The Top Five BFS Fishing Rods
What is BFS Fishing?
BFS stands for Bait Finesse System, and if you're a bass fisherman you've probably heard the term recently. BFS is a technique that caught fire quick in the USA and hasn't showed any signs of slowing down. So what is BFS and why has it become so popular? BFS fishing is finesse fishing with casting gear. A small baitcasting reel with a shallow, lightweight spool is paired with a light action casting rod capable of using light line and lightweight lures. The technique originated in Japan when trout anglers wanted to use casting gear in their small mountain streams. Japanese bass anglers were quick to adopt the technique and try it out on their highly-pressured fisheries.
It's no secret that many bass anglers aren't too fond of using spinning rods, but the increase in fishing pressure has demanded that finesse fishing be a part of everyone's arsenal. When this technique was brought to awareness in the states, it didn't take very long for it to be welcomed by many. It takes some seriously specialized casting gear to throw finesse gear on, and some companies have successfully tackled the tall task of crafting such a specialized rod. Let's take a look at what makes a BFS rod unique and highlight some of the best options out there.
Cashion is one of a handful of companies who have designed a rod specifically for BFS fishing
BFS Fishing Rods
A BFS casting rod is a truly unique piece of equipment. When most people think casting rods, they're envisioning a rod with a fast action and heavy tip used for power fishing techniques. A BFS rod is none of the sort. The casting rods we'll highlight below were all built specifically to be used with lightweight reels, light line, and finesse baits. Each one of these rods excels at BFS fishing for bass, crappie, trout, or whatever else you may be targeting.
5.
Rod Specifications:
- BFS Models:
- 6'10" Medium Light, Moderate Fast
- 7'1" Medium Light, Moderate Fast
- Lure weight rating
- 1/8 - 7/16oz
- Line Weight Rating
- 6 - 20lbs
Specific Features:
- The Mojo Bass Trigon series is new as of 2024.
- St. Croix upgraded their extremely popular Mojo Bass line by adding:
- Ergonomic TRIGON handle design
- Premium SCIII carbon fiber blanks
- Aluminum oxide guides with stainless steel frames
- Agglomerated cork handles with premium EVA
- St. Croix's proprietary new Dynamix reel seat
- The 6'10" MLMF Trigon model was designed for lite treble hook baits such as small crankbaits, jerkbaits, and poppers
- The moderate fast action allows the rod to properly load up so that small trebles aren't pulled out of the fish's mouth easily
- The 7'1" MLMF Trigon model is very similar to its shorter counterpart, but the added length helps when throwing deeper diving finesse crankbaits
4.
Rod Specifications:
- BFS Model
- 7'2" Medium Light, X-Fast action
- Line weight: 7- 14lbs
- Lure weight: 3/16 - 1/2oz
Specific Features:
- The Shimano Expride B Casting Rod uses minimal materials for maximum gains
- CI4+ reel seat, carbon monocoque handle, and Hi-Power X blank all make this rod as lightweight and sensitive as they come
- Medium Light action allows for use of very light line and baits
- X-Fast action is excellent for all types of BFS baits
- 7'2" length allows for long casts while also being short enough for accurate pitches
3.
Rod Specifications:
- 2 BFS Models:
- 7'0" Medium Light, Moderate Glass
- 7'2" Medium Light, Extra Fast
Specific Features:
- The 7'0" ML Shimano Zodias is a Hi-Power X+ Glass blank
- A glass composite allows a rod to have a very moderate action, allowing a fish to get a great hold of the bait before leaning into a hookset
- This type of blank also helps keep fish pinned, especially those barely hooked with a treble
- Rated to throw 3/16oz - 3/4oz lures on 7 - 16lb line
- The 7'2" ML Zodias is a BFS Fishing machine
- Incredibly lightweight
- Hi-Power X blank wrapped with carbon tape allows for maximum sensitivity
- 7'2" length allows for long casts with lures as light as 3/16oz
2.
Rod Specifications:
- Models:
- 6'10" Medium Light, Fast action
- Line weight: 4 - 10lbs
- Lure Weight: 1/8 - 7/16oz
- Finesse soft plastics
- 7'0" Light, Fast action
- Line weight: 2 - 8lbs
- Lure weight: 1/16 - 5/16oz
- Finesse hard baits
- 6'10" Medium Light, Fast action
Specific Features:
- The Cashion Icon Bait Finesse System Casting Rod is a newer rod to the BFS market, but Cashion is no stranger to making lightweight, sensitive, and well-balanced rods
- Designed specifically for ultra light finesse fishing with casting gear
- Micro guides enhance accuaracy when making short pitches and flips
- Cashion's hand-rolled CR6r blank brings unmatched sensitivty to BFS rods
- Ergonomic reel seat for all day casting comfort
1.
Rod Specifications:
- 6 models:
- 6'5", light power, Moderate action
- 6'9", light power, Moderate action
- 6'9", light power, Fast action
- 7'0", light power, X-Fast action
- 7'0", light power, Fast action
- 7'4", light power, X-Fast action
Specific Features:
- The Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rod Series was designed specifically for Bait Finesse Fishing with extremely light baits
- 1/16oz - 5/16oz
- High modulus graphite blanks for supreme sensitivity
- Fuji micro guides and reel seats to stay lightweight
- Portugal cork split handle design
- Solid carbon tip sections
- A variety of lengths, powers, and actions to excel at many BFS techniques secures this rod a #1 spot on the list
BFS is only continuing to grow in popularity, and as it does so will the technology involved in it. These are just a few of the excellent BFS rod options available at FishUSA.com, you can find many more in our casting rods section. If you're interested in looking into some casting reels to complete your BFS Fishing setup, check out our article "The Top Five BFS Casting Reels". To learn more about BFS in general and get a complete guide on everything you'll need to know to get started, check out "BFS Fishing - A Complete Guide to Bait Finesse System". We hope this article helps you put some fish in the net with your next BFS Fishing rod!