Bait finesse systems, or BFS fishing is kind of taking over the fishing industry right now.
It is essentially finesse fishing with a baitcaster reel. And yes, it is incredibly fun and effective.
And it all comes from the high quality, specialized BFS reels. Here are the 5 best BFS reels you can get.
Bait finesse system reels are not yet wide spread within the United States.
So your options are a bit limited when looking for BFS reels. And this also means that some of these are going to be very expensive.
But there are still some great options for all types of budgets.
Price: $209.99
Price: $199.99
The KastKing Kestrel Elite is slightly cheaper than the Curado, and has just is just as high quality.
The only reason that it comes in a #2 is that Shimano is a more established and tenured fishing reel brand.
At just 4.4 ounces, it’s KastKing’s lightest reel, built with a full magnesium frame and carbon side covers for strength and durability.
Inside, it features a hard-anodized, 7075 aluminum main gear and shaft paired with a brass pinion gear for reliable performance.
With twelve double-shielded ball bearings, it delivers smooth operation and comes with a shallow aluminum spool and magnetic braking system designed for ultra-light line and lures.
The carbon disc drag and 80mm aluminum handle provide the power needed to handle big catches.
Compact yet powerful, the Kestrel Elite puts finesse control in your hands.
Price: $469.99
Now, this is where the price starts really going up. Of course, the quality is truly amazing, and you won’t find better bait finesse system reels out there.
But yeah, they are very expensive!
The Shimano Aldebaran BFS Casting Reel is built for finesse fishing, combining a lightweight magnesium frame with a specialized braking system for ultimate finesse control.
Its Finesse Tune Brake (FTB) system reduces spool weight, allowing for precise casting with lightweight tackle and automatic braking only when needed to prevent backlashes.
The MagnumLite (MGL) Spool III enhances casting performance by reducing start-up inertia.
With MicroModule Gear technology for smooth engagement and power transmission, a Cross Carbon Drag system, and Exciting Drag Sound, this reel offers unmatched strength, smoothness, and sensitivity for finesse baitcasting.
Price: $729.99
Unless you are tournament fishing or your bank account is absolutely loaded, it is hard to justify spending this much for a fishing reel.
With that being said, the Daiwa Steez 70 CT SV TW Casting Reel is the pinnacle of finesse fishing, featuring cutting-edge Daiwa technologies for unmatched performance.
Its magnesium frame and side plates offer strength and lightness, crucial for handling finesse baits.
The 30mm SV spool, Air Brake, and T-Wing Systems prevent backlashes with even the lightest lures.
The Hyper Drive Design concept enhances durability and power, while the 90mm swept handle adds cranking strength.
This reel sets a new standard for finesse baitcasting with its ultra-lightweight design and innovative features.
Price: $549.95
The Abu Garcia Zenon MG-LTX BFS Casting Reels set the bar for lightweight finesse casting.
With 9+1 stainless steel HPCR bearings, a X2 Craftic alloy frame, and aircraft-grade aluminum gearing, they offer a sturdy yet lightweight build for effective fishing with small baits.
Featuring a C6 carbon side plate and Carbon Matrix drag system, they maintain strength and smoothness.
The Super Lightweight BFS Concept Spool and MagTrax braking system are tuned for BFS techniques, ensuring superior performance with lightweight lures.
There are two main differences between BFS reels and traditional baitcasting reels.
First, the spool is much shallower. This means that you don’t have a heavy, thick spool that requires more weight to pull the line off.
Of course, you can’t hold quite as much line on these reels. But that isn’t a concern, because this are finesse fishing reels.
Second, the spools and reels are calibrated completely different from standard casting reels.
It is almost like the spool wants to unwind itself. This, paired with the proper BFS rods, means that you can cast incredibly light lures just like you could big heavy lures on a power casting setup.
So when you are spooling your BFS reel, you are pretty much going to keep the same rules in mind.
Spool the line until there is about a 1/4 inch of gap in between the line and the edge of your reel spool.
Now like I just said above, the spools are much shallower than regular casting reels.
However, your are using very thin, finesse fishing line. This means you will still get plenty of line compacted onto your bait finesse system reel.
Depending in the exact line you choose, you’re going to get about 45-65 yards of line on the BFS spool.
You are going to be using the same line that your would on your finesse spinning reel setups.
6-10 lb Fluorocarbon or 8-14 lb braided line with a fluorocarbon leader. If you want to use monofilament, usually 8 lb test is perfect.
The rise of Bait Finesse Systems (BFS) in the fishing industry, especially with specialized BFS reels like the Shimano Curado, KastKing Kestrel Elite, Shimano Aldebaran, Daiwa Steez 70 CT SV TW, and Abu Garcia Zenon MG-LTX, is evident.
While still gaining traction in the United States, these reels offer unparalleled finesse and control, particularly for casting lightweight lures with precision.
Despite the initial investment, the quality and performance of these BFS reels make them worth considering, especially for finesse fishing enthusiasts looking for the best tools to enhance their experience on the water.
