iFishband Tendershoot Budget BFS Reel: A Conquest Killer?

Hey there, fellow anglers! Today, I’m excited to introduce you to the iFishBand TenderShoot BFS reel, a budget-friendly option that’s creating quite a buzz in the fishing community. Many are comparing it to the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS, and for good reason. Let’s dive into the details and see what makes this reel so special.

Unboxing the iFishband TenderShoot

When I first got my hands on the iFishBand TenderShoot, I was immediately impressed with the packaging. It arrived in a sleek, upscale box that felt more premium than some of the other Chinese Domestic Market (CDM) reels I’ve used, like the Dark Wolf Ultra and its clones. I purchased this reel for just under $150, including shipping, and it’s currently being sold for around $139.

But, one big concern with budget brands like iFishband is how long will the reel be available? I see this available less now, but I have also found it being sold as a LureKiller Micro BFS reel for $99! But, Dankung seems to have plenty of inventory. So the moral of the story might be, if you want one of these, get it soon!

The positive thing is it’s a very unique-looking reel, so even if other variations are coming in the future, I expect them to be good values, much like the Dark Wolf Ultra clones like the Doviello Acura, the Tsu Genius, and the Kingdom Micromonster to name a few.

This is why I recommend the Doviello Acura and Ace Hawk CU Double as the best budget BFS combo. These two killer pieces of fishing gear have been available for years now.

First Impressions

Opening the box, I found a velvety-feeling bag—though it’s likely polyester—and the reel itself in a stunning gunmetal blue. I opted for the left-hand model. There has been some debate about whether these reels come with bearings or bushings in the handles. Initially, the iFishband TenderShoot was advertised to have 11+1 bearings, but some users received reels with bushings instead. iFishBand acknowledged this as a manufacturing error and offered free replacement bearings to affected customers.

Key Features

The TenderShoot feels solid in hand, with a smooth thumb bar engagement and a unique brake adjustment system. Unlike other reels where you turn a dial, you move the entire plate on this one. It features a round line guide, an 8:1 gear ratio, and clicking adjustments for spool tension and drag, which feels progressive and smooth.

The spool itself is impressively light, weighing in at about 5.3 grams with the bearing. It has a high capacity, holding between 150 to 260 meters of line, though realistically, you won’t need that much for bait finesse fishing. The reel weighs 210 grams and appears to be easily serviceable.

Design and Build Quality

One notable design choice is the polished finish of the reel, which gives it a more refined look compared to the Conquest, which retains visible machining lines. but at the same time, it’s just not as refined feeling and looking overall as the CQ BFS.

The iFishband TenderShoot is a beautiful reel, with tight manufacturing tolerances evident in the snug fit of the spool. The braking system, though not removable, works effectively by moving magnets in and out to adjust the braking force.

Performance and Testing

With a lightweight drag rated at 4 kilograms (about 9 pounds), the TenderShoot is designed for finesse fishing. I don’t often fish with lures much below 1/16 oz (2 grams), but this reel has handled everything I’ve thrown at it.

Paired with a Kistler Hunt BFS rod, it’s been good for trout and bluegill fishing. I do find that it sits a little high on the rod compared to the CQ BFS. And over time it has;t been the first reel I grab to go fishing. BUT, it’s being compared to reels nearly three times the price. And it’s still in the lineup of 16 combos I use throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

In a market where high-performance bait finesse reels can be incredibly expensive, the iFishBand TenderShoot offers an appealing alternative. It’s a well-built, attractive reel with features that rival more expensive models. While there are some trade-offs, such as the use of bushings in some units, the overall value is hard to beat for under $150.

Thanks for reading, and tight lines!