Favorite BFS rods and/or blanks?

[Randingo]

For bass fishing, I use 2 setups because I don’t like using 1 rod for 2 different styles of fishing. I have the Dobyns sierra ultra finesse rod in 0 power for small moving baits like swim baits and cranks. For bottom/contact baits like finesse jigs/drop shot/ned/worms, I use a St. Croix Avid X in medium XF.

The ultra finesse Dobyns rod is not good for making hard hook sets. The rod itself is VERY soft (power wise), but that makes it a great rod for light moving baits, especially with trebles. It casts light lures well, and I have even used it to cast my trout minnow lures, which range from 3-4 grams, while targeting bass.

The St. Croix extra-fast model has about a foot of fairly soft tip before it goes into backbone. For me, it’s perfect for slow fishing. That small amount of soft tip it has is just enough to allow me to cast light lures without much trouble, but it still has the backbone to drive in a hook when using finesse jigs and weedless Ned rigs. Lighten the drag a bit and it works great for light drop shot hooks.

SIDE NOTE:
For bass specifically, I’d say, don’t fall into trap of thinking just because you use light lures with a BFS reel that you have to also use a “BFS” rod. The BFS system, IMO, is there to allow you to deliver a light lure. That doesn’t mean you have to use a flimsy, low-power rod to bring in a fish (even if that is more fun). This is especially true if you have to fight big fish near/in cover where a rod like a medium power (or maybe even stronger power) could help turn a fish better. A proper BFS reel, by itself, will still allow you to cast/pitch light lures on a powerhouse of a rod, even if not ideal.

Thank you for your thoughts on rods and particularly your general approach to BFS as a delivery system. I know from many years experience that, despite “the search for one,” there is no such thing as one rod that does everything well, as my overflowing tackle storage area can attest. I don't really expect to find one BFS rod that does everything either, but I am hoping to find one that’s able to cast a 1/16oz Keitech Mono Spin Jig (with a small trailer) without feeling like the rod doesn't load at all on the cast. That “package” is probably the lightest I'll throw, and even with a fairly minimal trailer, I'm sure it's at least 1/8oz. Typically, my baits will weigh more. Sorry, I seem to have gone off on a tangent. It's interesting that you mentioned the Avid X 6’8 MXF because I own that exact rod. I use primarily for topwaters and as a second option for jerkbaits, but it's a surprisingly versatile beast. In fact, I feel like it loads better than the 610MLxF I mentioned in my initial post with a Rico. I do get your point about not getting too hung up on the ultralight mentality with BFS.

[Randingo]

Be wary of the Dobyns soild tip BFS rods. I have heard that they take away from the hook setting power when using single hook presentations. I would get Phenix L rod if you want to stay USDM or one of many JDM rods if you don't mind not getting a warranty.

Thanks. I'm starting to see a consensus around the solid-tipped Dobyns rods. I’ll probably look more carefully at JDM rods to see what I can get my hands on. It seems that, in general, BFS rods (both USDM and JDM) are quite difficult to find and seem to be selling out quickly. I guess that bodes well for the future if not for my immediate search...

[Randingo]

This one should also be worth considering, if you can find it in stock.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewlegitdesignsobfs.html

Excellent suggestion. Thank you.

[Randingo]

To give you a suggestion on an available rod, Tackle Warehouse has a 6'7" L Legit Design Wild Side rod in stock. I recently thought about getting it but I went with a shorter Legit Design Wild Side rod. If you go to the Ultralight/BFS Section of Tackle Tour, you can see mine. I started a thread about the Abu Garcia Ultracast BF8 and I bought a Legit Design Wild Side rod for it. Mine is listed as an Ultralight but in my hands, it feels more like a L. That's not really a bad thing for me either. If you want BFS rod with a little more power, the 6'7" L Wild Side might be perfect for you. If you didn't like it, you can always send it back.

I just noticed that this post is also in the UL/BFS Section.

Thank you for your suggestion--first because from the TT review of the less expensive model it sounds like a good fit, and also because it's actually available now. 6’7 feels like a reasonable compromise for length too.

[dragon1]

This one should also be worth considering, if you can find it in stock.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewlegitdesignsobfs.html

Excellent suggestion. Thank you.

You are very welcome...and as noted previously, the Tiemco Fenwick BFS series is excellent. As well, there is now the Links series, and it is priced very affordably if you want to venture into the entry level JDM Fenwick BFS offerings.