I spent $3289 to find the Top 5 BFS Reels

Hey there, fellow anglers! In this video, I'm excited to share my personal picks for the Top 5 BFS (Bait Finesse System) reels on the market today. If you're into finesse fishing and want to maximize your casting accuracy and control, you're in the right place!
🎣 Timestamps 🎣
0:00 - Daiwa Gekkabijin
1:46 - Shimano Aldebaran BFS
3:40 - Daiwa Silver Creek
5:24 - Shimano CQ BFS
7:24 - Abu Garcia ALC-BF7
9:25 - Conclusion
I'll take you through each of these reels, discussing their key features, performance, and why they deserve a spot on this list. Whether you're targeting bass, trout, or any other finesse-fishing species, these reels will help you finesse your way to success.
Throughout the video, I'll also provide valuable tips and insights on BFS fishing techniques, so stay tuned for those nuggets of wisdom!
If you're new here, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and ring the notification bell so you never miss an update on all things fishing-related.
🛒 Links to the Reels Mentioned 🛒
Daiwa Gekkabijin: amzn.to/3ivl043
Shimano Aldebaran BFS: amzn.to/3CCEdaZ
Daiwa Silver Creek: amzn.to/3ZB9ogG
Shimano CQ BFS: amzn.to/3Pihw1e
Abu Garcia ALC-BF7: amzn.to/462vNq5
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you agree with my picks, or is there a BFS reel you think should have made the list? Let's discuss!
Thanks for tuning in, and until next time, tight lines and happy casting! 🎣💪
#BFSTackle #FishingReels #BaitFinesseSystem #FinesseFishing #BFSReels #FishingGear #AnglerTips #BestFishingReels
Want to support the channel, get early access to most videos, behind the scenes info, and access to live Zoom Chats to discuss Bait Finesse fishing? Join my Patreon Group:
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Also, you can join the Fishing KZbinr’s Network, where we help each other grow on KZbin: / membership
Check out Atheltic brewing. great Non-alcoholic Craft beer: fbuy.io/athleticbrew/aaronhunt

[@nirvana_someday]

Hello from Korea! I purchased a gakebijin air tw pe special thanks to your recommendation. Your channel deserves more subs! Keep up the good work!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thank you! Subs will come - I'll just keep working on making better and better content! Appreciate the support, and enjoy the reel!

[@landothemando6901]

Daiwa Steez Air. I love that reel for BFS. I have the Gekkabijin, both models of the Aldebaran's BFS reels (new model, and old), plus the Curado BFS. So far, I would have to say the Aldebaran's, and the Steez are my favorites.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I'll definitely be checking out the Steez. Just takes time to fish each reel for a while. Plus, Daiwa's lineup is a little harder to navigate sometimes. :P A TON of great reels though.

[@ezekieltaylor3861]

Great info...love your channel, thks

[@AaronHuntFishing]

You are welcome - thanks for watching and commenting!

[@samlee7124]

thanks a lot for great information 🎣

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Glad it was helpful! Appreciate you taking the time to comment.

[@blongyang5547]

Thanks u just convinced me to get the CQ bfs

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Enjoy.

[@floridasaltlife]

Here to support your channel

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks so much.

[@Roddreel]

great review i have both the calutta and the aldebaran but i still love the aldebaran than my calutta.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Yeah - i think it's a tough call between the two for sure. Maybe after a full year with the CQ BFS I'll have a hands-down favorite, both they both are just so nice.

[@Blood_Eagel]

I ordered a Abu from Amazon Japan to day because of your video😁 180$ to Sweden included tax and shipping👍🏻

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@waldekjarota1259]

Oh, man, you do make me happy, You're convincing with Your expertise. I do have all of the reels you mentioned, did buy them on the feeling/intuition… had yet no time to try them out, since living in The Netherlands… not much opportunity to go on streams for trout… I got a few more reels… luckily not to many… I do let them go to another enthusiasts, and stay with the 5 you did mention… Thanks a lot! PS I can skip Alphas Air, which saves me money... +++

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Happy to save you some money - and that was the real point of the video. :) Nice selection of reels you have to use. Enjoy!

[@TheD510addict]

Zillion G from Digitaka was 224 to my doorstep. Add a Roro spool for 90 ish including shipping and I have a reel that will out perform everything but the Conquest as BFS and will still handle most Bass fishing techniques.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Now c'mon man! You gonna make me spend even more! :P

[@balancepen6642]

thank you .

[@AaronHuntFishing]

You are welcome! :)

[@Markangler80]

I would love to hear your thoughts on the Daiwa SS Air TW vs the Gekkabijin Air.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I've still been debating the SS Air... odds are it will make it to my collection eventually. Almost bought one a few weeks ago, but there does seem to be some reliability issues with them so far. So i haven't pulled the trigger yet. I think the Salamandura or the Silver Creek MAY fill the specific use case of skipping lures that I was considering using the SS Air. Or even the Alphas SV TW 800s (which is another Daiwa on my radar I don't own).

[@philipfalco7304]

I feel your financial pain Aaron. I went down the BFS rabbit hole a couple of years ago and now have 10 BFS reels. I started with the Alphas Air TW, then the 16' Aldebaran, Gekka, 17' Conquest, Curado, Scorpion, SLX, 18'Aldebaran 30MGL, then the 22' Aldebaran and 23' Conquest. I didn't stray away from Daiwa or Shimano though. I want the Silvercreek, for stream Trout but it's going to have to wait until spring. Nice review!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks - that's a wonderful assortment you have collected as well!

[@philipfalco7304]

@@AaronHuntFishing Have you tried the 18' Aldebaran 30mgl HG? It's the same weight as the 16' and 22' with a deeper spool but not too deep. No drag clicker but it has the SVS breaking system so if you want to really lay into a cast you can. I like it better than the Curado, SLX or Scorpion for upper end BFS and light Bass work. On 6-8LB. Varivas I can cast 1/16 through 3/8 really far. It's one of those in-between reels.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@philipfalco7304 I haven't. yet. :P But I'll probably investigate the availability of a drag clicker kit before I decide to try it out.

[@philipfalco7304]

@@AaronHuntFishing I never looked into it. Since it's an 18' model, I doubt it.

[@ichphan]

I love the Diawa Presso BFS reel 2016 discontinued

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I've heard good things about the Presso.

[@fongvang935]

I haven't tried the abu, but you can't go wrong with either shimano or daiwa. But I love my conquest bfs the most for all around. Secondly is the daiwa stream custom for stream trout. The shimano reels are always more difficult to dial in, but more satisfying when you get it right because it is so smooth and light. Aldebaran is good. NOTE: all my reels are the older reels. Not the new 2020+ models.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Agree. the quality of these reels is just hard to match, and they make fishing so fun.

[@leepao6302]

I have 5 aldebaran bfs and 4 Calcutta Conquest bfs, this reels is the best bfs reel out there and nothing going to change my mind 😂

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I agree - they are the ones to beat. :)

[@alexsarpele6477]

For you is the best ,for STREAM fishing Nr1 is Daiwa Alphas Air Stream Custom, i fish wit Aldebaran,Qoncuest , Steez TW xx500, Alphas tw air no way Alphas air stream custom nr1 for Stream Fishing

[@DrinkWetPoopFishing]

can you do a giveaway for all that cash in your hands. I could really use more BFS reels, lol. I agree with you about the conquest being art work. As much as i like the aldebaran, the conquest has become my favorite. it actually palms better than any of my normal and bfs baitcasters.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Lol. Then my wife WOULD get mad. :P Agree with your comments on palming too - the Conquest is so comfortable. Wondering how it will feel this winter though.

[@alexandermenningmann5469]

Great review. Im thinking about getting a bfs setup. Probably stick to a shimano because thats what i prefer. Im in South Florida and fish ponds and canals from the bank. Have the potential for big fish always. Largemouth, peacock bass, clown knife, and snakehead( i hate em). What should i get? Aldebaran or conquest? I have metaniums, bantams, and a calcutta 200b that I bought 23 years ago tgat was my inshore snook rod.Can i go with a metanium( love it) and put in a bfs spool? I do prefer light weight or maybe just balance. I wish i could get a conquest bfs in hand before purchase. Also what rods do you like. I don’t mind spending money on fishing gear. I think around the 6’6” length is good for me. Thanks!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

The Aldebaran is pretty nice. If you prefer lighter wieght, it's hard to beat. On Rods, I'm biased by the Kistler BFS I helped design. kistlerrods.com/products/hunt-bfs-fishing-rods?variant=45512359969065&sca_ref=3753479.fd5ArXuiud Cashion Makes a nice slightly heavier BFS rod, and the Dobyns BFS rods have been very popular.

[@jeffreylenz7314]

I added 4 bearings to the handle and 2 bearings to the levelwind on my silver creek and it’s just as smooth as my gekka.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Good to know - makes a lot of sense!

[@tasuk3ru]

got a scorpion bfs and it’s a really good reel. if you’re getting into bfs try it out!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I considered it as well - but it's out of production and about the same reel as the Curado BFS AND the SLX BFS. I expect we'll see a new scorpion from Shimano soon.

[@philipfalco7304]

I noticed my Scorpion is more refined and casts better than my Curado and SLX even though they're suppose to be the same reel. I purchased mine on Dig over a year ago though.

[@tasuk3ru]

@@philipfalco7304 SAME!! I’ve had mine for about a year now too. It’s been my bread and butter until my bfs rod snapped in half, now it just sits and collects dust until i order a new rod😔

[@markhogquist2000]

Not much mentioned regarding actual performance comparisons. Which would you choose if you wanted to use it for power finesse as well, say up to a quarter ounce?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Any. 1/4 oz is not what I'd call Power BFS. I've used the Shimanos and the Abu up to 1/2 oz.

[@elwooddestiny11blues20]

Gone back to ultralight spinning reels and rods now . Difference is i now buy the high end JDM ultralight spinning rods and reels . They are soooooo good . I enjoyed the bfs train and it got me into the JDM fishing rods , reels and lines in a big way . Good bye steez , gekkabijin , alphas , silver creek and alderbaran . Hello graphiteleader , evergreen , xesta , presso , exist and vanquish .

[@AaronHuntFishing]

That's funny - because starting to buy better spinning gear is what got me into BFS! If you fish a lot or just want the best experience when you go, the higher end gear makes a difference.

[@philipfalco7304]

I don't have the Exist but I'm enjoying my C2000s and C2000shg Vanquish's a lot. Now Daiwa has the Exist SF! I think my head and my wallet are going to explode simultaneously!🤣

[@philliplawson2932]

I do both I bring three rods when I go fishing I bring my conquest 23 paired with Great Hunting rod, Stream Custom paired with my Palms Egeria for all my heavier baits and then I use my Vanquish 23 paired with my Presso air Ags for all my light baits!

[@philipfalco7304]

@@philliplawson2932 That's a GREAT trio you have there. The Air Stream Custom is the last BFS reel I still need to get. I hear it's the best for small streams and tight quarter casting.

[@jet96344]

Hi Aaron, thanks for the great video. If I use lure weight between 1/16 to 1/2 for crappie and bass usually, which one you would recommend to me for best use? I'd like to know your opinion to pick up one. Thank you.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Up to 1/2 oz? Either the Conquest or the Aldebaran. Very similar internals and solid spools. They just feel more "connected" and solid, and I routinely throw that top end of the Power BFS range on them.

[@jet96344]

@@AaronHuntFishing If the lure is only up to 1/4 oz, would be the same choice? Also do you suggest to use PE or nylon line for BFS reels in most occasions? Thank you.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@jet96344 Probably still the same - but the Gekkabijin become a good option at that point for me. Super smooth, better braking in that it dials in easier and has better dynamic braking, easier to cast really light weights. Might be the longest casting of them all. I prefer almost 100% PE. The Gekka is designed specifically for PE. I have mono on one reel, and FLuroro on one (that one is purely for line testing and will go back to PE this month). Oh - and the only conventional BC I've used in the last 2 years also has fluoro on it.

[@Kidndjwkx]

great video, im still tossing up between the cq, aldebaran and gekka. Which do you think?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Like round reels? CQ. GOing to be throwing 8 grams or less, even down to 0.5 grqam consistently? Want the best breakes? Gekka. Want to creep up to "Power BFS" with a low-profile reelt hat can still throw 1 gram? Aldebaran. Hard to go wrong actually.

[@Kidndjwkx]

@@AaronHuntFishing ok thanks mate

[@Last_Upan]

Try review affordable Seahawk Finesse Ultralight Reel 103HSL

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Those Malaysia - domestic products seem to be hard for me to figure how to source! :P

[@El_Siervo]

Have you try Penn Squall bait casting?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I haven't. Penn does not make a BFS reel that I'm aware of. Frankly, I'd be surprised if they ever do because they're really not known for making much at all in the ultralight space. And, their Low Profile Baitcasting reels seem to be made by or in partnership with Abu Garcia. So it might be possible to put an aftermarket Abu Spool in a penn reel if someone really wanted to try to create a Penn BFS reel.

[@Walterros45]

Torn between getting an Alde or a Conquest, have a Gekka (easily the smoothest reel I own). Definitely like low profiles but man, the Conquest is so gorgeous.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Yep - tough Decision. but, I don't "notice" the CQ being round when I'm fishing - it feels nice. One thing I just considered - the CQ might get REALLY cold feeling in winter. :)

[@CS-wp5dz]

Alde all the way. I have two and no need to look at others. I think the weight of the conquest would bug when the goal is to be light. It is bad ass looking. I have 9 new model metanium DC’s for my heavy bass stuff. I’d just use that if I wanted the weight of the conquest.

[@philipfalco7304]

The 23' Conquest XG is a Swiss watch masterpiece and the 22' Aldebaran is a great all around reel. Tough choice.

[@tomeuk_tn9566]

The ALC BF7 are pretty easy to find in China. They sell for cheap and i got mine with $150

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Cool. I still really enjoy mine.

[@cracklova3299]

Hello ! I hope maybe you can help, what would you recommend for an all around like on an all dc xt? I had some 20 pound braid and I loved how little I had to use.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I don;t understand the question. All around reel? The Aldebaran BFS. All around line? Daiwa J-Braid grand.

[@cracklova3299]

@@AaronHuntFishing Sorry I had miss spelled, I meant line. Looks like I’ll be getting some daiwa, I appreciate the help. You make the best videos of this kind I’ve seen on KZbin.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@cracklova3299 Oh yeah - I rean the J-brad grand in either 8# or 10# on the DC XT and it was amazing. amzn.to/45UDiiG

[@_md______]

Never understood why all baitcasting reels dont have a drag clicker. I know they dont necessarily need it, but i like to hear when my drags pulling out

[@AaronHuntFishing]

It's pretty much a must-have for me now.

[@LandenVue]

Is the NAKO FF01 Flight Feather Cormorant Good?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

By all accoutns it's really good. Probably number 4 or 5 on my list if I made it today, and had tried the Cormorant.

[@egilarneandersen7953]

I beat them all in a normal fishing situation with some wind with my Daiwa T3 Air and its 3D brake.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I'll believe you, but even harder to find than event he Abu because it's 11 years old... And maybe the Gekka with the same wind could beat it? Maybe? :P

[@joelunder7479]

How does the Flight Feather rank?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Haven't used it enough to fully form an opinion yet - definitely working it a bit more the next 3 trips or so. Most of these I've had for several months, and 3 of these over a year (and they look like it!) But the Flight Feather really suffers from no drag clicker for me. Nako has let me know there is something in the works along those lines though. Dankung offers a kit. And the braking is touchy with the ultra-light spool when you're pushing for max performance.

[@artemporkhun1407]

SS air tw or geka? Thank you

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I honestly have yet to try the SS Air TW. But I think it comes down to weight range. If you mostly throw 6-8 grams (1/4 ounce) or less, go with the Gekka. If you want to have better options for skipping / pitching, and go into that "power" BFS range - go with the SS Air. I expect to get the SS Air eventually. Just time / money keeping me from it now. I have so many rods and reels to finish up testing and reviews on already. Once I wrap up some of those and sell a few, the SS Air is likely next (unless something amazing comes out).

[@tylerj602]

What line do you like to use with your bfs?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I'm currently using Sunline Siglon ADV and it's been really nice. Varivas Bait Finesse or Super Trout Master Limited are both awesome. And I plan to give Suffix 832 a go this fall - it performs very well on lab tests like the Sunline.

[@EddieLindsay681]

I would want to even attempt to add up how much money I have spent over the years on reels 😂

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I was kinda surpised at the number, to be honest. :P There was probably also at least a couple hunge in line too. And lifetime spend - man that would be scary. But you can't take it with you!

[@EddieLindsay681]

@@AaronHuntFishing that’s what I tell myself every time I purchase another. I just wish someone would explain this to my wife

[@philipfalco7304]

I'm afraid to even add mine up. I may jump off a cliff😆

[@raphaelcohen4689]

And ss air 23?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Haven't tried it yet. Almost bought it on release, but there were some QC issues at launch. Never made it back to the top of the list yet...

[@timothythompson6549]

Alde coming to USA = order JDM for less $ with no concerns about parts availability.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Aha. Great point!

[@leepao6302]

No warranty … problem to me, because if aldebaran bfs available in the America the parts will be available as well, plus I service my own reel no need warranty

[@philipfalco7304]

It's $150 more in the U.S. though. I get your point but for $100 more you can get 2.

[@jnorth5689]

I spent 90 on a revo and i can cast anything on it lol

[@AaronHuntFishing]

This is funny. Glad you found soemthing you like.

[@user-we4gm3pk7j]

Имею KK BFS. Для меня лучшее соотношение форм фактора и удобства

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Рад, что вам это нравится. Лично я не фанат КК - и они точно не участвуют в обсуждении лучших роликов. Возможно, для некоторых это хорошая цена. Извините, если перевод неверный...

[@user-we4gm3pk7j]

@@AaronHuntFishing на второй комплект планирую ставить гекку

[@blongyang5547]

Thanks u just convinced me to get the CQ bfs

[@AaronHuntFishing]

My apologies. :P It truly is an amazing reel though.