New to BFS, Reel that excels at longer casts?

[thevid]

New to the world of BFS, and from my research a lot of guys use these in streams with extremely light lures. I’m looking to get my first setup that is geared towards spotted/smallmouth fishing on lakes, and would like to get the longest casts possible, while still utilizing light baits. I will not be going below 1/16oz, and likely staying closer to the 1/8oz-1/4oz (ned rig, Neko rig, drop shot, small cranks). Would love some options to consider in the $350 and below range, I do prefer faster gear ratios so 7.2 would be the lowest I would like, and would prefer 8+ if possible. I will be using 6lb fluorocarbon and would like to have 50yds maybe slightly more, but definitely not less.

I understand that rod choice will also play a large roll in how well the reel will preform, I plan to the new Dobyns 740 to start, and then maybe branch out from there.

Thank you in advance

[Dalleinf]

Welcome!
1/8-1/4 oz is do-able with many reels including non-BFS reels where aftermarket spools help.
I use many different reels for that weight range, mostly stream fishing but also some lake fishing. If you lake fish from a boat, casting 1/8-1/4 oz lures is much easier than if fishing a stream with a lot of vegetation etc.

Best BFS reels out of the box IMO:
Daiwa Alphas Air TW and Steez Air TW. I have both and will suggest you save some dollars and get the Alphas - it is great. Casts far while being very reliable, ie not very prone to backlash.

For distance casting and to save some dollars (less than 350 usd) you may want to look at ABU Revo Alc bf7 and Ltx bf8. Both can be found on the japanese amazon where prices change almost daily. The Alc bf7 has been around 16,000 jpy for many days and just recently increased again to approx. 20,000 jpy.

Shimano Conquest BFS also casts far and it is also a great reel, albeit more expensive and heavy.

Other options include a Daiwa steez/zillion/sv103/t3/ryoga/etc with a ZPI NRC001-M.

Best of luck.

[bronzebacks]

Aldebaran 30 mgl hg will do those weights fine. You can get it from asian fishing portal for around 300$

[Hogsticker2]

In those weight ranges, I think that the Zpi Nrc001-m spool is the best for distance. If you don't have a Steez or Zillion to stick it in, my 2nd choices in your price range would be the Alphas CT 70 and the SV Light Limited. All of these spools will give you appropriate line capacity for winging quarter ounce baits, with enough left should a big smallie want to take a long run in open water. Bfs spools that hold 50 or less yards of light line should be reserved for fishing really light baits after smaller fish imo.

[thevid]

In those weight ranges, I think that the Zpi Nrc001-m spool is the best for distance. If you don't have a Steez or Zillion to stick it in, my 2nd choices in your price range would be the Alphas CT 70 and the SV Light Limited. All of these spools will give you appropriate line capacity for winging quarter ounce baits, with enough left should a big smallie want to take a long run in open water. Bfs spools that hold 50 or less yards of light line should be reserved for fishing really light baits after smaller fish imo.

Thank you everyone for the advice.

Hogsticker, what you touched on was my big concern. I’d love 60-70yds of line for when I’m fishing 30’+ deep on a long cast and hook into a 7lb+ spotted bass. I’ve never weighed a trick worm with a 3/32oz nail weight, but that’s about as light as I’ll go, and more often a 1/16oz or 3/32oz ned head with a 4” stick bait. Which is imagine gets up there in weight given the plastic.

With the Alphas CT 70 and the SV Light Ltd, would I need to replace the spool with the one you suggested? Would a Zillion SV TW with the spool you suggested be better than the two mentioned above? I can get a Zillion for under $200, plus the spool would put me around that $350 mark.

Thank you all so much again. I have 20 or so setups, and have always capped my reels at $200, so Want to make sure I get the right reel the first time with spending almost double.

[Hobie-Wan Kenobi]

The Aldebaran 30 is a good choice for finesse bass fishing.

I like my SS AIR or, even my 12 (or 15) Aldebaran BFS for distance. 12/15 Aldebaran BFS can get distance with thise heavier BFS weights.

I have and love the Alphas AIR TW. Great distance and control. Its a fast spool that doesnt really backlash.

[hoohoorjoo]

My SS Air is very capable with 1/16 oz and up. I use it exclusively for small cranks, so I changed it out to 6.3 gears, but it came with 8.1 gears originally.

[adam lancia]

In those weight ranges, I think that the Zpi Nrc001-m spool is the best for distance. If you don't have a Steez or Zillion to stick it in, my 2nd choices in your price range would be the Alphas CT 70 and the SV Light Limited. All of these spools will give you appropriate line capacity for winging quarter ounce baits, with enough left should a big smallie want to take a long run in open water. Bfs spools that hold 50 or less yards of light line should be reserved for fishing really light baits after smaller fish imo.

Thank you everyone for the advice.

Hogsticker, what you touched on was my big concern. I’d love 60-70yds of line for when I’m fishing 30’+ deep on a long cast and hook into a 7lb+ spotted bass. I’ve never weighed a trick worm with a 3/32oz nail weight, but that’s about as light as I’ll go, and more often a 1/16oz or 3/32oz ned head with a 4” stick bait. Which is imagine gets up there in weight given the plastic.

With the Alphas CT 70 and the SV Light Ltd, would I need to replace the spool with the one you suggested? Would a Zillion SV TW with the spool you suggested be better than the two mentioned above? I can get a Zillion for under $200, plus the spool would put me around that $350 mark.

Thank you all so much again. I have 20 or so setups, and have always capped my reels at $200, so Want to make sure I get the right reel the first time with spending almost double.

I have both of those reels with the stock spools and upgraded bearings. I was actually out last week trying them with exactly the same lures that you're looking to use. I feel that the Alphas CT starts up a little faster than the SV Light, but that could have been because I was throwing a Ned rig with it versus a Neko rig with the SV Light. I don't think you can go wrong with either of these reels, it just depends on which is more comfortable for you to use. They both hold tons of 10# braid (Sufix 832 on the Alphas and Maxima on the SV Light) so you would be safe from a spot run at the end of a cast. The nice thing about both of them is that if you feel the need to free up the spools some more, you can put an HLC spring on instead of the stock soft one. Ray's Studio also makes an aftermarket inductor that's a lot thinner but I'm not totally sure that it'll fit those spools. I can check and get back to you though.

[LowRange]

Pixy Airy Red is pretty good as is the Engetsu. The Engetsu actually has a slightly heavier spool than a Scorpion 70 but is shallow so once it gets spinning it does not want to stop. I use mine on a ML Zodias BFS rod with those same baits. I also use my Airy Red on a L powered BFS for those same bakts too but once I hit 1/4 oz I move up to the Zodias usually.

[SSS]

If you want to spend as little as possible, but still get excellent performance, i would suggest a pixy or an alphas 103 frame with a ray's studio bfs spool. Both of these reels can be had under $100.

[thevid]

If you want to spend as little as possible, but still get excellent performance, i would suggest a pixy or an alphas 103 frame with a ray's studio bfs spool. Both of these reels can be had under $100.

How does the drag smoothness or capability differ with this option over some of the $300-$400 options? My other big concern is a smooth and good drag, given I catch quite a few spotted bass in the 5-7lb range, and a chance at even larger, I need a good drag. Thank you for your input!

[adam lancia]

If you want to spend as little as possible, but still get excellent performance, i would suggest a pixy or an alphas 103 frame with a ray's studio bfs spool. Both of these reels can be had under $100.

I love my 3 Airy Red's, but he'll be limited with line capacity at the end of a long cast with the Ray's spool, especially if he's bombing a Ned. I think the stock spool would handle Ned's fine, but then you have to upgrade the drag, probably the gears, then you'll want a clicking drag star which means a new driveshaft, and before you know it, you've spent more on that than a stock Alphas CT. It'll definitely be cool and perform well, but none of that is free

Also, I checked and the Ray's inductor fits both the Alphas CT and the SV Light.

[thevid]

In those weight ranges, I think that the Zpi Nrc001-m spool is the best for distance. If you don't have a Steez or Zillion to stick it in, my 2nd choices in your price range would be the Alphas CT 70 and the SV Light Limited. All of these spools will give you appropriate line capacity for winging quarter ounce baits, with enough left should a big smallie want to take a long run in open water. Bfs spools that hold 50 or less yards of light line should be reserved for fishing really light baits after smaller fish imo.

Thank you everyone for the advice.

Hogsticker, what you touched on was my big concern. I’d love 60-70yds of line for when I’m fishing 30’+ deep on a long cast and hook into a 7lb+ spotted bass. I’ve never weighed a trick worm with a 3/32oz nail weight, but that’s about as light as I’ll go, and more often a 1/16oz or 3/32oz ned head with a 4” stick bait. Which is imagine gets up there in weight given the plastic.

With the Alphas CT 70 and the SV Light Ltd, would I need to replace the spool with the one you suggested? Would a Zillion SV TW with the spool you suggested be better than the two mentioned above? I can get a Zillion for under $200, plus the spool would put me around that $350 mark.

Thank you all so much again. I have 20 or so setups, and have always capped my reels at $200, so Want to make sure I get the right reel the first time with spending almost double.

I have both of those reels with the stock spools and upgraded bearings. I was actually out last week trying them with exactly the same lures that you're looking to use. I feel that the Alphas CT starts up a little faster than the SV Light, but that could have been because I was throwing a Ned rig with it versus a Neko rig with the SV Light. I don't think you can go wrong with either of these reels, it just depends on which is more comfortable for you to use. They both hold tons of 10# braid (Sufix 832 on the Alphas and Maxima on the SV Light) so you would be safe from a spot run at the end of a cast. The nice thing about both of them is that if you feel the need to free up the spools some more, you can put an HLC spring on instead of the stock soft one. Ray's Studio also makes an aftermarket inductor that's a lot thinner but I'm not totally sure that it'll fit those spools. I can check and get back to you though.

What nail weight and worn were you throwing on that Neko rig ? I really think 1/8oz total (weight and worm) will be about as light as I go but maybe slightly lighter.

Here’s my other concern, I see you mentioned braid. I’ll have to check their Fluoro ratings, I do prefer straight fluoro, looking at using 6-7lb straight fluoro if I can get enough line on there.

I guess my question to you would be, if you only could have one of those two reels that you got, to throw both of those baits, which would you lean towards?

Thank you again!

[adam lancia]

What nail weight and worn were you throwing on that Neko rig ? I really think 1/8oz total (weight and worm) will be about as light as I go but maybe slightly lighter.

Here’s my other concern, I see you mentioned braid. I’ll have to check their Fluoro ratings, I do prefer straight fluoro, looking at using 6-7lb straight fluoro if I can get enough line on there.

I guess my question to you would be, if you only could have one of those two reels that you got, to throw both of those baits, which would you lean towards?

Thank you again!

It was a 3 gram nail weight with a Daiwa Neko worm. I didn't go super light with it because of the nearly constant wind out here. I don't think I'd throw anything lighter than 1.5 grams and the worm on a baitcaster, my thumb just isn't that good.

Out of the two, I'd probably go with the Alphas because you'll have more line capacity if you're dead set on running straight fluoro. Plus, you have shallower spool options (Daiwa, Ray's, KTF) should you decide you want to go the braid and leader route.

[thevid]

What nail weight and worn were you throwing on that Neko rig ? I really think 1/8oz total (weight and worm) will be about as light as I go but maybe slightly lighter.

Here’s my other concern, I see you mentioned braid. I’ll have to check their Fluoro ratings, I do prefer straight fluoro, looking at using 6-7lb straight fluoro if I can get enough line on there.

I guess my question to you would be, if you only could have one of those two reels that you got, to throw both of those baits, which would you lean towards?

Thank you again!

It was a 3 gram nail weight with a Daiwa Neko worm. I didn't go super light with it because of the nearly constant wind out here. I don't think I'd throw anything lighter than 1.5 grams and the worm on a baitcaster, my thumb just isn't that good.

Out of the two, I'd probably go with the Alphas because you'll have more line capacity if you're dead set on running straight fluoro. Plus, you have shallower spool options (Daiwa, Ray's, KTF) should you decide you want to go the braid and leader route.

I truly appreciate all of your help. Is there any way to replace the gear on that reel? I think that’s my only real Hangup, 27 IPT just seems so slow. I fish almost all 33-37 IPT reels, so bit nervous with that. Love the price and the sound of the Alphas CT SV, literally my only reservation.