Shimano SLX BFS Reel Review: The Best Deal in Bait Finesse Fishing?

[@robertblackeby237]

Thankyou. I now have that set up by 2. Love them

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Still one of the best values in BFS - especially for big name brands.

[@DaveAyton8565]

I was stuck between the Curado or the SLX, I think i will go with the SLX, Thanks Aaron another good honest review.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Good choice! I would do the same honestly. I Still kinda like the SLX better than the Curado.

[@southwestindianaoutdooradv4714]

I love ultralight fishing and have been looking at getting a BFS setup! Great video!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

This is a great option. I'm working on putting together an ultimate budget beginner BFS combo as well - maybe under $100 bucks and can buy here in USA. :)

[@southwestindianaoutdooradv4714]

@@AaronHuntFishingaha cheaper is generally better for me as I’m a father of 4! Love being able to get it here in the USA also!

[@jarrodcork9044]

Absolutely agree about the power pro line.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I was kinda surprised how bad it was!

[@jarrodcork9044]

@@AaronHuntFishing yea me too. Plus the guys at tactical bassin recommended it.

[@arcuriotv6894]

The SLX is a deal. Same reel as the curado and the scorpion. The scorpion does have a lighter spool however but as you mentioned no longer in production. The SLX also has a lighter handle than than the curado and that accounts for the weight difference. Japanese market reels are not built as bulky and beefy as the US versions. Personally i prefer the lighter handle setups on bfs in particular. Nice video and well put. What you do need is 2016 Aldebaran BFS in your collection. That one gives you the abilty to power bfs and also cast down to 1gram. The new Aldebaran does both well but the old model has a certain something! Looking forward to your next video.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Agreed, the 2016 Alde does seem like a reel I need to add! Appreciate all you your additional data!

[@spudwashington3880]

Yeah I’m glad I bought this reel , casts great

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I've been very pleased overall - and love the slower gear ratio too.

[@peggoty75]

its hard to believe your review your committed to selling so many reels

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I'm not committed to selling any reels. I might be committed to TRYING them, but no deals for selling them. This one still joins me on almost every kayak trip. And it's still probably one of the top 2 bargains in BFS reels. Every reel but one (Flightfeather), and a couple Kistler prototypes, I have purchased with my own money. And one other was sent to me by another content creator to try out. Which I still haven't shared any footage of that reel on this channel. And I need to get it back to him eventually. :P If I was committed to selling reels, why would I trash the Alphas Air, everything KK (the easiest reels to sell 'cause they're cheap on Amazon, even if they are crap), or even the SLX DCXT? I try out reels so people can decide if the way it performs meets their needs. For many folks, spending thousands of dollars to try out different reels isn't an option. If I was REALLY committed to selling reels, I'd pick one brand and partner with them, using just their reel. You have at least 20 Broadhead tip review vids on your channel - should we assume it's hard to believe your vids? Are you simply committed to trying to sell as many broadheads as you can? Probably not. I'm guessing you're curious how they perform and want to share that info. But you can correct me if I'm wrong. You have a thing for broadheads. I have a thing for reels. And coffee. And craft beer.

[@uncclifford1877]

I bought a SLX BFS from Japan just last week. I didn't need it, just out of curiosity. Looked like a nice reel and felt good in the hand. Until I tried to spool it up with line. Guess what? No drag. Turn the drag wheel and nothing is there. Must have forgot the washers. I have not as yet opened it to see what's missing and I do have a Curado to compare it too. It was going to be a gift for a fishing buddy I'am trying to get in to BFS. I guess he will just have to use my stuff for a while.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Wow! That's weird! I would reach out to whereever you bought it - most of the shops have great customer service.

[@timothythompson6549]

I think the reason Shimano lists PP on the box is they own or are affiliated with PP. I prefer j braid x8.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Same here - been on the J-braid kick most of this year. Haven't had much of a reason to try anything else.

[@raygissendanner1476]

Great information what do you think is great bfs lures

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Short answer: Anything that you have confidence in catching. Longer answer: I think a small jig like the keitch monospin, a small spinner bait, some ned rigs, some paddletail swimbaits, and some sort of topwater (popper, plopper, or buzz - take your pick) should be in everyone's lures for bass. Inline spinner, Paddle tail, and minnow lure for trout. I currently have over 700 lures - but if I just had those 5 i could catch fish most days....

[@raygissendanner1476]

@@AaronHuntFishing thank you

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Haha, all things equal, I'll take black and blue over gold trim every time.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

You and me both! :)

[@yep.fishing]

Do you think grease is usually solves the Geary feel? Then it's a balancing act between losing the Geary feeling and increasing the startup inertia.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

On good reels it has actually been BFS oil on the bearings that solves most issues. On cheaper reels that's not always the case. Sometimes these is too.much actual grease, and cleaning/ removal of the factory grease and the relubrication is needed for peak performance.

[@TheConstantAngler]

Great review. I didn’t realise you could remove magnets. Sounds a great deal. Will it throw a 2gr lure? Obviously the build quality will be great.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

2g on the right rod - like the Curado. Not much below without aftermarket spool and bearings.

[@ivanivan9507]

Hi great video. How heavy lures can SLX BFS reel throw?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I've gone to 17 grams so far....

[@ivanivan9507]

Thanks

[@danharris8046]

I have the slx bfs and the Curado bfs…. I don’t notice any difference except I have them on different Rod.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Glad I'm not the only one!

[@dimitrimerienne4284]

Bonjour j’aurais aimé savoir ce Qu’on peut utiliser comme poids, mini et maximum sur le shimano slx bfs merci

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Il devrait bien fonctionner de 2 g à 17 g.

[@MrEastside619Fishing]

Shimano Slx bfs is a great reel...compared to my scorpion bfs I preferred the Slx...how you think the old calcutta bfs vs the new?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Haven't tried the old. I hear it's a tad smoother, but the new one is a little better performer overall. eventually I'll probably get the '17 version too.

[@leepao6302]

The 2017 model is smooth and great, but the new 2023 model is tab bit smaller in size and much more refine in performance specially if when you're trying cast 1g (1/32oz) lure weight it does way better casting it; if you're curious

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@leepao6302 Appreciate the comment.

[@JumbleTronChannel]

Good info for someone who knows nothing about BFS. Do the magnets serve a similar purpose to those on the SLX DC?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

They control the spool deceleration to help prevent backlashes. So full magnets has higher braking. But typically sacrifices a bit of distance. I haven't felt the need to remove them though!

[@steveking8548]

@@AaronHuntFishing I didn't think DC reels had any magnets? At least not ones that you could see or remove?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@steveking8548 They don't. I took this as a generic question rather than specifically the removable ones.

[@xDx0xUxGx]

How well, or poorly, would this pair to a 7' 2" ML Zodias?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

ML? I think it would be great. It does well down to about 2.5 grams, and the Zodias is rated 5g to 15g if I recall in the ML. Should be awesome.

[@xDx0xUxGx]

@@AaronHuntFishing I got really lucky with the Zodias. About a week before Christmas, Tackle Warehouse had the 7'2" ML on sale for $129.99. I also received a Soloking/Doviello Acura Pro and a 6'10" ML St Croix Mojo Trigon from my Father for Christmas. Being new to the bfs world, I am definitely excited for spring 😁

[@Pond_King_Fishing]

Hey bud I love the channel. I am going to be getting the slx 21, what is the smallest weight lure you have thrown with it? I own the regular slx and the dc, love them both. Tight lines brother 🤙💪🎣🇺🇸

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Definitely 2 grams - but I haven't tested it lower because I bought it to throw swimbaits and crankbaits specifcially because of the slower gear ratio. But it's pretty much identical to the Curado, which won't go much below 2g without upgrades.

[@Pond_King_Fishing]

@AnglingwithAaron got you, I will probably go with the gear ratio up from yours. My dc is an 8.2, and my regular slx is a 6.3, so I will most likely be getting this reel at 7.2. Who knows If I like it enough I might get a couple. Thank you for your insight Aaron, tight lines🤙

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@Pond_King_Fishing Enjoy. Sounds like a good plan.

[@annisafifah7488]

Is this good for saltwater fishing?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Yep -Saltwater rated.

[@chadlake3590]

What rod is shown in the thumbnail?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

That's a Kistler Helium. Medium. TThatt was the rod thatt started my journey with Kistler. kistlerrods.com/products/helium-fishing-rod?variant=29630927175728&sca_ref=3753479.fd5ArXuiud

[@chadlake3590]

@@AaronHuntFishing I looked it up and the new Helium is black graphite while the one in the thumbnail looks like fiberglass.??

[@Dariuslynel]

Think Scorpion is Japanese equivalent of the Curado.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Agree. All three of these reels are pretty much the same...

[@Brrr559]

So this reel or the 16’ aldeberan bfs?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Over the 16? Probably the SLX in my opinion. Unless you're getting a very nice copy of a 7 year old reel... because the 16 was more of a true bass BFS like the SLX - where the new 22 Alde is optimized for lighter weight casting (but I still throw Whopper Ploppers on it just fine). So they're kind of 2 different reels.

[@Brrr559]

@@AaronHuntFishing Thanks! I shall do more research. I appreciate your feedback 🙂

[@andersonbravo1842]

un espectacular carrete

[@AaronHuntFishing]

¡sí, lo es! Gracias por el comentario.

[@andersonbravo1842]

@@AaronHuntFishing me gusta mucho algún día tendré uno esq un amigo lo tiene y el me lo presta pero voy ah tener uno propio

[@davidcloyd1296]

Dude, you never showed the reel!!! Set it down and do a close up of it so I can SEE it.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I'll try to do better....

[@Dlust88]

10 mins and 0 casts

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Guess so - and apparently many people appreciate just the perspective. Plenty of my other vids with me fishing it. Thanks for watching.