2022 Shimano Aldebaran BFS vs Daiwa Alphas AIR TW - BFS Trout Fishing

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Of all of the current BFS reels, which one do you think is the best?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

My question included all BFS reels, including the Gekkabijin. I like the Gekkabijin for longer casting. The Roro AX24 spool is great in the Gekkabijin for short range and lighter lures.

[@КириллБорзов-э3о]

Combination of Daiwa Gekkabijin with KTF Kahen ver.2 spool!)

[@shtizen4371]

Another informative Vid. Thanks for taking the time. I have not fished the 22 Aldy yet but my 16 Aldy is by far my most versatile reel i have. It does a lot really good. If I had to pick one bfs reel it would be the 16 Aldy without hesitation. I just switch rods for my fishing situations. Its been on the old18 Suppressor UL for a long while though. Those 2 were made for each other! Managed a couple early cold water smallies a weekend ago with those 2! Just want to say.....just because a reel cast the farthest doesn't mean its the "best". In fact my first couple bfs reels sucked at short casts...lol I primarily stream fish. large portion out of a yak. Casting is different in a low to the water seated position. I could be under trees or casting behind me from said seated position. like wise when on the bank surrounded by trees, bushes, tall grass even the bank itself, cast strokes have to be modified. I am decidedly not a open water guy...lol A reel that can pitch short/medium distance, make pinpoint precision casts to a small target area for the best presentation in skinny water then when your stuck on the bank and need to reach out and touch em....launch a lure to where it needs.Thats what I need. I dont care if it can cast a trout magnet if it cant do the above.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I agree. I want a reel to perform where I need it to. If it is for short range, long range, minnow lures, trout magnets....doesn't matter. It is a tool to deliver the lure to the fish.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

K I like the Roro AX24 in the Gekkabijin. I bet the KTF spool helps with shirt range casting in the Gekkabijin.

[@hafizzahari5662]

Your review is one of the best, you are not biased toward a particular brand like other KZbinrs ( Reel Test ), and you talk based on the experience on how you fish with the reel . This is one of the most perfect comparison videos I have ever seen between Alphas and Aldebaran

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Glad you like the videos. The small details of performance matter to me.

[@hafizzahari5662]

@@HobieWanKenobi keep up the good work bro 😬 and keep makings good contents bro 😬

[@arnemueller2112]

ABSOLUTELY, you nailed it!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thank you Arne.

[@raymondjohnson6496]

Did you get the new 25 Daiwa alphas bfs what do you think about them the alphas air tw or the alphas bfs I think they are the same reels but

[@arcuriotv6894]

Pefect comparaison of these reels. Both are solid performers overall. I would agree that either one will give you a solid bfs option. My Alphas thankfully has not taken a dunk in the drink yet. So with that in mind i used mine on the stream today for about 4hrs during opening day for PA Trout and it lacks in the refinement category compared to the Aldebaran and truthfully its not as close as some might think. The Aldebaran is much smoother when retreiving moving baits especially in current. Love your review videos! Hope they keep coming.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thanks for the write up!!! I agree with the refinement. My Alphas was nice before I dropped it last year. I hiked into the backwoods and it was the only reel I had when I dropped it

[@CrazyCranker]

My first BFS reel was the Alphas Air for Aji fishing here in southern Japan. I was amazed it could cast those light lures so far. I just picked up my second BFS reel the SLX BFS. The price was right and it has the FTB system as the higher priced 22 Aldebaran BFS reel. If your on a tight budget the SLX BFS is a good place to start your BFS journey. :)

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I agree! The SLX BFS is usually the reel I recommend the most to people looking to start BFS. Thank you for the comment

[@reellures2770]

Thanks for the review, I’m just thinking about moving from the Abu Garcia BF8 to the Alderbaran 2022 for my BFS canal fishing. That clicking drag might be the winner for me 🙂

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The braking of the Aldebaran BFS is much better too.

[@zajdabneeg]

Currently with aftermarket spools the daiwa have more options. Once u upgrade spool the aldebaran have no edge. Just have to wait and see what the aldebaran can bring to the table for aftermarket spool.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

True. Shimano aftermarket is very limited

[@Blackcrowking7]

Underrated channel, such good content

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I appreciate the kinds words.

[@CastSleepRepeat]

Great review. One question, still cant decide what reel to get between aldebaran 22 or the new silver creek (watched your silver creek review). I am planning to use it on a glass rod for stream fishing. Which one better you think?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The Silver Creek casts really nice with a glass rod. The Aldebaran BFS I found to slightly favor faster action rods. The Aldebaran BFS seems to be never in stock anywhere. Digitaka has the Silver Creek in when I last checked yesterday. Code NS4 will save you some money either reel you choose.

[@lulumink0]

really helpful video. Can you maybe do a video or describe the difference between the 22' aldebaran and Steez Air or Silver Creek? Which one is better at cast longer distance and in general? thanks.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Aldebaran BFS for distance and overall. Silver Creek has more control for short range and has a nicer sounding drag clicker.

[@markuskuebler9294]

Brilliant review . I tried the Chinese reels like lingl, castking zephyr and GH 100 but since I have the curado bfs and the alphas air tw it is a different level !

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I always suggest the SLX/Curado BFS as a "starter" reel. The Chinese reels do perform well for the money but, easy to outgrow.

[@jasonzhang1650]

Loved this review! Does the old Aldebaran with after market spool(Avail) casts better than the new Aldebaran?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I am not sure for the lightest of lures but, the new Aldebaran BFS is definitely more versatile and more a little controlled.

[@thechamplainfisher7854]

Absolutely loved this vid, nice job!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching.

[@michaelmcgee5454]

Thanks for an objective as used review. I am certain that your casting skills aren't better than mine, lol, so I will be fine sticking with my Alphas Air TW and the Roro AX spool. I did pickup the Silver Creek Air TW Stream Custom for my primary reel for trout stream fishing.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The Roro AX24 is a great spool for stream fishing. Really, no matter how you do it with your current reels, you will have a great stream reel.

[@travisleanna157]

Thanks again for great content. I have an Aldebaran 22 and am looking for a reel to compliment it. What I mean is that I'd like a BFS reel to use for the heavier end of BFS (which includes longer casting and lakes) and a reel for down to 1 gram range of BFS and streams. Would you recommend the Silver Creek or Gekkabijin to compliment the Aldebaran? My current rods are the Ray's Fishing 5'4" Tarantula and the Dobyns 700 finesse rod. I'm curious on how you'd pair those up with another reel. Thanks!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

1gr will be tough with either of those rods. The Aldebaran would be the better reel for that and I'd throw in the Gekkabijin for longer distance/open water

[@travisleanna157]

I ended up getting the Gekka a couple of weeks ago and it is a very very smooth retrieve. It's my first Daiwa. I have it paired like you suggested, and although a mildly useless benchmark, I am able to get about 10 yards with a trout magnet. Did you ever try fluoro on the Gekka? I originally had varivas 0.6 goh braid on and currently have 6lb Abrazix on there. It works, but I think I had too much spooled on and line actually kept getting stuck between the spool and reel frame. I need some more testing with it Thanks!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I prefer braided line with my Gekkabijin but, the line getting stuck is odd. That 0.6goh braid is much thinner than the 6lb Abrazix you used.

[@robo2909]

Shimano offers 2 versions of the Aldebaran BFS : the HG and the XG. Which one did you test and why, please?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I tested the HG due to it being a available first. I since sold it and got an XG. I prefer faster reels for BFS because the lures have little resistance and retrieving from target areas is faster.

[@pampeesantiago77]

How much line did you spool for the trout lures and also for bass lure testing ?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

33m for each

[@bigrivervalleypoacher5459]

Hello and thanks for yet another great video. Just one question for you, hope it is ok. Looking at getting my first BFS sett up, and these two reels are coming up as great reels all over...but, they do not look so cool, I really like the look and feel of a reel like the Calcutta Conquest and the Conquest BFS. But, is a reel like the Alphas and Aldebaran ester to use for a newbi compared to a Conquest? Thanks for helping. ( Maybe you can ake a video about it?) Cheers and tight lines from Norway

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The Conquest BFS is as easy to use as any BFS reel. The 22 Aldebaran BFS is a great reel, especially with the price from Japan.

[@bigrivervalleypoacher5459]

@@HobieWanKenobi Thanks for your reply and time. I will get myself a Conquest BFS, man, they are sooooo good looking.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@bigrivervalleypoacher5459 They do look nice

[@Fish-y3g]

Hey my k2 1/32-1/4 bfs rod is almost done. Pairing with an alphas air tw. Can I throw 1/8oz weighted hooks with a 4 inch keitech on the alphas or too heavy for it? Spooling with 8lb braid

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That will work just fine. Let me know how that rod is. I have been looking into that blank for a while.

[@Fish-y3g]

@@HobieWanKenobi any issues with the clicked drag added to the alphas? I looked into it

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I haven't had any issues. I have not heard of any issues either from other people

[@en8718]

... just curious .... do you use snaps or just tie the leader to the lures ? (if so, what knot do yhou recommend)

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I use snaps will all my lures besides jigs.

[@philipfalco7304]

Love the Video's Hobie! Thanks to you I went down the BFS rabbit hole and purchased a 16 Aldebaran, Daiwa Alpha Air, and Curado BFS reel's. I fish in both lakes and streams but I need a rod or 2 or 3 for throwing spinners, spoons and lures in the 1/16 to 1/4 oz range. Can you recommend any?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Haha...my videos tend to do that to people 😂. For a stream rod, look into a rod rated below 1/16oz and 5ft or less. For lakes, lots of options....really just make sure you get an appropriate powered rod the for fish you plan to catch. Check out baitfinesseempire.com/product-category/rods/ . Many saltwater rods will work for your lake fishing too.

[@arnemueller2112]

Once again very well done! You deserve far more subscribers as you currently have. Keep on doing your good work Hobie. What‘s the status regarding your rod?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thank you Arne!!! Subscriber count is just a number to me. The people that are subscribers is what counts. Rod will be released in a couple weeks.

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

I've thought about running a true BFS reel, will use it occasionally on a 6'3"UL Proflex 2, but mainly on a ML casting rod with 5-8lb fluoro. Which one will be best then?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Alphas AIR TW can do both along with many other reels. What size lures? Going on a ML rod, the Curado BFS or SLX BFS would be great option for "heavier" lures.

[@apishafiz4243]

Do you Shimano Cardiff dc bfs video?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I do not have that reel

[@guiguinat3159]

Good morning, I am French (sorry my bad English:)) I fish the same rivers as you do, and I’m interested in bait finess. I see you’re familiar with the fishing gear. I would like to have your opinion for a fishing set (rod + reel) to fish mainly with hard lures of 3 to 6 gr with a fishing rod of about 4.6 to 5 feet. I have a budget of about 500 US dollars. Is it possible for you to advise me please to get a good value for money. Thank you

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Daiwa Silver Creek, Shimano Aldebaran BFS...or any reels I have been recently using besides the Gekkabijin. For the rod, there are many options. Tsurinoya makes a lot of nice rods for low price.

[@guiguinat3159]

Thank you for your answer. I ordered the fishing reel Daiwa Alphas AIR TW + system drag clicker:) I also really like your light blue fiber cane. Very nice realization and excelent curvature.. I would like to ask you a few questions because I practice rodbuilding. Is it in several sections (1 solid tip + 2 or 3 hollow fiber) or in a single section ( length, tipOD, topOD) I apologize for all his questions, but there are too many choices available in the market and that will save me a lot of time. Have a good day

[@RedGalaxyFishbone]

@@guiguinat3159 Hi are you still using the Alphas? And thoughts right now?

[@eugenff4738]

rod apa yang anda gunakan ?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The Jackson Kawasemi Rhapsody KWSM-C47L-T is the rod used in this video.

[@makeorwellfictionagain3553]

Brilliant video. Picked up a alphas air tw recently. To say the least I’m impressed. Very controlled casting performance. You really have to try to backlash it under normal conditions. The new Aldebaran is growing on me though. Tight lines 🎣

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Much appreciated! Thank you for your experience with the reels too.

[@gnfishingbfs]

Aldebaran 👊👊👊

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The new Aldebaran is pretty slick.

[@SILKYSMOOTH30FPS]

Time to cerakote the aldebaran

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Hahaha....it would look nice but, it also looks great as it is too. What color would you do?

[@alirankecil]

why is this guy trying so hard to not admit that alphas are better

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I think it truly the Alphas is not besides arguably better pitching. Casting the Aldebaran is much more free and is overall better.