KastKing Zephyr vs Doviello Brownie (BMC-100) | A Budget BFS Battle!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- In this review, we have a look at combining both the KastKing Zephyr and Doviello Brownie (the BMC-100) paired with an Okuma Celilo light baitcasting rod. Please do not let my aversion to BFS influence your decisions! Most of it has to do with the fact that I fish from a kayak 99% of the time. The reasons will be come apparent as the vid progresses.
I have the HICC50 and it kills! I had a Zephyr for about eighteen months and found the design was flawed in time the gap between the spool and the housing would catch the line and blow up. The Doviello HICC50 can through less than a gram.
Nice! Thanks for your impressions! It's always great when people like you add to the first-hand knowledge. Pinned!
Thank you so much, love the channel @@BarryP
These are the two BFS reels I have. For me the winner is the BMC100, hands down. It looks better, it feels better in the hand, it has better tolerances, it casts better, and it's cheaper.
I've gotten to where I don't like using my Zephyr at all anymore because every time I get a backlash, it never fails that line gets down the sides of the spool. Then I have to take it apart, clip out line because it's all greasy and kinked up, retie everything. I've never had that issue with the BMC100 or any other baitcaster. If it weren't for that I'd like the reel a lot more. It has caught me a lot of fish though, panfish, bass, and catfish. I've had the reel for three years and the thing with the spool is the only problem I've had. It's been on a lot of fishing trips and saw daily use for two seasons.
No issues with the BMC100 for me, I love it. I really like the handles too. This one I've only had for one season, but so far nothing to complain about.
That's the same Plopper I've used a lot on my BFS gear. That's quite a heavy lure for BFS, it should cast miles easily on both of those reels. I can easily outcast my ultralight spinning gear with them. I'm also a kayak angler, that's how I do 99% of my fishing.
Our friend @terribleatfishing pointed out the Zephyr design flaw in the pinned comment a few months back. So he's seen it, you've seen and I've seen it too, while filming a Zephyr vs Doviello HICC50 video a few weeks ago. That vid should be up in the next week or so. I'm WAY behind on editing, but please keep an eye out for it. I might get it done tomorrow, but more likely next Thursday.
Thanks for sharing your experience, @Brunnen_Gee !!!!
The Zepyr is brakes should match the lure weight. I think around 5 grams should be the heaviest weight used.
I just ordered a brownie because I'm so content with my other Dovellio reels
Good stuff!
Honestly my man, casting 1/4 oz is not BFS. And the biggest draw to BFS isnt casting a small plopper, its casting 1/8 at most, and reducing line twist and wind knots - not an issue with a plopper.
I liked how you did the video, but think it wasn't a fair representation of BFS
Fair enough. Most of my viewers aren't super familiar with BFS quite yet, and I figured that was the best way to introduce them to the system. You're right in that I probably should have thrown some lighter baits in addition to the tiny top-water, but top-water is pretty visual and plays well on camera. Can I assume you meant line twist as to compared to spinning?
@BarryP Yeah, when using spinning gear, especially with mono or fluoro, line twist can blow up a spool pretty good.
Ned rig, small tube, drop shot, any plastic that ends up sticking itself and twirling on the retrieve... bfs doesn't really get bothered by that much, and at least there's an opportunity to pick out a birds nest on casting gear. The spinning reel blow up is terminal.
You also might have over loaded the tiny bearings inside the bfs reels. Theyre usually only rated up to 10g.
I've only just begun my BFS adventure, but I recommend you take a 1/16 oz jig head and a 2.75 TRD tube and compare distance with spinning tackle. Very close, except bfs adds a little more control and no line twist. Might also end up more accurate because of the more ergonomic one handed cast.
The BMC100 can handle 2-30 grams.
It a personal choice, Zephyr is low end but with the correct rod it performs ok. A 7 G bait I can absolutely bomb with say a Shimano Sensalite casting rod. Casting stroke not the greatest no-offense meant, which is why it is a personal choice. I wouldn't use a Salmon/Steelhead rod for either of those reels, better off a true Bass BFS rod or Crappie/Panfish rod which may contribute as a variable in this tests outcome. I don't own a BMC-100, rather I have the HICC-50, however I like what you showed in that reel and I may grab one. Ultimately I agree it's a personal choice but for any potential BFS anglers out there grab a Shiamano Sensalite or a Ace Hawk C/U double depending on the baits you will throw and/or your budget. Good job showing us the products I would just recommend a different rod 1000%. Cheers and thumbs up.
Well said, Abel! Thanks for this awesome contribution!
I have a brownie and cast 3.3 grams 100+ feet
The Brownie is definitely pretty cool. Do you kayak fish, Scott?
@@BarryP Not yet. Actually going to look at 2 kayak deal tomorrow night. Tired of being stuck on the bank and can’t afford a boat.
@@scottbonkowske6412 Be sure to have a look at my Mist Series! th-cam.com/play/PLLdVIS53jYPo5NssJQ5A0W84zmpAmoUxl.html It's a great yak for the money!
You are completely right about if you want good performance out of a BFS reel you need to invest in a Shimano or Daiwa reel.
I haven't used either Shimano or Diawa. I can only attest to the fact that BOTH of these reels just felt cheap and plasticy... if that's a word.
I have a bmc 150 and it's not too bad except that it's a left handed reel. I can toss a 1/8 lure about 40 yards. The Seasir Cast x2 is cheaper and it feels like a 100 dollar reel. 20 bucks with ceramic bearings is insane. Bought it for ned rigs. Good review.
Thanks, MF!
I have a Cast X in the mail right now. Frickin $20 for a BFS reel, and all the reviews I've seen for it have been outstanding. Can't wait to get it. I found an $18 ultralight telescopic rod to put it on, if everything goes well that'll be a killer, super budget glovebox BFS kit.
@Brunnen_Gee The Cast X is good. If you have the Cast X2 it's even better and you'll love it. I was throwing Nes rigs with a medium heavy rod on 20lb braid. I'm debating right now Between the Zephyr and the Seasir M1. 🤔
@@MF-Rell The Zephyr was my first BFS. I only have two so far, the Zephyr and Doviello BMC100. The Cast X will be my third. The Doviello is way better than the Zephyr, and cheaper.
@Brunnen_Gee I'm going to get the Seasir M1. It throws 1 gram and up. I don't throw anything under 3.5 anyways.
I think a better rod would make a huge difference in your casting distance. BFS isn't cheap though. I use a 6'9" Phenix Classic BFS rod and I can bomb out 7 gram lures.
Fully agreed! The idea was budget. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.
P.S.: I was born and raised in Tucson
@@BarryP My kids are the 7th generation to bless Tucson 😂 I only have one BFS combo. I started out with a Doviello HICC-50 reel on the Phenix Classic BFS rod, but I upgraded to the Shimano Aldebaran reel. So, I have been looking for another rod since the Doviello HICC-50 is still pretty much brand new. The most affordable, but still a real rod that I have found is the Jenko Double Down BFS rod that goes for $130. I bought the Phenix BFS rod to be able to target trout and panfish. So, for my fishing needs I've been looking at the Dobyns 7'4" BFS rod to increase my casting distance and to have a slightly more powerful rod for bass. The Phenix is a little underpowered for the bass I've been catching with it. I can't turn them if they're over 2lbs.
@@thesonorandesertangler Nice! Thanks, man! I'll put this stuff my to-do list for reviews. It's awesome to run you into, SDA! Small world, eh?
I’m a kayak fisherman and I use mostly BFS gear. There is definitely a learning curve to BFS. I personally don’t like spinning gear because I don’t like the bail and I’m not very accurate no matter how hard I try.
Fair enough. I suppose it all goes back to our roots. I would end up slapping the bait on the water and backlashing several times a day.
I tend to prefer BFS in the kayak as well, because I find them easier to manage. Spinning gear, with the under slung reel, makes me feel like I'm constantly having to hold the rod higher so the reel is out of my lap, and that really starts to get on my shoulders after a while. I still use them, I always go out with an ultralight spinning and a BFS combo.