The bait finesse system is potentially the biggest trend in the fishing world right now.
There are a lot of applications to be aware of and a lot of important things to understand.
So let’s break all of it down.
A bait finesse system, or commonly called a BFS is essentially a finesse baitcasting setup.
The specialized BFS reels are made with shallower reel spools and are calibrated differently than traditional baitcasting reels.
This allows you to cast very light weight lures just as well as you can on a spinning setup.
The BFS rods are essentially finesse casting rods. They are comparable to a lite or medium light casting rod.
Simply put, a Bait Finesse System allows you to fish incredibly light lures while still getting the experience and benefits of a casting rod and reel.
Check out the 5 Best BFS Reels for 2024
Since a BFS allows you to mimic the effects of a spinning reel, you might be wonder, “Why not just use a spinning reel?”.
And this is a great question.
While spinning reels still serve a major piece is bass fishing, there are some unique benefits of a BFS.
Once you have used a baitcaster, it can sometimes be hard to switch back to spinning gear because you lose a lot of control over your line and lures.
When casting with a BFS reel you can thump the line and get the lure exactly where you want it with a very small splash in the water.
While working in the lures, you have much more control because of the compact and short handle design of casting reels.
BFS reels just give you more control and influence over your lures compared to spinning gear.
Because of the very compact and linear design of casting reels, a BFS gives you better sensitivity when fishing baits on the bottom.
You can feel exactly what your bait is doing and detect bites a bit easier.
Now this doesn’t make a huge difference compared to the proper spinning setup, but it definitely is noticeable.
Some lures such as poppers, twitch baits, or walk the dog lures require a jerking on slack line type of retrieve.
Spinning reels don’t handle this type of retrieve as well because there isn’t a direct connection from the line to the reel.
Spinning reels will sometimes get your line tangled or looped if you reel in too much slack with these retrieves.
But a BFS has all the same effectiveness of a regular casting reel, and is much better at working these lures.
I put an asterisk next to this because it completely depends on the angler.
But some guys just prefer using baitcasting reels more than spinning.
Personally, I think I fall into that camp.
There is just something about wrapping my hands around the rod and reel together while feeling the line with my thumb that feels great.
But at the same time, I have been using spinning gear since I was about 5 years old, so they are very nostalgic and I certainly feel comfortable feeling the line on my index finger when using a spinning reel.
So this comes down to personal preference. If you prefer the feel of a baitcasting reel, than you are going to have a lot of fun and enjoyment with a bait finesse system.
You are going to use a BFS in essentially the same situations that you would traditionally lean on spinning gear.
The only difference is that you have the added benefits that we discussed above.
Pressured lakes and ponds usually cause fish to become very finicky and careful.
Downsizing your gear to finesse presentations is usually the best way to get them to bite.
Light line and light lures don’t raise as much suspicion in these fish and will catch you more fish.
During the post-spawn, bass will move up very, very shallow. Sometimes flipping a jig or walking a frog are too aggressive techniques.
These shallow water bass can get a very good look at your lures and your line.
So switching to finesse techniques with a BFS can absolutely clean up these shallow bass.
During the winter, a lot of guys will downsize their gear and switch to finesse.
If you prefer the feel of a baitcaster but still want to finesse the cold water bass into biting, try out a BFS.
When I say, “smaller fish”, I mean two things.
First of all, some lakes or ponds just have smaller bass.
In these waters, you don’t necessarily need a heavy rod and heavy line. You are probably better off with spinning or bait finesse gear.
Secondly, I mean smaller species of fish.
Bait finesse systems have exploded amongst crappie fisherman recently, and have been very popular amongst trout anglers for as long as they have been made.
The added control and sensitivity of a BFS provide panfish or small species fisherman with significant advantages.
At the end of the day, fishing is all about having fun. And let me tell you, bait finesse systems are an incredible amount of fun.
You can be catching 10 inch bass or half pound crappie. It doesn’t matter because they all put up a great fight on the ultra finesse rods and reels.
You can have just as much fun catching fish half the size when using BFS gear.
Instead of a 1/4 or 3/8 oz bullet weight, you can downsize all the way to a 1/16 oz weight.
Pair that with a size 1 EWG hook and you have an incredibly finesse Texas rig that can get tons of finicky bass to bite.
The Ned rig has gained immense popularity among finesse anglers for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Consisting of a small mushroom-shaped jig head paired with a buoyant soft plastic stick bait, the Ned rig is deadly for catching bass, especially in tough fishing conditions.
You can use all the same Ned rig baits that you would on a spinning rod, but you get the baitcasting benefits.
These smaller-sized crankbaits mimic the action of larger crankbaits but with a finesse touch.
They work well for enticing bass and other predatory fish in shallower waters or when fish are less active and prefer smaller prey.
Finesse jerkbaits are typically smaller and more subtle in action compared to their larger counterparts.
They excel in clear water conditions where a finesse presentation is needed to trigger strikes from wary fish.
Designed to create minimal disturbance on the water’s surface, finesse topwater lures like small poppers or prop baits can be highly effective for enticing surface-feeding fish, especially in calm or pressured waters.
If you have watched any of Tactical Bassin’s BFS videos, you know full well about this lure.
The Karashi is a mini twitch bait with a feathered treble on the back.
I’m not going to say much about this lure other than it is one of the most effective bass lures on the planet.
A Bait Finesse System (BFS) provides anglers with a finesse baitcasting setup, offering advantages like increased control, sensitivity, and effectiveness for certain lure retrieves.
BFS is beneficial in pressured waters, post-spawn scenarios, winter fishing, and when targeting smaller fish or species.
Recommended BFS lures further enhance its versatility. Overall, BFS expands fishing options while adding enjoyment to the angler’s experience.
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