Originally developed in Japan, the Bait
Finesse System or BFS was a groundbreaking innovation designed specifically to
catch highly pressured freshwater largemouth bass. A BFS utilizes balanced
lightweight baitcasting rods, reels, and line to deliver small lures.
Proponents of BFS rave about its superior castability, enhanced sensitivity
when presenting baits, and better control when fighting fish. It's a distinct
system in the world of finesse fishing.
Why not use tried-and-true spinning gear in
these finesse situations? Well, that may be an option, however, Captain Ngy has
composed an excellent Bait Finesse System for touchy Spotted Sand Bass, and the
advantages stand out.
The calm shallow waters of Long
Beach Harbor’s loading docks and surrounding areas are perfect habitat for
Spotted Sand Bass and a BFS system is an excellent method for targeting Spotties.
An aerial view, captured by the author, showing the west end of San Pedro Bay / Long Beach Harbor.
I have evaluated the BFS setup, and it casts
small baits exceptionally far and accurately. It quickly detects
super-sensitive, delicate bites. When a fish does not take the bait on the
initial strike, the thumb bar on a BFS bait caster is fast and easy to activate
free spool, immediately dropping the lure back to the fish, quickly enticing a
follow-up strike.
When reeling and palming a bait caster, your
thumb is conveniently located next to the reel's thumb bar. In contrast, with a
spinning reel, the angler must remove their hand from the reel handle to properly
open and close the bail. Retrieving with a BFS is a game-changer,
your hands never move from the reel's palm position or the handle. This
not only saves time and eliminates unnecessary hand movements but also keeps
the angler in the ready position for the entire duration of the retrieve. It is
a truly empowering experience!
The BFS set-up
The Set-up
Captain Ngy’s BFS consists of a St Croix
TRIC70MLM 7’ Med-Lite Power Moderate Action SCII Carbon rod rated for 8-14 lb.
line and 1/8 – ½ oz. lures. The rod is paired with an ultra-smooth Lew’s ACB
Custom Lite SS 7.5:1 SLP reel spooled with 15 lb. Smooth Casting
High-Visibility Braid and an 11.6 lb. Defiant Fluorocarbon Shock Leader. A
Defiant 3/16 oz. 3/0 hook Underspin, Green Pumpkin pattern dressed with a
Strike King Rage Swimmer Swimbait, size 2.75” in the AYU pattern, completes the
rigging.
High Visibility Braid
A high-visibility braid is a significant tool
in an angler's arsenal. It allows for the precise detection of the lure's
position during the retrieve. This knowledge empowers anglers to align the rod
directly with the lure and adjust their body position effectively. The correct
rod placement, elimination of slack line, and body mechanics are all crucial
for a successful hook set.
The ability to quickly locate your line is of
utmost importance in all light conditions, particularly in windy and current
situations. Rapid line spotting aids in the detection of a fish taking a lure
while moving directly towards you; the line popping is often the only sign of a
strike. In these subtle situations, if you can't see your line, how would you
know a strike occurred?
The BFS reel spooled with high-visibility braided main line, a critical system component.
The Retrieve
The BFS system, with its unique ability to
make surprisingly long casts, offers a distinct advantage. After the cast, keep
the spool disengaged, allowing the lure to fall straight down. This
strategic move, if executed correctly, prevents a pendulum-swing, increasing
the time spent on the bottom away from the boat, and in the strike zone.
One of the most crucial aspects of this
technique is to maintain a vigilant watch on your line during the descent.
A tell-tale pop is an indication that a fish has taken the lure before it
reaches the bottom. This keen observation, aided by electronics or a reference
to a previous cast in the same location, will help you gauge the time it takes for your
lure to reach the bottom.
Once your lure has touched down to the
bottom, the next step is to engage the reel, gently lift the rod tip and start reeling in at a moderately slow, steady pace. This process is straightforward and easy to handle. Maintain
a horizontal rod position slightly higher than pointing directly at the lure.
During the retrieve, if you encounter cover elements such as rocks or grass,
gently lift the rod tip to allow the lure to pass over them. This lure doesn't
easily snag. Once you've cleared these elements, re-establish your horizontal
rod position.
Most strikes begin with a small but distinct
tick. Typically, the Spotted Bay Bass had not taken the lure on the initial
tick/strike. Immediately disengage the spool and drop straight down. This is when the BFS bait casting reel shines compared to spinning gear. When
the lines goes slack after contacting the bottom, engage the reel, and start
the retrieve again. Dropping back to the bass is when they find the hook.
Don't swing to set the hook; just reel into the fish.
The rod will load up, and the pressure and reaction from the fish will set the
hook. If you swing the rod or attempt a popping hook set, you'll most likely
pull the lure away from the fish. Once you're tight to the fish, keep steady
pressure, play the fish back to the boat appropriately, and enjoy!
Captain Oliver Ngy and the
author, D the Machine, enjoying exuberant Spotted Sand Bass fishing with BFS equipment.
There's a
fascinating truth in the notion that if you can feel a fish biting, then
conversely, a fish can feel you. The stealth and agility of well-balanced BFS
gear give anglers a thrilling advantage, enabling them to escape detection.
When using small, lightweight lures, finesse anglers are not bound by the
limitations of spinning tackle, adding an element of surprise to their fishing
experience.
Developed in
the challenging environment of highly pressured freshwater largemouth lakes,
the Bait Finesse System is not confined to this setting. A BFS performs
admirably in saltwater applications, demonstrating its versatility. Like all
techniques and their associated equipment, the Bait Finesse System's potential
is limited only by your imagination. Whether you're up against pressured,
finicky fish or looking to add a new level of excitement to catch a relatively
small game fish, the Bait Finesse System promises to add exhilarating enjoyment
to your next fishing adventure.
Book You Charter
Reach out to
Captain Oliver Ngy of Big Bass Dreams and schedule your custom saltwater and
freshwater fishing adventure for you and your fishing buddies. Oliver@BigBassDreams.com
You can find several varied and exciting
Big Bass Dreams angling quests throughout the pages of DStewartFishing.com
Authors
Note: The equipment listed in this article is available at Tackle Warehouse https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/.
The equipment details are provided as a guideline for making comparable
selections with any manufacturer and is not a specific endorsement.
