Spring/Early Summer 2026
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lot of people. Smaller is much easier for even kids to get involved with BFS style baits. But as I found out the equipment is the key part to make it work. I now know why it’s called Bait Finesse System because you need the correct system to throw these lighter baits. “
DOWNSIZED TACKLE FOR SMALLER GLIDES
Bucca has signature Dobyns swimbait rods for the larger Bull Shad products, but he clearly can’t use that for mini-glides, though. Nor is the proper solution just a matter of downsizing.
“You can’t just whip just any spinning rod out of your rod locker on the BFS baits where action is imparted,” he said. Instead, he prefers BFS gear. “Right now I’m using a Daiwa Tatula BF70 8.1 paired with a Dobyns SUF700C BFS rod. I’m using 10 lb. Trik Fish braid in black and at times I’ll use a small 6lb leader. The key with the rod and glide baits is that the baits are so light that they don’t have the momentum to carry through on the swing like a bigger bait would, and if you put too much action into them, they are easily blown out. So that SUF700C is perfect for BFS Glide baits. The 8.1 reel helps a lot because a lot of BFS guys fish small creeks and flows that that higher ratio allows faster line pickup to catch up with the bait. To me that’s critical. I’ve always found that it’s much easier to slow down than to speed up when it comes to gear ratio.”
While Sealock appreciates the fact that the lures in the 4-inch size can be used on medium and medium-heavy tackle most bass anglers already own – “They work on just about anything you want to throw them on,” he said – like
Bucca he recognizes that the smallest versions demand BFS systems.
“I fish a lot
of 8 to 10 pound
test straight
fluorocarbon,” he
said. “As opposed
to big glides, where
I usually fish 20
pound mono.
Because I’m using
these lures around
laydown and brush,
and just making a
40 foot casts, you don’t need much line. And yes, it can handle big fish. I landed a 7 pound 12 ounce bass on a BFS rod.”
CONCLUSION
The quest for big, bigger and biggest glide baits persists, with plenty of footlong and longer lures hitting the market (and getting gobbled up on the drop) each year.
But if you’re sleeping on these shrunken versions, you’re missing out on fish that have seen a thousand jerkbaits and rolling minnows. You’re also missing out on the intersection of fun and success. Sealock said that not only are these lures “very interactive,” but they also allow for mid-cast changes that a minnow does not. And the truth remains – most lakes have many more fish in the 3-5 pound class than approaching 8 or 9.
When giant hunting the truly big baits may still reign supreme, but there are times when you might as well be flogging the water with a broom. These lures add a tool in a particular window that’s both fun-enabling and tournament ready. The category will likely just continue to grow, which means savvy anglers should get on it before these lures too become more widespread. •
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