Got sucked into BFS reels

Capt. BassinLou · June 07, 2022, 04:46:49 PM

Following this topic on another thread here on UB, perked my curiosity. Long story short, my very first BFS reel arrived!!

For the price point I couldn't pass up checking out the KK Zephyr.

Unfortunately however as I was unboxing the reel and checking it out. I quickly noticed one of the knobs on the reel handle is almost completely stuck. Nothing I could to loosen it.

So now I get to check out and experience KK customer service. I called the warranty dept and left a message since it's after hours.

Stay tuned! I put the reel back in it's box. I'm not going to spool it with out two working reel knobs. Bummer!!

topdsm0138 · June 07, 2022, 06:24:01 PM

You know....you almost had me. I'm soo tired I had to think what BFS was, then I saw the pic.

My son has been looking at a lot of their stuff, so I'm interested to see what your thoughts are once you get it out on the water.

Sent from undisclosed location. -Tiller Mafia

FD · June 07, 2022, 07:12:33 PM

I love mine. Been throwing it on a ML-EF rod.

Sent from the very edge of civilization...where I belong

big g · June 07, 2022, 08:15:06 PM

It wasn't long ago everyone had to have a Tutula. It seems that boat has sailed! Is this the latest new toy?

coldfront · June 07, 2022, 11:16:20 PM

just too danged stubborn here... started out with curado b-series... then got a few of the BFS models. this was many years ago. never looked back. no interest in 'trying' reels from other folks who are bringing opportunities to market.

don't have to buy a bunch to put in the hands of clients. it's all what I use. what i WANT to use. that's why you'll see shimano reels and only shimano reels on my rods. which for baitcasting are all Powells... with one dobyns for the heavy swimbaits. spinning rods are shimanos...

found what works very well and stay with it.

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 04:17:31 AM

There are definitely a lot of BFS reel options out there. Trust me, I enjoy fishing with my Shimano reels, have been for years. That being said, I have come across other reel brands that aren't too bad either.

It's pretty hard not to pass up this Zephyr for the price point. Once I get the stuck reel knob issue resolved, this reel will be put to work. Hard. It's going to be a designated peacock reel for a few techniques. I'm looking forward to putting this reel through its paces and seeing how it handles the stress.

2 things will come out of this experience. 1. The reel passes my test and I consider more KK Zephyr's reels in the future, and
2. Provides me with an opportunity to learn more about BFS style fishing on my home waters.

The good new is there are always options. If this reel turns out to be junk, I can always move up in reel category. But for $70, I had to check this reel out first.

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 05:49:31 AM

Keeping everyone up to date with how KK customer service is handling the stuck knob issue.

- Just received an email, requesting I email KK a short video showing the stuck reel handle knob. That took all of 2 min.

Let's see what happens next. Stay tuned.

Nutt · June 08, 2022, 07:15:31 AM

Ok, at the risk of sounding/looking stupid......what is BFS?

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 07:18:46 AM

Quote from: Nutt on June 08, 2022, 07:15:31 AM
Ok, at the risk of sounding/looking stupid......what is BFS?

Bait Finesse System.

Nutt · June 08, 2022, 07:22:17 AM

Thanks. BTW, that wasnt my first dumb question of the day already. LOL

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 07:25:42 AM

Quote from: Nutt on June 08, 2022, 07:22:17 AM
Thanks. BTW, that wasnt my first dumb question of the day already. LOL

There's never a dumb question. I had to look it up also when these styles of reels first came out.

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 11:35:43 AM

KK returned yesterday's evening phone call, and after a short conversation, we both agreed that just sending me a new reel handle assembly was the quickest fix. Versus having to send the reel back and waiting.
Let's see how long it takes the reel assembly to get to me.

Stay tuned!!

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 01:03:25 PM

Since I'm keeping the reel and a new reel handle assembly is being sent to me. I went ahead and spooled up the reel. The Zephyr is going to be used for lighter lure applications, but not ultra light stuff. I went with 20 lb braid.

ike8120 · June 08, 2022, 02:07:00 PM

I have two of them upgraded the drags and installed hybrid ceramic bearings. Haven't had any issues with mine.

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 02:10:04 PM

Quote from: ike8120 on June 08, 2022, 02:07:00 PM
I have two of them upgraded the drags and installed hybrid ceramic bearings. Haven't had any issues with mine.

Very good hear. Thank for sharing. How much of difference did you notice when you switched over to ceramic bearings?

Capt. BassinLou · June 08, 2022, 03:46:27 PM

Hmmmm.... I think I'm going to really enjoy this reel. Took it out to my near by canal to test it out. Tied on a smaller to mid size jerk bait.

Made sure to set the magnets to the 5 setting out of 6.

The reel did great slinging around the jerkbait. Had to adjust my casting just a little. I had to make to sure to load the rod properly and let the rod do the casting versus me whipping the cast. The Everglades test will be on Friday!!

Smallie_Stalker · June 08, 2022, 04:26:41 PM

Quote from: Capt. BassinLou on June 08, 2022, 03:46:27 PM
Hmmmm.... I think I'm going to really enjoy this reel. Took it out to my near by canal to test it out. Tied on a smaller to mid size jerk bait.

Made sure to set the magnets to the 5 setting out of 6.

The reel did great slinging around the jerkbait. Had to adjust my casting just a little. I had to make to sure to load the rod properly and let the rod do the casting versus me whipping the cast. The Everglades test will be on Friday!!

Cool! Following.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

Capt. BassinLou · June 11, 2022, 03:13:34 AM

I got to fish with the Zephyr yesterday in the Everglades pretty much the majority of the outing. I have the reel spooled with 20lb 9 strand braid, and I'm throwing the reel on an old school Dobyns Savvy 703.

Once I dialed in the reel, throwing any type of small or light weight technique that I would of thrown on a spinning reel this Zephyr handled with ease.

Only annoying part was the stuck knob, but the replacement reel handle assembly will be arriving soon.

I was fortunate enough to tangle with 4 very nice bass, unfortunately I lost the biggest of the day but it wasn't the reels fault.

The Zephyr fought the bass well. I caught the fish in cover and was able to work them out of it, and play the fish in open deep water.

The drag on this little reel is no joke.

Looking forward to fishing with this reel some more, and I see the purchase of another Zephyr in the near future.

Hopefully this review helped some one out.

Thank you for following along.

Capt. BassinLou · June 13, 2022, 03:58:10 PM

Reel handle assembly arrived!!

Capt. BassinLou · June 13, 2022, 04:24:17 PM

Little disappointed with the KK quality control. I replaced the reel handle assembly, but one of the reel handle knobs on the new assembly doesn't free spin either. It's not stuck like the previous one, but it doesn't spin freely either . It's much better than before so I will deal with it.

FD · June 17, 2022, 02:35:58 AM

That's odd. I've got a couple of KK's as does Nate with zero issues.

It must be you...

Sent from the very edge of civilization...where I belong

Capt. BassinLou · June 17, 2022, 04:31:24 AM

Quote from: FD on June 17, 2022, 02:35:58 AM
That's odd. I've got a couple of KK's as does Nate with zero issues.

It must be you...

Sent from the very edge of civilization...where I belong

Guess I'm lucky like that.