Bait Finesse! Have you tried it yet? Nothing will turn a tough day on the water around faster than a BFS setup and some micro baits. A day full of tiny fish that would normally be a “tough day” is suddenly a blast! Its hard to explain just how fun this method of finesse fishing is until you try it for yourself, but if you’re ready to change your fishing for the better, its time to try Bait Finesse!
Bait finesse isn’t new. Its been around in Japan for decades and has slowly trickled into the US over the past 10 years. However, the arrival of the Curado BFS reel last year kicked the Bait Finesse movement into high gear. If you primarily catch smaller bass, fish small bodies of water, or your fish are heavily pressured, turning to BFS can completely change your fishing for the better!
While there are very few “BFS Baits” there are a lot of awesome finesse baits that work well for Bait Finesse Fishing. Below you’ll find links to our favorite rods and reels for the technique, along with many of our favorite baits by category. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*BFS REELS…*
•Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2
•Kast King Zephyr: https://bit.ly/3cy03ij
*THE RODS BY TECHNIQUE…*
Micro Flipping– Shimano Expride 7’2″ Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Micro Topwater/Spy Bait– Megabass P5 Z Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
Small Crankbaits– G Loomis IMX Pro 7’2″ MH Deep Flex: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK
Micro Crankbaits– Shimano Curado 6’10” Light Glass: https://bit.ly/2gUWTft
Micro Swimbaits– Dobyns Sierra 7′ 0 Power (700): https://bit.ly/3C4PWgc
Ultra Sensitivity– G Loomis Conquest 782C MBR: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY
Micro Finesse– Daiwa Steen AGS 6’8″ Light: https://bit.ly/3RhFit1
*LINES…*
Fluorocarbon– Sunline Super FC (7 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Braid– Power Pro Spectra (8 lb): http://bit.ly/2aFg46b
Braid– Sufix 131 (6 lb): https://bit.ly/314VoyF
*SMALL CRANKBAITS…*
•Rapala Ultralight Crank: https://bit.ly/3qSt14V
Colors: Chrome, Shad
•Shimano Macbeth 39 Tiny: https://bit.ly/3xTsnG0
Colors: Clear Green Craw, Ghost Shad, Sleeper Shad
•Megabass Z-1 Crank: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB
Colors: Kasumi Ito, Wild Craw, Mat Craw 2
*SMALL TOPWATER…*
•Owner Cultiva Zip N Ziggy: https://bit.ly/3BTMLuh
Colors: Natural Minnow, Shiner, Brown Trout
•Whopper Plopper 60: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV
Colors: Phantom Shad, Monkey Butt, Bone
•Rapala Ultralight Popper: https://bit.ly/3FzvsNP
Colors: Chrome, Clown, Yellow Perch
*MICRO FINESSE SOFT PLASTICS…*
•Zman Micro Finesse TRD: https://bit.ly/3d8bmBm
Colors: Coppertreuse, Green Pumpkin, The Deal
•Zman Micro Finesse TicklerZ: https://bit.ly/3BIABob
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Hot Snakes
*NED HEADS…*
Micro– Z Man Micro Finesse Shroomz (1/15th): https://bit.ly/3QDdlw7
Lead– Z Man OG (1/32 – 1/16th): https://bit.ly/3nyFyZc
*MICRO TEXAS RIG SOFT PLASTICS…*
•Savage Gear Ned Salamander: https://bit.ly/3rSNi8g
Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple Copper, Mojito
•Zman TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE
Colors: Sprayed Grass, Green Pumpkin, Canada Craw
*MICRO TEXAS RIGGING…*
Weight– Swagger Tungsten Vader 1/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2NjDYtV
Heavy Wire Hook– Owner Rig-N-Hook Size 1/0: http://bit.ly/2BnniXN
Light Wire Hook– Owner J-Light Size 1/0: https://bit.ly/3HDg0SH
*MICRO SWIMBAIT…*
•Keitech 2.8″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Colors: Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad
•Megabass 3″ Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4
Color: Real, Albino
Head– Dirty Jigs Guppy (1/8 with 1/0): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS
*TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)*
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY… *
Trolling Motor– Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics– Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors– Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Camera– GoPro Hero 9: http://bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3U9y4cl
Favorite Net: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#baitfinesse #bfs #finessefishing
I love my curado bfs i just wish i could find one in a lower gear ratio it's hard for me to reel a small swimbait slow enough with an 8.2.1
BFS is a blast, I've been doing it about a year. KastKing Zephyr on an 8' Goture ultralight rod. (It's stupid hard to find ultralight casting rods that aren't crazy expensive, this is the best I found after a long time of looking for cheaper options.)
I'll say that I don't much care for braid on it. It does cast great, but I found that on those shallow spools, such thin braid likes to cut in on itself. Then you go to cast, the lure isn't heavy enough to pull the line out of that catch, and bad things happen. I went back to mono, I use Trout Magnet S.O.S. 6lb, and no more problems.
Do you have a recommendation for a rod in the $100 range?
11:20 I can throw this with my Daiwa Tatula no problem 🙂
Matt, Which one is the ZERO power Dobyns rod?
You left out the Lucky Craft LC .3 & .5 Crankbait
This will be great for walleye too.
Pretty fun switching to spoons during the winter finesse doldrums as well.
I agree 100%…
I put the tatula 80 on my expride bfs rod and throw the green pumpkin big dead ringer
Champs! 🏆
I have a 8-15 lbs medium casting rod sitting in the closet because it didn't know what reel to pair it with. and i never thought of using a baitcaster for small z-man trd crawlz or a 2.75 paddle tail swim bait. This video has shown me the light! Thank you!
Great stuff, Tim. I still haven't tipped my toes in the BFS pool, but it's coming!
I dove into BFS about 3 years ago and having an incredible time fishing on my pressured lakes in Cali. I must be doing something wrong because I can't outcast my spinning gear with high-end BFS reels, but I love that BFS allows me to power fish with faster reel gear ratios, faster casting to cover more water, and no sacrifices for fun.
Well its all about the reel. Shimano and Daiwa have reels in the 100 serie, they are not cheap but they are made for finesse fishing. A shimano curado 150 and a 13 fishing ML with thin braid on cast like an demon:)
Definitely a ton of fun, but I can still cast a little paddle tail further on my NRX 901 or Megabass Flyssa using 8lb braid and a Daiwa Certate. Mainly because I keep spoiling myself on my casts with my Scorpion BFS.
BFS has made fishing small ponds and wading creeks significantly more enjoyable. And catching a 3lb bass on bfs is a completely different experience from a spinning rod or a heavier baitcaster
What spy bait is he showing?
Hey Matt and Tim, I recently replaced almost all of my hooks/ split rings on my vision 110s and the 110 jrs with the hooks and split rings that you have recommended in your videos, and after fishing with them I have noticed that they now sink, I was wondering if you have any tips to help them suspend better
Thank you guys,
Went to the East Tn Fishing Show on the last day they are in town and bought a 7’2”concept MH Expride B rod to pair w my Curado 201xg. Totally got it bc you you guys recommend it. $214 out the door. Totally stoked.
Best multipurpose BFS rod?
Hey Tim – Great content and very informative. Question: Which reel do you recommend for mico-cranking? Looks like the Curado is only available in the 8.2:1.
Getting into the BFS has been the best thing I’ve done in a long time! I have a place on Lake Martin in Alabama, and those 1-3 lb spotted bass make up the majority of our catches. There is nothing like hooking up with a 2lb Spot on 6lb test will make your day! Until people try it, it’s hard to convey the feeling to them accurately.
Are you running short leaders on the braid to flouro? I have trouble getting the FG knot through the micro guides without backlash.
Is the kastking zephyr as good Curado bfs you guys should look up cousin brothers here’s the link enjoy https://youtube.com/@cousinbrothers8743
If you had to choose only one do-everything rod, which rod would you choose?
I’ve noticed anyone that’s not sponsored by googan doesn’t recommend any of their products. But they do have a small selection of micro cranks, are they worth adding to my bfs collection?
Just got my first BFS set up and got the dobyns 701 i think and kast king reel. Used it for crappie fishing on KY lake and had a blast smiling ear to ear. It felt like bass fishing using the bait casting reel but catching crappie! I was using 7lbs sniper and a 3/32 oz jig head with crappie 2" plastic baits. So much fun!! Can't wait to catch a big bass on the set up.