Budget Fiberglass BFS Rod Review - BFS Trout Fishing

In this video, "Budget Fiberglass BFS Rod Review - BFS Trout Fishing", Hobie-Wan Kenobi uses a variety of lures to test the casting capabilities of this new fiberglass BFS rod and catches a few trout in a stream as well.
Discount Code GLASSH will save you money
Link to the Dan Kung GLASSFIN Fiberglass BFS rod:
www.dankung.co...
I will be updating information on this rod as I get more time fishing with it. Below are my initial thought of the GLASSFIN fiberglass BFS rod:
BLANK: Blank is made of a an almost two year process of refining the fiberglass materials to attain a responsive, lightweight and flexible taper that retains backbone. I found the blank to have all of those qualities
GUIDES: Fuji Stainless Steel Alconite. Basic guides that get the job done. I have many custom rods with Alconites. I believe guides provide the least "cost to performance" of major components and upgrades are used to raise rod prices.
REEL SEAT: Looks proprietary. Metal trigger is comfortable and reel seat is comfortable. Wood insert is a nice touch. Wood is smooth and is seamless with the metal parts of the reel seat. Wood has a slight taper for increased comfort.
GRIP: Grip is made of decent quality cork. I will report long term condition of cork after more use.
Only real downside of this rod is the epoxy work with the ferrules. There is A LOT of extra epoxy inside the blank where the ferrule is inserted into the blank. I communicated this to Dan Kung and they told me they would refine that process for production.
Overall good quality fiberglass rod for finesse stream fishing. The versatility I think is what surprised me the most.

[@FocusAndEnjoyCreekFishing]

thank you for insightful field testing

[@HobieWanKenobi]

My pleasure. This rod will get more testing as well.

[@boikman]

This one surprised me, wasn't expecting to see you review this one! I've contemplated testing one out before but I'm always kinda leery of CDM products but it seems pretty okay, especially given the price like you mentioned. I just got my Sylpher SYCVCi-46XUL/P4, its a beautiful trout rod and from your review of the Daiwa Silver Creek 51L it sounds like the Sylpher is similar in that its a glass blank up to the tip, which is carbon. Has a really nice moderate, almost progressive action.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This Dan Kung rod is pretty dang nice. The Daiwa Silver Creek Glass Progressive is a blend of carbon/glass through the blank instead of a split of carbon and glass in separate sections.

[@jonquinones964]

1975 when ultra lite got its first true bait cast reel that you could cast 2 and 4 pound lines. Abu 1500

[@krustysurfer]

Thanks for the video, I wish I could afford a fiberglass creek rod, I cannot justify buying that expensive of a rod until I get better at BFS. Im stuck finding lower budge UL rods for my BFS adventures. Okay you asked your audience what is working for them rod wise here is my 2 cents. After ordering 5 different rods off of Amazon I think I have finally found the one. The company is Sougayilang and the model is PAE602UL This rod of theirs in particular has obsidian like ceramic guide inserts, as well as more user-friendly flex (instead of just the top quarter of the rod flexing) nicely designed cork handle with a low profile reel seat. It casts 1/10 oz well (30+yds) loads and unloads properly. 2 piece rod 6' length and is rated UL Lure range 1/8-3/4 Line weight 2-6lbs I know enough to know they did good on this model at least my Zephyr reel approves of it. The rod retails for only $32. Its worth 2-3 times that if not more. There ya go, my 2 cents for a great low budget BFS model for your audience to check out on AMAZON . Aloha T

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That is good you found a rod that works for you. There are less expensive fiberglass rods on AliExpress. I haven't used them but, could be a good alternative

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@noobpyrotech9991 Not always. Every rod is different

[@noobpyrotech9991]

@@HobieWanKenobi True, but I was still hoping so.

[@agent_m8869]

Been eyeing this rod for some time, but after this review I am so getiing this rod and go pick a fight with some strong and fast local salt water fish..👍👍👍

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Good luck. I only fished saltwater once but, I imagine there are species out there that an UL glass rod would be best for.

[@agent_m8869]

@@HobieWanKenobi Thanks there is a fish called "Kahawai" aka Mini Kingfish over here at New Zealand, they are avg 40 - 55cm long and 2 - 3kg avg they will surely one hell of an fun fish to catch with UL gear..👍👍👍

[@HobieWanKenobi]

New Zealand seems like a dream. Huge fish, tons of great hunting opportunities too.

[@loganwright3423]

Would absolutely love to see you doing some rod building work.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

You aren't the first person to say that. I do function first builds. Cosmetics take too long 😂

[@loganwright3423]

@@HobieWanKenobi psh, I'll watch you wrap the guides in toilet paper if I get to see that 'stache in another video. I'm just getting into rod building and I don't care much for cosmetics either. Well crafted BFS rods are really nice to see. Not a lot of content on even functional light casting.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Maybe some ASMR stache videos with me eating sloppy food will do the trick 😂.

[@loganwright3423]

Oh lawd, the devil tempteth!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

There are a few other BFS anglers that have some resemblance of a moustache. They can hold you over until that ASMR video.

[@ShaneJMcNair]

Great review, I don't have a travel rod, so may pick me one up for next year. Thank you for sharing 🍺 🎣 BTW if it's something different I will get it to you for a review as well...

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I appreciate it Shane. This rod is very good for the money. Higher quality than I was expecting

[@mojondro]

Taking my word back im getting one

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It is a pretty good rod. Definitely hits a ove it's price point.

[@lymphy12]

Looks like good times, I'm testing rainshadow SPG601 with MicroWave guides and pistol grip.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

How is that blank?

[@lymphy12]

@@HobieWanKenobi Set up might need a few adjustments. it feels like pitching 2.0, but more methodical. guides are too small to run a leader so not sure how practical it will end up

[@philipfalco7304]

I have my 22' Aldebaran on a Zebco Fin Commander 5'0" that came as a spincast combo. $20 bucks and it works fine. Rated 1/16-5/8 oz and 4-8LB. test.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I am a fan of "whatever works". People have different needs. I have put expensive reels on cheap rods many times 😂.

[@philipfalco7304]

@@HobieWanKenobi I also use it with the Dobyns 650. I just have a hard time trying to pick a BFS rod from Japan. I use the Calcutta 17' and 23' on the Dobyns 650 and 691 and my Curado on the Shimano Sensilite 7' Light power with 8LB. Varivas Big Trout in the gold color. My Daiwa Alpha and Gekka I have on a 5'6" Daiwa Dturbo and a 5'6" Zebco Rhino. Both came off spin cast combo's.🤣

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@philipfalco7304 I have done crazy combos like that too. Don't get hung up on hyped products

[@kevythyrrakalastus1296]

Nice review! But to me this rod seems 'premium' or at least very good quality :-) Much better craftmanship than NTY Windshadow, which actually is not bad, only joints of it are bad. Also action of this Dan Kung seems way more refined than NTY Windshadow, but also Windshadow makes it's duty and it is nice to cast short and medium length casts. Seems like Dan Kung tends to wobble much less than Windshadow - which is very good thing, because there's nothing good if rod tends to wobble unnecessarily. This reel seat of Dan Kung is great looking, but personally I would enjoy Fuji SKTS more, but that's only my opinion :-)

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This Dan Kung rod has been good to me. Good thing is that Dan Kung has been receptive to feedback so, I am hoping the epoxy in the ferrules gets better. Guides wraps are pretty clean and the rest of the rod is pretty refined. I was surprised by the responsiveness of this rod.

[@capo337g]

Just got the calcutta bfs. Rod didnt come in yet so went to walmart n got one of those kiddie uglystik for 15 bux. Man not a bad combo

[@HobieWanKenobi]

You will feel a different with a "real" BFS rod. Ugly Stik can be fun for bass and you wont break it when doing so.

[@stephenryan2296]

Hi, again nice video with candid critique on the rods performance. Do you have the rod brand and spec details as I wasn’t able to fully grasp this information. Stephen

[@HobieWanKenobi]

GLASSFIN made by Dan Kung. Specs are 1-5gr lure 2-5lb line

[@stephenryan2296]

Hi, In your opinion is the GLASSFIN, a more lighter flexible action rod than the Diawa Silver Creek progressive? I’m on the lookout for an UL BFS rod where you can really feel the take and fight of the fish right true from the rod and extending right up your arm. Like an equivalent to a bamboo or medium to full flex action fly rod. For me that experience is what fishing is all about. I don’t enjoy fishing with a rod that has to much backbone and reeling in the fish feels sterile as if you are fishing with a ‘poker’. The Diawa progressive silver creek certainly is enjoyable to fish with however I am wondering is there is that elusive UL BFS rod out there in the market ,that has that X Factor where you feel the rod is at its limit firing 3 to 4 gram lures in small streams where small brown trout no bigger than 6 to 10 inches reside. PS I now I’m not asking for much 😂 Stephen

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@stephenryan2296 The GLASSFIN is definitely lighter powered than the Glass Progressive 51LB-G. I haven't used the UL of the Glass Progressive so, I cannot compare. The GLASSFIN is a pretty decent rod for small trout.

[@steveadams2859]

Great rod review. I’m sure it has already been asked, but where did you get the blank for your custom light blue glass rod I see in a lot of your videos and is it e glass or s glass?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I will be releasing a video soon about that how and it's components

[@richardingraham6353]

Nice brook trout 👌

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thanks. There are some nice one that are in this river...I still need to find them though 😂

[@mojondro]

And by the way my best fish was a 10 pound snook on 6 pound line and 35 minutes of fighting down stream for about a kilometer but I got him, sorry we don't have trouts here

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I remember chasing a pike downstream in a river once. 31in pike in current using trout gear...not fun...but so much fun at the same time 😂.

[@en8718]

Aioushi 4 piece glass rods are fantastic with a drill type chuck mechanism at the handle + 3 glass sections and 9 guides…. $60-120

[@jamesh7469]

Link?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That would be an odd way to hold a blank. Like the reel seat spins to hold the blank?

[@en8718]

@@HobieWanKenobi haha lol no i mean the blank inserts into top of handle section and locks with a twist like a drill chuck …. so yeah u hv 2 screw locks …. 1 to lock in the reel to handle and 1 to lock in the blank to the handle

[@_scootboys_9257]

brook trout is my favourite

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I really like them, especially in the fall when they get bright colors

[@jamesh7469]

My best trout was a 28” great lakes steelhead, but I really want a trophy native brown

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I had a screemer of a brown on this winter. Thing looked like a submarine with spot...of course it got off though.

[@jamesh7469]

@@HobieWanKenobi man some of the lake run browns I see people catch while trolling are absolutely wild. 20lb+ browns out in those Wisco harbors

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This brown came from Superior. Up a river couple miles. Definitely was not expecting it. Wisconsin harbors are great for ice fishing. People pull huge fish out of them.

[@krustysurfer]

@@HobieWanKenobi doesn't count! 😉Ha!

[@garyjones4321]

no such thing as a native brown in the usa, you'll have to go to europe for that.wild browns yes, but not native.

[@skijaxxx]

GREAT INFORMATIVE VIDEO!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thanks. This rod surprised me quite a bit. Glass is crisp and overall a good rod, especially for the money.

[@BfsMania]

Heya, have u tried the new round reel "tender shoot" from dankung? Im ordering this glass Rod and im looking for a budget reel to pair for Little strean fishing (chubs and perks).

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I haven't tried that reel...yet. Stay tuned 😎

[@hvega8199]

Just subbed last week. Wanting to get a 5’ creek rod bfs and a lake/river 7’ bfs. Was at my shop and I seen a 7’ UL spinmatic Kokanee baitcasting rod rated for 2-6 lb line. Wanting to pair that 7’ rod with a kastking zephyr bfs. It would be my UL spoon rig. Thoughts on that $120 set up ?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thanks for the sub!!! I find most Kokanee rods to be kind of sloppy for casting. They are meant for finesse trolling most times. You would have to use braided line to help with hooksets because the rods are usually slower action.

[@hvega8199]

@@HobieWanKenobi thanks for the reply. Great point. Going to do some more research on a 7’

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Bait Finesse Empire stocks some longer BFS rods like that. Some of them would be good for spoons.

[@hvega8199]

@@HobieWanKenobi awesome, thanks again.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

No problem. Thanks for watching.

[@ПриваловСергей-р5м]

The rod works well with lures of 2-3 grams. But what if you try Sukari 50 weighing around 5 grams or Tricoroll 53?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I found 5gr or so is too much

[@arnemueller2112]

Nice video, once again….but to me, 160$ for an AliExpress rod is not that budget friendly. I would assume, that for this amount of money you can as well get a Majorcraft, Palms, A-Tec or even a low priced DAIWA rod from Japan.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This rod is pretty nice. Prices I have seen doing more research been around $110-$140 USD

[@krustysurfer]

@@HobieWanKenobi I think ALI has gotten too savvy for their own good on particular items of want 😬

[@hervefreire]

Excellent video, what would be the best budget reel for this rod?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

iFishband Clamber or the TSU Dark Wolf Ultra. I never used the TSU reel but, many people have good things to say about it

[@hervefreire]

@@HobieWanKenobi thanks for the replay beter in 8.1 our 7.1 gear ratio?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

8.1

[@yep.fishing]

Hey ...with your moustache you should be called Hobie "Juan" Kenobi hahah

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I'm a little too fair skinned for that

[@yep.fishing]

@@HobieWanKenobi Si

[@Jus10worsT]

Say I take say the new Aldebaran off my trout rod and put it on a 7.3 heavy power mod action rod will it still work properly with regular size bass lures. Basically I’m asking can I still use a bfs reel for non bfs fishing lol

[@HobieWanKenobi]

You can. the only issues is that line capacity of "bass lines" on BFS reels isn't great. Also, the braking systems are designed for lighter lures so, heavier lure casting would not be ideal. The bearings are sometimes designed for finesse fishing so, the high RPM and weight of "bass lures" could cause premature wear to the spool bearings.

[@Catcher777]

Hello! Can you please tell me what length of fluorocarbon leader is optimal for such a fishing rod? The fact is that I have it, but so far I have only used it with solid monofilament, and now I want to try installing a braided cord with a fluorocarbon leader (or with monofilament)...

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I like using about 3ft or so. I make sure my leader knot is just outside of my reel when I have my lure reeled up to the tip.

[@leen8939]

Just ordered one of these after some Facebook recommendations and watching this vid . Do you think the curado with the Roro spool would be good match on this rod with hard and soft baits in the 2-4 gram range

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Yes. The Roro CB26 spool does quite well with those weights

[@leen8939]

@@HobieWanKenobi I’ve been running the curado with the stock spool with 6 magnets, will the Roro need the full 8 when it comes or is it still right with 6 . I’ve also got a gekkabijin , is the ax22 spool a significant upgrade for lures in the 2-4 gram range or is it marginal

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The Roro CB26 spool can be a little wild at times. Experimenting with magnets would be best for each user. I think 8 magnets may be a good starting place. The AX22 spool would a noticable upgrade if casting in streams or areas with a slower spool speed. If casting for distance in open water, there will not be much difference between the two spools

[@oslo7457]

hello, thanks for video. are you planing to try some top rods too like fishman beams inte 6.4 UL or maybe huerco travel rod ?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have a high end rod review coming soon

[@flovaladez601]

Would this rod work if I wanted to catch river smallmouth?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

If they are smaller than say 11in. I'd use a rod with a little more power if going bigger than that.

[@TheD510addict]

What blank did you use to make your custom?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I will have some info on it soon.

[@codybertram6122]

Never tried bfs but I like fiberglass rods for extreme cold conditions as well. I’ve had carbon spinning rods explode from fishing negative temps. Seems to me the glass rods just bend easier.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Ice fishing, I really like fiberglass. Fiberglass does bend very smooth.

[@philliplawson2932]

Great video I want to get a bfs setup what would be your recommendation for a mid price range setup?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Bass: Shimano SLX BFS XG with Dobyns Sierra Series 701 or Cashion Icon BFS (my preferred rod over the Dobyns). Trout: Palms Egeria NATIVE Performance with the KastKing Valiant Eagle II or Daiwa Silver Creek AIR TW

[@philliplawson2932]

@@HobieWanKenobi Awesome thanks I've been looking at the Palms I appreciate your feedback!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@philliplawson2932 It's a pretty slick rod, especially for the money.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Hey, the Palms Egeria NATIVE Performance just got restocked at Digitaka: www.digitaka.com/items/33/6/6/Egeria+NATIVE Discount Code E42 is still active too.

[@philliplawson2932]

@@HobieWanKenobi Awesome thanks for the heads up!

[@Peter-cj2ml]

I had to send back a beautiful bfs rod back as my Genius and Zephyr would not fit onto seat, will these 2 reels fit this Dankung rod ?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This reel seat opens quite wide. I am not sure if your reels will fit but, I am sure it does.

[@philliplawson2932]

Great video what's the gram weight of the rod?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I believe it is 79gr.

[@philliplawson2932]

@@HobieWanKenobi Oh that's not too bad, Thanks for the info!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@philliplawson2932 No problem. It is a lightweight rod.

[@lausewai7049]

Hi,where do you bought your foldable trout net?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

This net is the Handy Pak Net.

[@lausewai7049]

@@HobieWanKenobi Where can i purchase it from?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@lausewai7049 You can Google it and find it

[@lausewai7049]

@@HobieWanKenobi Thanks for sharing.

[@duck4389]

is this able to cast trout magnets?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

For longer casts, yes. It wouldn't be ideal for short range casting, as the rod wouldn't load up properly.

[@duck4389]

@@HobieWanKenobi Have you tried their TKBLU Pro rod? They claim it s a glass graphite mix and can cast better that the glassfin

[@HobieWanKenobi]

@@duck4389 I haven't tried it. Sometimes, claims are just words a company uses to push a product. Not saying this is the case but, DanKung's promotion efforts would lead me to believe it could be true.

[@Anglermania1010]

I like videos fren

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thank you for watching

[@catchemdinks]

"Chinese Hook Snout Carp"

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Yeah. Dan Kung let me know after the video was released, as they did with you too.

[@2Gunzfishin]

$160 rod Budget 😮😂

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The Palms Egeria NATIVE Performance is a better value. I think DanKung jacked up their prices after me and a few others made videos of this rod.

[@richarddeboer8934]

Not cheap at all 🤣 have a originele Lamiglass blank for that price

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The price of the rod I have seen recently been $110 - $140.

[@kevythyrrakalastus1296]

Prices goes up. I have one Lamiglass FL904 fly rod blank, which I thought to build Baitcasting UL rod. But I looked that that blank costs 225 € today...

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Everything is getting expensive. Costs more and more just to go fishing.

[@richarddeboer8934]

Prices are grazy even rising on Ali, you buy here lami for 150 €

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I think inflation is catching up everywhere.

[@blicky308]

4'6" ul ugly stick 🤣 on a kastking zephyr

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It would catch fish. It would also leave room for gradual increase n tackle to keep the high of getting new tackle going.

[@blicky308]

Yessir !! focusing on casting and just learning to fish before I join the big leagues

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Good place to start but, you will get better with a little better of a rod.

[@blicky308]

I've been working on over hand, under hand , roll casting, skipping , flick casting . I've been focusing on my wrist release . Watching the bfs academy vids and working on being accurate since I fish in a really overgrown urban pond , Where I gotta get fancy with my casts and it's lots of fun throwing some spiderwire and not worry about backlashes. I've been catching bass with my newbie self lol

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Good you are putting in the time to get better. A lot of my bass fishing time translated well to BFS casting.

[@apishafiz4243]

What wrong with this video I can't watch..

[@HobieWanKenobi]

has the video worked for you now?

[@apishafiz4243]

Thanks.. they do right now..

[@rimshotdc]

BUDGET ❓❓❓...DO YOU KNOW THE MEANING OF BUDGET ❓❓... OBVIOUSLY NOT 🤣..... BUDGET ❓❓ SO MANY UTUBE PROFESSIONALS 🤣🤣🤣

[@HobieWanKenobi]

What is you definition? I could suggest a kids rod off the shelf at Walmart. For what the cost is, the rod is great, thus making it a great value.