Some really nice combo's and a lot of choice, i am myself starting to build up a few combo's after watching your channel for advice reels mainly only because their are available here in the UK were as the rods are harder to find, I have got the Dark Wolf Ultra and the Shimano SLX BFS and the Aldebaran BFS XG as you know it will not stop at that i have my eye on one or two more reels, Great channel full of very good advice.
To think it wasn't that long ago when you first showed interest in BFS , using YLT tank and Micro Monster all new, everything was an adventure etc, to this ,high end top of the range, selling rods . You've come a long way from humble beginnings.
I gotta say my Hunt BFS first. But I've been using a new budget Kistler that works for the Power BFS - the Kyrios. It's not in this video but it overtakles the Handing rods for my favorite budget performer: www.aaronhunt.net/recommends/kistler-kyrios/
If I wanted to buy one reel with the intention of buying multiple rods with different actions so I can swap between ultra light and power finesse, which reel would be the most versatile that could do it all?
For me it would be the Shimano Aldebaran. If you need true sub-1gram performance, upgrade the bearings, and maybe add a spool. But it handles the upper end better than any other reel that can do the stupid-light baits.
Thanks for the reviews of many bfs reels and rods. I am fairly new to the fishing community and don’t have the bfs set up yet. During my last trip, I saw a bunch of smaller LGM and rainbow and although I am mainly hunting for a lunker, I do want a do-it-all bfs set up to catch some smaller ones, so I am catching, at least, something and avoiding being skunked loool what would you recommend? I don’t want to spend too much (under probably $200 for both rod and reel) until I try it out and want one piece rod. I checked out your video the best bfs set up under $80, but everything seemed to be 2 pieces.
A large percentage of the less expensive rods are made in china and are 2 piece rods because the shipping from China is so high on longer items. Honestly, even domestically the shipping is getting expensive on 1-piece rods. I can't think of any 1-piece BFS you could buy off the top of my head and still have money left in your budget for a reel.
Haha and I felt bad ordering two more reels next to my Tatula 80, just because I found a bit annoying swapping reels and spools in between three rods. 😅 Okay maybe using light lures justify the move as well but thanks for putting this out there. 😁
Not really in their market. Maybe eventually... the 7' models sell the best. 6' pretty low in comparison... not really any demand signals for shorter. Custom builds are available, but same thing - pretty much zero short rods are ordered.
@@AaronHuntFishing Oh Wow Japanese style Bfs stream fishing is getting popular in the US I thought maybe I could get an American made Rod,Oh well I guess I'll stick to JDM.Thanks for the content!
@@philliplawson2932 It's definitely getting more popular, but it's somewhat in a JDM/CDm focus for smaller rods. Plus, Kistler has very small amount of eyes on them for trout fishing. a Couple of us are slowing building that segment, but like I said - just no demand yet to justify stocking a short rod.
Mavllos Plume, Delicacy, or Ace Hawk CU Double with the Doviello Accura. Make sure it's the Pro version with the short spool shaft and the better bearings, which I think they either call sealed or saltwater bearings. You can spend more, but those will get the job done. Oh - Obsession Trout Sensation would also be a good rod.
The Daiwa tripleB666 telescopic rod I have paired to an Aldebaran 22 and 1 to conquest 23 and I throw rooster tails to the 5inch nessie on it no problem fits in a bookbag and I have tested it against a 9 pound channel catfish
Recently broke my benkei UL bfs and I just can’t find a rod I like as much as it 😅 ended up replacing it with a Levante and I want my benkei back lol. Was looking into kistler but they’re out of stocckkk
Yeah - the Kistler's are hand-made, but even when they're out of stock they usually ship within a week or so. But, if you love the Benkei, you may not like the Kistler. Totally different rods. The Benkei was one of my least favorite rods.
My issue with so many of the American rods is that they’re building and designing them like it’s 2002. I don’t want cork, I don’t even want eva anymore, I want the style of the mavllos plume and histar archangel, I want something to hold the reel on the rod and that’s all. It’s not about comfort. To me it’s like why pay 4x the price for an outdated heavy American rod that’s built for bass fishing or “power bfs” as you call it. That just isn’t what this kind of fishing is to me, and it’s sad because it’s getting hard to find English speaking content that is true bfs these days.
I designed 3 models, the lightest can throw 0.5 grams. My goal was to create a series of rods that perform well across the entire BFS range. As far as the traditional design, that is what sells best and what the majority want.
I agree with you. US companies need to introduce more materials. It’s sad that Chinese rods get my attention these days. I know cork sales, but if better materials enter the market people will start buying them. I have a few US bfs rods and they cost 3 to 4 time the AliExpress rods.
Why don't you work with Kistler to come out with a more budget friendly BFS rod? Right now they are WAY out of my price bracket. Back on the subject, great video as always, Aaron!
Love my Gekkabijin and Hunt 3x. I've switched all my rods over to Kistler. Yes they're not cheap but I love the quality and feel and have no problem paying up to support a smaller US company. BTW, REAL people answer the phone when you call.
That's why i called it setups and combos instead of Rods... Haven't found much i enjoy fishing with more than the Kistlers these days. And honestly, if you had your own signature line of rods, wouldn't you use them? Still haven't settled on 1 or 2 reels that i would use all the time though.
Some really nice combo's and a lot of choice, i am myself starting to build up a few combo's after watching your channel for advice reels mainly only because their are available here in the UK were as the rods are harder to find, I have got the Dark Wolf Ultra and the Shimano SLX BFS and the Aldebaran BFS XG as you know it will not stop at that i have my eye on one or two more reels, Great channel full of very good advice.
Thanks - enjoy the new combos and thanks for watching and commenting!
To think it wasn't that long ago when you first showed interest in BFS , using YLT tank and Micro Monster all new, everything was an adventure etc, to this ,high end top of the range, selling rods .
You've come a long way from humble beginnings.
Kind of crazy, right?
Great info love bfs fishing
Same here - it's all i do. Gearing up for some fun and informative videos for fall. What's your favorite combo?
Great setups!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for watching! Appreciate the comment.
Any rod in particular you’d recommend for fishing smallmouth and spotted bass on smaller rivers and creeks?
I gotta say my Hunt BFS first. But I've been using a new budget Kistler that works for the Power BFS - the Kyrios. It's not in this video but it overtakles the Handing rods for my favorite budget performer: www.aaronhunt.net/recommends/kistler-kyrios/
If I wanted to buy one reel with the intention of buying multiple rods with different actions so I can swap between ultra light and power finesse, which reel would be the most versatile that could do it all?
For me it would be the Shimano Aldebaran. If you need true sub-1gram performance, upgrade the bearings, and maybe add a spool. But it handles the upper end better than any other reel that can do the stupid-light baits.
Thanks for the reviews of many bfs reels and rods. I am fairly new to the fishing community and don’t have the bfs set up yet. During my last trip, I saw a bunch of smaller LGM and rainbow and although I am mainly hunting for a lunker, I do want a do-it-all bfs set up to catch some smaller ones, so I am catching, at least, something and avoiding being skunked loool what would you recommend? I don’t want to spend too much (under probably $200 for both rod and reel) until I try it out and want one piece rod. I checked out your video the best bfs set up under $80, but everything seemed to be 2 pieces.
A large percentage of the less expensive rods are made in china and are 2 piece rods because the shipping from China is so high on longer items. Honestly, even domestically the shipping is getting expensive on 1-piece rods. I can't think of any 1-piece BFS you could buy off the top of my head and still have money left in your budget for a reel.
@@AaronHuntFishing thanks for the response man. Ignoring the $200 budget, what one piece rod would you recommend based on your experience?
I love my Plume, it’s amazing for the price.
Great rod for light applications for sure.
Haha and I felt bad ordering two more reels next to my Tatula 80, just because I found a bit annoying swapping reels and spools in between three rods. 😅 Okay maybe using light lures justify the move as well but thanks for putting this out there. 😁
Feel free to use my rationalization of somewhat irrational buying!
Some awesome setups in there man!
Thank you Chase!
Love the video I wish Kistler had a 4.8 to 5ft Rod
Not really in their market. Maybe eventually... the 7' models sell the best. 6' pretty low in comparison... not really any demand signals for shorter. Custom builds are available, but same thing - pretty much zero short rods are ordered.
@@AaronHuntFishing Oh Wow Japanese style Bfs stream fishing is getting popular in the US I thought maybe I could get an American made Rod,Oh well I guess I'll stick to JDM.Thanks for the content!
@@philliplawson2932 It's definitely getting more popular, but it's somewhat in a JDM/CDm focus for smaller rods. Plus, Kistler has very small amount of eyes on them for trout fishing. a Couple of us are slowing building that segment, but like I said - just no demand yet to justify stocking a short rod.
What reel/rod combos would you recommend for just panfish only? Casting 1/32-1/8 baits. (Bluegill, shellcracker, bluegill etc.) Thanks in advance
Mavllos Plume, Delicacy, or Ace Hawk CU Double with the Doviello Accura. Make sure it's the Pro version with the short spool shaft and the better bearings, which I think they either call sealed or saltwater bearings. You can spend more, but those will get the job done. Oh - Obsession Trout Sensation would also be a good rod.
@@AaronHuntFishingThank you sir. Big help!!!
i feel ya'll ... me too ... me too ...😂 i have many collection gears myself; it's a real obsession
We could be spending 💰 on worse things!
@@AaronHuntFishing 😂😂😂
I love my Scorpion BFS 17 for inshore , saltwater for fluke and cocktail blues.
I've heard it's a great reel, very similar to the Curado and SLX as I understand. Appreciate the comment.
The Daiwa tripleB666 telescopic rod I have paired to an Aldebaran 22 and 1 to conquest 23 and I throw rooster tails to the 5inch nessie on it no problem fits in a bookbag and I have tested it against a 9 pound channel catfish
Cool, sound like a nice combo.
Recently broke my benkei UL bfs and I just can’t find a rod I like as much as it 😅 ended up replacing it with a Levante and I want my benkei back lol. Was looking into kistler but they’re out of stocckkk
Yeah - the Kistler's are hand-made, but even when they're out of stock they usually ship within a week or so. But, if you love the Benkei, you may not like the Kistler. Totally different rods. The Benkei was one of my least favorite rods.
@@AaronHuntFishingcould ya go more in depth to why you disliked it so?
@@DangJon96 It was too stiff more my liking, and kind of dead feeling. Just never connected with it.
My issue with so many of the American rods is that they’re building and designing them like it’s 2002. I don’t want cork, I don’t even want eva anymore, I want the style of the mavllos plume and histar archangel, I want something to hold the reel on the rod and that’s all. It’s not about comfort. To me it’s like why pay 4x the price for an outdated heavy American rod that’s built for bass fishing or “power bfs” as you call it. That just isn’t what this kind of fishing is to me, and it’s sad because it’s getting hard to find English speaking content that is true bfs these days.
I designed 3 models, the lightest can throw 0.5 grams. My goal was to create a series of rods that perform well across the entire BFS range. As far as the traditional design, that is what sells best and what the majority want.
I really like cork 😂
I agree with you. US companies need to introduce more materials. It’s sad that Chinese rods get my attention these days. I know cork sales, but if better materials enter the market people will start buying them. I have a few US bfs rods and they cost 3 to 4 time the AliExpress rods.
Full cork handle is all I want
@@brandonross1555 Agreed, love my Dobyns rods.
Have you ever tested the Daiwa Presso air ags 61lb?
Not yet! I've looked at the Presso rods a few times, just haven't pulled the trigger.
Why don't you work with Kistler to come out with a more budget friendly BFS rod? Right now they are WAY out of my price bracket. Back on the subject, great video as always, Aaron!
Hey, Kistler did recently launch the Kyrios line, so who knows what might be possible in the future. Appreciate the comment.
Love my Gekkabijin and Hunt 3x. I've switched all my rods over to Kistler. Yes they're not cheap but I love the quality and feel and have no problem paying up to support a smaller US company. BTW, REAL people answer the phone when you call.
Yes they do, and typically one of 2 people reply to email if it's not Trey Kistler himself! Glad you're enjoying the rods.
I think Handing have done a terrible thing wirh their pricing, I bet their sales have plummeted since they jacked up all the prices.
Yeah, not sure what their strategy is, but we'll have to watch and see.
Love my Kistler Hunt with alphas air tw. Worth every penny.
Appreciate the support and glad you're enjoying the Hunt BFS rod.
Not really a top 15 for rods is it just a kistler advert nice selection of reels though
That's why i called it setups and combos instead of Rods... Haven't found much i enjoy fishing with more than the Kistlers these days. And honestly, if you had your own signature line of rods, wouldn't you use them? Still haven't settled on 1 or 2 reels that i would use all the time though.
You want to get rid of Abu Garcia lmk Im all in.
I'll keep it in mind!