SHIMANO'S 3 BAIT FINESSE (BFS) REELS ANALYZED: IS THERE REALLY A DIFFERENCE?

I EXAMINED AND ANALYZED ALL 3 OF SHIMANOS CURRENT BFS REELS TO SEE IF THERES A DIFFERENCE
DAIWA, SHIMANO, ABU GARCIA, LEWS, KASTKING, QUANTUM, 13 FISHING, CURADO, CITICA, CASITAS, CAENAN, CHRONARCH, METANIUM, ALDEBARAN, ANTARES, CALAIS, STELLA, CONQUEST, SUSTAIN, STRADIC, EXSENCE, STEEZ, ZILLION, TATULA, FUEGO, ALPHAS, REVO, CONCEPT Z, MGX, LUCKY CRAFT, MEGABASS, EVERGREEN, JACKALL, DEPS, IMA, G LOOMIS, MAJOR CRAFT, MGL, NRX, CRUCIAL, SV, PISCIFUN, BLACK MAX, BASS RISE, RYOGA, BANTAM, ADRENA, GLORIOUS, ULTIMA, EXIST, BALLISTIC, FREAMS, TRUMP, SCORPION, XF 50, BAIT FINESSE, HAIBO, STEED, EXIST, ICAST, SLX, TRANX, POISON

[@THEREELTEST]

BFS is making a comeback starting with this video!

[@bsbs5892]

THE REEL TEST sorry for stupid question! but may I use braided line or only nylon with Aldebaran?

[@THEREELTEST]

you can use light braid with all 3. They have reinforcement on the underside of the spool

[@bsbs5892]

THE REEL TEST thanks

[@rapalaman6681]

I had the Conquest on a Phenix K2 rod. The Conquest is one fantastic reel! But with a really light BFS rod it felt too heavy. I sold it and bought the Aldebaran and now very happy. The weight differences are so much more obvious on a very light rod.

[@michaelt6840]

If you own a tatula CT or the new tatula 100 pick up a Ray's studio spool from AliExpress for 35$ and you got a stellar bfs reel for cheap. For 1/16-1/8 oz crappie jigs it's killer.

[@cosminpopescu9761]

Can you put the link please

[@amerjimbo4522]

cannot beat real bfs reel.i tried already.

[@AdventureFishingbfs]

Fc thailand 🎉

[@gusmiao889]

I just ordered both Aldebaran and Calcutta Conquest BFS.... hopefully it will bring me joy 😊

[@andreasjonsson8075]

Whats the difference between the Aldebaran and the Antares????

[@dillonokef4374]

The reel test you are a amazing solid review channel I enjoy watching your daily uploads keep up the quality content and please do some kast king review or test video

[@THEREELTEST]

Tell Kastking to send me a Mega Jaws in red :)

[@Estoril_Blau]

This BFS content is seriously important for those of us in the US that want to see the style grow. The more content the better man! Can only hope the manufacturers eventually catch on and start bringing it over.

[@robertramirez908]

Jeff shimano just release an Expride ML labeled bait finesse. TW had a video on new Expride models recently. They also hinted of a reel to go with that rod. Maybe shimano is taking steps to bringing bfs stateside. We’ll wait and see

[@Estoril_Blau]

Robert Ramirez I watched that Expride clip recently as well. Definitely leaves a glimmer of hope. I’d love to see them offer some of the lighter BFS rods from the Zodias, Expride and Bantam line. Specifically L and UL rods. Same goes for Megabass, Major Craft, Phenix etc. Can’t believe we haven’t already seen anyone stateside importing for distribution to the CONUS at this point. Imagine 2-3 day shipping on JDM rods and reels without customs or import duties.

[@vire559]

@@Estoril_Blau Is it possible to pre order from distributor? I pre order Shimano Trout AS B-66ULF from their distributor but took 6 more months for mine to arrive

[@THEREELTEST]

Robert Ramirez I think this hints at a new Curado 70? we should know soon enough. Shimano has a finesse baitcasting rod called the Sensilite that is supposed to be released soon. Lure rating is 1/16 to 1/4

[@robertramirez908]

THE REEL TEST I saw the sensilite as well, I thought I read somewhere it’s geared towards crappie fishing. But for sub $100 I’m going to give it a go anyways. As for the reel, maybe the alde 30 coming stateside. Or like you said curado, smaller k is due.

[@trent7700]

I have the Aldaberan and the Conquest and to he honest I like The Aldaberan the most.Its amazingly light.But I giggle Everytime I cast either one of them.

[@THEREELTEST]

people dont realize how pleasurable it is to fish a superlight combo!

[@trent7700]

@@THEREELTEST Ya I have it on a Zodias BFS rod. It's amazing to catch a 3 lbs bass on.

[@artaddictt8624]

thanks very good info

[@mashbassing1152]

Awesome video man!!! 👍👍

[@RvanLaar66]

Nice comparison. Good to read that BFS is making a comeback too! I've been fishing the Aldebaran BFS XG for a while now and it's flawless so far. It's sooo light... and casts like a dream. Combined with a light weight rod you can have an 8.4 oz / 240 grams rold-reel combo. That's just awesome to hold and cast all day! BTW, besides differences in materials, construction and spool weights I think there are differences in max. drag too?

[@THEREELTEST]

Good question, I dont think theres much of a difference. Not that BFS reels need huge drag because you use such light line

[@RvanLaar66]

@@THEREELTEST I've looked it up and there isn't much difference: - Aldebaran BFS - 3.5 KG - Scorpion BFS - 3.5 KG - Conquest BFS - 4 KG But yes, BFS reels don't need much drag power. The rods these reels typically live on are not even able to pull 1 KG so...

[@M.M.13]

What about Abu Garcia BF8 LTX? 129g, i can cast 1g lures... ok, with a Tenryu rod and Small game PE 5LB

[@nasir87ify]

nice informative video!! keep it up

[@vieterisikaFI]

I just received my Aldebaran BFS today as my first Japan made reel. Haven’t tried it yet in an action, but i can tell the reel feels really great, solid and high quality. There’s no way I would regret my choice. Without even trying the Scorpion, I can really recommended Aldebaran over it when thinking about the price difference. Not saying Scorpion is bad choice either. Thanks for your reel reviews and comparisons! They’ve been a big help choosing the right reel. :)

[@THEREELTEST]

Have fun!

[@anthonygeiss9130]

Which tool do you prefer when removing the pin from the spool shaft? Great videos and content. JDM all the way!

[@THEREELTEST]

I have a HH Studios bearing removal tool but lately its been fragile.

[@manzokazi]

Aldebaran all the way!

[@danielcorrea7988]

Thanks man !!!! Realmente me ayudó tu vídeo. Regards from Argentina !!

[@syafiqmohamad9386]

The main gear and pion gear of aldebaran bfs can swap with conquest bfs without any modifications.. Ultimately make aldebaran have micromodule gear..huhu

[@squeakybetz1927]

Question is the conquest BFS is it a 50 or 100 in size.... do anyone know where you can buy the conquest BFS

[@H8er-Maker]

Solid reviews, it sucks that you gotta drop $400-500 on a reel equipped with a clicking spool tensioner. Great insight on the bfs spool design differences in regards to what the manufacturer is trying to achieve. I doubt you'd remember but I asked your opinion on the daiwa coastal. You nailed it, that thing sucks. I fish for Bass, knowing that reel is purpose built for salt water I still bought it cuz by looking at it there wasn't much of a difference. Using it was a different story, it's clunky, huge and not really something you'd want to cast 100 times. Now I have a pretty & new door stopper.

[@THEREELTEST]

Are you sure it was me you asked about the Coastal? Because Ive never had one. I had the original Zillion that was mediocre in casting but a nice reel otherwise.

[@H8er-Maker]

@@THEREELTEST 100% sure. You are the only KZbin channel that I inquired about it. Tackle Advisor isn't active enough to expect an answer. You stated that you haven't used 1 but suggested I should pass. I couldn't resist not buying something at a going out of business sale for $70. Live & learn I suppose. I decided to buy a rod for Catfish to pair that reel with. Despite my ignorance I still appreciate your correct suggestion. Tight lines

[@THEREELTEST]

if its the original Coastal based on the original Zillion you can easily change the spool out to a higher performing one. There are countless spool options available for that platform. Dont count it out just yet

[@alexsarpele6477]

Stock out off the box nr1 on te World daiwa ss air,tunnig reel shimano aldebaran xg limited 2015 + avail microcast honeycomb spool,reem level 1,8mm nr.1

[@alexsarpele6477]

Aldebaran 2017 is shit

[@THEREELTEST]

my 7 way finesse baitcaster shootout proves otherwise

[@alexsarpele6477]

Man,i fish with this reels many times,Curado 51e+ avail microcast honey comb spool cast the same like Aldebaran 2015xg limited + avail honey comb spool,spool for curado have 6.1g for aldebaran xg have 5.9g,aldebarn 17 after 2week too fish i sale fast,is shit,the magnetic sistem brak is fag,onli daiwa know how to make magnetic brake sistem,i have Zpi magnetic sistem for after marcket spool zpi is the same shit,

[@alexsarpele6477]

Curado 51e+Avail honey comb spool is the beast idea ,for bfs cheap reel , cast 1.5g Vobller, no jig,is easy too cast,but Daiwa ss air is a Queen.sorry my eanglis shit skill:))))))

[@THEREELTEST]

I have the SS AIR, it has too much brakes. 16 Aldebaran is the best overall.

[@michaelt6840]

I recently got a Ray's studio bfs spool for my new tatula 100 and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to get a bfs setup. Spooled it up with some 6lb suffix 832 and it fricken rocks! I crappie fish with it and it matches and or out performs spinning tackle with the same 1/16 jig. For 35$ it's incredible.

[@blakemarchetto]

First

[@johnvigil9762]

Cool

[@Ilogrich]

How do these compare with XF-50? The Shimano BFS reels are all out of my price range.

[@THEREELTEST]

Richard Ilog check out my 7 way finesse baitcaster shootout. The XF 50 is really good if the lowest you throw is 1/8. anything under that these other reels are better

[@ccfishing2314]

Awesome

[@vasileeduarddutu2965]

Where can i find the aldebaran bfs for 300$ ? Do you have a web site or something?

[@muskietime]

What an outstanding review of three great BFS reels by Shimano. Thank you. Be well.

[@daverichards6557]

Your analysis is immensely helpful in understanding the mechanics of bfs. Love watching them!

[@chegack4483]

How is your Tsurinoya XF-50? I have one and i was very impressed of it performance! Want to try it with abec9 full ceramic bearings:)

[@THEREELTEST]

its in storage lol.. I would just clean your bearings. Real Abec 9s would cost more than the reel!

[@RonMTube]

I started with the XF-50 and then moved up to the Aldebaran BFS XG. I'm happy with the XF-50 considering the price but only use it with 1/8 oz. and up. I like that the Aldebaran can go to less than 1/16 oz but ultimately this reel is a luxury if you don't cast such light lures. The Shimano is a joy to use so the Tsurinoya doesn't see much action now. I agree with TRT about not upgrading the bearings.

[@chegack4483]

On Ali abec9 FC about 12usd...

[@airrangerairranger7844]

what are the line capacity in all of them as well as the how much drag they have for finesse?

[@smoovefishing]

I just don’t see why anyone would want a bfs round reel? You are throwing small baits so I rather have a low profile reel, I will use a round reel for big fish and needing a lot of line just don’t make sense to me

[@THEREELTEST]

I just wanted to see how a round reel felt. Ill probably sell it soon

[@smoovefishing]

THE REEL TEST I don’t blame you there! I would like to hold it and cast it to but I just see why anyone would buy it to use instead of the low profile reel

[@cmoney041074]

I learned how to cast on a round ambassador reel so I love the size and shape of the conquest bfs.

[@cmoney041074]

I love the round reel style in fact I cast round reels better than low profile reels.

[@smoovefishing]

Gabe Brown yea but low profile will for even better when fishing and can palm it even better

[@dimasamokhin]

what's the reasonably max lure weight aldebaran bfs is able to cast? can I use it with weights up to 1oz?

[@IonutAntonache]

Did you find out what the maximum lures weight can we safely throw without damaging the spool? Thanks

[@jackchastain6551]

Shimano stephano bfs

[@jimbo0411]

Wondering how a Curado DC would compare to these reels? Also seems the aftermarket shallow spools never really took off for some of these reels. Really looks like only 4 feet difference in the test , not a big difference for the price average.

[@THEREELTEST]

well the Curado DC is eventually going to go through the 1/8 oz test but I just got back from doing that test with the Curado K and a few other reels, Ill be posting the videos soon

[@johnchan3255]

hi love you're vids, are you going to get the DC version of this reel that came out this year?

[@smoovefishing]

Who needs a spool tension clicker anyway!

[@jimbeauxjimenez1850]

What is bait finesse? Honestly, don't know what that is.

[@THEREELTEST]

finesse fishing with a baitcaster. like 1/8 oz and under

[@MDean888]

Hi, I bought 2 Bfs reels...Alderbaran and Conquest...Both are amazing Reels...But I found 2 oils in the box...one is bfs oil and one is normal oil...which oils should I use for both oils...Can you give me some feedback??? Thanks...👍👍👍

[@SweatyCrease]

M Dean which reel do you prefer more? I got the aldebaran and debating if I should get the conquest.

[@alextchieng7621]

@@SweatyCrease same, could always use another

[@zhouyu9971]

Well many people use round Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 2500 or 1500 for BFS fishing. More classic way.

[@lukegarrett6638]

Bfs rods?

[@THEREELTEST]

i have a few lol

[@mblurecraft3297]

Phenix Elixir a solid option or the Phenix Mirage if you wanna go for a more moderate action but I have also heard amazing things and tried one the very cheap AliExpress options.

[@lukegarrett6638]

MB Lure Craft for Christmas I got a major craft Corzza bfs rod

[@jordanchastain6596]

Do you know anything about the abu ambassador 5500sc, it’s a cool old school reel but I don’t know if it casts like an old reel

[@THEREELTEST]

Nope, I only have 1 round reel and you see it in this video. Im not a round reel kinda guy

[@jorgeazul1293]

It is an excellent reel that is built like a tank. But, if you don’t thumb the spool it will easily backlash. If you are looking at buying one make sure you purchase an older one, since the quality is a lot better than the new one.

[@DGxxxK1]

what types of camera are you using?

[@THEREELTEST]

panasonic g7 for this video

[@atxbasstard8708]

The conguest is 🔥

[@yogap3681]

Thanks helpfull 👍

[@RitcheyRips]

What is bait finesse

[@THEREELTEST]

finesse fishing with a baitcaster

[@muhdharith1808]

have you ever thinking on analyzing daiwa t3-air?

[@THEREELTEST]

Someone would need to send me a T3 air because I have no desire to buy one. I dont think they even make them anymore?

[@muhdharith1808]

THE REEL TEST i see... hope someone will send it to you... hahaa

[@brucesom638]

How much line you’re going to get on it about 30 feet of line?

[@makeorwellfictionagain3553]

You’ve missed the point of the reel entirely.

[@tommatkevich855]

Why has he?

[@makeorwellfictionagain3553]

@@tommatkevich855 there not meant for 20lb mono. There meant for light mono/fluro or 0.1mm or thereabouts braid for finesse fishing. They hold plenty of line.

[@shmaxx00]

I wonder what casting distance is if to cast the same lures but with 18 Aldebaran MLG 30?

[@cmoney041074]

Maxim Shilov the 1/16 ounce lure would be much harder to cast on the aldebaran 30 without an upgraded spool.

[@shmaxx00]

@@cmoney041074 I believe it would be harder, but how much? There is a video on KZbin, where just 6'' worm is being casted by 18 Ald MGL 30. The distance is 19 meters. Do not know the exact weight and rod and breaking parameters, so this is my question to compare Ald 30 MGL with BFS within the same environment on light lures. Just wondering.

[@vire559]

@@shmaxx00 6" worm is big. Try 1/16oz jig on 2.5" softbait on 4lb mono/fluoro 54 yard in BFS spool, i bet it cast longer than 30 MGL or 50 MGL by 10 feet.

[@shmaxx00]

Vire for 1/16 ok, it's clear. But what's with 1/8?

[@vire559]

@@shmaxx00 1/8? 3.5 gram? That Shallow spool still win. The 30 excel at 1/6 - 1/4 or roughly 5-7 gram. But yeah i want to see it compare to 30 MGL as well

[@lineman4204]

Do u own all the reels that u review.

[@THEREELTEST]

Yes, theres a couple that a viewer bought for me and a couple that subscibers sent to me and i sent them back after I was finished

[@lineman4204]

Nice work, u make decisions alot easier

[@pappasqually9140]

I’d go with the scorpion I don’t think 5ft is worth the extra $

[@vire559]

Watch the spool shaft after use, i know it doesn't have bearing on the spool but i found something grooving mine near bearing holder.

[@pappasqually9140]

Vire I was just hypothetically speaking I’m more into big baits and A Rigs I can’t afford a BFS addiction right now 🤣🤣🤣

[@vire559]

@@pappasqually9140 Lol ok

[@THEREELTEST]

I ordered my first swimbait rod, should be here tommorrow!

[@kushcrumbleshatter]

@@THEREELTEST wat did u get

[@mblurecraft3297]

Aldebaran XG Limited 2015 still the best BFS reel out of the box, trow some custom bearings and a honeycomb spool and nothing can touch it. One of the most important thing when it comes to BFS is how easy can you cast with it, cause you can cast small lures with some non BFS reels by using an overhead cast but can you flip cast easy with them?! plus rod matters a lot. But at the end of the day it depends of what kind of fishing you do and what kind of waters you fish on.

[@jimcarlin9660]

great video, i am loving my conquest! i had a aldebaran too, which i quickly replaced with a t3 air, also what is the music from 12:12 please? :) thanks and keep the videos coming uk viewer

[@picassorodriguez1092]

Bro good vid but the sounds sounds like people smacking their lips and kissing and it takes away from the content man. Lessen the fact that the little clicks and your voice are near the same frequency and your good. If you make the music, EQ it downward. It meshes too much with your voice content.

[@MzaFishing]

Nice info

[@RonMTube]

What's the physics behind the pivoting brake magnets? Why should they be more drawn towards (pivot out) a fast spinning spool than a slow one? Curious.

[@THEREELTEST]

I believe they are trying to give the FTB magnetic brakes the properties of centrifugal brakes by having the maximum braking during the 1st part of the cast which is important in BFS.

[@RonMTube]

Understood but if the magnets aren't pivoting out due to centrifugal force, what makes them do it? Why does a faster spinning spool have more magnetic attraction than a slow one.

[@THEREELTEST]

Im assuming its the Lenz effect.

[@RonMTube]

@@THEREELTEST , Yes, that's it! Thanks. Found this: "Lenz’s Law is the key to understanding the eddy current magnetic braking technology used in all of our devices. There are strong magnets in all of our devices. When aluminum arms rotate past these magnets it creates magnetic eddy currents (named for the way they flow in circles like eddies in a river) that oppose the initial magnetic field. This is Lenz’s Law in action, and the opposition of these two forces is what creates the braking force. The faster the movement of the aluminum arms rotating, the stronger the braking force will be."