Tackle Junkie: Cashion ICON BFS Rod Review

The fishing method known as Bait Finesse System (BFS) is growing in popularity among U.S. anglers, with many enjoying the novelty of the highly specialized rods and reels that can cast featherweight lures great distances. Many anglers, me included, have come to appreciate the improved cast and distance control when feathering the spool of a BFS reel as opposed to a spinning reel.

Still, the growth of BFS has been primarily contained within the “enthusiast” class of anglers; those who are early adopters and open to change. Case in point: Hardly any of my “hardcore” bass angling friends seem to know much about BFS gear, likely because much of the early hype around BFS centered around 1/32-ounce micro jigs, 4-pound-test line and exceedingly soft rods, none of which are very useful when searching for big bass in Texas’ heavily timbered reservoirs.

The Cashion ICON BFS series may start to change the narrative around the usefulness of BFS tactics among dedicated bass anglers. My experience using the 7-foot 6-inch medium-light model over many weeks reveals precise bends and flex points in a rod that handles 1/8-ounce lures and 8-pound line with ease. However, any BFS rod can handle these tasks.

What strikes me about the Cashion ICON BFS series is how the soft tip transitions into the somewhat firmer mid-section. This improved action allows the angler to get better penetration on the hookset while keeping the bass pinned more effectively throughout the battle. Perhaps more importantly, the rod tip is light enough to handle lines as light as 4-pound-test, yet isn’t overpowered when battling a decent-sized bass back to the boat.

I employed a number of different lures in my testing, including small balsa crankbaits and poppers, open-water spy baits, 1/8-ounce jigs and spinnerbaits and lightweight two-hook jerkbaits. Fortunately, I found a big school of spotted bass out in open water on one of my test days and was able to land dozens of scrappy spots in short order. I was pleased with the casting distance in reaching the surfacing bass, but equally impressed with the bend of the rod to wear down the surging spots without ripping the light hooks from their mouths.

The ICON BFS series has the same aesthetic appeal as the other offerings in Cashion’s ICON lineup. The woven grip looks sharp, is sensitive and won’t become slippery in wet weather. White lettering pops off the black background of the rod blank to provide a neat, clean appearance.

There are 4 models in the ICON BFS lineup: 7-foot 6-inch, 7-foot 2-inch, 7-foot and 6-foot 10-inch lengths, all designated as light to medium-light actions. The longer sticks are better suited for micro jigs, while the shorter versions are better for twitch-type lures or tossing small reaction baits. The MSRP on each rod in the ICON BFS series is $234.95.

If you’re looking for improved cast control with finesse lures, BFS is often a better choice than spinning tackle. If you’re looking for a quality BFS rod that is up to the task of handling bass with light line, the Cashion ICON BFS series delivers.