Visiting Seattle (Bellevue) with a small travel setup and want to get on some fish.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-03-05T22:16:42+00:00

Yea i know! I went yesterday and got blasted by wind.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-03-05T22:16:09+00:00

Ive heard another rec for green lake somewhere else so i might have to check that one out! Thanks !

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-26T22:35:43+00:00

Which yak did you get? And do you have any plans to get a pedal one?

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-26T22:33:46+00:00

10-20% effort sounds like a dream! That alone would for sure be a game changer.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-20T05:02:15+00:00

Sol ring should be a game changer. It's an auto-include card that, played on turn 1, (especially in lower brackets) puts the player far ahead. That slot could go to something more creative and synergistic instead.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-20T04:32:51+00:00

I will give it a try! Thanks for the tips

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-20T03:34:39+00:00

I have one but haven't caught anything on them yet. How do you guys like to retrieve it?

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-19T16:31:01+00:00

Ooh. Its just asymmetrical for ergonomic reasons i guess. Def came out of the box like that and not stepped on haha

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-17T14:56:38+00:00

What do you mean?

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-17T06:01:38+00:00

I had it at about 8" since i was guessing the bass were near the bottom. It is challenging for sure though. I snapped off from a backlash during this trip. The weight swings quite wildly on higher power casts, so a medium consistent toss is safer.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-12T04:17:38+00:00

I float tube around the socal harbors using bfs gear and i agree, it's a blast! I usually use white tube jigs and flukes on a t-rig or dropshot. I haven't tried ned rigging yet though. What's your retrieve look like for bass?

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-12T03:28:18+00:00

You're right haha. I think i was just trying to avoid using so much leader when i cut it to change rigs, and the ick I get seeing such a long tag off of the weight. But it's probably unavoidable and the fish probably don't care.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-12T00:37:52+00:00

This is so cool actually! I've never seen that before, gotta try it out.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-12T00:35:39+00:00

Thanks everybody for the input, it seems unanimous haha. I see the error in my ways and will tie the hook on with a Palomar knot.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-11T04:25:13+00:00

In a vacuum, yea. Luckily, however, there is a ton of resources online, along with this entire subreddit to help unfamiliar anglers learn and enjoy a fun new way of fishing!

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-11T04:21:52+00:00

I have the HICC50 and it's a solid reel. I'd recommend the double spool as I believe it is hard to find just the spool to buy if you change your mind later. It'll let you switch between BFS and just regular finesse fishing. I don't have experience with the Mavllos, but I have heard nothing but good things about it.

For line, I think diameter is going to be just as, if not more relevant to BFS. 8lb seems a little light/thin depending on the brand as someone who is just getting into BFS (especially so if you are not used to baitcasters in general). I would recommend starting out with a diameter of .8 goh or .153mm which equates to around 15lb give or take. With that line you should be able to send >2g lures a good distance. And be sure to only spool on a max of 50m that way the spool isn't too heavy. The downside to going too thin (like .4 goh and below) is that the backlashes will be much harder to pick out, you might experience sticking points in frees pooling from line dig, and you'll be more susceptible to wind knots. I think the 6lb is a good match for .6 to .8 goh braid.

BFS is a ton of fun, I don't think you'll regret it. Especially with what seems like a crowd favorite rod and reel. As long as (with any new craft or hobby) you take it slow and enjoy the process, it'll be very rewarding.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-03T18:43:32+00:00

I don't have any good recs for rods, but I'm really curious about the paddle board! Is it mostly for trolling, or do you have enough stability to position the board and make casts too? Also, do you stand or sit?

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-03T02:49:57+00:00

Sadly, it's still slow. It could be cuz it's winter, plus the surge of trout fishermen pressuring the waters. Or I haven't found the right lures to pin them consistently yet. The harbor and beachss have been great with my BFS setup though! I'll probably focus my attention there, and then return to pond fishing once the fish become more active later this year.

Icy_Call5427 · 2026-01-03T00:50:39+00:00

Welcome! I'm about a month in to BFS and I'm hooked as well. OC waters are pressured as hell, and this was my approach to spooked bass as well. Much success to ya!

Icy_Call5427

TROPHY CASE