I know most of you guys are Salties,but is there enough interest here to warrant a BFS fishing section? No biggie,just curious.
Drawing big blank as to what BFS stands for?
Quote from: funhog on March 29, 2024, 02:52:40 PMDrawing big blank as to what BFS stands for?
Bait Finesse System.
It's finesse fishing with baitcast reels instead of the typical spinning gear.
I'll be honest as much as I am getting into the BFS stuff I don't think it deserves it's own category any more than slow pitch jigging does.
It's just a fishing technique that has a lot of marketing momentum. I don't think it warrants a category.
But that's just me.
Yes I agree Jason,just learning of BFS recently through one of your post,I got the reel & will probably be it for my collection.There are plenty of sites already devoted to it.
I believe Tincanary also has lots of input not just on ABU but BFS modifications in particular. - john
Well, as much as I think it's all just a bunch of smoke, as Jason said. Might be nice just to have a little section here, just to tune the reels, or share the upgrades?
As opposed to a whole section for BFS fishing. Only my take on it.
Honestly this ain't a democracy so my opinion is worth just a bit less than you paid for it. But I'd lean more toward a "reel tuning" section. How to fix a broken reel is super useful and generally easy to find on here. The threads about tuning a reel from good to great are scattered.
Sub-Board?
It seems like the bulk of it is Abu's. Would be nice to find a tuning section for them instead of searching high and low.
I have never heard a decent definition of what the Bait Finess System is or what differentiates it from everything else.
Quote from: oc1 on March 29, 2024, 07:50:39 PMI have never heard a decent definition of what the Bait Finess System is or what differentiates it from everything else.
Baitcaster Frivolous Spending
Quote from: oc1 on March 29, 2024, 07:50:39 PMI have never heard a decent definition of what the Bait Finess System is or what differentiates it from everything else.
My take on it is , BFS is just trying to get fish to bite . Let me put my foul weather gear on for the next part . People with pore thumb / eye coordination want to specialize reels and have a name for it . OK you`ll can start throwing bait at me .. :fish :fish :fish >:D
All jokes aside it's using a small baitcaster and an UL rod to throw light lures. It's attempting to take the very real notion that you get more hits on light tackle to the extreme. It's a lot of fun. But like anything new and exciting there's a lot of room to overpay
I don't think that throwing very light lures (sub 1/4 oz?) on a baitcasters is really a specialized thing... maybe in fresh water, not in salty water. Certainly not deserving of a 'market'. I don't think I've thrown plastics on much less than a 1/4 oz lead heads/sinkers.
My plastic worm weight preference has always been 1/8 oz and could throw it without Backlashes easily.It is nice to throw a 1/16 oz crappie jig on a Baitcaster,being right handed I got my 1st LH Baitcaster as a BFS reel,not having to change hands to reel is the biggest plus for me.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on March 30, 2024, 03:01:08 AMAll jokes aside it's using a small baitcaster and an UL rod to throw light lures. It's attempting to take the very real notion that you get more hits on light tackle to the extreme. It's a lot of fun. But like anything new and exciting there's a lot of room to overpay
Oh. We used to call that fishing with ultralight tackle.
Quote from: oc1 on March 30, 2024, 07:29:37 AMOh. We used to call that fishing with ultralight tackle.
Thats also what I call it. But if I wanted to sell any of the stuff I use for that I know what 3 letters would be in the listing.
I was tempted to say "basically the way you already fish" but didn't think that would help anyone else.
Quote from: oc1 on March 30, 2024, 07:29:37 AMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on March 30, 2024, 03:01:08 AMAll jokes aside it's using a small baitcaster and an UL rod to throw light lures. It's attempting to take the very real notion that you get more hits on light tackle to the extreme. It's a lot of fun. But like anything new and exciting there's a lot of room to overpay
Oh. We used to call that fishing with ultralight tackle.
Yes, sir I totally agree, and still do lol.
Really is a marketing ploy, just look at how much they get for some of the tuning parts over in Japan lol. They're getting crazy money. To each his own, I guess lol.
Sounds like they're just trying reinvent the wheel. But like everything, it's definitely peaked my interest into freshwater fishing more often again now. So that's a plus.
Time to go take a look in the dungeon!
I have a feeling, I was way ahead of the curve with the BFS thing, minus some fancy bearings and a ported spool lol.
I always try to find good stuff at low prices like most of us, and it's fun researching to a point . I got the blackmax NIB on eBay offering 30% less than asking for $37 total. Believe it or not Walmart had a BFS spool for 15 simoleons-free shipping with other consumables we needed.I got both hybrid ceramic spool bearings on Amazon fer $20.I would put it up against any big money BFS reel,but I am a rookie on the subject. It's pretty nice though, weighing in @ 7 oz after the mod.
Just went and weighed a couple of my vintage UL casting reels, that I could get to.
All stock, and no mods to any of them.
One of my favorites is a really old Ryobi VG-40, weighs 7.3 ounces with line, and no mods!
Then I weighed another old favorite, an Abu Garcia MX 200, comes in at 7.9 oz.
I was really shocked when I weighed an old narrow, black Abu Garcia royal Xpress ll round reel with graphite foot though!
Thought that would come in pretty heavy.
That came in at 8.3 oz. The spools on these little reels, are already super light, and shallow. Would like to experiment with one.
Guess next, I'll weigh the spools and see if I can't find a couple cheap ones somewhere, maybe even at Walmart, I have some gift cards there lol. I'm not sure if they even make the modified spools for some of these reels?
Guess we're gonna find out lol.
done!!!
Quote from: MarkT on March 30, 2024, 03:18:57 AMI don't think that throwing very light lures (sub 1/4 oz?) on a baitcasters is really a specialized thing... maybe in fresh water, not in salty water. Certainly not deserving of a 'market'. I don't think I've thrown plastics on much less than a 1/4 oz lead heads/sinkers.
My good man, just wait until you discover the phenomenon that is "Aji" fishing. 1/20 oz jig heads. In the briny, even :d
Naturally, they will tell you that you need a dedicated rod(s), reel(s), etc etc etc.
A friend gave me a Royal Express, it's in a tote now,just sitting,I think they were marketed thru BPS,made in Sweden.6.3 gears,pretty nice with a thumb bar.If you find a spool for RE please post I will mod that one also
Basically Fish (like) Steve
Ok I'll stop. I tell ya what though my BFS-style rod throws a small free line shrimp upwind like it's no big deal. I know that's not what it's meant for but I think I'm in love.
Quote from: jgp12000 on March 31, 2024, 09:55:40 AMA friend gave me a Royal Express, it's in a tote now,just sitting,I think they were marketed thru BPS,made in Sweden.6.3 gears,pretty nice with a thumb bar.If you find a spool for RE please post I will mod that one also
I do believe, have an old mini Bass Pro bc reel here also. But, you might confuse someone going back-and-forth and between BPS(bass Pro Shops) and the BFS lingo, in the thread lol. Guess we'll find out.
Well, I did do some searching and really couldn't find that much on my reels! So I might just be riding in the backseat for a little bit lol. Never heard of Bass Pro Shops marketing the black Abu royal Express's.
I do remember them having a spinning reel, called Royal express or something?
But I know for certain, that just about every other small Abu has been modified in someway by long distance tournament casters.
Their spools are designed the same way, all ported out and super shallow. Except They take 13' rods and cast 1/2 oz leads, well over 100 yards in LD casting tournaments, using these tiny little bait casters. With super light mono. So, I'm gonna go check into that for information for some of the spools. Be great if we could search the spools up by dimensions.
hey, if it's something you guys are into, that's great! and you know how we all love photos!!!! :d
I found the article again the guy thought Cabela's sold them before they merged
With BPS?
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on March 31, 2024, 02:33:41 PMBasically Fish (like) Steve
The closest thing I have to BFS reels are these things:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/196313824597 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/196313824597).
Where's the Aji section, anyway?
Quote from: jgp12000 on March 31, 2024, 09:55:40 AMA friend gave me a Royal Express, it's in a tote now,just sitting,I think they were marketed thru BPS,made in Sweden.6.3 gears,pretty nice with a thumb bar.If you find a spool for RE please post I will mod that one also
Oh my gosh, my post disappeared, it's gone!
Somebody call the Waaambulance, waaa!😩.
Try this again with the shorter version.
Do you know what size your Abu RE is?
The narrowest one should be the 4600 size.
Then the next one up is the 5000/5600 and then the 6000/6600 size. Some of these, were also made in both configurations, with of without thumb bar.
Best part, you can, get the BFS spools for these royal express reels.
So if I can find a cheap spool, I'm going to order one, and test it against the OEM spool.
The Royal Express foot number is 020205 .It measures 1-1/16" between side plates,narrow spool.The side plate diameter is approx 2.5".The paint is perfect,other than one decal is worn the reel looks new.I do not see any other markings to define what size it is,does the foot number tell the story?
Quote from: jgp12000 on April 01, 2024, 11:14:35 PMThe Royal Express foot number is 020205 .It measures 1-1/16" between side plates,narrow spool.The side plate diameter is approx 2.5".The paint is perfect,other than one decal is worn the reel looks new.I do not see any other markings to define what size it is,does the foot number tell the story?
It's a 4600 James. The 4600 spools measure 23.22 mm. The Abu 5000/5600 spools are 32.37mm. I can't remember what a 6000 spool measures, for the life of me!
All right, just re- read that and went back to edit this.
Put the wrong number there by accident, still having a hell of a time with my memory, since having Covid a few weeks ago.
Had some of those measurements on my phone, from looking for long-distance casting tournament spools. And I don't know how it'll work out with these older reels even though I see them using them using them in the videos. Because the newer BFS reels have a built-in inductor in the spool, And they seem to have a lot more magnets.
Only way I can see to do one of these round reels, for this is to install a mag in it. Either by mono mag, swapping a mag elite side plate or modifying a mag array for it.
Actually playing around with a homemade center mag right now.
Copying something I saw across the pond, that distance casters use.
Back on track here, all outer side plates are the same size/interchangeable, in most of the round reels. There were some non-handle side plates strictly, designed for speed bullets that will work on some Abu reels. And then you have the mag x/ mag elite round reels, they all have a magnet array in the non-handle side plate for spool control, plus some of them have brake blocks also.
Except, for the thumb switch in the brake plate, or if it's a thumb bar, which always designated with a 600 behind the first four digit model number.
And you can still modify any of those plates to swap them back-and-forth, if really needed.
Thank you,I had no idea it was a 4600.I know the Blackmax has 5 magnets on the nonhandle side,I
Set the switch to 50% and left it there.So far I can
throw 1/16 easily,I havent tried any lighter lures yet.
I am curious though where to set the brakes for a 1/64 trout magnet,might have to load 4lb line? I will have to experiment.
I have been having a blast catching yearling bass
with a 1/16 Charle Brewer slider spider head and roboworm.
Quote from: jgp12000 on April 04, 2024, 10:16:09 AMThank you,I had no idea it was a 4600.I know the Blackmax has 5 magnets on the nonhandle side,I
Set the switch to 50% and left it there.So far I can
throw 1/16 easily,I havent tried any lighter lures yet.
I am curious though where to set the brakes for a 1/64 trout magnet,might have to load 4lb line? I will have to experiment.
I have been having a blast catching yearling bass
with a 1/16 Charle Brewer slider spider head and roboworm.
Yep, no problem at all buddy, always glad to help out, whenever I can. However, I can show you an Abu reel that says 4600 on it. Completely forgot, I had this Mag Trax 4, found a digging around last night lol.
As far as the inductor's in these reels, I haven't played with them at all.
Unless, a few of these smaller bc's I have, just happen to use something similar to the newer technology. I've never had to take the magnets apart on any of these, just a simple, bearing cleaning, and a quick lube.
They were only used in freshwater. But I'm thinking, maybe the brake blocks, could be used in conjunction with some type of mag.
But the first thing that needs to be done is, finding some type of lightweight spool, for the reel you plan to modify. And there's also also many forms of BFS fishing as well. Some guys are using these older reels as far as they can take them, or using the newer fancy ones. But they're using this technique, targeting many many different species.
I kind of thought, This was strictly relegated as a freshwater thing. But No sir, they're targeting some bigger, saltwater species this way as well.
Yep I think I will leave the RE stock, The BlackMax suits me fine as is for my BFS activities.
Quote from: jgp12000 on April 04, 2024, 08:27:46 PMYep I think I will leave the RE stock,
The BlackMax suits me fine as is for my BFS activities.
Now that wouldn't be any fun, would it lol?
Thinking about buying a cheap one myself!
But I am going to find some type of lightweight aluminum spools though.
Already have an Abu 4600 AL mag Trax here.
Hmmmm, I wonder? Gonna have to check out a couple other reels, I have hiding around here and see what the spools weigh.
Quote from: ExcessiveAngler on April 04, 2024, 09:37:31 PMQuote from: jgp12000 on April 04, 2024, 08:27:46 PMYep I think I will leave the RE stock,
The BlackMax suits me fine as is for my BFS activities.
Now that wouldn't be any fun, would it lol?
Thinking about buying a cheap one myself!
But I am going to find some type of lightweight aluminum spools though.
Already have an Abu 4600 AL mag Trax here.
Hmmmm, I wonder? Gonna have to check out a couple other reels, I have hiding around here and see what the spools weigh.
Do you have a black max with the bfs spool yet? Bang for your buck wise not much compares.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on April 04, 2024, 11:43:58 PMQuote from: ExcessiveAngler on April 04, 2024, 09:37:31 PMQuote from: jgp12000 on April 04, 2024, 08:27:46 PMYep I think I will leave the RE stock,
The BlackMax suits me fine as is for my BFS activities.
Now that wouldn't be any fun, would it lol?
Thinking about buying a cheap one myself!
But I am going to find some type of lightweight aluminum spools though.
Already have an Abu 4600 AL mag Trax here.
Hmmmm, I wonder? Gonna have to check out a couple other reels, I have hiding around here and see what the spools weigh.
Do you have a black max with the bfs spool yet? Bang for your buck wise not much compares.
Nope, surely I don't, yet lol. Might not need one, not sure. Gotta see what happens, when I start playing around with what I have here first. Are these BFS reels, really that much smaller than your average compact bc reel?
See some of them are going down to 4 ounces. That's pretty light, has to be somewhat smaller, I'm thinking. But seems, the inductor in the spool, along with the magnets is what really ties everything together.
Yes you need the shallow spool to allow the line to come off easier for the lighter lures,the BlackMax brakes seem fine but 1/16 is the lightest I have cast.
Quote from: jgp12000 on April 05, 2024, 07:49:16 AMYes you need the shallow spool to allow the line that come off easier for the lighter lures,the BlackMax brakes seem fine but 1/16 is the lightest I have casted.
James you should share that link to the one you found for $15 on the Walmart website. That's a game changer.
BAM !!!
This is a recipe for fun,
BFS Spool: https://www.walmart.com/ip/FitBest-Aluminum-Fishing-Round-Bearing-Reel-Spool-For-PMAX3-BMAX3-SMAX3-Casting-Reels/2066718254
Spool bearing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDX41WS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Side plate bearing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4ZZTM73?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Roboworm 4.5(color-Morning Dawn): https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/roboworm-45-straight-worm
Finesse Worm Jighead (1/16 Black) https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-perfect-finesse-worm-jighead
Lake Fork Sickle tail(color-Black Pearl) https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lake-fork-trophy-lures-sickle-tail-baby-shad
Jighead(1/16 #4 hook) https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-unpainted-round-jighead-101434734
I have caught Bass,Crappie,Bream,& even 1 catfish with the Lake Fork Sickle tail(color-Black Pearl).The Sickle tail has a strong garlic smell & I believe is salt impregnated as well. You must keep the bag sealed up.
When talking about the lure weight, shouldn't it include the lead, the hook and the plastic worm? Bucktail hair is lighter than a worm tail.
Quote from: oc1 on April 05, 2024, 06:39:06 PMWhen talking about the lure weight, shouldn't it include the lead, the hook and the plastic worm? Bucktail hair is lighter than a worm tail.
Agreed. But where does one draw the line? Does one include it?
And we all know bucktails cast better wet anyway.
This one, ain't splitting frog hairs, and "finesse" weighing them :o I know what works for me,I am curious though how the lake fork jigs would fair in the salt water.I am sure good on the flats,surf ?
Quote from: jgp12000 on April 05, 2024, 01:34:47 PMBAM !!!
This is a recipe for fun,
BFS Spool: https://www.walmart.com/ip/FitBest-Aluminum-Fishing-Round-Bearing-Reel-Spool-For-PMAX3-BMAX3-SMAX3-Casting-Reels/2066718254
Spool bearing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDX41WS?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Side plate bearing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4ZZTM73?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Roboworm 4.5(color-Morning Dawn): https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/roboworm-45-straight-worm
Finesse Worm Jighead (1/16 Black) https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-perfect-finesse-worm-jighead
Lake Fork Sickle tail(color-Black Pearl) https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lake-fork-trophy-lures-sickle-tail-baby-shad
Jighead(1/16 #4 hook) https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-unpainted-round-jighead-101434734
I have caught Bass,Crappie,Bream,& even 1 catfish with the Lake Fork Sickle tail(color-Black Pearl).The Sickle tail has a strong garlic smell & I believe is salt impregnated as well. You must keep the bag sealed up.
Thanks for the links buddy. But I do have a question for you? Did you happen to order and currently using that BFS spool? Looks like Walmart has a clearance on the black max combo, I think it is rod and reel for $50?
Or maybe it said Red max combo? I lost where I was at Walmart site, I'll have to go back and look for it again grrrr lol.
Might have even been less. You and Jason have the same reels, correct?
I believe we have the same reel. That's a great deal on that spool it's $30 on the bay but the Walmart one only comes in red.
Yes it's the same spool I ordered. I have a BlackMax3L,Not sure what version BM Jason has.I got my LH reel on Ebay for $37 after shipping.I prefer not having to change hands to reel being RH,I am use to it with spinning reels anyhow .The combo deal sounds good for $50! You could order spool same time for
Free shipping >$35