Shimano Curado BFS Spool Upgrade - Avail 21SLX15 Casting Review

[@HobieWanKenobi]

What BFS have you been using lately?

[@ismaelsolis8494]

I’ve been using my scorpion bfs. Hey real quick I wanted to ask you if you losen the cast control knob on the alphas air? I know that it’s zero adjusted but I was wondering if you leave it as is or do you adjust it to your liking? Great video by the way.

[@ArthriticAngler]

First picked up a Curado after your review. What a difference. Then you caused me to spend more money 🤣🤣 and I bought the Alpha Air for salt. Two great purchases as the lighter spool inertia literally is a game changer. For an odd rod choice, I borrowed a Mojo Bass Glass Crankbait (the lightest one) and have been using it for tossing weightless and 1/16 ounce plus fiddler crab. It has surprised me so far, light tip and backbone. I don’t like EF rods at all, so ymmv.

[@EddieLindsay681]

I have been using my 2 Aldebaran BFS reels, 1 has stock spool and the other has an Avail.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Scorpion BFS is legit. I adjust my tension knob to have the smallest amount of side to side movement and leave it alone.

[@ShaneJMcNair]

Well, it will be my NEW Kastking Zephyr BFS once I have my NEW rod finished...

[@arnemueller2112]

This was one of your most humorous videos and you are so dam right. I think this ridiculous „trout magnet standard“ was set by the „Reel Test“ just focusing on weight and casting distance. Indeed it’s all about accuracy and control. I really like your sarcasm, feel free to give us more of that. By the way….thanks for entertaining me once again!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I am not sure who set it as the standard but, I am not too sold on it. I do like how some people do testing with data in a controlled environment. For me, I like to test in close to fishing scenarios as I can. There are reels that perform well in controlled environments but, struggle when used in application. For the humor, I decided to be less filtered when doing videos. When I watch my content, I feel like I am watching a robot and does not reflect who I am as a person. I do however, still need to filter what I say...for the kids 😂.

[@arnemueller2112]

@@HobieWanKenobi yes…a less robotic Hobie will be more charismatic, personal and real. There’s no need to avoid any theoretical offendance at any price because there will always be somebody feeling offended by nothing. My impression is, that especially the US and Canada exaggerates all this woke/ appropriate and social justice warrior shit. Humor could be a very sophisticated and intelligent way to interact depending on the intellectual capabilities of your audience. From my point of view, please give us more 👍

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Yeah. I am all for people being treated fairly and all that. People in general seem to be offended or just offended because they want attention. There is still a way to go for humanity to get to an all-inclusive society. It takes people to not be mean and at the same time, people not to be overly sensitive just to say "poor me" and get attention.

[@ArthriticAngler]

After watching your other vids, I got a roro spool for my zillion from BFE. Great purchase, what a difference. Curado is next. Thanks for the great content.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Great!!! Glad the Roro spool was a good upgrade for you.

[@soerendalager]

Ease and accuracy by using BFS is just spot on, agree completely. I mainly use lures in the weight range 5-9 grams and couldn’t care less about trout magnets.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I am usually a little light but yeah, testing a spool to cast flies and other lures the angler most likely not use doesn't really prove much. Have to test in real use environments.

[@ShaneJMcNair]

Nice to know BFS Empire puts together a package with the spool & magnets needed... So many conversions require you to piece the kits from multiple vendors, creating a guessing game if it will work.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

True. Add is shipping from multiple vendors and it adds up quickly

[@ShaneJMcNair]

@@HobieWanKenobi Shipping OMG... $$$💰

[@HobieWanKenobi]

So true. A product might be $15 cheaper. Then add shipping and other fees, it ends up way more expensive

[@baitfinesseempire]

@@HobieWanKenobi facts! You definitely get the combo of spool and magnets cheaper through us then from hedgehog/avail direct if you're stateside.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That's good to know. I know when I got my Avail spool for my Aldebaran BFS, I had to order the spool and magnets from different places...shipping wasn't cheap in the end.

[@billluceno1255]

Nice video. I have an avail spool on my Chronarch 51E. To fix the knot issue. I cover it with a small piece of medical cloth tape. Works great. Keep the videos coming.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That's a good idea. Does it throw the balance of the spool off?

[@billluceno1255]

@@HobieWanKenobi I have not noticed any issues after I added the tape. The cloth medical tape is super light and I only use a very small piece to cover the knot.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Sweet. i will try that out. Thanks for the tip!!!

[@rawrfishing]

i am loving my spool!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

That's good to hear. I am surprised how well it casts for only being about 10% lighter than stock.

[@rawrfishing]

@@HobieWanKenobi the larger diameter spool helps dispense and the stronger additional Mags come in handy

[@joshlove1866]

Great info on the spool . Thanks

[@HobieWanKenobi]

No problem 👍.

[@danyadventure]

Che regolazioni usi di base per le frizioni? Io non riesco a lanciare senza fare le parrucche!!!

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It takes practice to cast really light lures. Also, when BFS casting, do not cast with a lot of force.

[@allmyfishing1055]

Hi there and thanks for the interesting video! My BFS setup right now is Daiwa 19 Alphas CT SV reel with an AMO (MOMO) microcast spool and custom home made rod on Suzuki 6lb blank. Unfortunately, I do have some problems with AMO spool, I have to set magnetic breaks to the maximum. Do you have any expirience with AMO spools for Daiwa reels?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I have not used the Amo or Momo spools. Seems like people get good spools and bad spool from them. You could try turning your spool tension (Zero Adjuster Knob) a little tighter.

[@glennsmithson5542]

Great video, light spools are not all about casting super light lures. The Avail spools don’t come with a hole, mine ‘developed’ a 1mm hole adjacent to a spoke! Now I just thread through and tie off👍

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Haha...I have always wanted to drill holes into my Avail spool for my Aldebaran BFS

[@BassManStrikes]

If that's were I think it is I used to catch pike up river from there in the late summer .

[@HobieWanKenobi]

There are some decent size pike that can be found around here and up the river.

[@The_Multi-species_Angler]

😂 trout magnet to the lighthouse!! Extremely well done video!! Right when you guys started promoting this I had just brought the avail spool for the abu alc-bf7. You pulled me of the fence. Reel question scorpion bfs or curado bfs which one if you had to only use one?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Thank you. I must say I feel a small amount of guilt holding this spool a secret. I was waiting on Roro to make one (they are still working on getting the titanium spool shaft perfect). With Roro delays, I decided to let the cat out of the bag about this spool working. I would go with the Curado BFS. That is purely based off color and price. Both reels perform pretty much the same.

[@arnemueller2112]

I have both and as Hobie said…there’s is not that much of a difference. Curado looks better, but the Scorpion is the more refined (e.g: the spool is a tiny bit lighter). Besides esthetics, I would recommend the Scorpion :) (in all honesty….I use the Curado with the spool tension knob and the spool of the Scorpion which fits perfect on my Steez Werewolf)…

[@rui9873]

Was new avail spool harder to but line on?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The flat surface makes the knot get in the way of the line

[@iriefuze1501]

Great video! I have a Shimano curado bfs and did get a avail spool from bait finesse empire. You mentioned you changed out your bearings to a roro 740. Do you have a link to those bearings. I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I would like to have my set up as cool as yours 👍🏼

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I got mine from Roro direct. The sideplate will still take a 730. I misspoke in this video. I was referencing my Aldebaren BFS Avail spool. I had to swap the spool bearing to 740. This spool does not have a bearing mounted on it. I did swap to Roro 730 bearings though.

[@iriefuze1501]

@@HobieWanKenobi oh ok thank you. Keep up the great videos 👍🏼

[@ArthriticAngler]

Great content, trout magnets to spool magnets. I think I will pick one up as a spare for smaller creek use. Was bfs empire or you going to offer a short glass rod like you use?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I will be offering them most likely spring time. Guides have been backordered for a while.

[@ArthriticAngler]

@@HobieWanKenobiThanks!

[@hometownguy7184]

yo Kenobi..im new to bfs.i picked up a slx bfs and a alderbaran bfs.i put the slx on a shimano expride for flippin and pitchin 1-16 to 1/4 oz jigs and plastics for bass.im going to put the alderbaran on the dobyns bfs rod for casting tiny crankbaits.would you say these spools are fragile?

[@HobieWanKenobi]

The stock spools are just fine. The Avail spool I wouldn't use for flipping. It would be ok for cranks but, isn't necessary.

[@hometownguy7184]

@@HobieWanKenobi ..ok thanks pal!..also, thanks for the bfs empire link.ive bought a bunch of stuff from them already !

[@HobieWanKenobi]

No problem. Bait Finesse Empire is gaining a lot of traction and bigger brands are hopping aboard. Many good things to come!!!

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

About time Shimano gives us a new Aldebaran and/or BFS version...

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I bet this year there will be something. Daiwa been releasing straight 🔥 for BFS lately

[@bassnbonsai]

Don't don't underestimate the power of the trout magnet Hobie-Wan

[@HobieWanKenobi]

😂😂😂. I have no disrespect to the Trout Magnet itself as a lure. It just has reached meme status for how obsessed people are with casting it on BFS gear. I have used BFS reels that can cast really light weights but, don't actually cast all that well (lack of control, finicky brakes...). Casting whatever weight you will actually fish with is what makes sense. A lot of comments about Trout Magnets are from people who are looking to bass fish with shakeyheads and such.

[@trickytrav88]

I love my curado BFS. If that spool was like 60 i would buy it but 139.99 is friggin insane the reel was 190

[@HobieWanKenobi]

It is nice to be able to swap spools for different types of fishing.

[@rolandmendezpaladisanjr.3268]

hello sir do you have an old fishing rod I really want to go fishing, I just don't have to buy it i really really love fishing

[@gmpbuilder]

Total screw up on spool maker's part to not give a hole/s to bury the knot in, especially on a bfs spool. BTW the advantage to extra spools for me is being able to have different lines spooled for a given reel. This has to be your funniest video yet. Gigging the Trout Magnet was gold.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I do like ported spools. Makes me think the spool is lighter and I can also hide my knot. The Trout Magnet itself isn't a bad lure, just the "😱 CAN IT CAST A TROUT MAGNET" click bait/hype is meme-worthy.

[@jonasrf4630]

Actually i have a small Tipp : Take Your line and wrap it around the spool between 2-5 times . Then tie a uni-knot but make sure the knot is tied in the wrong direction ( so its laying flat on the spool).Pull IT tight and your Line wont twist in the spool when Your spool is emtpy ,aswell the knot isnt trapping your line

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I would be afraid of pulling the k or too tight with a thin spool like this. These Avail spools are thin walled.

[@jonasrf4630]

@@HobieWanKenobi yeah true , i fished those thin walled spools a few years now and to be honest i destroyed 2 of them .(Big Zander and Big pike while i was perch fishing Big redfin perch in Germany) . I Dont know If IT was because of the knot tho , pike and aspecially Zander strike insanely hard so Your Always in a risk when your fishing bfs...Overall the knot works great on thin walled spools

[@HobieWanKenobi]

I luckily never have crushed a spool. I have seen pics on the TackleTour forums about it... 😢

[@BassManStrikes]

Is that the infamous hot ponds LOL.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

Yes. "The Bubblers" as they WERE called. The power plant was recently tore down so, no more warm water discharge.

[@gobybryant1001]

I feel like the reason the reel test has so much trouble casting a trout magnet is because he doesn’t know how to setup brakes for casting.

[@HobieWanKenobi]

He gets pretty good casts. Setting brakes is not standard. A lot can be in common but, casting stoke and the angler tendencies can change how brakes will be set.