WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm – The 2021 Shimano SLX BFS is Shimano’s most affordable bait finesse reel in their JDM lineup and the JDM equivalent to the Shimano Curado BFS.
With its ported 9-gram spool, the SLX BFS can comfortably cast lures down to the 2.5-gram range. The SLX BFS features Shimano’s Finesse Tune Brake system, perfect for finesse bass fishing, which lightens the overall spool weight by moving the braking into the sideplate and off the spool shaft. This reel also features Shimano’s Exciting Drag, giving you an audible clicking indicator when the line is pulled from the spool.
Built with Shimano’s Hagane aluminum alloy frame, the SLX BFS comes in at only 6oz (170g) in total weight and is rated as saltwater safe.
William Johnson (verified owner) –
My first BFS reel. Took some time to get used to casting such light lures but learning curve isnt that steep. My three issues with the reel is you can hear some movement almost grinding at times then stops randomly, and when you reel to engage the “click” from free spool to drag set is fairly loud. My biggest concern is the handles are so smooth and small its easy to miss fish regularly because your fingers slip off the knobs. I ended up upgrading the knobs because of that.