Bettering the Bait Finesse Fishing

DAIWAs "pixy" PX BF70 baitcaster provides supreme performance in an ultralight, palmable package. 

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (March 22, 2024) Just when you thought every conceivable freshwater fishing technique was a, been there, done that, something novel comes along. Such is the case with Bait Finesse, aka BF.

Like many hyper-techy methods, BF has Japanese origins. The allied Asian nation supports a robust number of anglers who pursue bass on a limited number of freshwater resources. Consequently, the fish, being under pressure, are warier and less likely to accept conventional North American bass baits like flamboyant spinnerbaits, aggressive topwaters, upsized crankbaits, and such.

So, to combat these challenging conditions, the Japanese developed BF. And like other specialized Japanese techniques and baits dropshotting, spybaits, Senko worms, etc. its come ashore to North American waters.  

The baseline for BF is presenting smaller, more natural baits with the same authority achieved via their larger counterparts. To do so requires the downsizing of gear without sacrificing performance. And that necessitates specialized baitcasting gear.

The good news is that a dedicated BF baitcasting reel is now available stateside: DAIWAs new PX BF70.

Its ninja fishing, said DAIWA Marketing Manager about BF. Think of those stealthy anglers who fish small lakes, ponds, streams, and canals. They travel light, and fish small and technically. BF is gaining momentum with this crowd.

At the epicenter of Bait Finesse is a small, palmable, high-performance, baitcasting reel. We wanted to eliminate as much weight as possible, while retaining impeccable performance, said Mills about the design of the compact PX BF70. The spool, for example, weighs only 8.4 grams (.30 ounces). We even used micro ball-bearings and an A7075 aircraft grade aluminum drive gear. Every little reduction in weight matters for micro fishing. 

The PX BF70s featherweight, precision spool is constructed of the same exceptionally thin, yet durable A7075 aircraft grade aluminum and requires minimal inertia to initiate. An exceptionally light spool is required to cast such small lures, said Mills. How small? BF bassers throw tiny hair jigs, inline spinners, and miniature jerkbaits, like DAIWAs 2-inch Dr. Minnow.

Mills added, The PX BF70 also features an aluminum frame and sideplates. Aluminum eliminates even more weight while adding strength and durability.

Casting distance and accuracy are key to Bait Finesse. Casts arent long 20 to 50-feet but relative to the lightness of the lures, it can seem like a million miles. The DAIWA PX BF70 was engineered to operate in that space, and with unparalleled accuracy.

Mills talked about spooling up your PX BF70: The reel isnt intended to hold a ton of line, maybe 50-yards of straight fluorocarbon or a 100-yards of light braid. Rather, its built to manage a small amount of line with exactness. Mills says BF calls for 4- to 10-lb. test in a superline like J-Braid Grand x8 with a 2- to 8-lb. J-Fluoro fluorocarbon leader.  

Besides pitch-and-retrieve baits like micro crankbaits and inline spinners, Mills says BF applies to dropshotting, as well as Neko, Ned, and Wacky Rigging. Essentially, all your favorite finesse bassing techniques can be further refined.

But BF isnt limited to bass fishing. The system has been embraced by trout anglers walking the banks of ponds and wading streams. An alternative to spinning gear, select trout anglers like the feel, control, and distance BF baitcasters provide.  

And it doesnt end there The panfish possibilities are endless. Big, spring, spawning-sized crappies operating around timber require surgical strikes. Same for hunting bluegills in weed pockets. You get the idea 

The new PX BF70 includes other signature DAIWA technologies:

T-Wing System (TWS)

The revolutionary system addresses the issue of traditional line guide/level-wind structures that constrict line flow by utilizing a T-shaped line guide that is larger, wider, and less restricted. TWS allows line to exit freely from the spool with minimal line angle and friction to reduce line noise and backlash and deliver more accurate and longer casts.

Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD)

A drag system that combines low inertia with maximum fish stopping power. UTD utilizes advanced carbon washers, alloy, and stainless steel drag plates with specially formulated grease for supreme smoothness.

Zero Adjuster

Fine tuning the factory setting is breeze with the Zero Adjuster, which provides precise control over spool tension, accommodating various lure weights and fishing conditions with a simple dial on the non-handle side.

DAIWA PX BF70 FEATURES:

• Aluminum frame and sideplates
• A7075 aircraft aluminum grade drive gear
• Extreme finesse A7075 AIR spool
• Micro ball-bearings
• T-Wing System (TWS)
• Ultimate Tournament Drag (UTD)
• 90mm Swept Handle

$349.99

For Daiwas latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwas Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@Daiwa.com. The URL for Daiwas web site is daiwa.us