walleyecrazy

The Phenix Classis BFS only comes in one power. They don’t actually list what power it is, but I would classify it as a light power personally.

I just wanted to update this now that I have received and gotten to fish with my new Phenix rod. I have to say that I think Phenix absolutely nailed this rod. The build quality is top notch, and the rod looks great. I would say that the sensitivity is on par with my Cashion BFS rod. I have been easily feeling strikes on semi slack line while fishing micro jigs on this rod. To me this rod has an almost perfect action for an all around rod. It has a fast(solid) tip for working lures, but transitions very smoothly into a nice deep moderate bend when the rod is loaded while fighting fish. I haven’t weighed the rods, but in hand the Phenix feels lighter than the Cashion. Both rods are very nice and I am happy with both, but if I had to choose only one at this point I would choose the Phenix over the Cashion. I like the 7’1” version that I have that I actually thinking of ordering the 6’8” as well.

I use the tiny Keitech mono spin jigs a lot when bank fishing in very pressured areas. Quite often I will follow people that just left after catching nothing, and these little jigs will start producing almost immediately. I generally use some kind of craw as a trailer on these jigs, like a Eurotackle Metacraw 1.8” or Mule Fishing Burro bug. I’ve caught a ton of both Largemouth and Smallmouth on these little jigs, and it’s actually rare that I head out for a day of fishing now without having one of these rigged and ready to go.

He is great with responding to comments and questions. If you don’t get a response from him on YouTube I would try him on Instagram as well. He and I regularly have exchanges on Instagram discussing gear.

I currently own the Cashion 7’ Light power, and so far I am very happy with it. It’s built pretty well, the carbon grips are nice, and it is very sensitive. I haven’t used the Dobyn’s myself, but from what I’ve heard from people that have used both the Cashion and Dobyn’s they are almost identical feeling rods. I also currently have a 7’1” Phenix Classic BFS on its way to me, so I hope to have an opinion on that one very soon, though I know that doesn’t help you much right now. Also you may have seen them already, but Hobie wan kenobi has reviews of all three on his YouTube channel.

My favorite bait in the floating jerkbait category is currently the Nishine Lure Works Erie 115 TW.

I own one, and you are pretty much right on when comparing it to a Tatula LT. It feels like a slightly heavier Tatula LT, and is smooth as can be.

I have a few 4 piece BFS travel rods that I use on a regular basis. I originally bought them just to have when I want to go places that I can’t easily take my one piece rods, but I enjoyed using them enough that I now use them full time.

With the micro jigs that I use I would absolutely not go with anything over a ML power. The hooks on most micro jigs are too small, and will bend out if using a M or MH. I actually fish most of my micro jigs on UL or L casting rods. If I were using one of my spinning rods I would likely use my Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'6" ML hair jig rod.

I'd like to see technique specific how to videos from the pro's perspective.

Generally for night fishing I go with a black single Colorado blade spinner bait, a super spook, any slow moving wake bait, or a big Texas rigged worm. The spinner bait and spook seem to be my most effective two lures though.

I use them on a free rig with a light wire hook so they have a slower fall. I’ve had some absolutely viscous strikes fishing them that way.

The reel I am currently using for this is the Daiwa Coastal SV. I love the normal SV reels, and this has all that I love in the SV reels with more line capacity and a longer handle.

I actually won one from Omnia fishing, so I actually got it a day or two after Omnia received their shipment. As far as the comparison to the normal Tatula I would say the XT is about 90% of the level of the normal Tatula. It is very well made, has a very nice taper to it. The XT just doesn't quite have the sensitivity of the normal Tatula, but it isn't far off.

The new 2022 Daiwa Tatula XT 7’ ML would be a decent option at the $100 price point. I see you have NY in your username. If you are anywhere near Albany I would offer up my Dobyn’s Sierra 702, which I think is an excellent drop shot rod. I just don’t fish a drop shot very much so I think I’m going to sell that rod.

If you are a Shimano guy I’d pick up the SLX BFS from someplace like digitaka. With the current exchange rate it’s a pretty good deal at around $150. As far as rods for river fishing I think the new Cashion ICON BFS 7’ Light model would be a good choice. I got to mess around with one for a short time, and I think that would be a great all around rod for river fishing with 2 gram and above lures.

Thank you! I was just going to go to the hardware store and get something that fit, but having a matching screw will definitely be better.

So on a recent trip to a local antique place I saw this old Shakespeare reel in very good condition for a price I couldn’t pass up. I took it home and cleaned it up some, and it functions perfectly. The only issue is I am missing one of the small screws that hold the cross bars for the frame. Does any one have a lead on where I may be able to acquire one of these screws? You can see the missing screw in the side plate in these pictures.

I think out of all the new lures this year the only things I will likely end up with are some of the new Z-man micro stuff, and these Nishine Lure Works top water minnows.

I've been nose hooking them and then putting a nail wait down the length of the belly. This seems to keep them running very true.

My recent travels had me thinking about a new travel setup that could pack down super small, but still fish close to a one piece. Also I’ve been very into finesse and BFS fishing this year. So for that I ordered a new “power BFS” travel setup. While this isn’t truly a BFS setup, it will still easily sling ned rigs and micro jigs around which have been some of my go to’s this year.

Does anyone have any experience with Old 18 rods? I have been bit hard by the BFS bug this year, and to date I have only purchased more entry level rods. After finding I am really enjoying that style of fishing it has me wanting to try out a higher end rod. I see Old 18 which is a US company makes what looks like some very nice BFS rods, but have no experience with the company to know anything about how they may perform vs their price point.

Check out these frogs from Toad Thumper lures. They are a new company, and were just launched this year. I picked some up to try, and I honestly think they are the best frogs I have fished to date. https://toadthumper.co/

While not always possible, my usual way of achieving a vertical fall with a bait caster is to pull the rod tip back just before the lure hits the water. Then as soon as it hits the water I point the rod back at the bait. This creates immediate slack in the line which lets the bait fall on a slack line.

I had and sold one of these years ago. This is the only reel that I have ever sold that I have regretted afterword. After quite a few years though I have finally got my hands on another one. This is a ~2003 Abu Garcia 5600 D5. These were Swedish made, and were almost like the Daiwa zero adjust(just way older) in that you don’t adjust the spool tension. The only adjustment is in the magnetic braking system, and it works very well.