My brother got me hooked on bass fishing this summer. Since then I've been looking at some BFS rods, but the selection has been overwhelming.

 

In short I'm looking for rods under 6'7", light power, fast action, line wt 3 - 10 lbs and lure wt 1/16 - 3/8 oz (power finesse?), for bank fishing at ponds or lakes. Baits I mostly use are soft plastics, swimbaits, a light weight crank baits and jigs with a budget of $200 - $300  I'm looking for insights on seasoned angler's on some of these rods, but totally open to other considerations. 

 

1. Dobyns Sierra Ultra Fineese Casting Series 6'5" Light | SUF 650C

2. Megabass Levante 2F-64LV

3. Major Craft DAYS BF DYC-65UL.BF

 

 

I'd get the Day's L instead of the UL.  I've owned both powers in a Majorcraft Volkey BFS and the UL topped out at 1/4 oz total weight.  The L was rated up ti 1/4 oz but could handle more.  I wouldn't worry about 1/16 oz baits unless you're throwing crappie jigs.  If you're bass fishing you be at 1/8 oz at the lowest.  Even "weightless" finesse worms weight that much.

Major Craft Days is a fine rod.  I'd even dare to say to look at the 65ML.  I have it and even though it's rated to 3/16 at the bottom, I've thrown 1/8 total weight on it numerous times.  While not technically a BFS rod, it does cover a wide range.  Where I am, there are plenty of surprise musky and big sheephead (freshwater drum to you non Great Lakes people) that also prowl the same waters as bass.  Having that extra backbone can help considerably in those situations.  

I have the Dobyns SUF 700c. It's very close to the Phenix Classic BFS that I also own. The Dobyns might be just a tick more "powerful", but they are very similar. They throw baits in the .20 oz to .25 oz range perfectly. 1/16th to 1/4 oz is their best range, but they can throw a little more if you want. I'm fishing from a boat, so I don't necessarily see the advantage of a super short rod.

 

I think you have some fine rods chosen. At some point. you can either choose to order one and see how you like it. or make an effort to go somewhere and put hands on one or more. If you really don't get along with it, you can sell it for a little less (the cost of a long term rental) and move on with more experience of your own to rely on.

36 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

I have the Dobyns SUF 700c. It's very close to the Phenix Classic BFS that I also own. The Dobyns might be just a tick more "powerful", but they are very similar. They throw baits in the .20 oz to .25 oz range perfectly. 1/16th to 1/4 oz is their best range, but they can throw a little more if you want. I'm fishing from a boat, so I don't necessarily see the advantage of a super short rod.

 

I will second the Dobyns 700C.  It was my first BFS rod and its been great so far. I definitely think its a good place to start. For a reel, I like the Curado BFS.  Its easy to use and I've had no real issues with either one I have.

On 9/9/2025 at 7:59 AM, Big Hands said:

I have the Dobyns SUF 700c. It's very close to the Phenix Classic BFS that I also own. The Dobyns might be just a tick more "powerful", but they are very similar. They throw baits in the .20 oz to .25 oz range perfectly. 1/16th to 1/4 oz is their best range, but they can throw a little more if you want. I'm fishing from a boat, so I don't necessarily see the advantage of a super short rod.

 

I think you have some fine rods chosen. At some point. you can either choose to order one and see how you like it. or make an effort to go somewhere and put hands on one or more. If you really don't get along with it, you can sell it for a little less (the cost of a long term rental) and move on with more experience of your own to rely on.

I decided on the Megabass Levante. I'm looking to throw baits up to 3/8oz and slightly heavier. The Dobyns will be a future rod purchase since the lifetime warranty is appealing.

The Falcon Cara BSF rod is a good choice within your price range.

Tom

I’m using a GLoomis IMX 781 SJR. They’re discontinued but there were some on eBay. I’m throwing 1/16, 1/32 and 1/64 oz weights. Soft tip with lots of backbone and power

Well, Real BFS or American BFS? They are two different world.

From the OP’s opening description USA BSF, basically ML finesse, basically casting in lieu of spinning.

I have this rod coupled with Ark Limited Edition BSF reel, perfect match👍 Look at the specs the reviews and make a informed decision.

Tom

and I thought Real BFS left BR with ska-boy.  

It's a shame Abu doesn't import versions of their JDM rods to USM.  

Several of us @softwateronly will stand up for discontinued Prototype Kurodai Baitfinesse as the best you're likely to find.  Extreme light-lure range, fast, extreme big fish power.  

I would watch JDM for introduction of next series of KR-X baitfinesse rods - and, of course, understand your time line is get the best currently available.  

 

real bfs, btw, is the reel - it's not a rod.  

Sometime, less than a year ago, one of the major U.S.A. distributors (I'm inclined to say TW), published a very in depth article of BFS rods, reels, and line;  it was based on test results of many different brands.  I copied 13 pages of that article, which I still have, but left off the Distributor's name;  possibly one of the members will recall.  I used this information exclusively to purchase my two BFS combinations, and I truly love them both.  I definitely recommend this article to anyone who can locate it and post a link for others.

On 9/10/2025 at 11:32 AM, 2earlye said:

I decided on the Megabass Levante. I'm looking to throw baits up to 3/8oz and slightly heavier. The Dobyns will be a future rod purchase since the lifetime warranty is appealing.

 

Good call.

 

The Dobyns would not have been a good rod for 3/8 and slightly heavier. I tried a Shimano World Pop Flash Boost at 3/8 oz and it was definitely not a good match for it, or the Phenix Classic BFS. When you're ready for a rod that does really well with 3/32 oz to 1/4 oz baits, the Dobyns and Phenix are worth a look.

On 9/11/2025 at 8:40 AM, bulldog1935 said:

and I thought Real BFS left BR with ska-boy.  

It's a shame Abu doesn't import versions of their JDM rods to USM.  

Several of us @softwateronly will stand up for discontinued Prototype Kurodai Baitfinesse as the best you're likely to find.  Extreme light-lure range, fast, extreme big fish power.  

I would watch JDM for introduction of next series of KR-X baitfinesse rods - and, of course, understand your time line is get the best currently available.  

 

real bfs, btw, is the reel - it's not a rod.  

I needed something with a little more backbone so I decided on the levante F3-67 jdm model medium light*. 

 

I bought an ark gravity to pair with the F2-64 but was wondering your thoughts on pairing this with the F3 rod. 

^Ark Gravity BFS reel to be exact

Let’s talk BSF with your experiences.

So far I started with them Falcon BSF rod 7’2” that is a good ML casting rod but limited to lures 1/8 oz up to 3/8 oz+. Excellent rod with good components at a $250 price point. As noted earlier I coupled this rod with Ark Limited Ed reel that imo is a very good BSF reel at the lower end price point $150.

After looking at several BSF rods that can cast 1/16 to 1/8 oz lures effectively the Phenix 7’1 light is closer to a BSF rod. This rod doesn’t have the back bone  to handle bass near cover but can control bass in open water easily.

The high end Shimano Aldebaran BSF reel is affordable at JDM sites about $280. This reel doesn’t have finite tuning but doesn’t need it and easily cast 1/16 ox to oz lures and should be a good high end BSF reel coupled to the Phenix BSF rod. Swap the Falcon rod and Aldebaran BSF reel for ML finesse bass fishing and Phenix rod with Ark reel for light BSF combo.

Tom

Take a look at Daiwa's PX series rods and reels;  I did a lot of research before choosing mine and I sure love them.