When should you use a traditional baitcasting reel, and when is a BFS reel the better choice?

As bait finesse fishing has become a prominent way to fish for bass, a lot of anglers have asked me, “Why do I even need my deeper and normally wider baitcasting reels?”

When spinning reels became popular for bass fishing, especially for throwing lighter lures, anglers asked basically the same thing: “Why do I need a baitcaster when my spinning reel does it all?”

The bottom line is, if you want to target bass using every possible method, you should have all three—spinning, BFS baitcaster, and standard baitcaster—because they each have specific properties and applications.

For this piece, let’s explore the major differences, why I sometimes use them interchangeably, and why sometimes a specific application calls for one over the other. The two reels I will focus on are the KastKing Kestrel SE BFS and the KastKing Royale Legend Pro Baitcasting Reel.

The Difference Between BFS Fishing Reels and Standard Baitcasters

Believe it or not, the largest difference is usually the spool size.

Bait finesse system reels, or BFS reels, typically have a much shallower spool. The shallow spool carries enough line to make relatively short, accurate casts while minimizing unnecessary spool weight. Most BFS reels are also smaller in size, often around 30 mm and under, so they can be paired with lighter, shorter, fast-taper rods.

This combination allows the angler to throw super-light lures accurately and surprisingly far when the reel, rod, and line are properly matched.

The standard baitcaster, on the other hand, is generally heavier and has a much deeper and wider spool, usually 32 mm and up. The deeper spool provides more line capacity for heavier line and larger-profile lures.

This enables anglers using larger and heavier lures to cast long distances while still maintaining the accuracy they want from a baitcasting setup.

When Should You Use a BFS Reel for Bass Fishing?

If you want to target bass using every possible technique, I really feel you need both a BFS reel and a standard baitcaster, along with a spinning reel.

Don’t get me wrong—depending on what rod I put the BFS reel on, I can change what I use it for. The Kestrel SE has enough line capacity for many finesse applications while maintaining the compact size and lightweight spool that make BFS reels so useful.

The Kestrel SE will hold up to 80 yards of 4-pound mono. Eighty yards is 240 feet. Do you really think, I don’t care what rod you use, you can cast 240 feet?

With that in mind, you could use the BFS for smaller crankbaits if you wanted that smaller feel, or if you simply have smaller hands.

As for when to use it, I feel the BFS should be paired with shorter, lighter rods and used specifically for throwing lighter lures. The balance you achieve will allow a good cast, an accurate cast, and enough line to battle a fish if they decide to run a bit.

And they will run, because remember, you are using lighter line and a lighter drag.

When Should You Use a Standard Baitcasting Reel?

Switching over to the standard baitcaster, the larger spool and larger reel overall allow for heavier line and larger lures.

For example, on my Royale Legend Pro, I am spooled up with 12- to 17-pound fluorocarbon all the time. That combination gives me enough line to make super-long casts with crankbaits, for example, but still enough line left on the reel to battle and land a fish if hooked at the end of the cast.

A standard baitcaster gives me more capacity and flexibility when I’m using heavier line, larger-profile lures, or trying to maximize casting distance.

BFS Reels vs. Baitcasters in Two Bass Fishing Scenarios

To dive a little deeper into the usage argument, take a look at these two scenarios. They help explain when and why you may choose each reel.

Shallow Water and Small Forage

You are fishing a larger river lake, with water fed through various creeks and mountain rains. There was an insect hatch in the morning, and bass are popping the surface but won’t touch a standard popper.

In this scenario, the BFS will serve you best. You can downsize the offering to a 1/32-ounce jig and curly-tail grub or a smaller Hula Popper, but still cast accurately to the small swirls and outcroppings from the feeder creeks.

This is where the low-inertia spool and compact profile of a BFS setup really make sense. You can present a much smaller bait without having to switch back to spinning gear.

Clear Water and Long-Range Casting

I am on a lake with deeper holes, various points, and crystal-clear water. Fish spook pretty easily under these conditions.

As I approach a point, my Lowrance FFS is showing fish feeding on the point. I will need a long cast and will probably be using a diving crankbait or spinnerbait.

In this scenario, the standard baitcaster has the advantage.

The fish are farther away, showing on my graph, but I know from past experience these fish will scatter if they detect a boat or other noise.

I can throw a medium-size crankbait or popper pretty damn far with the standard baitcaster.

That is one of the biggest practical differences between the two setups. BFS gives me better control over very light presentations, while the standard baitcaster gives me the line capacity and power I want when distance and heavier lures become the priority.

Kestrel SE BFS vs. Royale Legend Pro Baitcaster Specs

KastKing reels have quality components no matter which one you choose, and the BFS series and standard baitcasters are no exception.

Braid capacity is based on current KastKing specifications for the referenced reel models.

The Kestrel SE is a 4.5-ounce ultra-light BFS reel with a 37.5 mm compact profile. Its frame and side covers are reinforced with Sycron material to minimize flex and frame distortion under heavy load.

The FAF, or Flyout Arc Finesse, braking system was designed specifically for finesse fishing and light-lure control.

The Royale Legend Pro uses a 39 mm Palm Perfect design, 16 pounds of maximum smooth drag with ARC—Arch Resistance Control—and 11+1 MaxiDur double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings.

Its AutoMag Dual Braking System combines magnetic and centrifugal braking to help control the spool, improve casting distance, and reduce overruns. The reel also uses a DTCC line guide designed to reduce friction as line leaves the spool.

Matching BFS and Standard Baitcasters with the Right Rod

The reel is only part of the equation. Rod selection can completely change how either platform performs.

For BFS fishing, I prefer a shorter, lighter, fast-action rod that keeps the reel balanced and makes it easier to load the rod with a light lure. A properly matched BFS rod and reel combination can make a 1/32-ounce presentation feel much more manageable.

The Kestrel finesse platform uses IM8 high-modulus graphite and American Tackle Ti-forged guides with Duralight rings, giving anglers a lightweight setup designed around finesse casting.

For a standard baitcaster, I have a much wider range of rod choices. KastKing's technique-specific bass rods use KastFlex IM7 graphite blanks rolled under pressure with Nano resins, along with SlipLock Technology handles and technique-specific actions and lengths.

That gives me the ability to match the standard reel to everything from crankbaits and spinnerbaits to heavier presentations that require more line capacity and power.

Can One Reel Do Everything in Bass Fishing?

When fishing for bass, there is a range of lures that may go from super tiny—1/32 ounce and less—all the way up to 12-inch baits weighing 3 or 4 ounces.

There is no way you can have one reel that will do it all equally well.

However, if baitcasting reels are the only way you want to fish, then utilizing a BFS reel and a standard baitcaster is the way to go.

With these reels, you can vary pound test on the line, match them to different rods, and cover a much wider range of lure sizes and fishing techniques.

For me, the real difference between BFS reels and standard baitcasters is not which one is better. It is knowing when each reel gives you the right combination of lure control, casting distance, line capacity, and balance.

Sometimes I need the tiny spool and finesse control of a BFS reel. Other times, I need the deeper spool, heavier line, and long-distance casting ability of a standard baitcaster.

That is why I keep both in the arsenal.

Until next time, tight lines and screaming drags.