Will I FINALLY Catch a Smallmouth on a Tube? Kistler Hunt BFS 2XUL First Trip

[@AaronHuntFishing]

These Hunt Series BFS rods really have me spoiled - and I'm often surprised by how big the fish are when I land them - they simply control the fish so well while having the softer action that is better for BFS fishing. You can get your hands on what I think is the BEST BFS rod out there here: www.aaronhunt.net/recommends/kistler-bfs/

[@brianblakney5780]

That new 2x is one hell of a rod! Caught a 3lb largemouth on a 1/15 oz ned the day I got it. Thanks for all you do in the bfs community. You have led me down the rabbit hole!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Sorry for the rabbit hole part - but for a lot of us that's just how BFS is for a lot of us. I didn't beleive it a few years ago when people said "welcome to the rabbit hole!" Lol. With these Kistler BFS rods, I have more consistently under-estimated the size of fish when I hook them than over-estimating. It's really unique how it's has that great action for casting, but then it can "man-up" so to speak when you lay into a good one!

[@dallis11]

Really nice smallie! Way to start out the year! Thanks for sharing!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@hanleysoutdoors19x]

I've been looking those since joining the Kistler team!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I stillt hink they're the best BFS rods on the market. And this 2X seems even more sensitive.

[@hanleysoutdoors19x]

@AaronHuntFishing they look it!. I picked up a kryios and I love it. One of the best rods I've ever used

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@hanleysoutdoors19x I haven't tried the new Kyrios - but great to hear the most affordable Kistler od EVER performs at that level. :)

[@hanleysoutdoors19x]

@AaronHuntFishing when I can afford it I'm going to get the higher dollar ones I've never owned anything over like 80 bucks lol so I'm excited to try those out

[@DrDitchpickle]

Very cool! That 2x looks like an awesome edition.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I'm definitely pleased with how it turned out.

[@JumbleTronChannel]

Aaron! Nice fish man! You sure know how to make that last cast count. I don't think I could ever manage the patience to be a BFS fisherman, but that style of fishing is going to produce as the spawn heats up. Excellent work my friend!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Honestly, that patience is tough for me too. When i was editing I was surprised how long each cast was taking - so I just figured I'd show the entire last cast. :P

[@insearchofperch8170]

Beautiful setting! Nice way to put a bend in the new rod! Excellent 👍🏻👍🏻 subbed 👍🏻👍🏻

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks for the sub! This is defintely one of my favorite out of the way spots on this river so far.

[@pauls3616]

What a beautiful first bass of the year. Thank you for the video.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thansk for the comment. I think I mentioned at elast 2 or 3 times how beautiful i thought it was. It almost glowed. :)

[@fishinwithish]

That was a heck of a Smallie to start the year!!! good stuff!!!👍👍

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks Ish. Not quite like some of the giants you pull out of that river. #goals.

[@fishinwithish]

​@@AaronHuntFishingthere are giants in this river for sure!

[@randomfishing5998]

Good looking first smallie of the year! And then your first smallies on a tube. That's awesome. Especially for this time of year. Great job!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks Joe. Hopefully I can get into that class of fish more consistently this year!

[@Beyond_Adventures]

Nice fish Aaron!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

First I'll answer the 7' question: We made 4 lengths in the first 2 models. the 7' model was the overwhelming best seller. The 2X model will have even more cross-over from traditional bass anglers, so that 7' model makes the msot sense. And really, there aren't that many 7' BFS rods out there. But the American companies are more likely to make them. I haven't tested the production 2X model for low weights yet, but I was able to cast down to about 1.5g at times and with certain reels, definitely 2g with the prototype. I've had zero issues with the Nikko Helgie, as long as I'm using an EWG ned that has a decent shank at the head. that way I get enough of the "head" of the Hegrammite to hold it in place. I may try it texas rigged soon. Those super short-shaft neds that have no wire length beneath the lead / tungsten head don't sut it for me. The VMC football ned has been fairly snag-proof as well (wasn't using them in this video - was trying a different product).

[@DavidBronstein1961]

Congrats on your first tube bass! Been using that bait for years on trips to the Upper Delaware. By far most productive bait I throw. (#2 is a Yamamoto Hula Grub on a football jig. 🤫)

[@AaronHuntFishing]

I got the Hula grubs too. Didn't even throw them last year. :) I'm trying a few options on keeping weight down but still minimizing snags. But so far fishing a tube is almost like my old bait fishing from the bank - you gotta wait out the niblles until they take off with it...

[@DavidBronstein1961]

@@AaronHuntFishing snags are the main downside to Tubes. I’m going to try the various rigging methods for making them more weedless, such as stupid tube jig, Texas-rigging them, etc.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

@@DavidBronstein1961 same here. the owner Phantom tube jigs seem to work really well so far for avoiding snags, and still give me some feedback on the bottom. I have some "draggin' heads incoming from Confidence baits to try out as well.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

@@AaronHuntFishing Just watched the rigging video for the Owner Phantom tube jig on TW! 🤯

[@1jimif]

I just got some of the Z-Man bulletz weedles jigs for the hellgrammites, but I have been using a #1 (not#1/0) Gamakatsu ewg and a 1/16 worm weight. I am stuck with using a weedles set up here in N.Florida. Nice job on the tube fish! I am thinking about a better rod maybe one of your signature models. I usually like a shorter rod but am thinking about trying a 7' model, my 2 lightest rods are 6 footers....FishOn...Jim

[@AaronHuntFishing]

In the first 4 models, the 7 footer was by far the most popular, so the new 2X was launched as a 7 ' model initially. It will probably be a wacky-rig rod for me from the kayak. I like it so much I'll probably get another 1 or two. Gotta see where the gaps are in my lineup this year.

[@randallmiller572]

Congratulations on your first tube fish!! I’ve been using those bitsy tubes in the New River since I was 12 probably! They work, just have to be really patient. How did the Handing Miracle do? I think I’m going to take your advice and get me one. Those Kistler Hunt rods look awesome!! Going to save my $ up and get one for Smallmouth fishing! Thank you sir!!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

The handingsd seem good, just haven't really caught any fish on them to know how they do under load. Gettign confident with tubes is a focus this year. Happy to have caught a few so far.

[@adwhite804]

Yeah my river has been strait chocomilk/cream with coffee for months. Just too much rain in consecutive days. And NW was worse. So, never get a clear lately

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Yeah - this river I'm fishing can get wild. It's a top whitewater river upstram. We got an inch of rain today. Maybe more. It won't be good for days now...

[@MdMasudRana4-j1w]

Always good to see your videos, keep it up! 🙋‍♂️ Btw, are you currently seeking video editors or a thumbnail designer to enhance viewers, retention, or CTR? If yes, May I send you a previous work sample?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks. Not currently looking, but an editor will be my first addition to the team once I get to that level of revenue...

[@shtizen4371]

Did you fish the nikko weedless any? I have been having trouble getting a solid hook set with it weedless with my bfs gear. I have tried several bfs rods Ranging from dobyns ultra finesse series, major craft to kuying rods with same results. The helgramite tends to ball up preventing a good hook set. 4 inch lizards and senkos have no problem just the Nikko Helgramite. I primarly bfs river fish and dont want to pack a medium action rod for one bait. If im going to fish exposed hook ill throw A black tube rather than a nikko as the price difference in lost baits will add up. I have been eyeing the hunt series. I would of already acquired one but my current bfs rod line up covers the kistler bfs use cases. and the price is a lil steep also. I could be persuaded if the 2x could fix my Nikko helgramite issues while still casting down to a 4 gram tube or so. Also 6'3 to a 6'6 would be better.....don't know why everyone making 7 footers all the time...lol Shorter rods are much more manageable in a river environment (especially from a Kayak) I am going to experiment with offset hooks as i have been using ewg, to see if that helps.

[@ichphan]

I'm confused with 2X...3X and 4X... it's the power of the rod?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Yes - in relation to the existing 25-year family of Kistler rods. 2X UL through 4XUL. When we created the 2X, We needed something "Lighter than the ultralight". Hence 2X. And the next 2 were even lighter, and lighter still! :P

[@phihug9147]

Hello, why do you have right crank reels and left crank reels?🙃

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Because some of the reels I want to try aren't available in left....

[@devondadude420]

Great content

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks so much.

[@rougaroux2359]

Aaron got a couple questions for ya pal. First are we going to see some kayak trips this year. And does Kistler make a rod in the bfs line that would throw a lure down to say around 1-1.5 grams? Great video pal.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

100% doing more kayak fishing this year. probably mostly in PA and WV though. Still on the Hobie from last year. And the Ksitler 4X is rated down to 0.75grams. I've thrown wooly bugger flies on it with the gekkabijin (and caught fish doing it!). www.aaronhunt.net/recommends/kistler-bfs/

[@rougaroux2359]

@@AaronHuntFishing thanks pal. And I was going to tell you in the livestream and didn’t, if you want a fishing partner when you visit down here in TN let me know. I would be happy to fish with you.

[@donniefoster7713]

What reel are you pairing with that rod?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Right now it's a prototype Kistler reel... It may end up being a production Kistler. Maybe the Aldebaran, Maybe a Daiwa SS Air, could put the CQ BFS on it but it's awesome on the 3X... but for this season the Kistler will stay put for testing.

[@DWPFishing]

45 minute hike? damn Aaron, your making me feel lazy, lol. Nice smallie. Never tried fishing with a helgamite. Have to buy some now.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

That Dark Aurora color in the spring through post spawn seems to work well on Smallies, LMB's, and even larger trout. It's a UV color, and I knwo trout see UV, but I think Smallmouth do as well. Largemouth, not enough to know for sure.

[@FishiganMilligan]

Ahh! Finally y’all get some south Texas weather up there in PA! This is an exciting time of year. Good to see you back out there enjoying the woods.

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks. We need to talk about doing a video soon. :)

[@FishiganMilligan]

@@AaronHuntFishing yes sir!

[@letufamily]

great video, great day for fishing😉 maybe you can try jerkbait for spring fishing, i know it's good😁

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Definitely. I've thrown it a bit this year, but I seem to be getting dilaed in on these tubes - at least for spring. The fish are clearly feeding on crayfish in this river. Have yet to get a bite on anything that resembles a minnow.

[@perfectleveladventurefishi619]

nice

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Thanks. Kind of surprised how big that first fish was.

[@andreimorariu2296]

Olla muy buenas, quero cojer una caña para mi, no se como hacer para que me lo mandeis a europa -españa, me podeis aiudar?

[@AaronHuntFishing]

email the team at Kistler - they can help you arrange international shipping to Spain. If that doesn't work, message me at [e-mail].

[@coastchillin]

lol its funny how you complain about other companies but clearly you have a partnership with Kistler. The most over priced fishing gear ever!!!!!

[@AaronHuntFishing]

Glad it's clear - since they put my name on the entire BFS line. And it should also be clear they don't pull the stunts that I complain about with other companies. I'm happy you get some humour out of it too. I 100% understand that premium gear isn't in everyone's budget - in fact I'm carrying a $35 rod right beside the Kistler in this video. But there is a huge difference you can feel between the two. Have an awesome day.