Should a Beginner Buy the Daiwa Alphas Air TW 2020 BFS reel? A Long Term Review

It's the first Bait FInesse Reel I bought. First one I ever casted. It gave me a taste of what has become my favorite way to fish. And man does it look sharp!
The real question is: how does it compare to the other reels I've purchased in the months after I got that first taste? And would I recommend it to others as a good place to start?
0:00 Intro
0:19 The Good
1:46 The Bad
3:35 The Ugly?
5:37 Other Factors
8:50 Good Brands
9:15 Honest Opinion
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**My gear: LINKS and Favorite Sources BELOW!!!
Some of my links are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission each time someone buys using my link. It doesn't cost you any more, and it will help support the channel.
My Reels:
‘22 Shimano Aldebaran BFS: amzn.to/3CCEdaZ
Daiwa Gekkabijin PE Special: amzn.to/3ivl043
‘22 Daiwa Silver Creek TW Custom: amzn.to/3ZB9ogG
Tsurinoya Dark Wolf Ultra: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_A70CYL
Shimano Curado BFS: amzn.to/3CzZim4
Tsurinoya Genius: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBL...
Kingdom Micro Monster: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdN...
Kastking Valiant Eagle II: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBJ...
Magnets for Dark Wolf Ultra Upgrade: ebay.us/RVsHKZ
My Rods:
Shimano Expride BFS (eBay): ebay.us/zyDxmF
Majorcraft Finetail Glass FSG-B410UL (Shimreels - eBay): ebay.us/pGNBqF
Lemoren Windshadow: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AT85GR
Obsession MojoBass: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dlf...
Obsession Trout Sensation: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDB...
AceHawk Venom: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DE6...
Mavllos Delicacy: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdZ...
Kuying Teton TTC662L: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9h8W15
Jenko Double Down BFS from Bait Finesse Empire: baitfinesseempire.com/product...
Favorite Lures:
Nikko Helgrammite: amzn.to/3OwumaV
Dynamic Lures HD Trout: amzn.to/3EJnIcL
Weedless Ned Heads: amzn.to/3MrLXig
Mule Fishing: www.mulefishing.com/
Nikko Fishing: nikko-fishing.myshopify.com/
Fishing Gear:
Waders Simms Tributary: amzn.to/3L8Id52
Dry Wading Boots: Simms Tributary: amzn.to/3k3p1tN
Wet Wading Boots: Simms Intruder (Discontinued): ebay.us/xPzJfB
Kingdom MicroFly Line: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AlP6b1
Video Gear:
Gopro Hero 8: amzn.to/3MotqTX
Insta360 X3: amzn.to/3CKELvi
Insta360 X3 Combo Kit (3 Batteries!): amzn.to/3kg4PIu
Deity V.Lav Mic for Gopro: amzn.to/3LcjcWO
gopro mic adapter: amzn.to/3vCrb8U
GoPro Cage: ebay.us/4Dt5qF
GoPro Harness (the newest version is so much better than cheaper ones!): amzn.to/3EDyvoM
Sony A7Riii: amzn.to/3k1j809
Deity D3 Pro Microphone: amzn.to/3xVub2O
Variable ND Filter: amzn.to/38dzpwb
Editing Software: Davinci Resolve (Free!): www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...
#fishingvideo #fishing #bfs

[@pauls3616]

Thanks for the video. Appreciate your honest concerns and will definitely help me with my first BFS setup. 👍

[@AaronHuntFishing]

You are welcome. I wanted to love this real, but just couldn't. I'll have reviews of the Shimano Aldebaran and Daiwa Silver Creek coming over the next few weeks if your budget extends up a little higher than the Alphas Air.

[@davehugill8565]

A true down to earth honest opinion, I am so glad i watch your channel Aaron well done mate keep uploading.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks - appreciate it. If a new Alphas Air comes out, I'll likely be giving it a try though. :)

[@jeffreylenz7314]

I never heard someone complain about this reel, the silver creek is not much different except for a different braking system and a drag clicker.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Agreed. I always heard great things about it. Just didn;t click with me. Still my least favorite BFS reel after trying another new CDM reel.

[@darrellsomsanith3713]

Nice review! I have been on the fence on daiwa stuff since its hard to tell what is actually a bfs reel. I was going to get the gekkabijin but the aldebaran just came out. Love the honesty and can't wait for the next one.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks. Some people love it - and as Hanif points out in his comment it's a great platform for modifications. I still plan on getting the Gekka sometime this year to see how it compares to the Aldebaran.

[@letufamily]

Good job👍 keep going.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thank you. Appreciate the support.

[@LilDino808]

Cool video. When you said it didn’t have a drag clicker I was like really mine does. Then I said too myself, I bought it used and the guy added a clicker lol. So my experience is a little different from yours. It was my first bfs reel but it is my least favorite bfs reel in my collection but then again I only have 2 bfs reels lol. You should try the Calcutta conquest bfs, in my opinion the bfs king and my favorite bfs reel. You have definitely found a new subscriber.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

awesome. Not loving the Aphas Air isn't cool, you know? :P The CQ BFS is on my eventual list; in fact almost picked up a used one last weekend, but bought a reel I've been putting off for a while instead - the Daiwa Gekkabijin. It should be here soon. Thanks for the comment and the sub!

[@rawrfishing]

one of my best reels to date

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Hey Jimmy. I guess that's why they make a large variety of reels! Maybe I had a bad copy, but I was just underwhelmed by the AATW. Appreciate your vids and what you're doing for BFS in general.

[@rawrfishing]

@@AaronHuntFishing that's right... That why the market is great as there are enough products that suits everyone. Don't forget that not all things out of the box suits everyone tho. The bfs community is huge at modifying reels. I also hated the alde bfs 22.. But love the ccbfs23... Did I also get a bad reel? Who knows!

[@captainrylenaviation29]

I pass that reel just because of the drag clicker. I did bough the genkabijin instead. The genkabijin is much more easy to use than my aldebaran 16 modiefied with avail pool and bearings. That is my experience anyway. I also just got the dark wolf ultra. I have not put alot of time yet on that reel as im using alot of genkabijin.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

completely underdstand. The Gekka will end up in my rotation at some point this year - probably not till fall now though. Enjoy the DWU - although I suspect the Gekkabijin will continue to get most of your time!

[@TailDancer_55]

Great review, too bad you didn't like it, it's a simple fix to add a clicker, clean the bearings and change the handle to the reel. I have it and use it on the streams I fish on. I agree the aldebaran is smoother but takes a bit to dial in. The dwu is the easiest reel to dial in after adding the magnets. Hang in there, bfs is here to stay.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Oh, I absolutelty love BFS. This reel is just one item that hasn't really connected with me. I think i mentioned ot you at one point how I wasn't sure about the Alde, but once I got it figured out I'm impressed! Just never got there with the AATW. But that's what's great about BFS and fishing in general - there's equipment and lures to fit every personality and style! Appreciate the support!

[@captainrylenaviation29]

I been meaning to ask as i might get another bfs reel. Do you prefer Aldebaran 22 or the daiwa silver creek?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Probably the Aldebaran. That review is coming in a week or two. I just think the Aldebaran is better all-around. Silver creek is a little more user friendly in the beginning, and maybe better for tight streams.

[@jbassc81]

If your selling it i would love to take it off your hands 😊 let me know please

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Sorry man - already gone. It was sold before the video came out I think!