23 Shimano Conquest BFS Review: Field Testing Stream For Trout (BFS Trout Fishing)

In this video, 23 Shimano Conquest BFS Review: Field Testing Stream For Trout (BFS Trout Fishing), Hobie-Wan Kenobi uses the 23 Conquest BFS in a stream fishing for trout, testing the casting, retrieve and...the drag on a nice trout.
www.digitaka.com/items/5/4/2/CALCUTTA+CONQUEST+BFS
Digitaka Discount Code: K63
Casting is similar to the 22 Aldebaran BFS. The spool and braking technology is very similar. There may be a slight bit of more control with the 23 Conquest BFS.
The retrieve is very smooth so far. Using the Meteora 52 downstream in heavy current, I did not feel any meshing of the gears or vibrations in the reel. This will be more of a long-term reporting metric that I will continue to evaluate.
Considering the Daiwa Silver Creek AIR TW or the 23 Conquest BFS for stream fishing? I will cover the pros/cons in a future video.
Comparing the 2023 Conquest BFS to the 2017 version, almost every aspect I would consider an upgrade. The gears being Micro Module aluminum can arguably be a downgrade but, I feel these gars will keep their smoothness for a long time compared to older Shimano aluminum Micro Module gears.
I will be comparing the Conquest BFS to many other BFS reels such as the Daiwa Gekkabijin AIE TW, Silver Creek AIR TW and Curado BFS.
Be sure to check out my future field testing of the Shimano Conquest BFS and also, a future TackleTour write-up!
8.9 gear ratio
13/1 bearings
7oz (195gr)
Micro Module gears
FROM SHIMANO JAPAN:
The Calcutta Conquest BFS, a bait finesse dedicated machine that condenses cutting-edge functions into an elegant circular body, has been reborn with the low inertia Magnum Light Spool III and NEW FTB. The lightweight lure extends even lower as if crawling on the surface of the water, and can be used for flipcasting of about 1g. Brake system FTB eliminates the brake unit from the spool and contributes to low spool inertia. Magnetic brakes that take advantage of centrifugal characteristics provide stable and stretchy casting. In addition, the stroke of the brake unit has been expanded and a magnetic ring that releases the magnetic force during Min braking has been placed to improve its brake control performance. From the X-SHIP that strongly supports gears, to the carbon cross washer with a smooth feeling even in the light line, to the exciting drag sound that captivates the hearts of anglers, it covers all the functions necessary for bait finesse. The circular body, which is made of cold-forged material and finished by high-precision cutting, is not only beautiful but also more compact and improves palm-ability. Calcutta Conquest BFS with state-of-the-art features and kindness. The circular body that shines beautifully in nature gives a sweet world view that can only be found in this reel.
The Calcutta Conquest BFS is Shimano's only circular biaxial bait finesse reel. The massive body created by forging cutting is not only functional, but also wears beauty and elegance as a tool. Facing the deep world of light lures centered on black bass and mountain stream trout, the trad form that blends in with the natural scenery and the unique presence of the circular reel will fill the hearts of anglers.
Equipped with MGL Spool III, which achieves low inertia by significantly reducing the thickness. Immediately after release, it rises lightly, achieving a smooth cast feel, as well as improving long-throw performance and trouble-free performance. Pinpoint casting at low trajectory is also at will. Lightweight lures can be comfortably delivered to the cover.
The Calcutta Conquest BFS features the NEW FTB, which expands the range of motion of the brake unit and allows for a wide range of brake settings. In the previous model, the magnetic force of the magnet affected the spool even when it was set to Dial 1, but the NEW FTB succeeded in reducing the influence of the magnetic force on the spool as close to zero as possible by the magnetic ring effect. The synergy with the MGL Spool III further polished the low trajectory with light rise and extension.
S3D, a cutting technology that improves spool accuracy, and silent tune that applies light pressure to the bearing that holds the spool to reduce vibration at high speed rotation also greatly contribute to improving cast performance. In addition to the MGL Spool III and NEW FTB, by thoroughly eliminating elements that impede rotation, we have achieved a stable cast with elongation that does not stall until just before landing.

[@MrLarrypad]

Reminds me of old school KZbin. None of that fluff so many videos have nowadays.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thanks. I mostly watch KZbin for specific info (a reel, how to do something...). I see the value in having a blend of entertainment and information. Thats what makes KZbin great, there is content out there for anyone's taste.

[@insearchofperch8170]

Excellent review! Looks silky smooth like the 22 Aldebaran, perfect!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It's a little smoother than the Aldebaran BFS. I'd say pretty close

[@christopherlee4613]

I use mostly Shimanos, but I do love the Daiwa Alphas Air Stream Custom 7.2. Love the CQ17s, Aldebaran 16s and Scorpion BFS. The DWU and Doviello Acura HICC-8-50R

[@HobieWanKenobi]

My Alphas AIR Stream Custom hopped out of my boat a couple years back....it was a sad day.

[@victorsimonsen921]

shimano is my favorite do have a couple of old abu reels that are also in the line up. thanks for sharing.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thanks for watching. Those older Abu reels are a favorite with enthusiasts.

[@Death.Row.11.05]

My current favorite fishing reel companies are Shimano and Abu Garcia.Good catch of fish for the latest model BFS Shimano Culcutta reel :)

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have to get back to using some Abu Garcia reels. The last one I owned was the first Revo Rocket 9.1.

[@WhereWeWild]

Nice… That was sweet man! 😃🤙🏽 Hahaha I’m such a Shimano guy. I have some really cool vintage Daiwas and have a high respect for them too, can’t really go wrong with either brand in my opinion. Reels last forever if you treat them right, also it’s just awesome to me that you can still find parts for reels that are decades old! 😎

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Yeah. Kinda crazy. Back then, many reels took the same parts and people actually took care of their stuff too.

[@mterhegg]

Love ‘m both. And what an exciting spring this is; just unboxed my 23 Conquest BFS and got word my 23SS air shipped from JP the same day 🤩 Having said that: I’m gonna concentrate on the Daiwa’s and Shimano’s from now on. If I must also follow and buy all the interesting but every 2 month outdated CDM stuff from aliX.. No, stopped that. Gonna fish with my old and new reels, compare, have fun, enjoy this great sport. NIce brown btw Hobie-San!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That SS AIR TW is going to be an interesting reel

[@srao1738]

I’d like to see how this goes with lures under 2g

[@oslo7457]

Thanks for video, nice brownie, how new conquest casting feels compare with aldb22?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Pretty close so far in my testing. I need more time though

[@arnemueller2112]

Nice fish!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I am glad it decided to be on camera that day 😆

[@ichphan]

Shimano and Daiwa are both great reel. I also used Abu Garcia BFS reel. I have used all three Brands. Love all three brands. KastKing....getting but not quite due to quality insurance not to par with Shimano, Daiwa and Abu Garcia. I looking forward to the new Lew's BFS reel coming in. I have order it waiting for it to come in. Shimano Conquest BFS vs Daiwa Millionaire SV 70 SHS...that be would the battle of the round reel

[@HobieWanKenobi]

KastiKing impressed me with the Kestrel and the Valiant Eagle II. I think they will catch up close to Daiwa/Shimano in a few years.

[@ingremaudalain]

Bonjour ,merci pour cette vidéo....Une bien belle mécanique et 2 grammes devrai se lancer sans problème .. Shimano possède vraiment une belle avance en terme de fluidité sur les autres grandes marques. Cordialement, Alain de France.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I will be doing some lightweight testing soon. Shimano BFS reels really impress me.

[@hometownguy7184]

ive been a shimano guy for 30 yrs.however,i have used both shimano and diawa in the last 5yrs or so.i have a few zillionare reels and to me,they skip full size stuff better than any shimano.that t wing with sv boost is cool..for bfs,i like the new alderbaran .it just cast great and has a clicky drag which is uber important with light line.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I prefer Daiwa for my soft plastics and skipping for "normal" bass fishing. I was a hardcore Daiwa angler for a while but, the 2016 Aldebaran BFS changed that for me.

[@timothythompson6549]

The conquest is my dream reel. Both BFS size and muskie size. I have a Calcutta 401D. I wish Shimano would build BFS versions of some of the lower tier Calcuttas. Totally unrelated, but from watching your video of the SLX, Curado, and Scorpion it appears that the internal parts are all interchangeable? With what the SLX is selling for these days I find it hard to see a reason to buy a Curado if I can get parts that fit from Shimano USA.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Yeah. The SLX BFS, Curado BFS and Scorpion BFS are pretty much all mix and match.

[@ricardogarcia5297]

What line do you use? Do you use low or direct line? Greetings

[@lesalbjerg5648]

I like my Daiwa Silver Creek BFS the best for small stream fishing. For an all round, I like my older Conquest. I don't know if I will get a 23 model yet.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The 23 Conquest is nice but, it isn't one of those "gotta upgrade" type reels, especially with all the recent BFS reels lately

[@raabish]

i mostly fish with 4g+ lures for trout and i have to say that after using a number of Shimano BFS reels the difference really is not that much. I feel like with the SLX BFS i feel more resistance when casting which is actually not a bad thing because i feel like more control like this, with the 22 Aldebaran i feel like its more free flying and therefore its harder to feel and control the cast especially when going low on brakes and casting really hard sometimes i even get more distance with SLX because i can reliably and consistently cast harder without fearing a backlash. I set my brakes as low as possible to still feel some control and basically not even have to thumb brake while casting. The Aldebaran is more smooth and quite tho. Honestly i could go with any Shimano BFS reel and be happy with any. Definatly had higher expectations for the newer premium BFS reels but then again this is very often the case with higher end fishing gear. I always use thin Daiwas Evo braid works nice with glass rods.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I agree with you when casting in open water with 4gr and up. When doing short casts or with lighter weight wherever, I feel the Aldebaran BFS and Conquest BFS do better than the SLX BFS and such.

[@landothemando6901]

My favorite reel company is hands down Shimano.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Daiwa has been putting out some nice reels the past few years.

[@EddieLindsay681]

Shimano hands down for me, I fished my 23 Conquest yesterday for the first time and it was a dream to cast. Only complaint is the same complaint I had with the 17, it’s hard to pick out backlashes especially if you have fat fingers.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The narrow, deep spool access does make it more difficult. The reel performs well enough that, it may be easy to live with it.

[@timothythompson6549]

Carry a pick tool or crochet needle with you.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@timothythompson6549 My fingers are small enough to pick them out.

[@dewayneparrish2437]

I have a Kastking BFS reel and with a ultralight rod and looking to get into river fishing. do you recommend a braid(line size)? or to flourocarbon line lead or just 100% Fluorocarbon

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I prefer FC over braid but, braid will give you the most versatility. If you feel your rod is too stiff with braid, use FC to soften the feeling a little.

[@timb8970]

What rod is that again?

[@TengKaz]

What rod is that pls

[@DammDelta]

May i know what net u were using in the video? the one that folds up and fits into that pouch? thankyou!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Handy Pak Net Ghost Series

[@ShaneJMcNair]

Nice 🍺🎣

[@Bigfoot120]

What would be in your opinion best rod you have used so far for most sensitivity using the Ned rig/ bottom fishing

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Hmm...in recent memory, the Phenix Classic BFS 7'1" L has been pretty dang sensitive for me.

[@AP_Thailand]

Nice fish! What lure's weight are you using for the test? I have the 17 CQ BFS and for me, some casting difficulties with lures below 3g... everything has changed since I put the Roro CQ27 on it but the main thing for me is to ask if this version 23 will cast below 3g in an easier way? Thank you.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This lure is the Jackson Meteora 52 and weighs 5 grams. I have that same Roro spool and can do some test casting for lightweight capabilities.

[@AP_Thailand]

@@HobieWanKenobi I love this spool on the 17 but the question was about the 23, is the 23 stock from factory able to cast lighter lures than the 17? I am expecting this as far as the 23 is sharing the same spool with 22 Aldebaran I think?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Comparing the 17 and 23 in stock form, the 23 wins with the lightweight hands down. Comparing the 17 with Roro spool with the 23 in stock form...we will see.

[@AP_Thailand]

@@HobieWanKenobi thank you 🙏 I also didn't expect the 2nd comparison test but if the same can be achieved, it will be so appreciated ❤️ Because in the end, that's all I'm waiting for to buy, that the 23 might be even better than my 17 with the roro spool 👍

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I try to make content useful to the viewer. I will be doing a few videos to better assist people if this reel is worth getting for them.

[@FiciousCritik]

Put my Conquest on a NRX+ 802C. Exquisite combo.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I bet. The Conquest BFS is a versatile reel

[@yep.fishing]

Whats the lowest diameter PE you recommend. .10mm? Even with some 6lb j brsid I was getting caught up in the brake side of the spool despite no noticeable side to side play

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I run 0.6goh braid most times (approx 10lb). I am experimenting with thinner braid in open water for panfish. In streams, I like seeing the line so, 0.6goh is a good balance of diameter and visibility

[@yep.fishing]

@@HobieWanKenobi I am probably going to swap it out for the Varivas x4 finesse that you use. Thanks

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@yep.fishing I use the Baitfinesse X4 PE. There may be a code hobiewanfishing that may still work at the VARIVAS site. I used to do some promotional stuff for them a while back.

[@yep.fishing]

@@HobieWanKenobi cheers mate. I'll check it out

[@DHW448]

I use both. Im not that impressed with the Alderberan BFS. I got into BFS when Tackle Warehouse had a JDM Diawa BFS reel for 1/2 price. I can spool it with my thumb off. Not the Alderbaren.😢 It has a deeper & heavier spool?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The 22 Aldebaran BFS needs a little more brake setting than most Daiwa BFS reels. Doesn't matter than the brake setting is at compared to other reels, just it's performance when it is adjusted for the best it can. I really like the free casting of the Aldebaran

[@ScuffedEngineer]

Have you oiled/waxed the handypak net pouch?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Nope. That's just natural water and sunlight. Looks nice as it ages

[@pampeesantiago77]

What line and lb will you be using for bass on your conquest ?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

7lb fluorocarbon

[@Chris-zh9zl]

Which role do you prefer? 22 Aldebaran BFS or 23 CC BFS? And why? And have you noticed how hard it is to get to the spool to release a backlash? I think the spool sits too deep in the reel, or there is not enough space around the spool to handle when you have to loosen a line clamp or a backlash.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have been able to pick backlashes out without a problem. Setting the hook in open water caused some issues. I put my thumb on the spool to set the hook. I had to get used to it.

[@Chris-zh9zl]

@@HobieWanKenobi and which reel Do you prefer? aldebaran or cc, and why?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

For the money, I prefer the Aldebaran. The Conquest is a little more refined overall but, I prefer low profile frames.

[@landothemando6901]

#1

[@None-dj8iy]

Shimano would be my choice.

[@garylake998]

I prefer Daiwa reels. be it BFS, regular bait casting, or spinning, for all species of fish. They just give more bang for the buck IMO.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I like the spool compatibility between models. Seems like almost every Shimano reel has its own unique spool size. Tuning reels is a lot of fun.

[@maniekmaniutek569]

Witam serdecznie, dla mnie jesteś mistrzem BFS, chciałbym wiedzieć jaki kij używasz, czy można go kupić ? Jeżeli tak to gdzie i ile kosztuje ?

[@maniekmaniutek569]

Nie umiem Angielskiego, czy mógłbyś mi napisać jaka wędka jest na filmie ? Gdzie można kupić i ile kosztuje ? Pozdrawiam serdecznie

[@fairladyz9957]

Do you prefer this reel over the shimano curado bfs? Should I upgrade to it? Or is the lower profile more comfortable than the round profile?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It definitely is better. If bass fishing, not a huge difference in casting. If upgrading, the Aldebaran BFS casts similar, is smaller and costs less money. This reel is a little better than the Aldebaran BFS.

[@fabienpiquet_BeFa]

My favorite reel engineers are : Izusu, Abu Garcia, Shimano, Daiwa

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That is great list

[@fabienpiquet_BeFa]

@@HobieWanKenobi Yes 😉, thanks you 🤙

[@noobpyrotech9991]

Is that rod your custom? I see you use that one a lot.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I haven't used it too much lately. First time this year 😂.

[@noobpyrotech9991]

@@HobieWanKenobi Well maybe I am looking at your videos where it’s being used.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@noobpyrotech9991 Most likely. I have been testing many trout rods lately so, it hasn't been used too recently.

[@yep.fishing]

Theres that sexy rod again

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It's been neglected for a while. It was glad to catch a fish 😂.

[@mmmbass6068]

Shimano. Braid to fluoro leader almost always, maybe straight fluoro in glassed out conditions.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I used to use more braid. Now, I hardly use it.

[@williamraftery7789]

Penn Abu then Shimano

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Shimano and Daiwa are neck and neck for me

[@losangelesbfs]

shimano>daiwa

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This video may draw some bias opinions. Seems like a lot of people prefer Shimano to Daiwa.

[@peternedilsky9851]

For $500, that reel had better clean your fish for you too.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It's less than $400 on Digitaka.