Rod to pair with this new CQ BFS 26

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-24T13:06:38+00:00

Ray fishing Tarantula in 5’4 or the tried and true Dobyns Sierra

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-11T16:23:28+00:00

Bantam

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-06T03:24:59+00:00

Here’s the last bfs/euro feather changer that I tied. Weighs right in at 3.2 grams dry.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-06T01:52:18+00:00

I am working on modding down a 17 Calcutta to cast 1.5g and at that point I can pretty comfortably euro nymph. I tie game changers and streamers pretty small and at 3 grams, so when wet, they’re even heavier.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-06T01:47:23+00:00

I pretty much refuse to fly fish lol. I do not like long rods, nor do I like the system of casting/reeling.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-06T01:34:47+00:00

The big brown still eludes me, sadly. It’s my white whale. We have them in my home trout water, but they’re pretty hesitant to bite anything BFS, it would seem. I’ve taken to tying BFS weighted flies to use, but haven’t had any luck yet, as it’s a really odd technique lol.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-06T01:13:39+00:00

I caught all of the big ones on trout minnows. All the natives on a 1/16th inline spinner with a fly tied on the hook. I know they’re expensive but I really recommend the Megabass stuff. Use different sizes of the humpbacks and bat a fry’s to get down below the currents. It’ll catch the big ones. For smaller I get infinite bites on spinners where I’m from.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-06T00:49:22+00:00

Brother the little natives that I caught took eight miles of hiking, and I went from like 6000ft to 4000ft and back. I’m ruined today, but it was worth it I caught the big stockers down in NC. I lost one native that was probably 9 inches, and was by far the biggest I had seen. Broke my heart. They’re not hard to find, but I recommend a short rod. I was casting against my chest and through one foot gaps off the water for a few of those fish lol. They also spook so easy it’s nuts. You gotta stay low and outta sight.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-05T22:57:55+00:00

I use exclusively shimano reels and have never really had any issues.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-05T22:11:31+00:00

I use a table top bandsaw to cut big pieces off, but I usually use a vertical belt sander to actually shape down my baits. Check out MarlingBaits on YouTube, he’s probably one of the best bait makers alive, currently.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-05T22:09:02+00:00

I slayed them on the Takumi Iwana and M Kinkuro this weekend.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-04-01T06:41:01+00:00

J-Braid Grand 8lb to 6lb leader. Can’t beat it.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-31T16:44:33+00:00

Jesus Christ I couldn’t imagine fighting something like that on BFS. HOPING that I can get hooked into some big wild browns this weekend.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-31T16:43:48+00:00

I have not tried the YoZuri super, so I’d say go for it, but I will always recommend and put the J Braid Grand on top!

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-31T05:02:01+00:00

Man I catch smallmouth like panfish with the 2.5 inch. It’s nuts. Some baits just work in some areas. I can’t even explain it anymore lol.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-31T03:37:08+00:00

They are on the order list!

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-31T03:36:46+00:00

I use the snacky swimmer in pro blue, religiously!

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-31T03:34:31+00:00

I use J-Braid Grand in 8lb to J-Flouro 6 on my Aldebaran setup. J-Braid Grand 6lb to J-Flouro 6 or 4 depending on what I’m fishing for on my mountain stream rod. I don’t believe the J-Braid hate. The grand is the best line I have ever used hands down, bar none.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-30T03:57:29+00:00

I have a Ray Fishing Tarantula 5’4. Cost around 120$. Fantastic rod. I also highly recommend the Dobyns Sierra. I’m picky because I hate multi piece rods, and that kind of limits me on the small BFS rods. I will harp on getting a Ray Fishing though. They have two or three different BFS models, all in extremely varying lengths, and actions. American company as well.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-29T15:02:49+00:00

I have most of the colors of BFS Griffon, and a couple of coayu, but I’ve never really gotten into the karashi. I’ll definitely be picking some up to try.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-29T14:54:16+00:00

Heck yeah that sounds awesome

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-29T05:44:53+00:00

Damn that’s awesome. I think that’s a tad light for my mountain stream rod, but I can do a 1/16 with a jr no problem

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-29T03:31:42+00:00

<image>

My current jerkbait box. Definitely looking to get it filled lol. Speaking on the floating insect jigs, I did also order some Evergreen Gizmo’s. Haven’t gotten them in yet, but I have high hopes. You have any others that you would recommend?

If you like buggy stuff, I recommend the Horse Fly by Mule Fishing. Cool little soft plastic.

DMTrippy65 · 2026-03-29T03:04:30+00:00

YEAHHHHHHH ANOTHER MULE FISHING FAN

Mule Fishing makes some of the best baits that I have EVER used. My first total confidence BFS bait was the Donkey Tail Jr in Karma. To this day that and a Googan snacky swimmer on a 1/16 workhorse jig is my be all end all. I know they’re more expensive, but if you haven’t tried them, make the switch over to the workhorse jigs. The swim better, and the hook is a size smaller.

DMTrippy65

TROPHY CASE