It casts light lures, it catches beautiful fish. I’d say it’s worth every penny! Neat offering from Shimano for sure. After one spends any time fishing, they quickly see you get what you pay for w/ gear
I have both and the 23' is just as smooth and casts longer and more predictable. Even though the weight is close, the 23' feels so much more comfortable to fish. If I had to pick one, it would be the 23' and it's not even close.
I've honked that tunnel many times. Try in mid-late winter; my nephew tells me trout stack up there, and much less traffic. Myself, I never fished it, cause I heard there are no Smallies. Is that your experience?
You gotta know by know I'm going to say the Hunt BFS from Kistler. I fish flies with the 4X model, which can go lighter than the stock CQ BFS. the 3X probably pairs a little better, but you'll bottom out at around 1.5 grams of effectiveness. mysig.io/61aQn1DOz2xN
@@AaronHuntFishing Well I just finished ordering from Kistler Hunt BFS, got the 4X model 6'... They were out of stock and when I hit the notify me when in stock button I received an e-mail that they were in stock. Thanks for your recommendations, I just couldn't put a $300 reel on a budget rod and feel good about it. If I like it I'm going to set my wife up with the same setup. Thanks again. PS. I'm going to get a Aldebaron just as soon as I can find a descent price on an XG Right hand. Probably put it on a Kistler rod also if I like the Conquest BFS setup.
Hello, I got my Conquest BFS 23 this week. I am wondering what pound test you are using on your Conquest BFS 23 and if you are using braid or mono or flouro. I spooled 10lb, 2 lb diameter mono Power Pro Superslick 8. I'm not sure if this is the perfect line for this reel. It seems the line "jumps" when casting at times. I am thinking of jumping to 15lb braid that is 4lb diameter mono. Would going up to 15lb braid be okay to use on the Conquest BFS?
Probably but seems overkill for BFS - even the 10lb mono does. I'm running 8# braid - Daiwa J-Braid grand on mine currently. Never used over 10# braid on BFS, and even that is rare. And PLEASE don't use the Power Pro braid - it's about the worst stuff I've ever tried for BFS.
Hey Aaron I have a tsu dragon 2 UL rod at 6 ft. How low does the Calcutta in stocked mod cast? I would love to be able to cast 1/32-1/4 mostly. 1/64 oz jig would be the extreme situation.
I haven;t pushed it super low - 1.5g would be easy. The issue is I find it hard to pick out backlashes. So for super light stuff, I'd probably do the Gekka or the Alde. I am working on a video to test the light-weight casting of several reels head to head. This will be included.
Thanks. SS air is probably going to wait until fall - the summer schedule is pretty packed. Check out @johnsfishingjourneys - I know he's getting the SS Air and also has and fioshes with the Aldebaran.
I could never justify a 400USD reel because I have so many different species to target that I would rather use that on say a reel for casting at offshore species where you can't really cheapen out. Great vid though Aaron
I used to think that as well... but I get your perspective. Saltwater fish are a different type of pursuit. But that might change as your channel grows - it might make sense! keep up the great content.
It casts light lures, it catches beautiful fish. I’d say it’s worth every penny! Neat offering from Shimano for sure.
After one spends any time fishing, they quickly see you get what you pay for w/ gear
Completely agree. If you can afford it, it's worth it. I like it more than i thought i would!
It’s scary how smooth and silent it is… I dozed off while fishing and snapped back to reality and asked myself is this real life?
Funny - I did kinda forget I was fishing a new reel part way through - it's just that good...
That seems like a "lifetime" reel. If you take care of it, you will never need to replace it. Of course you'll need additional reels though, hahaha!
I agree - this is a legacy type reel. One of the first reels I've ever thought "I can't imagine ever wantign to sell this thing."
I owned the previous gen (2017 model) and this new 2023 as well and love them both
At this point, I could see me really wanting to get the 2017 version as well!
Fantastic reel, put on some monster trout on it over the holiday weekend and had a blast.
Agree - pretty impressive!
Debating if I should buy this. I have the 17 conquest bfs and it works just fine for me...
People go back and forth on whether the 17 or the 23 is better, so if you're happy, stick with the 17.
I have both and the 23' is just as smooth and casts longer and more predictable. Even though the weight is close, the 23' feels so much more comfortable to fish. If I had to pick one, it would be the 23' and it's not even close.
I've honked that tunnel many times. Try in mid-late winter; my nephew tells me trout stack up there, and much less traffic. Myself, I never fished it, cause I heard there are no Smallies. Is that your experience?
Yep - Haven't seen a bass or a bluegill. Just trout and chubs... was kinda surprised to catch what looked like a wild brookie...
I just ordered a CC BFS and am trying to match it with the best rod for super ultralight fishing... too many choices!!!
You gotta know by know I'm going to say the Hunt BFS from Kistler. I fish flies with the 4X model, which can go lighter than the stock CQ BFS. the 3X probably pairs a little better, but you'll bottom out at around 1.5 grams of effectiveness. mysig.io/61aQn1DOz2xN
@@AaronHuntFishing Well I just finished ordering from Kistler Hunt BFS, got the 4X model 6'... They were out of stock and when I hit the notify me when in stock button I received an e-mail that they were in stock. Thanks for your recommendations, I just couldn't put a $300 reel on a budget rod and feel good about it. If I like it I'm going to set my wife up with the same setup. Thanks again.
PS. I'm going to get a Aldebaron just as soon as I can find a descent price on an XG Right hand. Probably put it on a Kistler rod also if I like the Conquest BFS setup.
@@Kenny-vv2km Good timing! Enjoy, and appreciate the support.
Hello,
I got my Conquest BFS 23 this week.
I am wondering what pound test you are using on your Conquest BFS 23 and if you are using braid or mono or flouro.
I spooled 10lb, 2 lb diameter mono Power Pro Superslick 8. I'm not sure if this is the perfect line for this reel. It seems the line "jumps" when casting at times. I am thinking of jumping to 15lb braid that is 4lb diameter mono. Would going up to 15lb braid be okay to use on the Conquest BFS?
Probably but seems overkill for BFS - even the 10lb mono does. I'm running 8# braid - Daiwa J-Braid grand on mine currently. Never used over 10# braid on BFS, and even that is rare. And PLEASE don't use the Power Pro braid - it's about the worst stuff I've ever tried for BFS.
Hey Aaron I have a tsu dragon 2 UL rod at 6 ft. How low does the Calcutta in stocked mod cast? I would love to be able to cast 1/32-1/4 mostly. 1/64 oz jig would be the extreme situation.
I haven;t pushed it super low - 1.5g would be easy. The issue is I find it hard to pick out backlashes. So for super light stuff, I'd probably do the Gekka or the Alde. I am working on a video to test the light-weight casting of several reels head to head. This will be included.
Hey! I have the same rod as you and i was curious if you can accurately trow a 2 grams lure with the new Shimano Calcutta 23?
On that Yamaga, for sure.
That reel the beast and beauty 🔥🔥🔥👍👍
Thanks - it's a beauty, so i must be the beast! :P JK - appreciate the comment.
@@AaronHuntFishing I just realized what I'm saying 😅😅, I mean both for the reel😅
@@BoyPFishing I was just having fun - appreciate your support!
Nice video as always. I heard some good thins about Daiwa SS Air, Would you review it and compare it with Aldebaran if possible?
Thanks. SS air is probably going to wait until fall - the summer schedule is pretty packed. Check out @johnsfishingjourneys - I know he's getting the SS Air and also has and fioshes with the Aldebaran.
@@AaronHuntFishing Thanks!
beautiful places , great video 😉
Thanks - it's a great stream not far outside the city.
I could never justify a 400USD reel because I have so many different species to target that I would rather use that on say a reel for casting at offshore species where you can't really cheapen out. Great vid though Aaron
I used to think that as well... but I get your perspective. Saltwater fish are a different type of pursuit. But that might change as your channel grows - it might make sense! keep up the great content.
Nice watch.
Thanks. Appreciate you taking the tiome to comment.
I am intrigued by the rod?
Decent rod, for sure. Yamaga BlueCurrent III. 53B model. Was great for trout, but felt a little under-powered for my tatstes when it came to bass.
In Italia costa 500 euro, hai fatto un affare.
Sì, ma ogni giorno fai un affare su ottimo vino e caffè.
I have ALL the bfs reels and this is 1000% better and Million x worth the money.
Agree. Haven't found anything that compares.