I played around with BFS (bait finesse system, UL baitcasting) using an inexpensive Tsurinoya XF-50 as a trial, and fell in love.
http://ultralightflyfishing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=107&t=12103The XF-50 is an amazing reel for the money but doesn't handle 1/16 oz (1.8 grams) very well. Upping my game would require my tight fists to let go of some cash and buy a true BFS reel. Did a lot of research and it looked like the Shimano Aldebaran BFS XG was king of the hill. Ordered one up from Chris Stewart (aka Tenkarabum) and it was in my hands just a couple days later.
Now, why Shimano would name their lightest baitcaster after the orange giant star that's the fiery red eye of the constellation Taurus is beyond me. I also own a Shimano NASCI spinning reel and don't have a clue where that name comes from.
My goal for the Aldebaran is to use it to fish everything from bluegills to bass to trout, like I would on UL spin. So why drop over 4 bills on BFS when spin already does the job for much less? I guess it comes down to preference. The XF-50 showed me that I just plain get more joy out of working with a baitcaster than spinning. Thumbing the spool, no line twist, etc., all contribute to an experience I far prefer.
With spin, I go back and forth between braid + leader and just mono. The first cast further and has better sensitivity but life is easier with the latter. For the Aldebaran I decided to go for max performance and filled its shallow spool with 6# braid and a 6# copolymer leader. It gave me the sensitivity I was looking for but the braid to leader knot promoted birds nests when it caught on guides (anyone have a solution?). Not all the time but enough to make me rethink the approach. Eventually just ditched the leader and fished straight braid. Probably won't work on trout but the warm water species don't seem to mind.
I've been using the reel on a Kuying Teton 1.98m (TTC662L) medium fast trout rod and have had no trouble with 1/16 oz lures. Of course I'm still new to baitcasters and get birds nests daily but have been able to undo all of them since spooling the braid (to my surprise).
A few of my catches thus far.