Intrigued by the BFS thing, is it another gimmick?

[dan hufferd]

I have been doing a little reading on the BFS thing, due to some new rods that I have been gifted and one I own but never could find a reel to match it.

The main difference I see in the reels is the spool, it looks to be very light like 6g or so and low volume.

To add to all this I would be considered a beginner in the bait casting world by most of you, It is still not intuitive like the spinning tackle I have grown up with.

I would be interested in another perspective.

Thanks

[Dutch]

Basically I think it’s hype to get people to buy stuff because it’s different.  I do a lot of finesse fishing with Ned, shaky and light weight jigs.  I have been doing just fine with ml rods and my Shimano Curado X 70 reels.  I do have one rod without a reel so I have ordered a Curado BFS reel for it just to see how different it is from my 70s.  I won’t have it for several days but I can post up and give you a report if you want.

[rps]

I gave up on Shimano Curados with the D series, the green ones. I had two go bad in less than a year and couldn't get a replacement or refund. I bear grudges for a long time. Since then, I have bought daiwa and lews. Both have good reels in the $150 to $250 range. They are also often on sale. That price range also marks the difference from the $80 to $120 reels that do not last as well. I came to prefer the narrow spool versions. The wide spools just make the line companies happy.

From the suggested price point up, the "better" reels go up in price very quickly. You get less for each additional dollar, but if you want to spend $700, knock your lights out. 🙂

Bait casting tips: 1. Set the spool tension so that your bait slowly drops to the ground and the spool doesn't spin much when the bait stops. 2. Before you cast, turn your wrist so that your thumb faces inward. This makes the wrist flex more natural and improves accuracy. 3. Your thumb should very lightly graze the line as the bait flies and stop the spool just before or as soon as the bait hits the water. It also makes it easier to stop the baits headed for the trees. 4. Avoid heroic casts for length. They inevitably result in backlashes. Good luck.

[dan hufferd]

13 minutes ago, rps said:

lews.

I own two Lew's, I bought for around 100 I like them pretty well.

[dan hufferd]

https://www.wired2fish.com/tackle-reviews/lews-team-pro-sp-speed-spool-casting-reel-review

This one seems nice.

[rps]

2 hours ago, dan hufferd said:

https://www.wired2fish.com/tackle-reviews/lews-team-pro-sp-speed-spool-casting-reel-review

This one seems nice.

I suggest this: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Tournament_Pro_LFS_Casting_Reel/descpage-LTPS.html

It sounds self serving, but I have one for sale. Really, it is a coincidence. 

Let me know.

[dan hufferd]

1 hour ago, rps said:

I suggest this: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_Tournament_Pro_LFS_Casting_Reel/descpage-LTPS.html

It sounds self serving, but I have one for sale. Really, it is a coincidence. 

Let me know.

That sounds great considering the deal I got for these new rods, I throw left hand casters, so I don't have to switch hands, or I would take you up on it.

Not self serving at all, I don't think you are that guy.

[Quillback]

Here's some interesting reading on reels.  It will give you some ideas on what's out there.

Best BFS Reels for 2025 | Tackle Warehouse

[BilletHead]

1 hour ago, Quillback said:

Here's some interesting reading on reels.  It will give you some ideas on what's out there.

Best BFS Reels for 2025 | Tackle Warehouse

                  Thanks for the link, Jeff,

      I had no idea what BFS even meant. 😁 Really truthfully. So my 79 year old uncle that comes down twice a year has this stuff when I take him to the ponds. He just told me it was ultralight fishing for bass, and it did get popular in Japan. His dexterity is shot, and he takes several minutes to tie on anything to use fingers at his age suck. First cast he makes a mess and ends up using the spinning gear based on that way of fishing which turns into the same mess. No telling how much he has invested because he buys the best. We might fish close to an hour and then he hurts and complains about that. We will all get that way and forever think about what we used to do. Heck I'm getting that way in some ways. 

[Quillback]

3 hours ago, BilletHead said:

                  Thanks for the link, Jeff,

      We will all get that way and forever think about what we used to do. Heck I'm getting that way in some ways. 

Gotta fight to keep the old man out.  Keep fishing and hunting!