Thread: BFS (bait finesse system), anyone use them?

Rawr215 who is a member here is who you need to look at. He uses and has posted several videos from his YouTube channel here. Below is a link to one.

I’ve played with a couple of BFS outfits .
IMO , It’s not Ultralight , it’s closer to light action fishing .
I have the KastKing BFS reel , I had to go with 6# line to keep it the line from getting between the spool and frame .
I’ve taken a Daiwa Lexa 100 reel and backed the spool with large diameter braid , then spooled with 6# P-line and achieved the same results .
Depends on what one calls BFS .
For me , where a baitcaster performs best is with a spinnerbait or crankbait . I’m able to cast down to 1/16 jig spinners , if the wind isn’t a problem. Of course the wind has always been an issue with me with any baitcasters . And yes the magnetic brakes can be adjusted to cut down on backlashes, but it reduces distance .
I’ve also played with an old Ambassador reel with similar results without a magnetic brake .
I caught more LM bass than I did gills .
It was fun to play with , but when I want hassle free casting of tiny baits , you can’t beat a nice Ultralight spinning outfit.

Originally Posted by dougpew

BFS (bait finesse system), anyone use them? reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, they look like a downsized bait caster. Brands to stay away from and brands to lean towards? Real world reviews?

Check out Chris Stewart’s site. He sells BFS gear and is a member here:

https://www.finesse-fishing.com/bait...se-system.html

I have used what's called BFS. About 25 years ago I was working in NE Kansas and became familiar with what we then called Midwest Finesse Fishing. It was mostly bass fishing but could be used on any species. It used what's now well known as Ned rigs. The normal rig was 6 lb line on a lightweight spinning outfit. Being a longtime multi-species fisherman I preferred baitcast rods. Still do. But, I recognized the advantages of spinning outfits for ultralight fishing. When the Japanese began to popularize ul baitcasters for trout fishing I took notice but didn't go there because of the ridiculously high JDM prices. More recently the Chinese got involved and prices tumbled. I picked up a Kast King Zephyr reel and put it on a vintage All Star rod I've had for 30 years. It sold me on the BFS outfits. It is important to note the distinction between BFS and ultralight. They are two different techniques. If you want to go ul with 1/32 oz lures and line under 4 lbs spinning is the way to go, unless you want to invest in the JDM prices. I consider myself a multi-species fisherman and the American BCF fits me well. I routinely use 1/8 or 1/16 jigs and lures for crappie, bass, trout and 'eyes. I haven't pulled one of my several good spinning outfits from my rod locker in months. I now have 4 BCF reels, two on vintage rods and two on modern ones. When casting for crappie I prefer 1/16 oz jigs but can go as low as 1/24 oz. 1/8 oz will cast a mile. When I pitch or flip I use a regular baitcast reel with a flipping switch. I have no problem with small line until I to under 3lb. I also really like the ability to cast 1/16 oz lures. You can catch all sorts of fish on those little crankbaits or jerkbaits. For me, it's much more enjoyable to use LIGHT baitcasters than UL spinning outfits. But, I have now invested in a little better rods and reels. YMMV.

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Dougpew, however little I know about BFS (still new) I’d like to chime in from my personal experience. Like Gillchaser999 says, it’s not UL. At least not for me, for I have had many a hard time casting any lure whether it’s a troutmagnet or jighead woolybuggers that’s under 1/8 oz and drop shot rig is no difference.


I can honestly say after being a striped bass and catfish fisherman for many years I’m not new to baitcasters in general and I can vouch that the Shimano Conquest BFS (last picture) and Daiwa Pixy series are the best light lures reel you can get at the moment. Cheers!

Let me add , I think BFS has its place and is just another tool in my fishing adventures.
I’ve always been 95% UL or light tackle fisherman.
Even my inshore saltwater tackle was light with mostly 6# test line or less .
My baitcasting experience has always leaned toward light tackle and was intrigued by BFS .
What I found , is the equipment is better now , even the lower priced stuff .
I can cast baitcasting equipment better now than I’ve ever been able to .
I’ve even been somewhat successful in my float and jig fishing using BFS . I just have to pick my days.
I haven’t tried drop shot yet , but can see how that would work .

My rods are short fiberglass rods except for a couple of custom rods I had built on UL spinning rod blanks . One , a 5’4” is a sweet casting rod . A few others are flyrods I removed the reel seat and handle and glued on a casting reel seat and handle . I’m working on a 5’9”:3wt conversion at the moment. One of those , when I get around to it projects .
Handle is removed , just have to glue up the new seat and handle .
It’s a three piece Cabelas CGT .

Gillchaser, rods do play a big part in how far one can cast BFS light lures definitely. My current bfs casting rod is an inexpensive Chinese Kuying Teton 6feet5 in UL.


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Originally Posted by LVSpinfisher1

Gillchaser, rods do play a big part in how far one can cast BFS light lures definitely. My current bfs casting rod is an inexpensive Chinese Kuying Teton 6feet5 in UL.


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Absolutely, totally different IMO from an Ultralight spinning rod .
For UL spinning I prefer a fast or xtra-fast action , For BFS I’ve found a more moderate action casts better , for me anyways .
That’s one reason I’ve converting the 3wt Cabelas CGT into a BFS rod . I believe the CGT rods are S-glass which are what I would call a moderate/fast and should do well .
I need to go ahead and order my reel seat and finish the build so I can try it out .