I did a search and only found one thread in the bass section linking to a few company/ pros reviews.

The point of this thread is to ask... Has anyone bought the Concept Z yet? if so what is your opinion on this reel and does it live up to the hype so far?

We are waiting on you to buy one first!

Yes sir, have had mine for a few weeks now. Simply put, they live up to their name, and the advertisement on them was accurate. Very quiet reel and completely effortless to cast. A little sling in the wrist will send the lure as far as you need.. Now, as far as how long the bushings will hold up, only time will tell. But so far, I love it!!!

Spooled up 6.6:1 Concept Z w/12# Seaguar Invisx line and adjusted cast control to 3,tied-on 4/0 thin wire hook w/non-wt'd senko and cast using a 7'1" M (13 Fishing) OMEN rod and got easy 40 plus yds. Set cast ctl. to 1 and went 50+ yds. Showed these to all the Georgetown Bass Club guys and the loved them.They Pitch and Flip so easily.Can't wait to try the 8.1:1 skipping a frog or skipping the docks on LBJ. I sell 13 Fishing rods and reels and these reels are selling FAST. I sell the Concept A's,C's,Z's in (6.6:1,7.3:1 and 8.1:1) ratios. I Haven't rec'd any Z (7.3:1) as yet,but expect them soon.Contact me( Bill Harman @ 512-470-7176) for discounted pricing,,,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4XyKf9J3U&t=758s

This guy lets her rip. But the reel doesn't sound too good.

I went to academy this weekend. First reel I picked up was the one they had on display in the cabinet. In my unprofessional, limited experience the reel felt flimsy and brittle, maybe the light weight of the reel, compared to what I am used to, is throwing me off. My only other issue was the noticeable play in the handle. I asked the associate if he would open a box and let me see if the handle issue was from customers� abuse of the display reel or if it was inherent to all the reels. The associate obliged and opened a new box so I could test the handle of a virgin reel.

The second reel had the same issue. I palmed a few more reels I had been doing research on as well and I decided to go with a different reel than the concept Z.

Don�t get me wrong I don�t think the Z is junk, however; after reading reviews, watching comparison/test videos of the Z, and actually feeling the reel in my hands I don�t feel it is worth $200. Also I find it funny that 13 fishing comes out with a revolutionary �concept zero bearing� and instead of making it a staple of their company and a selling point for all their reels (to increase their reel values across the board), they come out with one new reel to put them in. To me the concept zero bearing smells of a gimmick and $200 is allot for me to gamble on.

Ha Ha, that you tube video just ended the sales of that reel. Glad I didn�t buy one yet, what a piece of _____!

Z is a overhyped YouTube marketed reel. And they will sell, but to those who have no clue. I can see some advantages to not having a bearing for use in salt water, but thats about it.

I think you can get the z bearing (or bushing or whatever it is) for the other concept models that aren't blaze orange

I have had 8 different 13 reels and I don't care for any of them long term... They're spectacular for a couple of weeks but not very resilient when you fish a few times a week.

I have had 8 different 13 reels and I don't care for any of them long term... They're spectacular for a couple of weeks but not very resilient when you fish a few times a week.

Update-

Taking mine back and getting a Concept A.... It hasn't given me any issues, but many folks down here are saying theirs are starting to make noise and what not and are going back to the Concept C's/A's/TX

I will admit, it feels like cheap plastic......

Most new products are hyped a bit in the promotional phase. Here, the makers have a great reel in the Concept A and others. I think I'd be inclined to wait a few model years. Buying anything brand new usually means we, the consumers, become the beta testers. I don't care what the engineers do in the laboratories, it seems the work to discover issues will come out on the water in every-day usage.

For the same dollars, this after seeing this new reel up against a similarly priced Shimano where the tests showed similar casting distances, I'd go with a Shimano or another reel with a proven history.

For sure, trying one out would be a great idea. But, it often takes a full day of fishing to really know what the true attributes are for gear.

I do see a true application for this reel: saltwater fishing. If this Z is easier to maintain in that environment, they'll have a great market to penetrate.

Brad

Brad,

I live on the coast down here. My real love is bass fishing, but I also go after trout/reds since I'm right by the salt down here.

The reel feels like a toy. Does it cast good? Yeah! It completely flies, butter smooth, effortless to cast. But, the build quality just isn't there.. I prefer the other concept reels that you can tell you are actually holding a piece of aluminum, not a hunk of plastic. Alot of reputable guides down here with the Z's are going back to the C and TX models.

Agreed that feel goes a very long way.

I have 3 or 4 Shimano Ci4+ spinning reels and they are made from that super light carbon material, so light, so water tight. I actually love the feel of those over metal spinning reels.

It could be an acquired taste!

My neighbor has a Concept A and I have always been super impressed by how reliable and what a good caster it is. I can see why guys want to revert to one of those.

I mentioned elsewhere that the loud orange/red paint was likely a marketing ploy. If you have one at a boat ramp, everyone is going to ask you how you like it. It is so identifiable.

This has been one of the more touted reels lately. Those guys did a great job. Now, will it live up to all of the hype? Time will tell.


Brad