The 13 Fishing Concept Z hit the market and anglers have been buzzing ever since. What gives?
Alright, we give. Ever since the 13 Fishing Concept Z arrived, we've heard a lot about this radical, almost defiant baitcasting reel with a total of zero ball bearings. We wanted to get to the bottom of it, and learn what we could to share with you.
The egg hatched when a special polymer technology dubbed CZB, or Concept Zero Bearing, was concocted, giving fishing reels their first ever material designated to replace the by now traditional ball bearings. It was directed towards (and vigorously tested by) saltwater anglers who had serious issues with corrosion.
Here's a video that helps explain the origin of the idea.
Bring that brand new space-age tech to the fishing market, and we're pretty sure you're going to shake things up. And considering it retails for $200, we'd say you're really on to something. That's high end innovation without the high end price.
Fast forward a couple years, and the Concept Z seems to have taken off thanks to the perceived value. Folks claim casting distance is increased, and the varying gear ratios give them just what they need in a casting reel.
The 12/135 line capacity is honestly tested with the effortlessly long casts, they say. The reel's 6-way centrifugal braking system brings everything to a halt, and the Ocean Armor 2 saltwater protection is just what the redfish or sea bass fisherman ordered. When a reel casts and retrieves like this one does, it's almost like there's nothing that the Concept Z doesn't have.
13 Fishing has since pushed CZB even further, presenting a beefed up version, the Concept Z3 (with 30 pounds of drag and a Japanese Hamai cut gearing) and a saltwater performance reel known as the Concept TXZ.
From Texas to California to Florida, and from bass fishing to saltwater angling, the 13 Fishing Concept Z baitcaster has marked its territory in the room of great reels.
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