Big Rick

After much research and asking a ton of questions to @bulldog1935 I have made my first foray into BFS. Because I didn't want to break off some big bucks for a specialized BFS reel or wait until they finally came into stock I decided to order a spool for a Tatula I had on a shelf. Bulldog gave me great advice on the spool to purchase and it arrived a full month early from the Ukraine. Then I picked his brain a bit more for a budget rod. He so graciously sent me some links and pics of his amazing equipment. I ended up purchasing a Shimano Majestic model B68L-BFS/2. I got the last one Bait Finesse Empire had in stock. When my rod came in I mounted everything up and spooled on some Smackdown Braid 15#. I weighed my bait at .24oz. I know that's not the lightest bait to throw, but I wanted to insure the reel and I would get along. I was very impressed. Within a few casts I had dialed it in and was bombing cast of 30+ yards. I also could accurately put my bait in an ice cream bucket at 45 feet. I realize this is a very limited sample and probably of little value, but I feel like it's mission accomplished for less than $200 if you don't account for the Tatula I already had. I guess the main reason for this post is to "officially" say THANKS to Bulldog1935 for being so kind and taking the time to share his wealth of knowledge with me. I'm excited at the prospect of catching some fish with this rig as I despise using spinning gear. I am already much more accurate with this combo than I ever was with my spinning setups.

Here you are, sir. At Tackle Warehouse.

Nice write up. Any chance of seeing a picture of these lures you're referring to?

Not from the fishes point of view.....

Oddly enough, I caught my first bass on an H&H, white and red if I remember correctly. Dad had given my brother and me Zebco 33 hand-me-downs spooled with Bass Pro Excel line. This was in the early 80's and the Bass Pro catalog was a much perused item in our household. Anyway, I was fishing a Louisiana Delta lake from the bank fan casting that H&H for hours when out of nowhere a bass smoked it and about tore the rod out of my hand! I started reeling for all I was worth and backing up the bank until I pulled the fish up on the bank. It was a yearling about a pound or so. But, it could've been a 12 pounder for all I cared. I had finally broken the ice and I was forever changed. Over the next couple of years we learned how to take down and rebuild those old 33's. The line would eat through the posts and would either break the line or just quit working. It didn't take long for us to graduate to the much vaunted Ambassadeur 5500C's, again hand-me-downs from Dad. Then it was replacing the pawls and worm gears because we fished those things like there was no tomorrow. We were pumped when we found some ceramic pawls because they lasted so much longer. I still have some of those reels, long since retired. Every so often I'll get one down and reminisce. Dad is gone now, cancer don't play. But every time I go fishing I think of him. He showed me how to work that T-rigged worm just right and gave me access to his tackle boxes. He also took me out in the boat until he decided I could handle it myself. Then the lake was mine to have. My brother and I spent countless hours in that old stick steering boat catching untold amount of fish. We really didn't realize just how good life was. Fishing is my favorite thing to do. It brings back the most pleasant memories and gives me a sense of well being. Miss ya, Dad. Thanks for those old reels and instilling a burning desire to best those bass.

I have some tournament versions and even those aren't as smooth as others. My rod locker has Lew's, Daiwa, and Shimano reels. I often expect there to be a big explosion in there the next time I open it up. All kidding aside, I always find myself gravitating to the Tatula reels in my locker every time I fish. they just fit me better, I guess.

You can set the hook up to 5 times in 5 seconds! Assuming the whole point is to catch the fish.....

You'll find opposing opinions on here as there are many diehard fans of brands and can't see beyond that. I have some Lew's and they are definitely workhorses. But, for refinement and smoothness the Tatula line is hard to beat at their price point. I really like how the Elite series will launch lighter baits with abandon and little fanfare.

I have two of them and they will launch a lipless much further than I want to fish it back!

How do I retrieve a drop shot? For the most part, I don't. I don't video game fish, so it really doesn't apply to my fishing style. If I am reduced to fishing a drop shot I am just before calling it a day and going home. Most boring fishing I have ever tried to do. And what fish I have caught on it were all dinks. I am probably in the minority.

These two terms no longer can be used at the same time!! Since 2020 ALL ammo is expensive regardless of quality. Yeah, I get your point. Cheap meaning lesser quality. Unfortunately, as of late about all I can find is "cheap expensive" ammo Sorry, thread derail. I just couldn't resist.

Although you've already chosen the 2 models you desire to purchase I want to throw in a feature on an aluminum boat that is absolutely required when I purchase. That is a smooth bottom with no ridges or strakes running the length of the boat. Here's why; I fish a lot of lakes with stumps, logs, and underwater debris and these strakes cause untold aggravation when I get on a stump. It's either power all the way over it or back off it which usually means I strike the trolling motor on the stump. A smooth bottom often allows the boat to slide off the stump to the side and I keep fishing. These lakes you refer too may be clean and devoid of underwater obstacles. But, if you do have them you will rue the day you purchased a boat loaded with ridges that run the length of the bottom. YMMV This Lund Renegade pic shows the smooth rake.

What are you actual water temps? Air temps don't affect the fish as fast or as much as water temps.

Very interesting observation! I appreciate your sharing your experience. As stated in my original post, I am not getting this reel for BFS fishing but had seen some trying it for that. I intend to use it for a lighter/smaller frog presentation. We'll see how it goes. As a side, you'd think Lew's would've use mag braking on this reel. Maybe they've determined skipping and pitching to be better served with a centrifugal brake. Curious. I'll find out. It's an experiment as I have owned many Lew's with good success but have really come to like the Daiwa SV spooled reels. I also am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the honeycomb spool I ordered from your suggestion in an earlier thread to get my feet wet in the BFS world. Looking forward to that.

Anyone have experience with this shallow spool reel? While it is designed for skipping and pitching I have seen some BFS guys casting some very light baits on light line with it. I wonder if the drag would be too powerful for lighter applications. I intend to buy one Tuesday in anticipation of using it for lighter/smaller frogs on 30# braid and feel the drag would be suited for that. Your thoughts in general would be appreciated.

Fixed that for ya. Otherwise it appears you're saying to never order from the guy....

There was also a day when the store was closer than a 2 hours drive. These big box stores have closed many smaller outdoor stores and force us to order from them or drive 2 hours one way.

It appears you are indeed the only one.

That picture looks like a corn bug. If you really want a great looking color Zoom does a limited run every year of Junebug with the candy sparkles and call it Candybug. It's a great color that I have a lot of confidence in. However, it is hard to find at times. When I do find it I load up.

A forum search will net you 7 bazillion differing opinions on this subject. It all comes down to the ability to tie a knot correctly. Many use a Palomar Knot on all line types with no issues. I am in that camp. I fish with 6-25 lb. fluorocarbon using a Palomar with no issues. YMMV

Done! Happy to help!

I'll bite. So, after you've perused the maps and charts and have landed on the spot you chose what is the bait you pick with the most confidence that you'll get bit? I understand it all depends on the "spot". But, I know in your mind there's that one bait that you gravitate to. As a side note, you've spent so much time on Menderchuck you shouldn't need a map! I figured you had it memorized! In warm water mine is a topwater. In cooler water it's a spinnerbait or Jackhammer.

TW now has two locations. One in California and one in Georgia.

The "jerk-pause" retrieve is most effective in cooler waters that have the basses metabolism slowed down. Most jerk baits will suspend or rise very slowly on that pause, thus leaving the bait in the strike zone for a longer period of time. That's why it's so heavily used in the colder seasons. In the warmer seasons a jerk bait is seldom paused for any length of time; say maybe a 1 count. This is due to the heightened metabolism of the bass affording them the energy to chase down bait. By this time of the year many anglers are moving to other baits that are more effective. But, that doesn't mean a jerk bait with a steady retrieve won't catch fish. If I were to employ that method I would at least give a pause every 5 turn of the handles. That would incite a strike from a bass following along.

You may find that's all you need to be happy with your current boat. It sure fixed my desire for a bigger/better rig. I added the 24V 80 lb thrust Ultrex and wonder now how I survived without it. It's been a game changer for me.