Bait Finesse! Have you tried it yet? Nothing will turn a tough day on the water around faster than a BFS setup and some micro baits. A day full of tiny fish that would normally be a “tough day” is suddenly a blast! Its hard to explain just how fun this method of finesse fishing is until you try it for yourself, but if you’re ready to change your fishing for the better, its time to try Bait Finesse!
Bait finesse isn’t new. Its been around in Japan for decades and has slowly trickled into the US over the past 10 years. However, the arrival of the Curado BFS reel last year kicked the Bait Finesse movement into high gear. If you primarily catch smaller bass, fish small bodies of water, or your fish are heavily pressured, turning to BFS can completely change your fishing for the better!
While there are very few “BFS Baits” there are a lot of awesome finesse baits that work well for Bait Finesse Fishing. Below you’ll find links to our favorite rods and reels for the technique, along with many of our favorite baits by category. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*BFS REELS…*
•Shimano Curado BFS:
•Kast King Zephyr:
*THE RODS BY TECHNIQUE…*
Micro Flipping– Shimano Expride 7’2″ Medium Light:
Micro Topwater/Spy Bait– Megabass P5 Z Crank Elseil:
Small Crankbaits– G Loomis IMX Pro 7’2″ MH Deep Flex:
Micro Crankbaits– Shimano Curado 6’10” Light Glass:
Micro Swimbaits– Dobyns Sierra 7′ 0 Power (700):
Ultra Sensitivity– G Loomis Conquest 782C MBR:
Micro Finesse– Daiwa Steen AGS 6’8″ Light:
*LINES…*
Fluorocarbon– Sunline Super FC (7 lb):
Braid– Power Pro Spectra (8 lb):
Braid– Sufix 131 (6 lb):
*SMALL CRANKBAITS…*
•Rapala Ultralight Crank:
Colors: Chrome, Shad
•Shimano Macbeth 39 Tiny:
Colors: Clear Green Craw, Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad
•Megabass Z-1 Crank:
Colors: Kasumi Ito, Wild Craw, Mat Craw 2
*SMALL TOPWATER…*
•Owner Cultiva Zip N Ziggy:
Colors: Natural Minnow, Shiner, Brown Trout
•Whopper Plopper 60:
Colors: Phantom Shad, Monkey Butt, Bone
•Rapala Ultralight Popper:
Colors: Chrome, Clown, Yellow Perch
*MICRO FINESSE SOFT PLASTICS…*
•Zman Micro Finesse TRD:
Colors: Coppertreuse, Green Pumpkin, The Deal
•Zman Micro Finesse TicklerZ:
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Hot Snakes
*NED HEADS…*
Micro– Z Man Micro Finesse Shroomz (1/15th):
Lead– Z Man OG (1/32 – 1/16th):
*MICRO TEXAS RIG SOFT PLASTICS…*
•Savage Gear Ned Salamander:
Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper, Mojito
•Zman TRD BugZ:
Colors: Sprayed Grass, Green Pumpkin, Canada Craw
*MICRO TEXAS RIGGING…*
Weight– Swagger Tungsten Vader 1/16 oz:
Heavy Wire Hook– Owner Rig-N-Hook Size 1/0:
Light Wire Hook– Owner J-Light Size 1/0:
*MICRO SWIMBAIT…*
•Keitech 2.8″ Fat Swing Impact:
Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad
•Megabass 3″ Spark Shad:
Color: Real, Albino
Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 with 1/0):
*TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)*
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Lure Designs:
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*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY… *
Trolling Motor– Minn Kota Ultrex 112:
Electronics– Humminbird Solix 15:
Anchors– Minn Kota Talons:
Camera– GoPro Hero 9:
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses:
Favorite Pliers:
Favorite life jacket:
Favorite Scale:
Favorite Lure Retriever:
Favorite Braid Cutters:
Favorite Split Ring Pliers:
Favorite Storage Box:
Favorite Net:
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#baitfinesse #bfs #finessefishing
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What spy bait is he showing?
Hey Matt and Tim, I recently replaced almost all of my hooks/ split rings on my vision 110s and the 110 jrs with the hooks and split rings that you have recommended in your videos, and after fishing with them I have noticed that they now sink, I was wondering if you have any tips to help them suspend better
Thank you guys,
Went to the East Tn Fishing Show on the last day they are in town and bought a 7’2”concept MH Expride B rod to pair w my Curado 201xg. Totally got it bc you you guys recommend it. $214 out the door. Totally stoked.
Best multipurpose BFS rod?
Hey Tim – Great content and very informative. Question: Which reel do you recommend for mico-cranking? Looks like the Curado is only available in the 8.2:1.
Getting into the BFS has been the best thing I’ve done in a long time! I have a place on Lake Martin in Alabama, and those 1-3 lb spotted bass make up the majority of our catches. There is nothing like hooking up with a 2lb Spot on 6lb test will make your day! Until people try it, it’s hard to convey the feeling to them accurately.
Are you running short leaders on the braid to flouro? I have trouble getting the FG knot through the micro guides without backlash.
Is the kastking zephyr as good Curado bfs you guys should look up cousin brothers here’s the link enjoy https://youtube.com/@cousinbrothers8743
If you had to choose only one do-everything rod, which rod would you choose?
I’ve noticed anyone that’s not sponsored by googan doesn’t recommend any of their products. But they do have a small selection of micro cranks, are they worth adding to my bfs collection?
Just got my first BFS set up and got the dobyns 701 i think and kast king reel. Used it for crappie fishing on KY lake and had a blast smiling ear to ear. It felt like bass fishing using the bait casting reel but catching crappie! I was using 7lbs sniper and a 3/32 oz jig head with crappie 2" plastic baits. So much fun!! Can't wait to catch a big bass on the set up.
Tim…is that aldebaran bfs from Japan a 22 xg?
Someone posted you were at the East Tennessee Fishing show here in Knoxville. Looked for you there yesterday but never ran into you (subscriber). Would've been great to meet you..
I’ve caught several 4lbs bass on a bfs. Honestly, a trenchhawg pegged with a 1/8 tungsten, fast enough to flutter slow enough get slammed in dirty water, it was one on my go to’s all summer.
I thought I would like the light braid, but was getting too much line dig every time I set the hook on a fish. I have recently spooled up my two Curado BFS reels with 6 lb mono (which I fished for years with on baitcasters BITD). Keeping tension on the line didn't seem to help and it's a PITA anyway. Are there certain brands of light braid that won't be so susceptible to digging in? Other than the braid/line dig issue, I love fishing with the Curado BFS.
Love ya Matt, but I'm calling you out. Line twists… absolutely. If I remember right you grew up on a spincaster like me. Just a guess, but I think you are reliving your childhood. Unless were looking for dinner, as a kid, we tried using just enough rod/line strength for the fish. The purpose of light line wasn't to fool the fish, it was because it made landing even small fish a challenge. I'm not looking for a fight. There are tons of caveats: its personal preference, heavy cover, tournament fishing, etc. People have different priorities but I watch many bass fishermen bypassing a part of fishing I love. Over-engineered gear means, you rip a lip and then winch them in as fast as you can. Landing a 2 pound bass on a ultra light set up with super-light line line is well….fun. Fly fishermen are masters at this. You see some of the dinky little things they call fish. Catching a 16 inch rainbow on heavy gear is child's play and not much fun. Put it on the right line/rod combination and you have an epic battle to manage a fish as it makes multiple runs, jumps, etc. Yes catching 2 pound bass on ultra-light gear isn't social media material, but I love it.
Medium rod will typically take baits all the way down to 1/4oz pretty well. 1/8oz can be a bit tricky but can still get a little distance. One thing I do is use 1/8oz jig heads and either donkey rig or throw it on a dropshot with a 1/8oz sinker and that'll give you your required 1/4oz weight. Medium rod with 150 size reel
I’ve got 2 BFS setup’s now and I love them. It’s such a good time and makes my drop shot fishing more enjoyable. I love the micro Texas rigs too. Good stuff. 👍
I use bfs and could never ever cast further then a spinning rod. Using 1g to 5g lures. Bfs is great fun but i don’t think it should replace your spinning rod in certain situations. Like pitching baits in locations to present lures where it won’t scare the fish Or being more accurate.
Instead of backreeling with baitcasters, I LOVE how you can just free spool (click the thumb release) and fight the fish adjusting the tension your thumb on the spool 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽
@TacticalBassin would you recommend the Medium Light Zodias over the Dobyns Ultra Finesse? I have the Curado BFS paired with the Dobyns Sierra 7'4 Ultra Finesse, I was on the fence between the Dobyns & the Zodias 7'2 Medium Light. I'm still not sure if I made the right choice lol. As long as the Dobyns holds up to the big Lake Michigan smallies I'll be happy!
Have yall tried Edge Rods EFX PRO BFS DSR 700?
I might just have to try a BFS combo seems way better than a spinning reel and rod
Daiwa Alphas Air is BFS reel.
What size line you use
Can you skip mini sankos without getting a mini bird nest?
The newest version of the Aldebaran BFS is amazing. I'm super annoyed that we got the overpriced Curado BFS here in the US rather than the SLX BFS that is essentially the exact same reel for only slightly more than half the price even factoring in shipping from Japan. The Daiwa BFS reels are really where it's at though. BFS is all about the magnetic brakes and Daiwa does it best.
Finding the right rod for the super light baits is the real challenge. The Shimano BFS-A(merican) rods are great rods but they're a little on the heavy side for the really light stuff. The Dobyn's are better in that regard and they've expanded the line a good bit over the last year. Some of the Phenix rods are pretty choice.
If you guys have any pull with TW, ask them to start stocking the Clarus ML BFS rods as an affordable option. The 6'9" and 7'2" are both available but TW doesn't carry them.
BFS is all I have been fishing lately. I have 2 Aldebaran BFS reels on Megabass Kasumi 6’11” and pheonix recon elite rods. Good times catching bass on light gear.
Will your crank bait ever be made in a smaller package? I'm hoping it's not too big for the clear water in NY I hit but we shall see
Powerful method of catching them when power fishing plays out. Also, puts the fun back into outings. Thanks Tim.
I got a Shimano MGL 70 for finesse presentations. Got so used to a spinning reel feeling but it's amazing how far and easily the MGL casts.
Reels and tackle in general are becoming better and better. Good times to be fishing.
If you guys want I see Tim and Matt’s advice for bfs fishing in action check my channel out. I’ve used their tips and recommended baits over the last year in Texas to catch ALOT of big bass. Two over 8 pounds and a bunch in the 5-7 lb range. I 100% Can confirm that bfs fishing is so much more fun than you think it will be. I have 4 combos now most dobyns Sierra rods and a curado, 2 tsurinoya reels, and a kastking zephyr and it’s about all I throw now. Something else for those on the fence about the advantage of bfs is that the rods are even more sensitive than a spinning rod. I never miss a bite. A ultralight or light action bfs reel will always feel more than a medium or medium light spinning rod. I’ll leave a link to one of my better trips below. And if you’re looking for a good budget setup that performs well check out a tsurinoya dark wolf and a dobyns Sierra 701c. Have fun y’all. https://youtu.be/lZfmYycg72A
Awesome video Tim!! I had fun last year using the Dobyns Sierra 700 with the Kastking Zephyr BFS reel with 6lbs flor. I caught bass panfish even a carp that eat a Z-man Flashback mini chatterbait on this set up. Can’t wait to try the Curado reel I was finally able to get.
When talking about BFS bait casting reels, what feature is the single most contributing factor to make it BFS? Is it the shallow spool?