BFS Fishing - A tool or a trend?
BFS may be all too familiar to those that enjoy finesse and ultralight fishing, but for many the term remains unknown. Simply put, BFS stands for Bait Finesse System, which describes of style of finesse fishing in which baitcasting equipment is utilized to fish finesse lures. In general, the lures used with BFS equipment are those more commonly fished on spinning equipment – think ultralight lures, like small plastics, crankbaits, jerkbaits and more.
BFS has long been popular in Japan, where it has it’s origins in the 1980s. In recent year, it’s popularity is rising in the United States. In fact, the BFS community is one of the fastest growing segments within the industry. Fisheries are more pressured than they’ve ever been and BFS is the answer for many anglers looking to find an edge over the competition. One of the other major appeals – it’s a great option for shore fishermen or those that like to travel.
While BFS fishing is not perfect, there are a number of benefits associated with this unique style. The primary advantages revolve around enhanced casting accuracy, line management, and control, allowing anglers to more effectively fish and present ultralight luresk. Like every fishing technique, there are some disadvantages as well. In this instance, the disadvantages lie primarily in the learning curve. Some practice and time on the water are definitely necessary to become an efficient BFS angler.
Due to it’s ultra finesse style, it’s easy to assume that anglers rely on BFS strictly for smaller species – but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In today’s world, BFS anglers are targeting everything from panfish to trout to bass and more. Anglers in both fresh- and saltwater utilize BFS, but it’s certainly more popular in freshwater environments.
Like most types of angling, gear is of a particular consideration when it comes to BFS fishing. In fact, it’s arguably more important with BFS than in many other as rods and reels are very specialized for this style of fishing. Historically speaking, the options for were limited, but as interest grows so does the number of options. Specific choices largely depend on the target species and the lures you intend to use.
In addition to rods and reels, line is an important factor to a BFS setup. Monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided lines will all work for this style of fishing, but most anglers lean towards fluorocarbon and braid. Light lines are an important piece of the puzzle, with line diameter being a key factor. Options like Eurotackle’s Micro Finesse Braid feature an ultra-thin diameter, making it a great choice for panfish, trout, and bass.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of BFS fishing is the bait options. Many of the best lure types existed long before BFS had a foothold in the US market. In fact, some of the preferred options are just the typical lures one might find in the tackle box of a panfish or trout angler. Soft plastics, crankbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, inline spinners and others are some of more commonly used. Eurotackle is one of the companies leading the charge in terms of finesse focused options. The large majority of their lineup focuses strictly on ultralight and finesse fishing, offering a litany of choices for any BFS angler. Lures, like the B-Vibe, are perfectly suited to target nearly everything that swims. Other hardbaits, like the Z-Cranker, Z-Spender, and Z-Popper are great choices for panfish, bass, and trout.
If you’re looking for something a little more unconventional, give BFS fishing a try. While there’s certainly a learning curve, it has it’s advantages over more traditional styles of angling. Invest in the proper equipment and enjoy your time on the water.
