Shimano SLX BFS Spool Upgrade - Avail 21SLX15 Casting Review (BFS Trout Fishing)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video, Shimano SLX BFS Spool Upgrade - Avail 21SLX15 Casting Review (BFS Trout Fishing), Hobie-Wan Kenobi does an on the water review of the 21SLX15 spool from Avail in the Shimano SLX BFS XG.
Quick Spool Specs:
8.1g Spool Weight
4-6lb Mono/Fluoro Line Rating | 45m (50 yds) 4lb Line Capacity
Duraluminum Spool Body | Stainless Steel Shaft
1.5mm Spool Depth - Ultra Shallow
Includes Necessary Brake Magnets
The SLX BFS XG is a newer BFS finesse baitcasting reel designed to cast lighter lures such as NED Rigs, shakeyheads and other lightweight bass lures. I am going to see how viable the SLX BFS XG is for fishing in streams for trout.
ROD: Hobie-Wan Kenobi Custom
LINE: VARIVAS Super Trout Advance Twitch Master - 5lb
LURES: Duo Spearhead Ryuki 50s
REEL: Shimano SLX BFS XG
A benefit of having a BFS reel is to have the ability to fish in streams accurately without having to deal with line twists and other issues spinning reels can have. The ability to engage the spool instantly and control line during the cast like with a normal baitcasting reel while using light lures allows a softer presentation and, more precise lure placement.
The Exciting Drag Sound (reel clicks when line is pulled out via drag) on the SLX BFS sounds similar to a spinning reel sound and allows the angler to know how fast a fish is running. I personally think it sound more fun than it is functional. The sound of a big bluegill ripping drag and hearing the reel go "buzzzzzzzz" is a real joy to fish.
Outside of BFS finesse fishing, the SLX BFS XG can be used for casting and pitching Texas Rigs and other mid-weight bass lures, as well as smaller trout lures. The lightweight, shallow spool allows the minimum line required to fish and keeps the total weight of the spool low. That will allow effortless pitching which allows low trajectory and better accuracy. Keep in mind, the reel has a capacity of 8lb/50yds so long casting with 12lb fluorocarbon will not happen.
FROM SHIMANO USA REGARDING THE CURADO BFS (USA VERSION OF SLX BFS):
The new Curado BFS (Bait Finesse System) expands the Curado lineup of low-profile reels while redefining finesse fishing for tournament anglers. Inspired by the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), the new Curado BFS utilizes an ultralightweight shallow spool designed for thinner diameter lines to allow anglers to cast lightweight lures more effectively than traditional low-profile models. The Curado BFS incorporates Shimano's Finesse Tune Brake (FTB) system to reduce the spool's weight by moving the braking unit from the spool to the palming side-plate. The result: the spool takes minimal force to turn and allows anglers to effectively cast lightweight tackle. Unlike traditional magnetic brake systems that maintain the same drag on the spool throughout the cast, Shimano's FTB capitalizes on the cast's centrifugal force and the magnetic brakes automatically adjust to slow down the spool only when braking is needed. Fully adjustable, anglers can fine-tune the FTB with the external dial or by adding or removing individual magnets as needed. The perfect antidote for picky fish, the Curado BFS is the ideal tool for anglers to downsize baits to increase their success on the water.
SLX SPECS
Weight: 6oz
Bearings: 5+1
Gear Ratio: 8.2:1
Inches Per Turn (IPT): 32in
Braid/Yds:15/45
Max Drag: 8lbs
A full review series on the Shimano Curado BFS XG and Shimano SLX BFS are on my channel. I compared the two reels to the Scoprion BFS in an in-depth video taking all three reels apart.
I do a lot of BFS fishing and have many videos going over BFS fishing techniques, BFS reels, rods and everything else.
#bfsfishing #SLXBFS #baitfinesse
My guides just froze up watching this. Thanks for making this video
I can't choose the weather 🤣. I am hoping the river opens up a little bit for when I get my Daiwa Silver Creek AIR TW.
Oh yea love that your still fishing in the snow. I live in the blackhills of south Dakota and I fish all year to. I just caught my new pb a couple weeks ago. It was snowing, 30 degrees outside and about a 30 in rainbow was hungry. Caught on a duo ryuki 50s just like you're using. Healthy release...I love to watch them swim away.
Awesome!!! Thats a big rainbow for an interior state like that.
Seems very cold but really nice. Thanks for showing this beautiful winter landscape…
It was cold. The dozen parts of the river limited the Ares I could fish.
Just found you from Tackletour link. You really know your sh*t ! It’s so good to see such quality content, and I really like your understated style of presentation. Great stuff and keep up the good work. Cheers from Aust.
Awesome, thank you! I have been sharing BFS knowledge for years and I am glad to have another platform to share it.
Respect! Going out and testing the setup in that cold 🥶
Would not be my first option but, I cannot control the weather.
@@HobieWanKenobi I think you can’t control the itch to go out and test a new tackle or setup you just received :p
That is very true 😁. This winter is going to be fun testing new gear!!!
Very nice review and beautiful scenery, and as Red Green would say, "keep your stick on the ice" 🤣🍺🎣
For sure. Those ice shelves ain't no joke. Someone lost their dog to a collapsing ice shelf in that area last year.
Great video…..
Looks cold 🥶
Tight lines 👊
It was pretty cold. That was the warmest day that week too!!
Kudos to your cameraperson!
A real champ!!!
Great video. Well produced. Interested in that rod as well.
Thank you!!!! More info on the rod will be coming soon. Finally getting a shipment of guides. Just have a few more guides to get.
@@HobieWanKenobi I’m definitely interested in that rod as well.
Nice video as always 👍🏻
Life hack - try to use Johnson's baby oil for rings and PE 😉
Handle before and during the session give much comfort in cold weather - work for snowing Russia 😁
Haha...I will try the baby oil trick. Thank you for the advice.
Enjoyed that pal! Cheers from the Uk 👍🎣
Glad you enjoyed the the video!!! I was not expecting the river to be as froze over as it was.
@@HobieWanKenobi it looked bitter out there! Was surprised you could move your thumb haha
It was pretty chilly. I like it colder when it is snowing. If it is warmer and snowing, the snow melts and the moisture get you colder way faster.
im just starting for bass i bought this one to try , what about the 21SLX29R
I'd try it out stock first. That should meet most of your bass needs. If you need lighter weights, the Roro CB26 spool is a better option.
Hello. With the avail spool upgrade are you able to cast 0.8-1.5 gram lures. I saw that you said the roro spool would be a better option for light lures, but it’s currently out of stock, and I’m impatient lol
The Avail spool had a slight amount more control but, the Roro spool does not require extra magnets. The Roro can cast lighter weights slightly easier.
@@HobieWanKenobi thank you! I actually went on the roro website and was able to order from them. Also ordered a SLX BFS XG and a Major Craft 5’8 Finetail Rod from Digitaka. Thanks for your thorough videos on each reel. Really helped me on my decision.
@@teamlary No problem! Glad to be able to help people get into BFS fishing.
Another great video
I eventually will get both roro (gekkabijin) and the avail (curado bfs) but which one would you upgrade first ? Using 1-7 gram lures
The Roro AX24 spool will cast lighter lures than the Avail 21SLX15 spool. For priority to upgrade, depends on what your intended use for each reel is.
@@HobieWanKenobi
Thank you for you quick response .
No problem. There are two different braking profiles for the Roro AX24 spool. Standard is faster than Thickened model. There is not a huge difference between the two. Thickened is casting 2.5gr and above frequently. Standard is casting 4gr and below frequently.
What action are you getting with the ryukis , I got some of the 45mm sinking ones and switched the trebles for vanfook barbless singles and they just came in tail down with no action at all . I’ve just had some of the duo balancer hooks delivered and going to try them instead of the vanfooks to see if that makes a difference . Curiously the 50mm floaters still work fine with the vanfooks though
Action has been fine with the 50s. These are #6 micro barb series. I have been wanting to try the 50F version though.
@@HobieWanKenobi I used the me-31bl expert minnow hooks in size 8 and I’m wondering if they were either too light or too big and it killed the action . I put the same hooks on some major craft zoners and luckycraft humpback minnows and they turned them from suspending to floaters so they are on the light side so I’m hoping the balancer hooks sort the ryukis out . I do like the floaters though , going to order some more for when the season opens over here
Vanfook Minnow Expert Hook, ME-41MB #6 is the hook I am using on this lure. They are a little thicker than most single hooks this size. These also have a micro barb on them.
Is this spool good for the normal Shimano SLX? I would like to use it also with finesse 😄
This spool will not work for the normal Shimano SLX. Different braking system and spool size.
What's wrong with micro flies?
Nothing is wrong with them. People nowadays like to get all 😱 over casting super light weights with a BFS reel. They are not meant for that. Meant for casting with accuracy and control of lure, not specifically distance. People discredit a BFS reel because it couldn't pass the "trout magnet test".
People doing it to have fun, sure, I see that. But when people have expectations of casting super light lures like a spinning reel and get mad when they can't and blame BFS reels for the problem...gets annoying.
@@HobieWanKenobi very true I'm all for .5 - 7 grams . I thought it was an issue using them.
@@The_Multi-species_Angler People can use whatever lures they want to catch fish. I do not think there are set guidelines for BFS fishing. I am a practical person. People getting grumpy over a reel not casting a micro fly as good as a spinning reel or fly rod is funny. Control and consistently getting your lure to where you want should be a priority. People ask about if a reel can cast less than 1gr then, only cast 5gr lures. I have used reels that can cast super light lures but, do not have good control.
@@HobieWanKenobi understood because my last video was literally using flies with bfs reel 😂
Haha. Wasn't directed to you at all.
I have a ? Do you ever have the magnet with the N on it, the one in my curado bfs pops out sometimes i guess from driving and walking maybe but ill notice because when i go to reel it make a rubbing noise. And it's always the same one magnet it stays in when I put it back but randomly it pops out did you ever have an issue like that?
That's odd. I never heard of that issue. Magnets should just stick in there. If there is a small metal disk attached to your magnet, you may need to put a TINY amount of super glue on the metal disk and put only the metal disk back in the brake arm until it dries.
Whats better to get, a curado bfs or a slx bfs?. Ive heard they're similar and im not sure which one to get
They are very similar. Performance they are dang near the same. Biggest difference is how the drag star clicks.
They are pretty much the same reel. Biggest difference being the way the drag star clicks...safe to say they are about the same. There is not really a "this or that" in this situation. What reel matches your rod the best 😂😂😂...idk what else.
It's the honest answer. They are practically the same reel. Ryu and Ken from the old Street Fighter games are more different
@BedBass&Beyond Akuma was on another level. So OP in the first games with him.