Some really nice combo's and a lot of choice, i am myself starting to build up a few combo's after watching your channel for advice reels mainly only because their are available here in the UK were as the rods are harder to find, I have got the Dark Wolf Ultra and the Shimano SLX BFS and the Aldebaran BFS XG as you know it will not stop at that i have my eye on one or two more reels, Great channel full of very good advice.
To think it wasn't that long ago when you first showed interest in BFS , using YLT tank and Micro Monster all new, everything was an adventure etc, to this ,high end top of the range, selling rods . You've come a long way from humble beginnings.
The Daiwa tripleB666 telescopic rod I have paired to an Aldebaran 22 and 1 to conquest 23 and I throw rooster tails to the 5inch nessie on it no problem fits in a bookbag and I have tested it against a 9 pound channel catfish
Haha and I felt bad ordering two more reels next to my Tatula 80, just because I found a bit annoying swapping reels and spools in between three rods. 😅 Okay maybe using light lures justify the move as well but thanks for putting this out there. 😁
I gotta say my Hunt BFS first. But I've been using a new budget Kistler that works for the Power BFS - the Kyrios. It's not in this video but it overtakles the Handing rods for my favorite budget performer: www.aaronhunt.net/recommends/kistler-kyrios/
If I wanted to buy one reel with the intention of buying multiple rods with different actions so I can swap between ultra light and power finesse, which reel would be the most versatile that could do it all?
For me it would be the Shimano Aldebaran. If you need true sub-1gram performance, upgrade the bearings, and maybe add a spool. But it handles the upper end better than any other reel that can do the stupid-light baits.
Thanks for the reviews of many bfs reels and rods. I am fairly new to the fishing community and don’t have the bfs set up yet. During my last trip, I saw a bunch of smaller LGM and rainbow and although I am mainly hunting for a lunker, I do want a do-it-all bfs set up to catch some smaller ones, so I am catching, at least, something and avoiding being skunked loool what would you recommend? I don’t want to spend too much (under probably $200 for both rod and reel) until I try it out and want one piece rod. I checked out your video the best bfs set up under $80, but everything seemed to be 2 pieces.
A large percentage of the less expensive rods are made in china and are 2 piece rods because the shipping from China is so high on longer items. Honestly, even domestically the shipping is getting expensive on 1-piece rods. I can't think of any 1-piece BFS you could buy off the top of my head and still have money left in your budget for a reel.
Why don't you work with Kistler to come out with a more budget friendly BFS rod? Right now they are WAY out of my price bracket. Back on the subject, great video as always, Aaron!
My issue with so many of the American rods is that they’re building and designing them like it’s 2002. I don’t want cork, I don’t even want eva anymore, I want the style of the mavllos plume and histar archangel, I want something to hold the reel on the rod and that’s all. It’s not about comfort. To me it’s like why pay 4x the price for an outdated heavy American rod that’s built for bass fishing or “power bfs” as you call it. That just isn’t what this kind of fishing is to me, and it’s sad because it’s getting hard to find English speaking content that is true bfs these days.
I designed 3 models, the lightest can throw 0.5 grams. My goal was to create a series of rods that perform well across the entire BFS range. As far as the traditional design, that is what sells best and what the majority want.
I agree with you. US companies need to introduce more materials. It’s sad that Chinese rods get my attention these days. I know cork sales, but if better materials enter the market people will start buying them. I have a few US bfs rods and they cost 3 to 4 time the AliExpress rods.
Love my Gekkabijin and Hunt 3x. I've switched all my rods over to Kistler. Yes they're not cheap but I love the quality and feel and have no problem paying up to support a smaller US company. BTW, REAL people answer the phone when you call.
Mavllos Plume, Delicacy, or Ace Hawk CU Double with the Doviello Accura. Make sure it's the Pro version with the short spool shaft and the better bearings, which I think they either call sealed or saltwater bearings. You can spend more, but those will get the job done. Oh - Obsession Trout Sensation would also be a good rod.