Comments: Unlike some other reviews I actually like this reel. The reel does have incredibly sensitive cast controls that can be frustrating in the beginning but once you get them dialed in it casts very very well. I have been using this reel for bass and striper fishing and it has performed well. This reel has plenty of drag, casts well, and is solid especially at the sale price. The reel is not the smoothest but it's consistent and I haven't noticed any change in how smooth it is despite using it mostly in saltwater.

From: Jackson: Northern California 7/21/23

Comments: I would steer clear of this reel. I bought one a while back and didn't even get one tournament season out of it. Was fishing a tournament and it started squeaking and before I could even make it home to attempt to clean it, it started reeling all the line to one side. I brought it home and started taking it apart and said screw it and bought more Shimano. It did cast very well once you had it set right but setting it right took some minor tuning, it seemed like a little went a long ways with any setting you tried to adjust

From: Josh: IL 6/27/23

Comments: Absolute garbage. Should've listened to my gut and stayed away from 13 fishing. Bought these for light saltwater. Calico and spotties. But doesn't help that I will max out the cast controls and this thing still backlashes. Have 0 issues with my curados but these are garbage stay away and don't listen to what tackle tour says about these reels they must've been paid to say something good. I honestly don't understand how this company is even still in business.

From: Chris : San Diego, CA 10/7/22

Comments: Thought I'd try a 13 Fishing reel -- on sale. The good: palms very nicely: light weight; casts far, smoothly, and quietly (as well as, or better than my Curados or Tatulas); smooth, quiet retrieve; does well with mono and fluoro; great handle knobs. The not so good: the color; not as solid feeling as my Curados or Tatulas; small drag adjustment makes a big difference -- could be problematic, depending on your fish-fighting style. So far, so good. Big question relates to durability. I definitely believe it to be a good purchase when on sale at a price reduction.

From: Unknown: Ohio 3/19/22

Comments: This is a pretty good reel if you get it on sale. I have owned it through a full summer and fall fishing season and it has held up decently. It does seem to cast a mile on light braid or 12 pound floro. I use it with 6'10 medium and primarily jerkbaits and top water popper. It has been absolutely phenomenal for these. None of the issues of locking up or strange noises. The reel is quite a bit of plastic though and I assume if I wasn't careful with all of my reels this would end up being an issue. I got it for around $80.00 and I would say worth every penny there. Retail might be pushing it with so many other quality reels out there at that price.

From: Neal: Austin, TX 2/19/22

Comments: I like this reel. It has really smooth drag actually and man this thing CASTS FAR. I also really like it because it is way more palmable than my other reels like my Tatula CT. Only problem is that the reel is not that smooth, it feels like the Daiwa Fuego which feels hollow and scratchy when reeling in. Aside that I love this reel.

From: Unknown: Des Moines, IA 8/13/21

Comments: This reel is meant for the fresh and saltwater angler, as the CZB bearings won't corrode. If you need a reel for both applications this is great, but I wouldn't buy this just as a bass fisherman, it's really light, and feels great in the hand, but it's not the smothest thing for the price. One of my handle bushings has come lose after about 6 months fishing, causing that handle to feel really weird and separated from the reel. This was my frogging reel for about three months and aside from the handle issue it's been fine, takes the weight of my frog combo down a bit. Another tip, this reel does better with braided line, for some reason it doesn't like heavy fluorocarbon. This is a reel for fresh AND salt, so that should be your best reason for buying it.

From: Unknown: 7/24/21

Comments: I have had this reel for 8 months, used as my backup since I had my Curado Dc and Slx, mainly threw TRigs and Jigs. The reel is fine it's very plastic, but it's very light. I throw swimbaits with braid on it right now. It would be awesome for a little frogging stick. It's pretty good but for the money get a tatula or Slx XT.

From: Unknown: 1/25/21

Comments: I initially purchased this reel, but unfortunately after four uses the real began to squeak like a pig. Tried to clean it, but it still squeak during retrieve. But luckily the good folks at Tacklewarehouse were very understanding. I shipped back the reel at no cost and they sent me a replacement. The replacement Concept Z has been great! Months of use and no issues to report. And this thing launches! I have the SLX DC and the Curado DC, and I have to tell you that this thing casts even farther than those reels. I use it primarily on 13 Fishing Fate Black rod which is my primary Chatterbait setup at the moment. If you can luck up and get a good working reel, you won't be disappointed!

From: Kevin: Coral Springs, FL 1/17/21

Comments: Three casts with this reel and it locked solid. Had to crank the drag down and crank handle to retrieve my cast after breaking the reel free and now it makes crazy noises. Sent it in for repair on my dime and haven't heard anything back yet. I love my other 13 fishing rods and reels but this so far isn't a great experience

From: Tyler Miller - 7/3/20

Comments: Just recently I bought the 13 Fishing Fate Black/SZ Casting reel combo. Now I dont know if theres a difference from the reel itself compared to the combo reel but I was pretty disappointed. There's a little gap between the reel and spool itself causing your line to get caught if you backlash or birdnest. And the settings are very different. I had the brake settings to max, and the tension nob tightened to the point where your lure won't fall down when you press your release but would still birdnest and get backlash (only had on a 1/5 Ned Jig with a Ned TRD Worm on). Could just be my luck with a bad reel but I returned the combo afterwards.

From: Unknown: 5/26/20

Comments: This reel doesn't last. I've had this reel for a year and already had two problems with it. The first was after about a month the lever to open the side plate broke off. I sent it in and it was fixed under warranty and I thought it'd be fine. Now after 10 months the anti reverse bearing was blown out. I'm sending it in for repairs again but now with two months left of warranty any further failures won't be covered and I will be out $150.

From: Jeffrey: Virginia Beach

Comments: Unfortunately fishing reels do not last. The CZB bearing will be worn out in under a year. This creates a loud vibration when casting and a casting distance reduced by half. One important thing I would note is that the handle has a lot of slop from side too side as well. This comes from play in the actual handle bushings, as well as the entire drag star and handle moving in and out. This is unexeptible for any reel above 100 dollars let alone in the 200 dollar price range. Even the smoothness virtually disappeared; within the first 2 weeks of use I could already feel the gears. I purchased a Concept z and that will be my last purchase ever from 13 fishing. Bottom line: Spend your money on another brand.

From: Unknown: 3/22/20

Comments: Last year I had the concept C. I enjoyed that reel, I regret selling it. I wanted to give 13 fishing another shot so I picked up this sport Z. Nothing wrong with this reel, it's ok and just that, ok. I feel 13 fishing really has their eyes on the younger anglers and wants to appeal to that generation. The hype does not match the components. Ive also the 13 fishing prototype X in Spinning. looks great, but again, no way should that be a $200 reel. You're honestly not getting your moneys worth in these reels. This reel (sport z) and even the concept C were over priced for what you get in return. Anybody having to save up for a reel I believe long term you will be happier with a shimano or daiwa product. The sport Z just felt plasticy to me. Very basic. Yes it will still catch fish, but for me this is where my 13 fishing curiosity ends

From: Dean: Las Vegas, NV 12/18/19

Comments: When I heard this reel was coming out and being a huge 13 fishing fan I could not wait to pick up this reel. I put it on a favorite lunkers special addition rod and it was beautiful and everything worked so well together. Used it for about 3 months even got some salt water use. The other day I was out on my kayak fishing my usual waters and at the top of the reel there is a black piece of plastic for hooking your lures that I have never used because the rod has a better place in my opinion to keep my hooks out of the way. That plastic piece fell off while I was retrieving a jig and got stuck in the worm gear and wrecked the paw and worm gear instantly. I tried to salvage it but it is now in the trash and I'm searching for a new reel option sorry 13 you kinda let me down on that one.

From: Unknown: 8/8/19

Comments: Great looking reel! I love the smoothness and feel of it. This reel is definitely a must get! I had a spring bend in the tension knob and 13 fishing customer service was awesome and they sent me the new part asap to get me fishing again. Nothing is always perfect in life and sometimes things break but how the company handles the customer service is outstanding. Definitely gave me more confidence in their products! 

From: Cortney T 6/26/19 

Comments: Great looking reel! I love the smoothness and feel of it. This reel is definitely a must get! I had a spring bend in the tension knob and 13 fishing customer service was awesome and they sent me the new part asap to get me fishing again. Nothing is always perfect in life and sometimes things break but how the company handles the customer service is outstanding. Definitely gave me more confidence in their products! 

From: Cortney T 6/26/19

Comments: Picked one of these up and once I got my hands on it, I immediately ordered another one. Reel feels great in my hand, smooth casting and great fit and finish. Overall I'm really impressed with 13 fishing reels so far, I had never used one until this year and I now own 5 in total and 0 complaints with any of them.

From: Josh: Michigan 5/22/19

Comments: 13 Fishing does it again, Awesome color, huge upgrade from the original inception, casting distance, drag, and butter smoothness! Will get another one soon

From: Roddin N'Reelin: NC 3/25/19

Comments: Blows my mind. Bought it for the attached side plate, but this reel has totally upgraded itself from the last one. Casting is like taking off in a rocket. Just gone. 

From: Benjamin: Lakeland, FL 3/15/19

Comments: It's so green! It's even green in real life. Oh it's fricken amazing too btw. Casting = Awesome, Drag = Awesome, Comfort = Awesome.   10/10 recommend. 

From: Dave: San Louis Obispo 3/14/19