. Maybe I need to do some more reading.

On 11/26/2015 at 9:38 AM, new2BC4bass said:

I feel confident that someone like yourself could do 1/8 oz. with any of them.

The 7' ML Crankin' Stick is currently on sale for $70. I have a feeling this rod is not one you would be interested in.

I'm not sure if that was a subtle dig, but my casting skills are at best only slightly above average.

I do have a 7'6" M crankin stick I like a whole lot. It's kinda heavy (weight, not power), but that's all right considering I bought it for $50. Gets a lot of work with small jerkbaits, and lately, dropshots.

DogBone_384 reply :

I'll chime in here regarding the ML Crankin' stick. I bought one in '13 and retired it after only a few trips out with it. It felt too 'whippy' for my taste. It now lives in a rod shipping tube in my shed.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 11/26/2015 at 9:48 PM, deep said:

Help much appreciated fellas.

Seems like my options are either to buy a 50 size reels and upgrade it, or go with a true BFS reel. I'm not confident about the first route, plus I'm not sure how much cheaper that'll turn out.

The Aldebaran BFS XG looks good. I'll keep my eye out for one, and research the Daiwas too.

My 200 size Curados can handle true 1/4 oz baits just fine, and the last time I researched the Alphas 105, I think I found that the Alphas was a little more finessier, but not by much. Maybe I need to do some more reading.

I'm not sure if that was a subtle dig, but my casting skills are at best only slightly above average.

I do have a 7'6" M crankin stick I like a whole lot. It's kinda heavy (weight, not power), but that's all right considering I bought it for $50. Gets a lot of work with small jerkbaits, and lately, dropshots.

Not a subtle dig. You don't have to be great with a baitcast reel to be better than me. I've been using b/c reels almost exclusively since 2009, but I don't get out as often as many and I don't learn as quickly as I did 50-60 years ago. I'd bet that 90% of the people here are better than I am with a b/c reel. I like to think that I am starting to get decent with one, but don't delusion myself that I will ever be as good as many of the members here. It is my experience that light lures separate the men from the boys.

I assume anyone looking at a $300 finesse reel wouldn't be interested in a cheap rod for it. I know I wouldn't be. I can enjoy a low cost fishing rod as well as the next guy, but given my druthers, I'd druther have a nicer rod. If I can't afford a higher priced rod, I'd druther be with a cheap one.

thehooligan reply :

Like everyone else has mentioned, use an existing reel and drop a finesse spool/bearings in. Or buy a dedicated bfs reel. Best I've used out of the box is the bfs xg limited and ss air. The abu lt/ltx/ltz are also great choices if you prefer abu Garcia.

Bfs can get addicting, I know it was a personal goal to see how proficient I could get casting extremely light rigs down to 2 grams.

kickerfish1 reply :

On 11/27/2015 at 1:43 AM, thehooligan said:

Like everyone else has mentioned, use an existing reel and drop a finesse spool/bearings in. Or buy a dedicated bfs reel. Best I've used out of the box is the bfs xg limited and ss air. The abu lt/ltx/ltz are also great choices if you prefer abu Garcia.

Bfs can get addicting, I know it was a personal goal to see how proficient I could get casting extremely light rigs down to 2 grams.

This man has used a lot of reels and spools for BFS, especially Shimano reels. He is a true finesse guy and has been using finesse rigs for many years. He would be a great resource for BFS info!

68camaro reply :

Not to hijack thread, but what is benefit of bfs reel over spinning reel for very lightweight applicarions, like down to 1/16 oz.

Also, what exactly does "bfs" stand for, Bait finesse ???

Thanks

IAY reply :

On 11/27/2015 at 4:57 AM, 68camaro said:

Not to hijack thread, but what is benefit of bfs reel over spinning reel for very lightweight applicarions, like down to 1/16 oz.

Also, what exactly does "bfs" stand for, Bait finesse ???

Thanks

You can use heavier fluorocarbon in the 8-10 pound range and still go down to 1/16 oz, so it makes pulling fish out of cover easier. Its a lot more fun to use than regular spinning in a lot of people's mind. Yes it stands for bait finesse.

DirtyDeuceGoose reply :

Bait Finesse Special

68camaro reply :

Thanks, I just didn't realize how badly I needed one I just bought a stradic ci4 spinner for Orochi finesse rod, haven't received yet, but may look onto bfs for future.

John G reply :

Bait Finesse System is what BFS stands for.

Senko lover reply :

On 11/26/2015 at 11:22 AM, DogBone_384 said:

My 6' 10" ML is a 14 - 1 fishing OBCA610ML, rated for 1/8 - 3/8 oz. I agree with your Tatula assessment, it's more M than ML, but still a piece of artwork for $150.

EDIT: Don't know quite what's happening. My rods' manufacturer is being edited out. I've never had this happen when posting my opinion about fishing gear.

Apparently there was a bad experience with their pro staff and we can't mention them anymore.

DogBone_384 reply :

On 11/27/2015 at 6:18 AM, Senko lover said:
Apparently there was a bad experience with their pro staff and we can't mention them anymore.

Whooopsie... They still make great gear ....

rippin-lips reply :

On 11/27/2015 at 4:57 AM, 68camaro said:

Not to hijack thread, but what is benefit of bfs reel over spinning reel for very lightweight applicarions, like down to 1/16 oz.

Also, what exactly does "bfs" stand for, Bait finesse ???

Thanks

It's not exactly a benefit over spinning gear, but it's more fun to some of us. I personally don't like using spinning gear. You still use light line in the 4-8lb range and ultra light to medium light rods.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 11/27/2015 at 5:49 AM, 68camaro said:
Thanks, I just didn't realize how badly I needed one I just bought a stradic ci4 spinner for Orochi finesse rod, haven't received yet, but may look onto bfs for future.

You don't need one. Like rippin-lips said, it is more fun for some of us. A spinning combo is definitely easier than a baitcasting combo to use. I almost never use one of my spinning outfits. My quest for a finesse reel ended when I finally broke down and bought a PXL Type R when TW was closing them out last year. For me a true finesse reel is better than trying to turn a regular reel into one. I put a Presso spool in a tuned and upgraded Sol, but haven't tried it yet for light lures because I already had those type of rods set up with other reels. Guess I'd better switch reels next year and find out if the effort was worth it. Had to make washers in order to put the Presso spool in the Sol.

IAY reply :

A truer finesse reel is one with true shallow spool.

Jeff H reply :

I got into this BFS stuff last year or the year before and I've managed to collect a few nice rods and reels and had one beautiful custom rod built and I'm now trying to back off and away. It is wildly fun and beyond addictive. Be careful!

I.rar reply :

I have a curado 51e that I dropped an avail 915 spool in and filled with 15lb power pro mounted on a 682 phenix recon and cast 1/16 jigs with trailer effortlessly.

I got a great deal on the reel but they can he found used for around 150 plus 100 on the spool.

I have under 300 in mine including the reel, bearings, hawgtech handle and avail spool.

There's something about roll casting a crappie jig to shallow peacocks on a bait caster that has me hooked.

FYI, I am far from an expert in bfs or fishing in general.

new2BC4bass reply :

On 11/28/2015 at 6:51 AM, I.rar said:

I have a curado 51e that I dropped an avail 915 spool in and filled with 15lb power pro mounted on a 682 phenix recon and cast 1/16 jigs with trailer effortlessly.

I got a great deal on the reel but they can he found used for around 150 plus 100 on the spool.

I have under 300 in mine including the reel, bearings, hawgtech handle and avail spool.

There's something about roll casting a crappie jig to shallow peacocks on a bait caster that has me hooked.

FYI, I am far from an expert in bfs or fishing in general.

Couldn't find that spool. However, Avail has several other spools that will fit my Curado 51E. I'd be leery of the honeycomb spools, but the ADL0928RII looks like it should do the trick. Just don't know if I want another light tackle reel. I have to say that I would rather grab a Diawa when it comes to light lures. Maybe an Avail spool would even the playing field. I have a stock PXL Type R and 2 TD-Z 105H reels that are tuned with one having an upgraded spool. DVT cleaned one Curado 51E and supertuned another for me. For some reason I seem to do better with Daiwas...or even my older Carbonlites with light lures. I know this is opposite of what others find. I have yet to try a 3/16 oz. or less lure with any of my Alphas reels.

I think 3 combos dedicated to light lures is more than enough for a guy like me. I fit your last remark........in spades. I just like reels and would have a bunch more if I could.

OkobojiEagle reply :

When did "finesse" become synonymous with "light weight"?

iabass8 reply :

On 11/28/2015 at 10:54 AM, OkobojiEagle said:

When did "finesse" become synonymous with "light weight"?

oe

Oct. 15, 1988

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