I think I’m gonna jump in this bandwagon. Gonna pick up the ark gravity from TW. I can pick up the sierra ultra finesse OR the Phenix Classic BFS for around $130. Is there another rod in the $150ish range I should be considering as well? If the sierra ultra is the one to go with, which tip should I get considering I will only get one but will fish it with both treble hook baits and soft plastics.

 

thanks!

What weights and lures are you planning to throw?

Not a fan of solid tip and plastics.  The soft hyper flexible tips seem to rob you of the hook setting power needed with small jigs and plastics.  I'd get the Phenix of the two or better yet the Majorcraft Days 68L BFS because it's an actual Japanese BFS rod. 

Just bought a Bass Pro Crappie Maxx Pro 6' rod with light action and will pair it with an old spin cast reel I've never used: Johnson Century 200BG 25 IPT on 6 and 8 # mono on it. Will use Rebel Critter Lures, Beetle and Cajun Spins and Bobby Garland's soft plastics like the Baby Shad in ponds and small lakes. Not a true BFS setup -- that later.

Good Fishing

My experience with solid tip is they're only hyper flexible on XUL finesse spinning rods.  

 

Solid tip is used on bait rods up to MH, and they're not goosey, just proper response for soft plastics.  

 

Since I'm here, @softwateronly followed my lead on Abu Prototype XKR, and he was delighted enough to go back for more.  

 

 

Also consider this rhetorical perspective - this is the most difficult chore I've asked of a rod and reel, so I want to start cheap.  

I'd go the other way - see what's a step up from entry level.  

2 hours ago, Bigbox99 said:

Majorcraft Days 68L BFS because it's an actual Japanese BFS rod. 

Very nice rod.  I have that and the 65ML, and while not technically a BFS rod, it is quite comfy at 3g (rated 5-14g) and I usually defer to it over the 68L/BF.  The backbone is much better and you really don't give up too much at the bottom end.  I fish a lot of soft swim baits and even running a 1/16 jig with a 2.8" Fat Swing Impact, it's still near 6g which is within the rated range of the 65ML.

In that price range, I'm a fan of the Phenix Classic over the Dobyns BFS rod. Both have pretty fast tips, so if you want something in a ML that is slightly more moderate-fast action, the 6'10" Cashion Element is a nice rod in your budget. I can throw Neds with it, but also small BFS crankbaits/trebles.

I've been very happy with the Sierra 701 but I haven't compared it to any other similar rods. Between that and the Cashion 610ML I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

Out of the ones mentioned,  I have Dobyns Sierra Ultra-Finesse 700C and its been pretty good so far. To me, it has the right action to cover most BFS fishing, fast tip and a soft middle. It is great for hard baits but some of the really small softplastic takes some getting use to. 

 

I think, just like regular bass rods, I started to divide BFS rods in the same kind of categories, lure type and lure weight. The only thing is you splitting some really fine hairs when comes to which rod, reel and line you use for particular baits. Finding that one rod that does it all for the baits you want can be challenging. 

I bought this Gray Wolf BFS rod based off of Bulldog's recommendation. It came in last Friday.  The quality and build look great and it feels very nice. I hope to get to fish it soon. For a $116.00 it's pretty much a steal. PVC rod case and fabric sleeve were included>

 

Here's the link:

https://www.graywolfrods.com/product-page/graywolf-xfst-6-0-bfs-rod-1-16-5-16oz

 

FM

 

@bulldog1935 is right!  That Abu Kurodai is the top choice for me, I bring it back and forth from the city to the little lake and haven't gone fishing without it since I got it.  I always want to have it as an option, it's just so useful and fun.  I have effectively fished 3-24g, t-rigs, jigs, tubes, spoons, plugs, etc.  It pins anything that bites, and has enough backbone to turn and handle big fish while still being enjoyable with crappie and bream.  It's landed many 20+" bass both SM and LM and even gotten large Northern, chinook, and steelhead to either shore or the boat.  Here's 3 plus size LM's from this morning on a jigworm/ned.

 

scott

 

 

17 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

What weights and lures are you planning to throw?

Well, that’s the thing. I don’t really know. I’m not fond of spinning rigs, though I have them and use them. However, the bait monkey has me by the b..um legs telling me I need a new setup for my bday/fathers day.

 

Initial thoughts would be 1/16-3/8ish oz soft plastics mainly. But, I have some karahsi twitches coming from Japan, so I know I will be throwing at least some hard baits as well…

10 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

My experience with solid tip is they're only hyper flexible on XUL finesse spinning rods.  

 

Solid tip is used on bait rods up to MH, and they're not goosey, just proper response for soft plastics.  

 

Since I'm here, @softwateronly followed my lead on Abu Prototype XKR, and he was delighted enough to go back for more.  

 

 

Also consider this rhetorical perspective - this is the most difficult chore I've asked of a rod and reel, so I want to start cheap.  

I'd go the other way - see what's a step up from entry level.  

What rods are those in your post?

 

 

Also, I’d say if the okuma guys are reading this or if @Glenn can tell them, they should expand the x series line and add a BFS rod or two!

@woolleyfooley top to bottom

7'5" Valleyhill Hard Rock CPRC-75MHS (solid tip) - inshore for 1/4 oz jerkbait to 1 oz topwaters. 

6'7" Valleyhill Raison Odessa ROC67MMM baitfinesse - this is a one-rod reservoir jewel for neds to medium cranks.  

Bottom is 7'3' Abu Protytype XKRC 73MLS Kurodai (black sea perch) baitfinesse.  I can handle 3 rods on kayak, but if I only got one, I could do everything with this one, close-fishing tiny shrimp lures, drifting flats, crossing tide passes.  

It's hard to put down (except maybe for a shorter rod close fishing or MH for big topwaters), but so many days, it has brought home a redfish limit.  

 

I also would look for closeouts of Daiwa Black Label in baitfinesse sizes.  

I bought the 5-pc travel 6'6" ML, and it's among the very best and most versatile rods I own.  It fishes well beyond both rated lure weight ends.  

Thank you to all! The gray wolf is really good looking as I can actually buy the blank and build it myself. So, that’s probably the route I’m going.
 

That said, I will have to wait on the reel because my son called me from Bun Bun in Osaka last night. Apparently, this is the largest tackle shop in Osaka. I spent about an hour and a half on FaceTime with him. Apparently, we were in a 3-way FaceTime call with the bait monkey (though he was silent and was not on video). I spent a couple of dollars via video.  

The 7’3” Karodai looks perfect! Is this rod available?

Tom

@WRB-2.0 North One Tackle has the only stock I can google up - fishingshop.kiwi and Asian Portal show no stock.  

 

Maybe @softwateronly has a lead.  

 

https://north-one.jp/products/0036282110861

8 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

@WRB-2.0 North One Tackle has the only stock I can google up - fishingshop.kiwi and Asian Portal show no stock.  

 

Maybe @softwateronly has a lead.  

 

https://north-one.jp/products/0036282110861

Is thank you!

Tom

22 hours ago, Smirak said:

Initial thoughts would be 1/16-3/8ish oz soft plastics mainly. But, I have some karahsi twitches coming from Japan, so I know I will be throwing at least some hard baits as well…

I fell into the clutches of the bait marmoset 2 years ago.  For those who don't know, the bait marmoset is the smaller relation to the bait monkey.  He has more expensive tastes though.

 

I find BFS is really productive for me on the clear lakes I have here when the bass are above 10 feet.  I basically use all the same types of baits and techniques as regular bass fishing, just downsized.  So downsized cranks, poppers, twitch baits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs, t-rigs, free rigs, small swimbaits and underspins etc. around the weights you are thinking about. 

 

So, all the same techniques I would normally use.  Going deep is the only time I don't have a BFS rig in rotation.

Well, I did just hit order on Amazon for a new reel, rod and line. So I guess the monkey had me tighter than I thought…

 

I was watching some of Aaron Hunt’s videos and he suggested the following for a good, budget setup. 
 

Handing Magic L 6’ UL Fast 2 pc

Doviello HICC50 8.1:1 RH dual spool 

Varivas Super Trout Advanced Bait Finesse PE x 4, 9# (0.5)

 

I sure hope this monkey finds someone else soon..but I like it…my BDay and Fathers Day are within a week of each other every year, so I normally have a visit from him for a few weeks in June annually…

I have the magic L, 7 ft ML 2 pc as a bfs. Great rod for the money. Does everything I ask of it, usually small flukes and paddletails.

I bought the UL because I had read that it fished more like a L whereas the L fishes more like a ML. 

Agree. The ML has a midsection more towards a medium but the 10- 12 inches at the tip loads like a ML. I can't really use a light or UL here.

11 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

@WRB-2.0 North One Tackle has the only stock I can google up - fishingshop.kiwi and Asian Portal show no stock.  

 

Maybe @softwateronly has a lead.  

 

https://north-one.jp/products/0036282110861

 

@WRB-2.0  Here's a couple others, but not sure which price is best with shipping...

 

https://jdmtackleheaven.com/products/abu-garcia-salty-stage-kr-x-prototype-baitfinesse-xkrc-73mls-bf

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/387336166755

 

https://north-one.jp/products/0036282110861

 

scott

Thank you! When trying to order nothing is currently in stock. Ordered the new Falcon BSF rod should be OK?

Tom