Can You Really Get BFS & Bait Finesse Lures at Cabela’s in 2025? My Full Guide

Cabela’s. The name alone conjures images of vast displays, taxidermied animals, and an almost overwhelming selection of outdoor gear. It’s like a store within a store, each department an expedition in itself. But is it a reliable source for something as specific as bait finesse (BFS) fishing gear? That’s the question I set out to answer.

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What is Bait Finesse Fishing?

If you’re new to the term, BFS, or Bait Finesse System fishing, originated in Japan as a technique for using lighter lures and tackle. It was designed to catch bass and trout hiding in clear waters. The advantage? Increased sensitivity and the ability to entice pressured fish that are wary of larger presentations.

A Tour of Cabela’s: Is it a BFS Paradise?

I’ve been a customer of Cabela’s for over 40 years. They started supplying my fishing gear back in the 1980’s through their mail-order catalog. Back in the days of “check or money order.” Did people use credit cards back then? I know we always had to get a Money order.

The process was you filled out the order form in the book, totaled everything up, then took your cash to the bank to get a money order. Then you mailed that off, and waited. There was no confirmation of receipt. No notice that something shipped. Then, typically 3-5 WEEKS later, your packages would show up! It felt like MAGIC!

These days, walking into a Cabela’s store is always an experience. The fishing department is expansive, often taking up a huge section of the store. You’ll find rows upon rows of soft plastics, hard baits, and dedicated aisles for major brands. It’s easy to get lost in the sheer volume of tackle.

You can still order online as well, of course, but going to one of their stores is a fun trip on it’s own. Probably fun for the whole family! The kids can look at all the mounts and fish while you shop, and you can grab a bite to eat before you leave!

BFS Baits Found: Breakdown by Brand and Lure Type

Let’s dive into the BFS-related equipment I found at Cabela’s, breaking it down by brand and lure type.

Keitech

Keitech Fat Swing Impact swimbaits are extremely popular in the BFS world, especially the smaller 2.8-inch size. Their action is irresistible to many species of fish. This is my go-to paddletail swimbait.

Finesse Frogs

I stumbled upon some nice, small finesse frogs that looked perfect for tempting bass in tight spots. Something like the Scum Frog is always useful in the warmer months.

Live Target

The Live Target mouse lure caught my eye. At 3/8 of an ounce, it’s relatively small for a mouse lure and could be great for targeting bass and smallmouth bass.

Heddon

The Heddon Tiny series or Ultralight Series is a classic for a reason. These small lures are effective for a variety of species.

Rebel

Similar to Heddon, the Rebel Teeny series offers diminutive versions of popular lure profiles that are ideal for BFS tactics.

Yamamoto Baits

Cabela’s often has an entire aisle dedicated to Yamamoto baits, a brand synonymous with quality and fish-catching ability.

Yum

The Yum Dinger is a versatile soft plastic stick bait that works wonders on a Texas rig or wacky rigged.

Berkley

Berkley offers a couple of lures that fit well into the BFS category. The Berkley Money Badger crankbait has become a go-to for many anglers.

Don’t forget to check out the flicker shads from Berkley, a classic BFS option.

Rapala

You can always count on Rapala for small lures that perform. Their smaller-sized lures are excellent for BFS.

ChatterBait

The Z-man ChatterBait Mini-Maxes are great, but I didn’t spot any micro chatterbaits during my visit.

Strike King

I noticed a selection of Strike King Bitsy series lures. The Strike King Bitsy series are great lures for Bait Finesse.

Booyah

The Booyah Pond Magic buzz baits are worth a look. The Spinnerbaits are as well, but the Cabela’s near me didn’t have any in stock.

Dynamic Lures

The Dynamic Lures HD trout is another fantastic suspending jerkbait option. it’s my go-to jerkbait for trout.

Trout Magnet

The Trout Magnet D2 jigs can be effective. Some of my YouTube subscribers swear by them!

Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops’ BPS Marabou jigs (crappie jig styles) are cheap and effective. You can find BPS Marabou jigs at Cabela’s. There’s also the BPS CrappieMax spinner baits.

Texas Rig Bullet Sinkers

If you’re into BFS Texas rigs, Cabela’s has the tungsten Texas rig bullet sinkers you need. they don;t have the tiny 1/32 oz in store, but they have a decent selection of 1/16 ounce.

Core Tackle

It’s always good to see a little Core Tackle stuff. It’s nice that you can find Core Tackle jigs at Cabela’s. they’re a small company that’s making some truly innovative products.

Bass Pro XPS Hellgrammites

I ended up grabbing a couple of the Bass Pro XPS Hellgrammites. These are a larger helgrammite than their original BPS line, and it’s also made of Elaztech material for durability. You can also find the regular Bass Pro Hellgrammites at Cabela’s.

Zman

I also found the Zman micro series at the end cap. This is a tremendous multi-species line of lures for BFS fishermen.

Rapala Crush City

I picked up a pack of the Rapala Crush City Mayor to try. I haven’t tried any of the new Rapala soft plastics, so I’m looking forward to giving these a spin.

BFS Gear Considerations at Cabela’s Beyond Lures

Keep in mind that even if a lure is light enough for BFS gear, the hooks might be too big. Pay attention to hook sizes and ensure they match your BFS setup. Some 3/8-ounce lures might technically work, but if they have oversized hooks, your BFS gear won’t be able to handle them effectively, and you’ll lose fish because you won’t get a great hookset.

Cabela’s Haul: A Closer Look

So, what did I actually end up buying? My most recent Cabela’s haul included:

• A Plano case
• Eyeglass retainers
• Berkeley Choppo
• Rapala Crush City Mayor
• Some 3″ and 4″ Yamamoto Senkos
• A pack of Yum Dingers in John Dalton’s favorite color
• XPS Hellgrammite
• Keitech Fat Swing Impact
• A stringer
• Scissors
• Live Target mouse

The Berkeley Choppo is a plopper-style bait that I’m planning to compare with other similar lures, such as the River 2 Sea Whopper Plopper, in an upcoming video.

I’m also testing the Rapala Crush City Mayor as a potential alternative to the Keitech Fat Swing Impact.

The Keitech Fat Swing Impact is a staple, and I restocked my supply.

I grabbed the Bass Pro XPS Hellgrammite because I like using hellgrammites for trout fishing. I also want to compare various brands of helgrammites to see if one outperforms the others. I mostly use the Nikko Zaza Helgrammite and the Great Lakes Finesse Helgrammite.

And of course, I couldn’t resist the Live Target mouse, hoping to entice some smallmouth bass.

I even picked up a stringer, thinking I might do a catch and cook video this year, probably featuring trout or crappie.

Is Cabela’s a BFS Goldmine?

So, is Cabela’s a great place to find BFS gear? The answer is yes. There’s a wide selection, a variety of brands, and it’s convenient if you live near a store.

However, it can be overwhelming, and prices might not always be the lowest. Plus, they might not carry highly specialized BFS gear and a lot of the JDM lures you may be after. Still, I’d say Cabela’s is definitely worth checking out for your BFS needs.

If you want to get started with bait finesse fishing, I suggest checking out this BFS reels guide. Or, if you’re looking for lures, check out these BFS fishing lures.

What are your experiences shopping for BFS gear at Cabela’s? What are some of your favorite BFS lures?