A shop my friend frequents has a few in stock.  He called them from the lake yesterday and they are holding a right hand version for me. 
 

what line?  I’m flying blind!  3 months ago I didn’t even know what the acronym BFS meant. I’m thinking 8 or 10LB braid (?).  I hope this replaces one of my spin outfits.  Tiny swimbaits, small weightless worms, etc.  I really don’t know what I’ll use it for.  Tiny cranks?  
 

I bought it on the fly. 
 

now the rod. Thinking the 7’4” Dobyns ultra finesse.  
 

thoughts?  

In 8- or 10-lb braid, Sufix 832 is just right. 

If you go with X-braids, such as Varivas, Yamatoyo or Duel, you probably want PE#1 or #1.2

Hi,

 

I have spooled 15lb, 4lb diameter Power Pro in yellow. 

 

I was looking at the Dobyns rod you mentioned and it was just not what I was looking for. Too whippy for a long casting rod. I ended up getting the Phenix Feather 7'1" Light. Check the specs on this rod, it fits my style of BFS fishing. I also have the Shimano Curado BFS reel paired with said Phenix rod and caught a 4lb bass a couple weeks ago.

1 minute ago, ghost said:

Hi,

 

I have spooled 15lb, 4lb diameter Power Pro in yellow. 

 

I was looking at the Dobyns rod you mentioned and it was just not what I was looking for. Too whippy for a long casting rod. I ended up getting the Phenix Feather 7'1" Light. Check the specs on this rod, it fits my style of BFS fishing. I also have the Shimano Curado BFS reel paired with said Phenix rod and caught a 4lb bass a couple weeks ago.

I have a heavier Feather.  Still warming up to the grip.   but GREAT suggestion. Thanks. 

Ya, I liked the Phenix Feather Light that I also got the Feather in heavy. 7'1", 1/4-2oz. Love how light these rods are.

 

Before I got the Phenix Feather Light, I first bought the Shimano Sensilte casting rod in 7' Light. This was much cheaper at $50 new. Works good, quite light. I now have it for my Kastking Zephyr BFS reel.

8 lb. Tatsu on an Edge 6101-1 Finesse. Brian.

Here's a pic of that bass I caught. Used a 1/4 Kastmaster spoon. Needed a heavier spoon for that day to cast past the weeds close to shore.

 

1st bass I've caught using a Kastmaster spoon too!

I use 7 lb Sniper on my 2 BFS set ups... works great, gets the sink rate on lighter lures that braid does not.
 

No to the Dobyns 700/BFS rod, tip is better suited for trout - not bass around even the lightest cover. A 1/5 oz Ned is too much for that tip IMO. The old 701c (not made any more) would be about right.
 

I’m a big fan of the Phenix Feather 7’1” Light. It’s not that expensive, but if too much I would recommend the Sensilite  as well. 
 

The new Abu Garcia PLX TE at 6’10” ML is interesting too at $179. 

3 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

A shop my friend frequents has a few in stock.  He called them from the lake yesterday and they are holding a right hand version for me. 
 

what line?  I’m flying blind!  3 months ago I didn’t even know what the acronym BFS meant. I’m thinking 8 or 10LB braid (?).  I hope this replaces one of my spin outfits.  Tiny swimbaits, small weightless worms, etc.  I really don’t know what I’ll use it for.  Tiny cranks?  
 

I bought it on the fly. 
 

now the rod. Thinking the 7’4” Dobyns ultra finesse.  
 

thoughts?  

Yes braid is fine, I use 6-8lb mono because I like mono, you can use coply and floro if you wish, anything medium-medium light is a fine rod, use spinning rod lures, it's basically has the castability of a spinning reel in the body of a spinning reel.

1 hour ago, ghost said:

pic of that bass I caught. Used a 1/4 Kastmaster spoon

Spoons for bass are fun! They last forever and they can hold great memories because they last forever! People don't use them much but they work for all other species and have been around forever, nothing more classic!

Another vote for the Phenix Feather 7'1" L.

I am using Varivas Avani 9.2lb Saltwater Braid

 

https://www.varivas.fishing/product/avani-saltwater-finesse-pe-x8/?attribute_pa_spec=7-5lb-0-3-150m&gclid=Cj0KCQiAubmPBhCyARIsAJWNpiMyheRBpNaZV7f_y3ihI5t7ud3XiAUHIDF9LLJbxOYpDAwVI5J7z_8aApQAEALw_wcB

I now have two Shimano BFS reels, both on Phenix Feather light rods and spooled with 8# Sunline Shooter. Love 'em!

Thanks. The Phenix rod is cheaper!!  
 

 

I'm a big Dobyns fan but the Phenix is exceptional paired with the BFS, especially considering the price. It has replaced spinning setups for 1/8 to 3/8 oz. baits for me.

 

I'm using a couple of Dobyns Champion XP 702s Curado 70 MGLs spooled with 10# Sunline Sniper for 3/8 to 1/2 oz. baits and that is also working quite well.

#6 Tatsu

Thanks.  You all gave me the info I needed.  Phenix on the way. 
 

oh. I’m going with 8lb flouro. 

3 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Thanks.  You all gave me the info I needed.  Phenix on the way. 
 

oh. I’m going with 8lb flouro. 

Yer gonna like it. Really nice rods. I got my L and immediately ordered a ML too. Curado BFS on the L, and Curado 71 MGL on the ML. Didn't get mine till Dec. Can't wait to get on the water with'em. Spinning rods are for crappie fishing after picking up this pair. The L/BFS combo will throw a 1/8 ned 100'+ with an underhand roll cast. 6# XT.

8 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Yer gonna like it. Really nice rods. I got my L and immediately ordered a ML too. Curado BFS on the L, and Curado 71 MGL on the ML. Didn't get mine till Dec. Can't wait to get on the water with'em. Spinning rods are for crappie fishing after picking up this pair. The L/BFS combo will throw a 1/8 ned 100'+ with an underhand roll cast. 6# XT.

I have the 7-1 heavy.   Took a while to get used to the tapered grip. But I’m there.  I think the light will be an easy adjustment since the rod is lighter overall.  I’m thrilled it was in stock!

I have the Feather in both L and ML and a Curado BFS on each of them. Both of mine have 15 lb braid and leaders will generally be 6 lb to 8 lb fluoro. The drag on these reels is such that I would be very hesitant to go higher than 8 lb for the connection to the bait. You'd have to crank down pretty hard to break off anything heavier than 8 lb.