L_A_2015_S_

BFT VERTICAL MICROWAVE 60G

by James Dobie

I

am sure most of the forum users have

seen, or at least been made aware of the

Kanalgratis Youtube videos centred on

‘Pelagic Sharp-shooting’. Love or hate the

technique, one thing that cannot be argued

is that there are some very shiny toys on

show, and the BFT Vertical Microwave is one.

I bought the 60g version both on the

strength of the second video, and on the

advice of the host Albin Shargi, who

suggested it would be very useful. Obviously

the cynics amongst us will say that he would

say that, however he also recommended the

cheaper version as well- the Vertical Impulse.

I have been using the Microwave Vertical 60

since Grafham opened on September 1st.

I also somehow managed to snap the tip

during its first outing... thankfully BFT

replaced it for me free of charge, and since

then, it has become my favourite set up to use

for vertical jigging-although that is not solely

down to the rod.

The rod has an incredibly stiff blank, yet

very sensitive. There is no lower rating given,

however I have used it on the Great Ouse with

a 15g head and a 6” slug-go and it still

transmits everything I need it

to. On the other end of the scale,

I have also used a 50g fireball,

and a 20cm monster slug on the

rod, and it handled that without

issues. Jigging with the best

part of 100g on the end is not

fun, no matter what gear you are using, so

it certainly wasn’t a pleasure to use, but it

did what I needed it to!

I use the BFT solely as a vertical rod, for

two reasons. First, I have a casting rod

extraordinaire, and secondly, I cannot cast

with a baitcaster! For me, this has rendered

the Microguide concept utterly irrelevant.

Having never used one in the past, I can’t say

whether they are of any aid, but when it is

minus 3C on the water, they are a complete

pain for freezing up! All of the rings on the

rod are micro sized, the butt ring contains the

inner guide, similarly to a Spro Insync, whilst

the other 9 rings are double legged, but very

close to the blank.

Having something

designed for the use

of heavy jig-heads

in fast drifts/deep

water is preferable

to overloading

existing rods. The

rod often gets used

as my dead rod on

windy days, with a

50g Kuusamo jig

spinner body, with

a soft plastic trailer.

I use this as the tip

is so stiff, it

effectively acts as a

bolt rig and setting

the hooks is a lot

easier. Considering

the amount of fish

lost on Grafham

generally, this

system is very

effective. The only

downsides to it are

that the lodge tend

not to let you out

these days, when

the wind is strong

enough to require

50g, and you usually

end up soaking wet!

The reel seat has

a finger sized hole,

exposing the blank.

Having never used a baitcasting setup, I

don’t know if this is commonplace, but it is

a very useful feature. Being in contact with

the blank at all times aids sensitivity so

much that I am having my other vertical

jigging rod re-handled to include a similar

fixed spool design.

The handle is a split grip, with a flat lower

piece designed to sit under the elbow when

both jigging, and playing fish. This originally

seemed like a gimmick to me, however it has

actually proved to be very beneficial. My last

few fish out of Grafham came on Jackall

I-shads, using very delicate movements,

bouncing the handle against my elbow. It

sounds crazy but it does work!

There are negatives however. Alongside

the guides freezing, the stiffness of the blank

can actually work against you, in certain

circumstances. I have now moved away from

using standard jigheads, preferring a

‘flexhead’ or similar. Using a sharp snap can

result in the lure being ‘hung- up’ on itself

regularly, when using 25 or 30g, so I prefer

to keep the BFT for heavier heads, or stiffer

baits such as Lunker City Grubs (which are

absolutely nothing like a grub!) Strangely,

this happens less when using pintails though,

so I also tend to use the rod for this.

So far, I have caught zander to an ounce

under 12lb, and perch to an ounce over 3lb on

the rod, and it has been a good tool for the job.

It is not so stiff that you end up losing fish

regularly by it being too inflexible, but there

is an incredible amount of power in the butt

section. I don’t tend to catch pike when

vertical jigging, and haven’t had one on the

rod yet, but I’m certain it will have no issues

handling them.

Lure Lounge have just taken on

distribution for CWC (Catch with Care),

and both BFT and Strike Pro come under

this umbrella. They are looking to bring in

the entire range of rod, including both the

Microwave, and the Vertical Impulse.

Expect to pay in the region of £150 for the

Microwave, with the Vertical Impulse being

substantially cheaper. Drop Martin (Lure-

Lounge) a message on the LAS forum

(username Fox), or give the shop a call if

you have any questions.

Review

Microwave guides on

a vertical jigging rod

seems a strange

choice

The BFT Microwave

has an exposed blank

on the reel seat