Conquest BFS 2023

[City17Banner]

Left February. Right April. It’s on the website product page.

Thank you Cranky!

I guess the right-hand version will still be available before we see "soft water" here in the frozen tundra so it's all good.

Now I have to figure out which casting rod to pair up with this new Conquest BFS reel.

[John2204]

Does it appear that the the XG model has a longer handle? Either way Im getting one, I have a Conquest DC 100HG, this new BFS model looks to be almost the same size, anyone find out how much it weighs?

[slimjim1135]

Does it appear that the the XG model has a longer handle? Either way Im getting one, I have a Conquest DC 100HG, this new BFS model looks to be almost the same size, anyone find out how much it weighs?

Listed at 195 grams. The 2017 Conquest BFS is 200 grams, so probably not much noticeable difference in weight from the last model.

[John2204]

So it's an ounce and a half lighter than a Conquest DC 100, anyone see the line capacity? Im liking this reel more and more....

[City17Banner]

According to the new Conquest BFS product page its: 45-meters of 8# FC, which is the same as the Aldebaran BFS reel from comparing them on the Shimano site.

[John2204]

I wonder about the price, my guess is $500-600, that’s pretty much my upper limit on what I would be willing to pay

[City17Banner]

I wonder about the price, my guess is $500-600, that’s pretty much my upper limit on what I would be willing to pay

I doubt it would retail for that much, you are reaching into and beyond Antares DC and Exsense DC range at that price level, and I can't imagine any new non-DC Shimano reel exceeding the halo DC reels in price.

I recently acquired a new Shimano 21 Antares DC last week from JLS for $472 so I'm hoping the new Conquest BFS is near the current price of the 20 Conquest 100 DC at ~$400 myself as I have several JDM finesse rods that would benefit from a couple of these new reels.

[John G]

In a perfect world, Shimano would bring back the OG Conquest 50 except with a modern day magnetic braking system and a new and improved BFS spool.

[ras]

On pre-order from a known retailer for about 53000 yen. Depending on how usd to yen rate goes and whether the trend for the other known retailer to offer a lower price holds, maybe looking at less than $400. Regardless, this reel will be my comeback to baitcasting. I've toyed with an idea of custom Ambassadeur 1500/2500, but I'll probably put those thoughts away now...

[City17Banner]

On pre-order from a known retailer for about 530000 yen. Depending on how usd to yen rate goes and whether the trend for the other known retailer to offer a lower price holds, maybe looking at less than $400. Regardless, this reel will be my comeback to baitcasting. I've toyed with an idea of custom Ambassadeur 1500/2500, but I'll probably put those thoughts away now...

Thank you for the update! I see the pre-order now; I hope my two primary JDM online reel retailers get on this bandwagon ASAP. I'm actually hoping this new Conquest BFS reel allows me to move away from needing to use spinning gear for my smallmouth bass fishing ever again.

Every time I watch angler Saito whip out his custom Ambassador 2500 reels and perform incredible casting marvels, I think that could be me too then I pick up one of my 2020 Conquest 100 DC reels and wish I could have a BFS version of this stellar reel and now I can!

[ras]

On pre-order from a known retailer for about 530000 yen. Depending on how usd to yen rate goes and whether the trend for the other known retailer to offer a lower price holds, maybe looking at less than $400. Regardless, this reel will be my comeback to baitcasting. I've toyed with an idea of custom Ambassadeur 1500/2500, but I'll probably put those thoughts away now...

Thank you for the update! I see the pre-order now; I hope my two primary JDM online reel retailers get on this bandwagon ASAP. I'm actually hoping this new Conquest BFS reel allows me to move away from needing to use spinning gear for my smallmouth bass fishing ever again.

Every time I watch angler Saito whip out his custom Ambassador 2500 reels and perform incredible casting marvels, I think that could be me too then I pick up one of my 2020 Conquest 100 DC reels and wish I could have a BFS version of this stellar reel and now I can!

I initially put too many zeros in that price, my apologies.

I am too looking forward to Conquest BFS, mostly for stream fishing, and will possibly be adding Conquest DC for bigger minnows and fish. I'm certainly not giving up my Stellas, Exists, and Vanquishes. I very much enjoy the idea of fishing a baitcaster, but I also think spinning reels have their advantages both in UL and under high load (which is why I'm also thrilled about 23 Saltiga in new sizes). I know many will disagree and I don't intend to start the often ensuing discussion. It's a great week for all tackle junkies.

[City17Banner]

On pre-order from a known retailer for about 530000 yen. Depending on how usd to yen rate goes and whether the trend for the other known retailer to offer a lower price holds, maybe looking at less than $400. Regardless, this reel will be my comeback to baitcasting. I've toyed with an idea of custom Ambassadeur 1500/2500, but I'll probably put those thoughts away now...

Thank you for the update! I see the pre-order now; I hope my two primary JDM online reel retailers get on this bandwagon ASAP. I'm actually hoping this new Conquest BFS reel allows me to move away from needing to use spinning gear for my smallmouth bass fishing ever again.

Every time I watch angler Saito whip out his custom Ambassador 2500 reels and perform incredible casting marvels, I think that could be me too then I pick up one of my 2020 Conquest 100 DC reels and wish I could have a BFS version of this stellar reel and now I can!

I initially put too many zeros in that price, my apologies.

I am too looking forward to Conquest BFS, mostly for stream fishing, and will possibly be adding Conquest DC for bigger minnows and fish. I'm certainly not giving up my Stellas, Exists, and Vanquishes. I very much enjoy the idea of fishing a baitcaster, but I also think spinning reels have their advantages both in UL and under high load (which is why I'm also thrilled about 23 Saltiga in new sizes). I know many will disagree and I don't intend to start the often ensuing discussion. It's a great week for all tackle junkies.

I agree that both reel types have their place, I prefer casting gear since much of my smallmouth bass fishing is done in relation to very heavy shoreline cover and casting gear is more accurate for this style of fishing in my experience, and I don't like dealing with wind knots and line twist.

On the other hand, I enjoy using my Stellas, Exists, Steez, and Vanquish, spinning reels for light JDM soft plastic techniques as well, it truly comes down to how everyone prefers to fish and that's what matters at the end of the day.

[ras]

On pre-order from a known retailer for about 530000 yen. Depending on how usd to yen rate goes and whether the trend for the other known retailer to offer a lower price holds, maybe looking at less than $400. Regardless, this reel will be my comeback to baitcasting. I've toyed with an idea of custom Ambassadeur 1500/2500, but I'll probably put those thoughts away now...

Thank you for the update! I see the pre-order now; I hope my two primary JDM online reel retailers get on this bandwagon ASAP. I'm actually hoping this new Conquest BFS reel allows me to move away from needing to use spinning gear for my smallmouth bass fishing ever again.

Every time I watch angler Saito whip out his custom Ambassador 2500 reels and perform incredible casting marvels, I think that could be me too then I pick up one of my 2020 Conquest 100 DC reels and wish I could have a BFS version of this stellar reel and now I can!

I initially put too many zeros in that price, my apologies.

I am too looking forward to Conquest BFS, mostly for stream fishing, and will possibly be adding Conquest DC for bigger minnows and fish. I'm certainly not giving up my Stellas, Exists, and Vanquishes. I very much enjoy the idea of fishing a baitcaster, but I also think spinning reels have their advantages both in UL and under high load (which is why I'm also thrilled about 23 Saltiga in new sizes). I know many will disagree and I don't intend to start the often ensuing discussion. It's a great week for all tackle junkies.

I agree that both reel types have their place, I prefer casting gear since much of my smallmouth bass fishing is done in relation to very heavy shoreline cover and casting gear is more accurate for this style of fishing in my experience, and I don't like dealing with wind knots and line twist.

On the other hand, I enjoy using my Stellas, Exists, Steez, and Vanquish, spinning reels for light JDM soft plastic techniques as well, it truly comes down to how everyone prefers to fish and that's what matters at the end of the day.

I think wind knots and line twist with spinning reels are akin to bird nests with baitcasters – both long gone thanks to modern tackle and proper techniques... I generally agree about accuracy, and I'm very impressed with the idea and implementation of DC systems.

[John2204]

Well if it’s around 400 then I’m sold, what websites have it for preorder?

[John2204]

Also, has anyone seen whether the gears are brass or aluminum? I really hope they stayed with brass gears….