Ark Gravity BFS Casting Reel
First Impressions
Perfect for anglers who want to dive into the world of BFS without spending a fortune, the Ark Fishing Gravity BFS Reel's $149.99 price point is a welcome departure from the high costs associated with BFS fishing and the niche tackle it demands. Significantly less than the average cost which hovers right around $350, the Ark Gravity BFS Reel stands out from the crowd by putting forth a high-quality product at an affordable price.
After picking it up for the first time, the Ark Gravity BFS Reel is noticeably lightweight, weighing in at 5.1 ounces, plus the frame is very compact and easy to palm. All of our reviewers liked the available 7.1:1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios and the fact that it has both left- and right-handed retrieval options. The 90-mm carbon fiber handle and paddle-style knobs are visually appealing and add a touch of overall comfort.
Touted as capable of casting lures down to 1/50th of an ounce, which feels like a bold statement prior to our first cast, the reel's Gravity Controlled Brake System and ultra-light 5.2-gram spool gave us a reason to believe the claims might hold water. Lastly, we noticed the audible drag clicker, which was super convenient when dealing with lightweight line and big fish.
With all these features in mind, the TW testing crew hit multiple bodies of water in the dead of winter for some bait finesse bassin', determined to find out how the budget-friendly Ark Gravity BFS Reel would stack up against the high-dollar bait finesse options on the market.
- Excellent price
- Casting performance
- Carbon fiber handle with comfortable grips
- Lightweight and compact
- Audible drag clicker
- Spool design is easy to overfill
- Easy to backlash at first if not dialed in
Final Verdict
Breakdown
Performance: 8.25
After logging some solid on-the-water time, navigating some learning curves, and getting comfortable with the reel, we experienced some very impressive casting distance and accuracy that rivaled more expensive options.
Our review staff mostly utilized 6- to 8-lb fluorocarbon line paired with a light power rod and found it easy to cast lures as light as 1/16 oz, like dropshots, Ned rigs, and bite-sized swimbaits. Based on our experience with these traditional bass techniques, we believe reducing line size and rod power would make it easy to downsize even further, providing a viable alternative to any spinning rod setup.
This reel's overall performance exceeded our expectations and substantially increased the thrill of catching bass of all sizes. We also really enjoyed the drag clicker, which not only sounded cool, but acted as an audible reminder to go easy when a bass pulled drag on a light line. The drag was easily adjustable through the star dial; it has a light enough setting for a bluegill to pull drag and a heavy enough setting for effective hooksets on tournament-caliber bass.
I caught several 5- to 6-lb fish on this reel and felt like the efficiency and accuracy it afforded me over spinning tackle was a win.
Durability: 8.5
Our reviewers took the Gravity BFS Reel to many different ponds, streams, and lakes on both sides of the country, most of them being freshwater environments targeting bass, and even one venture into brackish water targeting steelhead. The Ark BFS Reel emerged as a great option for versatile fishing applications with no issues or damage occurring after getting wet or being set down on rocky creek banks. Throughout all the various trips, there was no indication that this reel would have any durability issues down the road.
I would say that it performed well during the test period, and I didn't experience any excessive scuffs, noise, or damage that would lead me to believe that it won't last for a reasonable amount of time.
Value: 9
A lower cost usually means there are some corners cut in the quality department, but not with the Ark Gravity BFS Reel. This reel provides an unmatched value that you would expect to pay a lot more for, and some of our reviewers even commented on how the performance of a comparable BFS reel may cost double the price. A few of us have had bad experiences with less expensive BFS reels in the past, as they failed to cast lightweight lures to effectively finesse fish for bass. However, the Ark Gravity BFS Reel exceeded all expectations that a low price point typically brings. It lowers the barrier of entry for anglers who want a quality BFS reel without having to break the bank.
I had a lot of fun testing this reel. The bottom line is, I have more fun fishing BFS than I do a spinning rod, and I'm out there to have fun. I think for $150, this reel is a great deal.
Utility: 7.62
The Ark Gravity BFS Reel offers a lot of versatility within the realm of finesse fishing, as you could easily spool it up with 4-lb or 8-lb line, whichever is better suited for your target species. Whether you're targeting trout with 4 lb and a small jig or looking to fish 8 lb in conjunction with your favorite FFS baits, the Ark Gravity BFS Reel provides a blend of line capacity and small-lure management that will amplify your finesse presentation of choice.
Unlike some of the other high-dollar BFS reels that handle super-light line and not much else, the Ark Gravity handles 8-lb test fairly well and can hold 55-yards, providing enough capacity for small swimbaits, spy baits, and neko rigs.
A word of caution when spooling: because the wiffled spool sits deeper inside of the reel, it is easy to mistake for interior walls of the reel and overfill. The IPT (inches per turn) with 6-lb line for the 7.1:1 gear ratio is 24.6" and the 8.1:1 is 28", so keep that in mind to help track how much line is going on the reel when spooling it for the first time.
I would buy one of these over some of the other BF reels out there for the line capacity in particular.
Final Thoughts
After multiple outings and a lot of fun times reeling in fish, we concluded the Ark Gravity BFS could easily be the best bang for your buck on the bait finesse market, which is right in line with the findings from our Best BF Reels of 2024 article. Although the high-end bait finesse reels do have an edge in some areas of performance, Ark's offering is a great starting point for anglers looking to enter into the field of bait finesse. For dedicated bass anglers, this may even be better than other BFS options, as it provides superior handling with heavier lines better suited to popular techniques like a jighead minnow, shaky head, Ned rig, or small soft-plastic swimbait.
We thoroughly enjoyed this reel and had a lot more fun fishing with a light-line baitcasting setup compared to spinning tackle. The Ark Fishing Gravity BFS Reel is highly recommended to anyone looking for their first BFS reel, or wanting to bolster their arsenal without taking a second mortgage, as it delivers outstanding performance at a fraction of the price of other reels in this category.
Breakdown Summary
| Performance | 8.25 |
| Durability | 8.5 |
| Value | 9 |
| Utility | 7.62 |
Final Verdict |
8.34 |