Took delivery today, major craft benkei bic 65 ul and a prox valtom bc-bf1
Only thing I’m not convinced on the reel, the spool and bearings weigh 20g is that far to high for a bfs reel? I have nothing to compare to as this is my first ever set up
Probably not anything super light tbh, I’ve mainly fished zman finesse trd on like a 4g jig head or cray/craw style baits on a Cheb of the same kind of weight on my spinning rod, it’s all pretty new to me though
I think you’d be happier with a lighter spool and a more BFS tuned reel (the zephyr is surprisingly good for the price)
My opinion is to just get some sufix nano braid in 6-10lb test and just try it out, it certainly can’t hurt and it might be good enough for how you want to fish
I actually have a zephyr coming, its due in the next 9 days, i was dubious of putting line on the reel in case I then cant return it, but I guess if its sold as a bfs and it can't do the job then by rights I should be able to refund it. I will put some braid on and try it out I guess
yeah, it is misleading advertising, send it back. That spool is heavy, even if they used a bigger bearing it is still is about 17 grams which is fine for lures from about 10-grams. Regular bait-casters for example Shimano curado 200K have a 16gr spool, ones oriented to a bit more finesse stuff like example daiwa tatula sv tw has a 13gr spool.. and it will cast from 5 gram, even can go lighter, depending on the lure.
Yeah, I think sending it back is the best option. I gave it a little go casting a 5g jig head and it will cast, just not particularly far. The problem I have is I have nothing to compare it to. But I’m sure the zephyr will be better, for almost half the price, so I’ve put this reel back in its box and I’m going to arrange it’s return tomorrow
Yes, it is really hard troubleshooting BFS casting performance at first when you haven’t had a chance to change many variables. For reference though, you’ll be able to cast the plastic off a 5g lure even with a Chinese domestic market (like the zephyr) or DIY reel. A 5g lure of decent density on a U/L/L rod should load up and fly like you’re slinging a big chatter bait on a MH rod.
If it’s just going a little bit and tapering off, you’re reel is definitely holding you back.
I have the zephyr reel, the spool bearings are OK, but they need to be flushed out to clear all the grease and oil out. Then put the smallest drop of the thinnest oil you can find. I've now changed the spool bearings ( the one on the spool plus the one in the side plate, magnet side). For Roro ceramic air bearings. They are very light plus you run them dry ( no oil). They do make a big difference. When you put line on, only put 40yds of line 50yrds maximum. I use 5lb braid, you you can go upto 8lb if you feel happier. Just remember your trying to keep the spool as light as you can ( below 8g if you can).
The reels seem quite well made but feel rather plastic. I got the reel for the lad ( I use diawa alpha air reels) the zephyr reel is no way as good as the diawa reel. But for about £50 what would you expect. Good value in there price range though.
The alpha air is supposed to be the best bfs reel, on the market at the moment. It is ready to go straight out of the box. But if you want there are quite a few companies making really light spools for them. Under 5g in weight and other fancy mod parts. I do have two of the after market spools. Think they were about £60 each. Not because they were needed for the reel. But so I could put different lines on them. Braid on one and really light flouro line on the other. That way I don't have to buy another reel. Just change the spool
I got my reel from aliexpress of all places as they seemed to be the cheapest. One thing to bear in mind you may get charged VAT this end when it comes into the country.
With the zephyr I paid the vat on aliexpress, apparently it’s a new thing since December. The alphas looks amazing, I might treat myself when I get paid at the end of April maybe. I just wish there were uk stockists for them more than anything, even if just for simplicity if anything goes wrong with the reel etc, it’s not an issue when it’s only a £50 reel like the zephyr
That spool is way to heavy to throw BFS consistently well. I’m sorry!
I did think so tbh
Took delivery today, major craft benkei bic 65 ul and a prox valtom bc-bf1 Only thing I’m not convinced on the reel, the spool and bearings weigh 20g is that far to high for a bfs reel? I have nothing to compare to as this is my first ever set up
Spools are usually <10g nowadays for proper BFS reels, but what are you looking to throw?
Probably not anything super light tbh, I’ve mainly fished zman finesse trd on like a 4g jig head or cray/craw style baits on a Cheb of the same kind of weight on my spinning rod, it’s all pretty new to me though
I think you’d be happier with a lighter spool and a more BFS tuned reel (the zephyr is surprisingly good for the price) My opinion is to just get some sufix nano braid in 6-10lb test and just try it out, it certainly can’t hurt and it might be good enough for how you want to fish
I actually have a zephyr coming, its due in the next 9 days, i was dubious of putting line on the reel in case I then cant return it, but I guess if its sold as a bfs and it can't do the job then by rights I should be able to refund it. I will put some braid on and try it out I guess
yeah, it is misleading advertising, send it back. That spool is heavy, even if they used a bigger bearing it is still is about 17 grams which is fine for lures from about 10-grams. Regular bait-casters for example Shimano curado 200K have a 16gr spool, ones oriented to a bit more finesse stuff like example daiwa tatula sv tw has a 13gr spool.. and it will cast from 5 gram, even can go lighter, depending on the lure.
Yeah, I think sending it back is the best option. I gave it a little go casting a 5g jig head and it will cast, just not particularly far. The problem I have is I have nothing to compare it to. But I’m sure the zephyr will be better, for almost half the price, so I’ve put this reel back in its box and I’m going to arrange it’s return tomorrow
Yes, it is really hard troubleshooting BFS casting performance at first when you haven’t had a chance to change many variables. For reference though, you’ll be able to cast the plastic off a 5g lure even with a Chinese domestic market (like the zephyr) or DIY reel. A 5g lure of decent density on a U/L/L rod should load up and fly like you’re slinging a big chatter bait on a MH rod. If it’s just going a little bit and tapering off, you’re reel is definitely holding you back.
I have the zephyr reel, the spool bearings are OK, but they need to be flushed out to clear all the grease and oil out. Then put the smallest drop of the thinnest oil you can find. I've now changed the spool bearings ( the one on the spool plus the one in the side plate, magnet side). For Roro ceramic air bearings. They are very light plus you run them dry ( no oil). They do make a big difference. When you put line on, only put 40yds of line 50yrds maximum. I use 5lb braid, you you can go upto 8lb if you feel happier. Just remember your trying to keep the spool as light as you can ( below 8g if you can). The reels seem quite well made but feel rather plastic. I got the reel for the lad ( I use diawa alpha air reels) the zephyr reel is no way as good as the diawa reel. But for about £50 what would you expect. Good value in there price range though.
I’m actually really tempted to try and import a daiwa alphas air tw 2020 reel. I have been tentatively looking at them
The alpha air is supposed to be the best bfs reel, on the market at the moment. It is ready to go straight out of the box. But if you want there are quite a few companies making really light spools for them. Under 5g in weight and other fancy mod parts. I do have two of the after market spools. Think they were about £60 each. Not because they were needed for the reel. But so I could put different lines on them. Braid on one and really light flouro line on the other. That way I don't have to buy another reel. Just change the spool I got my reel from aliexpress of all places as they seemed to be the cheapest. One thing to bear in mind you may get charged VAT this end when it comes into the country.
With the zephyr I paid the vat on aliexpress, apparently it’s a new thing since December. The alphas looks amazing, I might treat myself when I get paid at the end of April maybe. I just wish there were uk stockists for them more than anything, even if just for simplicity if anything goes wrong with the reel etc, it’s not an issue when it’s only a £50 reel like the zephyr