Testing Tsurinoya Spirit Fox BFS Reel with Ceramic Hybrid Bearings

[@firsttimecastingadventures]

That’s a nice baitcaster really makes a difference

[@rawrfishing]

Indeed it does! Throws some light lures with it

[@gizmocarr3093]

The bearing on the crank side of my XF-50 measures .112X.352X.117-thousandths of an inch. Converted into millimeters equals 2.844X 8.9408X2.9718mm. I measured inside, outside and width. To remove the bearing it is best to remove the crank handle and star drag first. Then remove the tension-retaining cap. Then remove the retaining-cap clicker spring. This makes removing the bearing retainer spring easy and the bearing drops out without any problems. I cleaned and disassembled my reels before using them. I did not soak any bearing in anything, I blew them off with air pressure and added a few drops of precision reel oil to them and blew it into the bears a few times. This seemed to make them spin better. I removed the excess grease and cleaned the reel. I used the proper amount of quality reel grease, reel oil, and put them back together. After using them for a while, they seem to work even better. I might try upgrading bearing if you really think it is worth the money. Getting the correct size that fit and work correctly is not simple. Some might cost more and not work any better than the stock ones.

[@rawrfishing]

hmm those are some interesting measurements, how accurate are your calipers? i wonder if it can be rounded off to just 2.8 x 8.9 x 3. Never the less, i still don't think you need the bearings on the tension knob. at least it looks like mine doesn't even spin! I do think it's worth it as i was able to cast lighter lures out easier and more accurate. So far i have never cleaned my Spiritfox's stock bearings, but when I have done that with my XF-50, and use my own performance oils, they do spin a lot better. If you don't care running the ceramic Hybrid bearings dry, which is a bit noisy, it should likely be the highest performance you can really get. Going to test it more this week, using a shorter rod, the C472UL, since I will be using that in the creeks. Shorter rods are better so i don't snag any trees while trout fishing.

[@gizmocarr3093]

@@rawrfishing The issue with bearing is manufactures clearance standards. Some can differ from others and may work better in one reel better than in others reels. You are completely correct about bearings not engaged and not turning in your reel. The two bearing you replaced are the important ones. I just gave you what you asked for by measuring the bearing in one of my XF-50 reels. Making precise measurements has slight variations due to the device taking the measurement. The bearing may not spin because there is no spool tension applied by the spool tension knob. The bearing provider would be the best place to find the bearing they recommend. The measurements in inches converted to millimeters should be accurate enough for them to help you.

[@rawrfishing]

makes total sense, i think i'll forego it since my goal is to find a reel a bit better than the spiritfox, so i won't try to buy an odd size bearing just to have it fit. the other two bearings as we have both agreed are the more important ones. today, the spool disengaged again on the spiritfox. It spun while i was reeling in a fish and I backlashed and lost the fish. I believe i have that captured on video this time..., so i think it's about time for me to talk about it.

[@fantasticleese]

It's 3x7x3mm on the tension knob according to my digital caliper. I only found a few bearings in that size. I just flushed it and put lighter bearing oil in it. I upgraded the bearings you did and I got more distance as well.

[@rawrfishing]

Cool thanks! i see some being sold on aliexpress! but i won't be buying em as it doesn't seem like it make any difference. I would likely flush mine too given it starting to look dirty lol. Distance have been great for most lighter lures, but i am so amazed by accuracy being improved!

[@denver.bites.fishing7762]

Great video as always man!

[@rawrfishing]

Thanks man! i appreciate it! 👍👍

[@keng2495]

Great video Jimbo, thanks man. I was curious what the ceramic bearings would do for it.

[@rawrfishing]

Thx man! It does great for mostly the lighter lures. I am impressed with the brakes of this reel and it handled the faster spool. Going to test again with a shorter rod since trout season is coming and I wanna see how well this goes with my C472UL. Perhaps I will put this against my tatula, which I have another spool for!

[@ulfinesse886]

Yezzzzz I'm waiting for this 😁

[@rawrfishing]

everyone probably would love this upgrade! but will it fit everyone's casting style and lure choices? hmmm

[@XF1100PCT]

Love your videos and your type of fishing in kayak. No one does it like you for BFS and this is the way I like it! How much line do you keep on your Spirit fox reel and what strengh line and what type (braid, floro or mono) suit this reel better? Thank you for making these great videos that do inspire my type of fishing. One question also, is the TSURINOYA dextérité 1.89m 632UL a good lenght rod for bfs within a kayak casting with the spirit fox?

[@rawrfishing]

thanks man! i can't express how much fun it is to go light tackle on a kayak. I don't normally measure how much line I put in. I have been asked that many times, but i estimate approximately over half the spool with 4 lb test. I will likely buy a line counter soon to figure out exactly how much so people will get more out of my videos going forward. A sale is coming up on Aliexpress so i'll be buying something. the question is how long will it take for it to come due to that C19 virus! I often use mono because it's the most cheapest, but it also sinks the slowest, especially for pond fishing. I also use copolymer line, but that is during fishing creeks where i want the lure to sink deeper near the bottom. trout normally stay closer to the bottom when the sun is out! I prefer to have 1.8M minimum when kayak fishing. I want to be able to point the rod over the front of my kayak if a fish goes to the other side. a short rod will make it too difficult. a super long rod will also make it difficult to paddle under trees. gotta be careful as these lighter rods are more fragile than the thicker ones!

[@XF1100PCT]

Thank you so much for your advices and looking forward to watch your new videos.

[@rawrfishing]

no problem man! new one dropping tomorrow :)

[@zaffuharaa889]

whats the actual real world drag power for this reel? on whitepaper it says 4kg...

[@rawrfishing]

i don't trust that! that thing slips under good pressure

[@Fearthelettuce]

Any idea what size bearings needed for GH100?

[@rawrfishing]

I will find out soon. So stay tuned! Gonna borrow a caliper and measure my gh100 bearings and see if I can install some in

[@rakso147]

3x10x4 and 5x10x4 for gh100

[@rawrfishing]

@@rakso147 I think I have those in my Spartacus

[@rakso147]

@@rawrfishing It is possible ;) I bought hibrid ceramic bearings from Aliexpress

[@rawrfishing]

@@rakso147 I got a ton from the past from Zoty. I got them in bulk. ;)

[@alexdashevsky2180]

If you remove orange seal from ceramic bearings you going to have more distance when you cast. Ceramic bearings from AliExpress is not good. They don't work properly. Boca bearings is really good. Boca is expensive but they good.

[@rawrfishing]

I think these zoty bearings suffice. I have tested them and they are good. Yes some of the orange seals does hinder performance. I run them off. Boca are too expensive and spool hi speed is comparable and slightly cheaper

[@alexdashevsky2180]

@@rawrfishing I be honest with you Chinese bearings from AliExpress not predictable. They very adorable.

[@rawrfishing]

I have gotten mine directly from Zoty! i tested several times before deciding to buy in bulk. Sorry to hear about your experiences on Aliexpress but it is sure the truth! No name stuff are always hit or miss unfortunately.

[@alexdashevsky2180]

@@rawrfishing can you provide me a link. I wood like to purchase them.

[@rawrfishing]

I bought mine here: zotyindustrial.com/ , but what sizes do you need? i'll just sell you the two you need if I have it.

[@fabmel897]

For my expérience, I prefer using braid 0.8 mm so I can cast further :-))

[@rawrfishing]

i likely would, but i never cast test a new reel or when you change a reel's setting with braided line. you never know what may happen! Too expensive to respool, even if it's only a little at a time.

[@CrunkyOMan83]

I wana upgrade mines too but Poor man only gets one.

[@rawrfishing]

The poor man's upgrade would be to remove the bearings, clean it out from the stock oil and then put in high performance bearing oils. the stock grease slows down the bearings. the reason why these bearings work better than the stock is because they run dry. imagine you walking through water, oil or imagine you try to roll a bowling ball over peanut butter. that is what the stock grease is. But when you use very little high performing oil, like a perfectly waxed bowling lane, it is so slick it works great!

[@CrunkyOMan83]

raWr Fishing maybe I’ll clean it out one day or next winter and try to run them dry.

[@rawrfishing]

don't run them dry too long. not all stainless steel materials are created equal. it's technically an alloy, so if it's one that corrodes, then your reel will stop working LOL. I would probably find a good oil. I used to and still have Quantum Hotsauce, but seems like it's not being sold much anymore around or it is super expensive. One bottle last a long time.. perhaps there's better higher ranked ones these days that you can find.

[@CrunkyOMan83]

raWr Fishing mines lefty