BFS Academy: How to Use Suspending Trout Minnows (BFS Trout Fishing)

In this video, BFS Academy: How to Use Suspending Trout Minnows (BFS Trout Fishing), Hobie-Wan Kenobi shares a few methods for catching more fish with suspending trout lures.
***Digitaka Discount Code: 9J7
Suspending trout lures shine when a natural presentation is needed. The ability of the suspending lure to stay in the strike zone longer allow inactive fish the opportunity to grab the lure without being scared away. Suspending lures also are great for acting like a stunned baitfish being controlled by the current and pausing in the eddy where hungry trout wait for food.
Suspending minnow lures also gives the angler a lot of versatility to attack a wide range of water types. Oftentimes, I have stretches of shallow water mixed with deeper pools. The ability to effectively fish all of these areas with a suspending lure makes a big difference.
Fishing around cover such as wood, rocks and shoreline brush is probably the most effective use of the suspending trout minnow. Floating lures can be too high for weary fish to chase down. Suspending lures allow the same slow action but, with the benefit of being right in front of the fish's face.
When the conditions get tough, put those sinking minnows away and try a suspending lure!
More BFS Academy videos here: kzbin.info/aero/PLU8dox3DfWzbEtlzmjKxYMlCNjkDXg5OQ

[@edpelkey7798]

Great video 💯 I have to thank you 👍 I bought a Scorpion BFS after watching your videos (paired with a Cashion 7’2” BFS rod) after watching your channel! It is so much fun 🐟

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Those Cashion Icon BFS rods are nice. I really like the 6'10 ML. Thank you for watching. I still have 18in of ice on the lakes but, bass content will com after that. Trout content before that

[@victorsimonsen921]

nice tips on the lure mod . thanks for sharing. very informative video.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Glad the video was helpful to you

[@tacticalranger1046]

So glad you made this. I am in the middle of placing a few large orders for steelies, browns, and bows here in WNY. I am new to lure fishing and have spent tons of money on lures, yet I lose them bc I fish them wrong, or never even open them. Love this step by step. Just purchased some ultra light minnows, countdowns + elites, spearhead 50s/60s, humpback minnow 50s, pointer 65sp/78s, as well as a few megabass jerkbaits and crankbaits. I’d love to see more vids like this with terminal upgrades and examples of how to fish the lures and where to fish them. Keep making vids like this, especially with any of the lures mentioned above!!❤🎉

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Glad the video was helpful!!! I have a similar video with floating lures. Sinking lures get all the love because they cast great but, have their limitations.

[@TheConstantAngler]

Great video as always. Simple, clear explanations of technique involved. Love suspending lures for less active fish. They almost dare the fish to take them. People think you always need to retrieve your lure rather than drift them and let the current work them for you.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I always like to cast sinking lures because it is more fun 😂. When the fishing gets tough, I like to use suspending lures

[@TheConstantAngler]

@@HobieWanKenobi defo more fun with sinking lures. Almost like trotting a sun surface float with the suspending. Does let you get under cover though.

[@hafizanzahari159]

Simple and clear explanations of the technique, keep up the good work bro 😎😎

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Appreciate it! Thanks for the kind comments

[@hafizanzahari159]

@@HobieWanKenobi welcome bro 🫡

[@seeforever77]

Really enjoy your videos. Thanks for the tip on balancing the Rapala UL4. I recently replaced the hooks with single Vanfooks and I’ll take off the front and the split ring. I recently did the same with a couple Pointer 65’s and I’ll need to double check the balance and sink rate on those.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Those tiny changes can make a big difference. Keep in mind, the lure being pushed by the current will cause the lure to "suspend" a little more than not moving in still water.

[@user-hi8fb9oy3j]

Добрый день! Отличная тема, отличные видео!!!! Только выходят очень редко!!! Нужно почаще)))

[@HobieWanKenobi]

These are available worldwide

[@arnemueller2112]

Nice Video Hobie. Just in time before the beginning of the trout season in Germany. I prefer suspending baits in the summer and use them quite often (Illex Tiny Fry, Illex Squirrel 61 an Daiwa Double Clutch, Illex is a european entity of JackAll) in areas with less current and a bit deeper water. Unfortunately I still struggle with my casting skills which is the main challenge for me :)

[@HobieWanKenobi]

😂 Suspending lures can be a little more difficult to cast. I want to find more suspending lures between 40-50mm.

[@davidohlert4754]

Thanks for the video hobie-wan. I like to use suspending minnows when the stream I'm fishing doesn't have a fast flow or when there's alot of vegetation on the bottom. One of my favorites other than the Sp spearhead ryuki is the 1/16oz rapala xrap but I also have some UL minnows in my box I like that the bill doesn't make the bait dive and still produces good action.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The 1/16oz Xrap is a wild one. When I took the front split ring and front hook off, it started to float really fast

[@davidohlert4754]

​@@HobieWanKenobi yea its just as effective as it is tiny and beautiful

[@MrPookiepants24]

Panther martin the yellow body with silver blade. Maine trout whisper has some really nice stuff too.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Gold blade with yellow/black body was my favorite growing up

[@gmpbuilder]

X-Raps are my magic bullet baits, especially Gold and Olive colors.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I like the XR04 but, they can be difficult to cast in the wind.

[@bigmick812]

Love your channel. Learning a lot. What Split rings do you suggest. And how in the world do you get them on lure and hooks on ring? Fat fingers here. Lol

[@notillegal6771]

Nice! Gotta try to get some trout this year! Also the k2 b-tx-c 712L blank is amazing. Finally got to fish it and 2lb bass feel like giants 😂

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have been looking at that blank for years. I never bit on it because I was afraid it would be too much for bluegill but, not enough for bass

[@notillegal6771]

@Hobie-Wan Kenobi I think it would be good for bluegill.... not as good as a trout rod, but it definitely has some backbone. My buddy and I are going to hit candlewood soon for some smallmouth and bigger bass to see how it does

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Good luck! I do want a mod fast rod for some bluegill around cover. I may look into this blank.

[@notillegal6771]

@Hobie-Wan Kenobi if you're near the ct area give me a shout if you want to fish and try the k2. It's paired with an alphas air tw but thinking of switching to the gekkabajin air tw

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@notillegal6771 I may be that way early next year

[@codybertram6122]

Have you tried the xrap size 04 in streams? I feel like that jerkbait wouldn’t be heavy enough for most streams

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have. It does pretty good in moderate flow.

[@yep.fishing]

Great tip about working away from you....thsnks

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It's hard to resist making that long cast to that perfect cover

[@eddiecrawford659]

Whats your favorite BFS REEL? Thanks

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Dang...I would say if I had to choose one, it would be the 23 Conquest BFS.

[@ingremaudalain]

Bonjour et merci pour cette bonne vidéo et le partage . Perso j'utilise les leurres SP dans les zones les plus calmes de la rivière et surtout vers l'aval ..Juste pour info j'utilise avec réussite pour la truite le leurre power tail 30 , je ne sais pas si vous connaissez ou si vous l'utilisez ?? Cordialement , Alain de France .

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have not used that lure but, I will look into it. Thank you for watching!!!

[@JoLee266]

Hi Hobie, I primarily use JDM trout-minnow lures from 38-51mm's. A majority of them come with two hooks, is there a detriment to just removing the belly-hook and using the tail-hook only? (all barbless singles)

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Less hookups but, less snagging as well. I rig lures like this that I use in very woody areas. Usually size 45mm and smaller

[@gostagos6143]

Great explanations! I would like to add that (fishing 100% barbless) my hook to land ration has skyrocketed after putting small Owner trebles on my hardbaits and inline spinners replacing the the split ring with a braided loop.

[@gostagos6143]

However in my clear German river 2" paddletail swimbaits in natural colors on a 2 to 5g jighead are by far my most versatile lure for brown trout

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I like to experiment with different hooks. I tend to use smaller hooks because there are so many logs and snags in my waters

[@gostagos6143]

@@HobieWanKenobi that's clearly the downside of treble hooks!

[@gostagos6143]

@@HobieWanKenobi What's your take on those hooks like the VanFook df-61 or Smith Trout Assist? I am quite skeptical of the loop in combination with a split ring...

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The loop hooks work well for preventing the fish from leveraging the hook when fighting. The loop does make the hook further off the body of the lure, increasing snagging. I do not use them but, there are many areas where those hooks may be beneficial

[@BfsMania]

Hey, I Just bought a finetail glass from digitaka with your discount code. I Will use It with the new fishband tender shoot reel. i usually fish in small Rivers with 2-4g lures. Can you help me with the diameter of line and leader? What are you using? Thanks for all those beginner videos 👍👍

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I usually run 4lb VARIVAS Super Trout Advance mono or 0.6goh VARIVAS Super Trout Advance Baitfinesse X4 with a Fluorocarbon leader of 4-7lb

[@cleavedspot]

Which Owner Snap are you using? Have you tried the RIO Fly Clips?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I think this snap was a size 00. I have tried fly clips in the past and had mixed results

[@cleavedspot]

What knot are you using to tie to your snap on light line? I keep breaking at the snap.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Usually just an improved clinch knot. I wet the knot and make sure I pull snug, not super tight.

[@j.m8135]

What is the absolute best high end trout bfs rod on the market at the moment ? Versatile being the key factor

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That's a tough question. Some anglers like jigs and other "bite" baits. Some like twitching minnows. Some like steady retrieve lures. Also depends on the size of fish, area fishing...all that. There isn't a "best" rod. Given the complexity of how anglers fish and also they have preferences. I will speak from experience that if you search for "the best"...you will never be satisfied. If you are looking to use a 6ft rod...I may have an answer for you next week 😉.

[@Cochran53]

Sorry in advance for a comment that is off topic, but do you have a preferred fiberglass blank? I'm trying to find a decent multi-piece fiberglass blank (UL & at least 2 piece) to build on. I caught the BFS bug, and now I'm building out a full arsenal on rods/reels. Thanks in advance!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have been playing around with quite a few fiberglass rods and blanks. It would be difficult to suggest one without know the lures and fish you are after

[@Cochran53]

@@HobieWanKenobi Good point! I’m fishing mostly minnow style sinking baits in the 38-50 size in small streams for Brookies and browns. I would also like to be able to throw spoons down to about 1.5 grams.

[@Cochran53]

Also - tight quarters like in your video here.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@Cochran53 I haven't been able to find a commercially available blank for that...I have been trying too. A few will "work" but, not ideal.

[@lukeholloway7836]

What’s a good size hook for sub 50 mm lures

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Size 10 or 8.

[@arachnoskull6311]

do you ever use fluorocarbon leader?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Not with this line. With braided line I do most times.

[@apishafiz4243]

Where is new video?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have been busy with other work. Videos will come soon

[@turkeyneck247]

What state are you fishing

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Michigan. This was shot September of 2021

[@mootrail9487]

Doesn't look like winter.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This video was filmed September of 2021