I'm in the market for a saltwater baitcaster, mostly for speckled trout and redfish. I've had great experiences with Shimano, but I've heard good reviews of 13 Fishing's Concept Z at a much lower price point. What do y'all think? Should I save some money or get the Shimano?

Thanks for your opinions and snide remarks.

I prefer my old school Shimano Curado to my 13 fishing Concept TX. Shimano is just better constructed and holds my settings better. However, I prefer what Lew's is doing right now with baitcasters to both.

Thanks. I'm open to other suggestions as well. I've never used a Lew's.

13 fishing concept z sport for $150. Love em!!

Left to right, number is how I rank them

8 Lew Speed Spool Inshore
4 Lews Custom Inshore SLP
2 Lews Team Lite
7 Concept Z
3 Concept C
3 Concept C
6 Concept TX
5 Concept E
1 Concept KP

Looking at price and value I'd say the Lew's Team Lite is top followed by a toss between the Concept C and Lew's Inshore SLP.

If I were buying a Shimano it would be hands down the new DC. I got to use one over the weekend and it is amazing technology, however, it's also heavier than any of the ones pictured.

I put orange seal Boca Bearings on both of my Cs just got 3 new sets in the mail. Highly recommend them as soon as you see the slightest performance drop in whatever reel you go with

FIDO*98* said:

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Left to right, number is how I rank them

8 Lew Speed Spool Inshore
4 Lews Custom Inshore SLP
2 Lews Team Lite
7 Concept Z
3 Concept C
3 Concept C
6 Concept TX
5 Concept E
1 Concept KP

Looking at price and value I'd say the Lew's Team Lite is top followed by a toss between the Concept C and Lew's Inshore SLP.

If I were buying a Shimano it would be hands down the new DC. I got to use one over the weekend and it is amazing technology, however, it's also heavier than any of the ones pictured.

I put orange seal Boca Bearings on both of my Cs just got 3 new sets in the mail. Highly recommend them as soon as you see the slightest performance drop in whatever reel you go with

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side question. what is the point of the rods with the missing cork sections? is that just to reduce weight?

Experience with both Shimano and 13 Fishing.

Got several old Curados I've used for years wade fishing artificials around Rockport. Get out 15+ times a year. Solid performers. Long cast. Smooth retrieve. Usually take them to FTU every year or so and get them serviced. They keep on running.

Picked up a 13 Fishing Inception to try in freshwater 2 or 3 years ago. Not a bad reel. Easy to adjust. Smooth retrieve. Was happy with it.

Had some cash back in March. Ran into FTU and picked up a 13 Fishing Concept TXZ. Put it on a Waterloo Salinity rod. Been able to fish w it 3 times now. It's a really nice reel. I'm getting more distance on my casts. Retrieve is very smooth. Controls are easy to adjust. Easily my favorite coastal saltwater reel.

Only gripe is the price. I can buy two Curados for the price of the 13 Fishing Concept TXZ.

Really don't believe there is a "bad" one to pick. Think it gets down to $ and personal preference. Springfield vs Glock.... Ford vs Chevy.... blonde vs brunette.... All get the job done, just a little different.

Split grips have a slight taper to them and I just prefer the way it feels in my hand. Weight is probably negligible, but, they are lighter. Split grips go in my vertical rod holders a little easier, but, not a huge difference maker either. If I preferred the way the full grips felt, those other advantages wouldn't be enough to go with split.

FIDO*98* said:

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Split grips have a slight taper to them and I just prefer the way it feels in my hand. Weight is probably negligible, but, they are lighter. Split grips go in my vertical rod holders a little easier, but, not a huge difference maker either. If I preferred the way the full grips felt, those other advantages wouldn't be enough to go with split.

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that makes sense. I guess I never noticed that. I hold my rod around the reel and I always cast 2 handed so I don't really hold that tapered part. makes sense though.

FIDO*98* said:

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Left to right, number is how I rank them

8 Lew Speed Spool Inshore
4 Lews Custom Inshore SLP
2 Lews Team Lite
7 Concept Z
3 Concept C
3 Concept C
6 Concept TX
5 Concept E
1 Concept KP

Looking at price and value I'd say the Lew's Team Lite is top followed by a toss between the Concept C and Lew's Inshore SLP.

If I were buying a Shimano it would be hands down the new DC. I got to use one over the weekend and it is amazing technology, however, it's also heavier than any of the ones pictured.

I put orange seal Boca Bearings on both of my Cs just got 3 new sets in the mail. Highly recommend them as soon as you see the slightest performance drop in whatever reel you go with

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Don't understand the price and value recs vs the ratings you assigned. Comes off as "cheaper is better", but don't believe that's what you meant.

I guess that was somewhat subconscious. I guess the more expensive ones got ranked lower, because, they don't perform any better yet cost more with the exception of the KP. The sweet spot seems to be just above the $200 mark with the Team Lite and Concept Cs.

I'm with Strongwind86, my father and I still throw Curados, some are pretty dated, and I can still outcast most folks.

I did however, get a Shimano Chronarch, and it's awesome.

I've had a couple of Daiwas I've liked very much.

JosephMarcus said:

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FIDO*98* said:

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Left to right, number is how I rank them

8 Lew Speed Spool Inshore
4 Lews Custom Inshore SLP
2 Lews Team Lite
7 Concept Z
3 Concept C
3 Concept C
6 Concept TX
5 Concept E
1 Concept KP

Looking at price and value I'd say the Lew's Team Lite is top followed by a toss between the Concept C and Lew's Inshore SLP.

If I were buying a Shimano it would be hands down the new DC. I got to use one over the weekend and it is amazing technology, however, it's also heavier than any of the ones pictured.

I put orange seal Boca Bearings on both of my Cs just got 3 new sets in the mail. Highly recommend them as soon as you see the slightest performance drop in whatever reel you go with

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side question. what is the point of the rods with the missing cork sections? is that just to reduce weight?

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This actually came to being initially due to a cork shortage believe it or not. Then it became popular. No real advantage that I can see. I still prefer the full grip but maybe that's because I'm used to it.

Prefer shimano bantam mgl to all of them. Expensive and on the heavy side but unbelievably smooth and stout.

My opinions -

Lews- great performance that tapers off - reels are made cheaply - take apart and look for yourself
13- good performance but heavily focused on weight and components do not seem robust
Shimano - got a bad rap after some bad reals after original greenie - new ones are great
Daiwa- great bass reals - never taken in salt but guide friend uses fuegos and likes them
Abu- no experience

slammerag said:

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Lews- great performance that tapers off - reels are made cheaply - take apart and look for yourself
13- good performance but heavily focused on weight and components do not seem robust

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When's the last time you took apart a Lew's? All mine are solid and well made. My Lew's haven't dropped off a bit.

The 13s are the ones that tapered off in performance. That's why I'm swapping bearings on all of mine, but, after the Boca swaps the Cs are running like champs. The weight makes a bigger difference than most people think when you are out on a 2-3hr wade. May not be a big deal to a boat fisherman.

I was one of the people who got a couple of the bad mid to late 2000s Shimanos. Turned me off from the brand for a while, but, after slinging that DC this weekend I'll admit Shimano will be squarely in the mix next time I'm in the market.

Shimano makes most of their upper-end reels in Japan, though they also have their own factory in Malaysia to build their lower-cost reels from the Curado on down. I believe the Malaysian factory is owned by Shimano, not just a contractor. Could be wrong.

Daiwa is similar to Shimano in that most or all of their high-end reels are made in Japan, but some of their cheaper reels are built at Daiwa-owned factories in other countries. I believe Daiwa uses South Korea and Taiwan as the bases for those other factories.

Abu's low-profile reels, Lew's reels, Pflueger baitcasters, and the BPS Pro Qualifier and Johnny Morris Signature Series baitcasters are all made by Doyo in Korea. Abu Garcia's round reels from the C3 on up are still made in Sweden.

I was curious as to which reel brands are made by which Korean OEM. It looks like Lews, Abu low pros, BPS pro-q/JM and Pfluger are Doyo with Quantum, Okuma, and 13 Fishing being Banax. Ardents are now rebranded Haibos.

Just my opinion but lews are mostly plastic and bearings are inferior. I had to put boca ceramics in my custom as casting distance started to taper. My guide friends that were all lews have stopped using for same reason. Great reels for price but there are better options.

I was a huge Shimano only guy until 5 years or so. I use 13 fishing exclusively now. Key is regular oil to worm gear. Easily outcasts every other and it's not close. In a year I will put the equivalent of 20 years use for the average person.

The real answer is you can't really go wrong with any of those brand's mid to upper tier reels. It starts to become more of a preference thing at some point.

I dropped Shimano about 5 years ago and pretty much fish Abu Garcia Premier reels exclusively now. I have lightly fished 13 concept and Lews reels that belonged to buddies. I liked them both but I still like the Abu better. I am shocked at their durability.

So have you made a decision?

Do we dare get into what Rods people have had success with? Or should we start another thread???


Those rods FIDO*98* had were some good ones

The 13 I bought my son made it through one season before it started acting up. My Lews Inshore is on it 4th with no issues. Still my go to reel.

I like fit and feel of shimano over my lew's - although Lew's is awesome. Concept is really nice looking but never fished with it so can't help ya there.

At the mid-point in all of these brands, it becomes a Ford/Chevy deal. I love Shimano but I don't fish with cheap stuff. My son loves Lews and Shimano.

We have one 13 fishing reel, and I have not been very impressed with it, but it was free, so it is what it is. Others will say they love them. Some of it is about what you are used to.

As for fishing as light as possible, when you are over 40, and walking the dog for the second and third day, after walking the dog for 4-6 hours the first day, you want all the lightness you can get, IMHO. It's about wrist soreness and avoidance. Unfortunately I'm getting old. Getting old is great, but not fishing as much as I used to, as part of it, sucks donkey .......

woods&water said:

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Those rods FIDO*98* had were some good ones

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Kistler KLX, Waterloo Salinity, Waterloo Ultra Mag, H2O Bone Daddy, Laguna Liquid, Salinity, Waterloo HP Lite, Laguna TX Wader, & Abu Garcia Bass rod.