Fishband GH100 BFS Reel: Buyers Guide & Bearings Upgrade Demo

[@chepachii]

Nice vid Paul,I have a variant of the GH 100 , slightly heavier as it has a metal star tensioner,brass gears and is fitted with a drag clicker.Everything else is the same.Wont name it here unless asked, but very solid very nice.Didnt worry about changing the bearings, just flushed and cleaned the stock ones and put 2 drops of the highest quality bearing lube.The performance and feel of this reel is sensational,and suits the hard hitting freshwater species we have here in Southern Australia. Cheers.

[@peterheath8024]

Excellent photography JP, really clear shots, making the whole video really easy to understand and follow. Tempted to buy a reel just to be able to swop the bearings...

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Nice one Peter hahaha Paul

[@johnduncan933]

Just a heads up. The little pin is not to retain the bearing, as that fits into a profiled cavity, but to turn the spool when the handle is turned. Well put together video. I find the GH100 an excellent reel.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Great insight John, it's easy to overlook the true function of the pin when the tool to remove it is labelled a "bearing removal tool"! Thanks for flagging up the fact that it only happens to block the removal of the bearing, but its main job is to slot into the recess that is part of the handle/crank mechanism. Paul.

[@gavin7706]

Hi Paul Great video, I'll now fit my new bearings. Have to say for a cheap BFS reel this is a quality bit of kit. I very comfortably cast 3g as it is so looking forward to seeing the results when new bearings are fitted. It looks very simple to do but very fiddly. Time and patience needed. Thanks again for letting me know this was coming. Tight lines bud 🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@FishingDiscoveries]

You're very welcome Gavin - let us know how you get on!! Also drop us a line if you have any problems. Paul

[@nevillebrianmcmaster5918]

Hello Paul What rod telescopic or two piece and line do use recommend, Thanks I enjoy your mail and clips Great advice

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Hiya, that all really depends on budget, lure types/lure weights and venues - plus the style of casting you're using. For starting out, I'd recommend affordable fluorocarbon (like Trilene in 4lb or 6lb) just so that birds nests are not so expensive. For rods, I've had pretty good experiences with most rods at all different price points. It is more about understanding what action and overall power you need to throw your lures. There's more about rod actions, length and power for lure fishing in this article: fishingdiscoveries.com/lure-fishing/

[@dropsshotstv4263]

Awesome video, thanks for posting!!👏

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Thank you! More reel tuning stuff coming soon... Paul

[@kernlkajun1]

Thanks for this remarkable video. I have an ultra light spinning rod and reel but was interested in an inexpensive BFS reel to increase my fishing enjoyment. Also wanting to get more involved in reel maintenance, I purchased the small Ace Hawk tool kit and am looking forward to upgrading and or cleaning reel bearings to yield increased reel performance.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Fantastic! I'd be happy to hear about your results in this comments section after you've spent some time on stream with your upgrades. Paul.

[@abelabner]

Thumbs up well done! Is the braking system dynamic on this model? Also can you replace the handle knobs if you have extra more finesse knobs lying around? Thanks much, cheers!!!

[@FishingDiscoveries]

It's dynamic on the Right Hand Wind version and static on the Left Hand Wind. The knobs are replaceable (you may need some shims/washers as well as the bearings that come with most custom knobs to make them fit). Sometimes it is just easier to replace the full handle (with the knobs that you choose on that new handle); but of course it all depends on what you have lying around vs what you want to buy. Paul

[@abelabner]

Thank you very much for answering my question! Cheers!@@FishingDiscoveries

[@2musiclover534]

Is the bearing for this spool also the right bearing for the Dark Wolf Ultra? And presumably you found a significant improvement if I remember correctly. Thanks.

[@FishingDiscoveries]

The bearing size is different between the two reels (though the process is just the same since the brakes have the same design). The bearings I used in the Dark Wolf Ultra are linked below the Dark Wolf Ultra video and also explained in my blog post on that reel on the main Fishing Discoveries website.

[@neilmcghee1016]

Very helpful piece guys!

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Cheers Neil, we hope there's a little something for everyone across the different episode subjects. Paul.

[@thegoldenscalesclub]

Great video. Really well presented. You’ve inspired me to give it a go on my GH100! Could you provide a link to the bearings you used? Looking forward to the next video. Are you planning on adding the clicker drag upgrade too?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

The links to all kit (including bearings) are in the blog post given in the video description AND linked here to make sure you can easily find it: fishingdiscoveries.com/fishband-gh100/

[@denniswhite6001]

Paul, Do you recommend replacing this 4 year old reel (mine, w/upgraded bearings) for the inexpensive but highly rated Soloking Acura Pro for light lure fishing? Thanks

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Yes, I absolutely would get hold of an Acura Pro Dennis. Possibly worth getting the option that comes supplied with two spools for increased flexibility (one shallow and one deeper). The Acura will cast much lighter lures and is generally better engineered. The manufacturing tolerances mean there should be a much smaller gap between spool and reel body. From experience, they can be a little stiff right out of the box, but a few minutes winding to load with line and then 10 minutes casting and any lubricant that settled during transit spreads out evenly and everything becomes smooth. Here’s my affiliate link for a deal that seems to be on offer for today (at least in my location!): s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EJxeTwp

[@marcofaenzi3019]

Ciao volevo sapere se i nuovi cuscinetti vanno lubrificati dopo l'installazione ed eventualmente le specifiche dell'olio con i link dove sia possibile acquistarlo. Grazie

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Ciao, i cuscinetti in ceramica possono essere eseguiti "a secco". Alcune persone si sentono rumorose. Per loro si consiglia una piccola goccia di olio ad alte prestazioni. Sto per provare l'olio "Hedgehog Studio Japan" ... Quindi riferirò presto. Paul.

[@marcofaenzi3019]

Ciao, grazie per avermi risposto. Ho dato un occhiata al sito web della Roro ma questi cuscinetti non sono disponibili. Ho trovato un altro sito web SDS CUSTOM REEL dove sono disponibili. Il problema e' che non riesco a capire quali ordinare, ce ne sono di 4 tipologie! Potresti aiutarmi? Grazie ancora per la tua pazienza e professionalita'

[@2musiclover534]

Liked.

[@91donwilson]

Haha you might be on a list now after buying those scales

[@FishingDiscoveries]

I reckon so Donny 😂😂

[@supabreezer8056]

Can i know the bearing size

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Hi, the bearing sizes are listed in this post which I try to keep updated with most current information: fishingdiscoveries.com/fishband-gh100/

[@marsheldavid9664]

Saltwater or freshwater?

[@FishingDiscoveries]

I don't know for sure if it is truly saltwater safe - there seems to be a mix of plastic/carbon, brass and possibly other other metals in the internal components. So, while I believe some folks have used them in saltwater - and compared to something like a Steez (magnesium body!) it may be a decent option for ultralight saltwater stuff. It is also very affordable. However, with all that said, I can't say "yeah, fully go ahead it's exactly what you need for the salt". Also, fitting (shielded) fully ceramic bearings would probably be a good way to go if you decided to try this reel for salt.

[@BackTheBlu]

FML I just lost that side plate spring

[@FishingDiscoveries]

Disaster! Have you tried sweeping a magnet over the area?? Paul

[@BackTheBlu]

@@FishingDiscoveries I didn't have a magnet, so I just bent a piece of wire into something that resembled a bearing retainer

[@FishingDiscoveries]

@@BackTheBlu A-teamed it; nice work BA 😎