BUYER'S GUIDE: BFS (Baits, Rods, Reels, For Bait Finesse Fishing)

Bait Finesse is here to stay!! If you're wondering what BFS is for and how to do it, you aren't alone! In today's Buyer's Guide we're covering our favorite BFS baits, rods and reels for casting ultralight presentations with casting gear. If you're not familiar with BFS, anything you've ever done with a spinning rod can now be done with a bait caster, and with even more precision. Plus, it's a lot of fun!

BFS has been around for decades but has exploded into the US Market in the last 2 years. The arrival of the Shimano Curado BFS Reel, now followed by many others, has opened the door for a wave of anglers to experience BFS without paying outrageous prices for high end JDM rod and reel imports. If you've ever been curious about this incredible way of fishing, now is the time!

Below you'll find links to all the rods, reels, and baits discussed in the video. We've included favorite sizes and colors where applicable to make it as easy as possible for you to find the items you want. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...

•Casting Reel Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/EHi18PwH4mU

•Spinning Reel Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/T6_6rkyXdyY

•Hard Swimbait Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/g314S4ZyT6g

•Tackle Storage Buyer's Guide: https://youtu.be/m30hnkoqHBc

CRANKBAITS…

•Megabass BFS Griffin SR–X: https://bit.ly/3qOyDj6

Colors: Phantom Green Craw, Mat Shad, MB Gizzard

•Megabass BFS Griffin MR–X: https://bit.ly/47of55j

Colors: Phantom Green Craw, Mat Shad, MB Gizzard

•Damiki Disco 40 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/432XZaY

Colors: Real Shad, Mossy Shad

•Damiki Disco Deep 38 Crankbait: https://bit.ly/3nwY1rk

Colors: Real Shad, Mossy Shad

•Shimano Macbeth 39 Tiny: https://bit.ly/3xTsnG0

Colors: Clear Green Craw, Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad

BFS JERKBAITS...

•Megabass X–80 Jr BFS: https://bit.ly/3KFaLoz

Colors: GG Shad, GG Invisible Wakasagi

•Duo Realis Rozante 57 MR: https://bit.ly/3YurtNa

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Ghost Wakasagi

TOPWATER...

•Megabass Dog X Jr. Coayu: https://bit.ly/475zcoD

Colors: GG Wakasagi, Bahama Milk Pearl

•Owner Cultiva Zip N Ziggy: https://bit.ly/3BTMLuh

Colors: Natural Minnow, Shiner, Brown Trout

•R2S Whopper Plopper 60: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Phantom Shad, Monkey Butt, Bone

•Megabass Baby Pop X: https://bit.ly/3QgjPDY

Colors: Mat Shad, MG Sexy Stream

•Rapala Ultralight Popper: https://bit.ly/3FzvsNP

Colors: Chrome, Clown, Yellow Perch

•Damiki Umpa 40 BFS Popper: https://bit.ly/42XSQkD

Colors: Bone, Mossy Shad

FINESSE SWIMBAITS...

•Dirty Jigs Tactical Finesse Underspin (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

•Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

•Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

•Zman TRD Gobyz: https://bit.ly/3P35U1R

NED BAITS...

•Missile NedBomb: https://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

Colors: Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core, Fishaliscious

•Missile TRD Bugz: https://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug

MICRO CRAW PROFILES...

•Reins 2.5" Ring Craw: https://bit.ly/3U0OQvC

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Blue

•ZMan TRD Crawz: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Canada Craw

BFS TEXAS RIGGING COMPONENTS...

Weight– Reins Slip Sinker 1/16 oz: https://bit.ly/3Kx0Fqz

Heavy Wire Hook– Owner Rig-N-Hook Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2BnniXN

WACKY RIG...

•Yamamoto 5" Thin Senko: https://bit.ly/43d1Tgn

Colors: Green Pumpkin Red, Natural Shad

•Hayabusa WRM201 Wacky Hook: https://bit.ly/3UjDZx0

Size: 1

MICRO FLUKE...

•Jackall Rhythm Wag: https://bit.ly/3NT6OvF

Colors: Prism Shad, SS Shad

•BKK Chimera Hook: https://bit.ly/3IS3pwf

Size: 1/0

SPY BAITS...

•Duo Realis SpinBait 80: https://bit.ly/3QE27YK

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Shiner

THE KARASHI...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Colors: Kasumi Ito KS, Setsuki Chiayu

BFS FISHING LINE...

Braid– Sufix 131: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Size: 6-10 lb

Fluorocarbon – Sunline Super FC: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Size: 6-8 lb

Tinted Fluoro– Daiwa Hidden FC: https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

Size: 6-8 lb

BFS REELS...

•Shimano Curado BFS Reel: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

•Shimano Aldebaran BFS Reel: https://bit.ly/3ryXKpR

•Kast King Kestrel Reel: https://bit.ly/3Or8X4W

BFS CASTING RODS...

•Dobyns Ultra Finesse: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Model: 700 (7' 0 Power)

•Shimano Curado: https://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Model: 6'10" Medium Light

•Cashion Icon BFS: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

Models: 6'10" ML, 7' Light

•Shimano Expride B: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Models: 6'8" Light

•Megabass P5 Destroyer: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Models: Pop X Stick (6'9")

•GLoomis Conquest: https://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

Models: 842C MBR (7' Medium)

Bait Finesse Tricks (BFS) For Summer Bass Fishing!

Bait Finesse is here to stay! The trend of throwing finesse lures on ultralight bait casting equipment instead of spinning rods is sweeping the US! There are plenty of anglers who still enjoy spinning tackle, but the number that are switching over to BFS bait casting setups is staggering!

Since bait finesse is a budding concept in the US market we're taking the time to show you how we adapt these setups to Summer time fishing. From  topwater, to underspins, to flukes, you can target bass with a variety of ultralight presentations and have a ton of fun this Summer!

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and gear discussed in the video. We've included our favorite colors for the lures, as well as some of our favorite rod and reel combos for these techniques. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TOPWATER...

•Evergreen Shower Blows 77.7: https://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Full Metal, Neon Wakasagi

•River2Sea 60 Whopper Plopper: https://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Colors: Phantom Shad, Bluegill, Bone

•Damiki Umpa 40 BFS Popper: https://bit.ly/42XSQkD

Colors: Mossy Shad, Ghost Minnow

•Megabass Pop X Popper: https://bit.ly/3i9T3sg

Colors: Mat Shad, Gill

•Rapala Ultralight Popper: https://bit.ly/3FzvsNP

Colors: Gold Chrome, Lime Frog

UNDERSPIN...

Head– Dirty Jigs Tactical Mini Underspin: https://bit.ly/3JOd8UY

Size: 1/8 oz

Bait– Keitech 2.8" Fat Swing Impact: https://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad

CREATURE BAIT...

Bait– ZMan TRD Bugz: https://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Green Pumpkin Orange, Green Pumpkin

Head– Reins Cover JigHead: https://bit.ly/3NeYlWw

Size: 1/16 oz

CRAW BAIT...

Reins 2.5" Ring Craw: https://bit.ly/3U0OQvC

Colors: Watermelon Seed, Green Pumpkin

Weight– Reins Slip Sinker: https://bit.ly/3Kx0Fqz

Size: 1/16 oz

Hook– Gamakatsu Offset EWG: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

Size: 2

SOFT JERKBAIT...

Bait– Jackall 3.5" Rhythm Wag: https://bit.ly/3NT6OvF

Color: Prism Shad, SS Shad

Hook– Gamakatsu Offset EWG: http://bit.ly/2d07gvp

Size: 1

CRANKBAITS...

•Rapala Ultralight Crank: https://bit.ly/3qSt14V

Colors: Chrome, Shad

•Shimano Macbeth 39 Tiny: https://bit.ly/3xTsnG0

Colors: Clear Green Craw, Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad

•Damiki Disco 40 BFS: https://bit.ly/432XZaY

Colors: Mossy Shad, Ghost Minnow, Olive Flash Shad

BAIT FINESSE LINE...

Clear Fluorocarbon: Sunline Super FC: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Preferred Size: 7 lb

Green Fluorocarbon: Daiwa J Fluoro Hidden: https://bit.ly/3ILKXH0

Preferred Size: 7 lb

Braid… Sufix 131: https://bit.ly/314VoyF

Preferred Size 6-10 lb

BAIT FINESSE REELS...

•Shimano Curado BFS Casting Reel: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

•KastKing Zephyr Bait Finesse: https://bit.ly/3cy03ij

BAIT FINESSE RODS...

Topwater– Cashion Icon Bait Finesse: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

Model: 7'0" Light

Micro Poppers– Megabass P5 Destroyer: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: Pop X Stick

Tiny Cranks– Shimano Curado Casting: https://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Model: 6'10" Light Glass

Creatures (Flipping)– Shimano Expride: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Model: 7'2" ML+ (Medium Light+)

Craws– Cashion Icon Bait Finesse: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

Model: 6'10" Medium Light

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Topwater Popper and BFS (Bait Finesse) For Spring Bass!

Come along for a fun day of fishing! Need to go finesse but don't like spinning reels? Its time for Bait Finesse! We're fishing clear water on a sunny day but we know how to fool these fish! A small topwater popper and creature baits fished on BFS gear will do the trick!

Some days you have to turn to finesse gear to get bit. We turned a potentially tough day into an awesome day on the water by embracing light tackle! The popper got our biggest fish of the day but once the sun was high over head, nothing else would work except small ned creature baits rigged weedless on 7 lb line. Matt pulled out the Bait Finesse gear and went to work!

Below you'll find links to all the baits, as well as the gear Matt used throughout the day. We've also included some budget-friendly gear options that will work in this same situation. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

POPPERS...

-Megabass Pop X Popper: https://bit.ly/3i9T3sg

Colors: Deadly Black Shad, M Wakasagi, 

-Yellow Magic (1/4 oz): http://bit.ly/2al0dKP

Colors: Smoke Shad, Alewife

WALKING TOPWATER... 

-Evergreen ShowerBlows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH

Colors: Skeleton Chartreuse, Bleeding White, Half Mirror

-River2Sea Rover 128: http://bit.ly/2acSVea

Color: Abalone Shad, Ghost Minnow

BFS BAITS... 

-Z Man TRD Bugz: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Color: Sprayed Grass

-Z Man TRD Crawz: http://bit.ly/2U9vx6P

Color: Motor Oil

BFS RIGGING... 

Peg- VMC Sinker Stops: https://bit.ly/38XLQd4

Weight- Swagger Tungsten Worm (1/16 oz): https://bit.ly/3c28mks

Hook- Owner Rig-N-Hook (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2BnniXN

STICK BAIT... 

Bait- Yamamoto 5" Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- VMC Wacky Rig (Size 1): https://bit.ly/35Gtj31

SWIMBAIT... 

Savage Gear 8" RTF Trout (Slow Sink): https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Color: Dirty Silver

AFFORDABLE POPPER COMBO... 

Rod- 13 Fishing Fate Black 6'7" Medium: https://bit.ly/3xSUZB3

Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

HIGH-END BFS COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis Conquest 842C MBR: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line- Sunline Super FC (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

MID-PRICED BFS COMBO...

Rod- Shimano Curado 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

Line- Sunline Super FC (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 35 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Under Spins, Tail Spins, And Other Cold Water Fishing Tricks!

Still struggling to catch fish this Winter?? Don't worry! We haven't run out of tricks yet! In cold, off colored water nothing can compete with the vibration of a small blade. That could be a blade bait, an underspin, or a tail spin. Whatever you choose, the drawing power of that small blade will pull fish much farther than a stand alone bait. 

The power of vibration in cold water is remarkable. Fish will move farther for a small blade than they will for a bare swimbait. However, you don't want to take that to the extreme. If you switch to larger baits and bigger blades, you often lose the fish catching effectiveness. As we head through the brutal part of Winter, focus your attention on those small 2 to 3 inch baits with this technique. 

Below you'll find links to our favorite baits and the equipment we use to fish them. Also, we've included our favorite sizes and colors where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TAIL SPINS... 

-Jackall Deracoup: http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Favorite Colors- Dera Shad, Clear Shad, Silver

-Blade Runner Line Thru: http://bit.ly/2UZaQXP

Favorite Colors- Pearl White, Blue Shad, Iris Shad

BLADE BAITS... 

-Damiki Vault 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Colors: Holo Ayu, Flash Gill, Cyber Purple, Real Shad

-Megabass Dyna Response 1/2 oz: http://bit.ly/2R7FlvL

Colors: Gill OB, Ito Hiuo, Jukucho Shad

BLADE BAIT HOOK UPGRADES...

Hook- VMC Bladed Treble (Size 6): http://bit.ly/2oqWODi

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire (Size 2 and 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

FINESSE SWIMBAIT... 

Bladed Head- Cool Baits Down Under (3/16 oz): http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

Swimbait- Keitech 2.8 Fat Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl

Finesse Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Swimbait- Keitech 3" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

BLADE BAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Victory 7'2" Med Heavy Mod: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Line- Power Pro Braided 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sufix Advance Green 14 lb: https://bit.ly/3GJEUix

TAIL SPIN COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis GCX 845 CBR: https://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Line- Sunline Super FC 12 LB: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

BFS RODS... 

-Shimano Curado Casting: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Models: 6'10" Medium Light, 7'2" Medium Light

-Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse: https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc

Models: 7'0", 7'4"

BFS REEL...

-Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz