If you’ve been hearing about “BFS” and wondering what all the fuss is about, you’re not alone. Bait Finesse System—or BFS for short—has been one of the fastest growing styles of fishing in recent years. It started in Japan, designed for highly pressured fisheries where anglers needed to present ultra-light lures with maximum precision. Fast forward, and it’s become a go-to technique here in Australia too, for species like bream, bass, trout, and more.
So, what actually is BFS, and why should you bother with it?
BFS stands for Bait Finesse System. Think of it as a finesse-style approach to baitcasting. Traditional baitcast setups are brilliant for heavy lures and lines, but they simply can’t cast the little stuff—tiny cranks, micro plastics, blades, vibes—without birdnesting or plopping them at your feet. BFS fills that gap.
By pairing ultra-light rods with specialised baitcast reels (with super-light spools and braking systems), you get the accuracy and control of baitcasting tackle, but with the ability to throw lures as light as 1–7 grams. In other words, it’s all the benefits of baitcast gear—pinpoint accuracy, superior line management, and direct lure feedback—without being locked out of the finesse game.
The big drawcard of BFS is control. Spin gear will always cast light weights, but BFS lets you feather casts, control lure flight, and present baits with deadly accuracy. That matters when you’re trying to land a crankbait perfectly alongside a pontoon, skip a plastic deep under structure, or finesse bream and bass holding tight to cover.
It’s also just a heap of fun. BFS rods are crisp, sensitive, and designed to load properly on ultralight lures, giving you the full fight even on smaller species. Combine that with the sound of a clicking drag, and you’ve got a system that’s as technical as it is addictive.
Until recently, BFS was mostly a niche style—you had to hunt down JDM imports or make do with gear that wasn’t quite right. But in 2025, Shimano Australia is bringing BFS to the mainstream with a full lineup of rods and reels designed specifically for the job.
At the heart of the range are two rod styles:
6’0” Ascenza BFS – perfect for tight water and skinny creeks where short, accurate casts are king. Think jungle perch in overgrown rivers or trout in pocket water.
7’3” in both Artiesta BFS and Ascenza BFS – made for open water and distance casting. Great for flats fishing with crankbaits, rolling plastics for impoundment bass, or hopping blades and vibes across structure.
All rods use a spiral wrap guide layout, reducing weight and giving you a crisper blank for longer, more accurate casts. They also load properly on light lures, reducing overruns and helping you make the most of every cast.
On the reel side, Shimano’s Calcutta Conquest BFS, SLX BFS and Curado BFS are purpose-built for the system. With ultra-light spools, fine-tuned magnetic braking systems, and high gear ratios, they’re designed to keep your lure flying true and give you full control over both presentation and the fight.
Here’s the thing about BFS: it’s not hard, but it is different. It has a smaller tolerance window than regular baitcast gear, so it pays to set yourself up right from the start.
BFS isn’t just a trend—it’s a style of fishing that opens up new ways to target familiar species. It’s finesse fishing with more control, more accuracy, and more feel. With Shimano’s new BFS rods and reels hitting Australian shelves shortly, there’s never been a better time to give it a go.
Start with the right gear, take the time to tune it properly, and you’ll see why BFS has anglers hooked all over the world!
