Fishing 13's Black Betty Reel Review

[munchy71]

And Yes, I could strap a bike tire rim to a tree branch and reel fish up so fast they get knocked out on the ice...

True enough, but the Razer is probably a less ridiculous, more realistic option. It offers retrieve rates closer to what we're used to with a standard spinning reel, so there's no danger of knocking them out on the ice. It only gives us, in an inline reel, what we're already used to with a spinning reel.

Unless you have issues with your spinning reels bringing 'em up too fast.....

-Munchy

[Jim Uran]

2) they decide to hit the swivel rather than the jig

Spot on! even a split shot will do that to gills!

[Eric_Kruger]

back on TOPIC the black betty looks like an awesome reel. at first I was fine with my okuma slv's but the more POSITIVE reviews I see about the 13 fishing line up I may have to pick up a few. I gotta admit, in typical fisherman fashion the "looks" of the black betty have me caught, but from what im hearing they function just as well as they look, that leads me to believe they have put the time and effort into fully researching the market before designing and marketing the reels.

Now on the icetech reels, No doubt they are nice, no doubt they bring up a good amount of line. But from a marketing stand point they took a swish reel mounted it on a different platform, machined it instead of pressing it and marketed it. the original icetech was an aluminum version of those "plastic" reels everyone is comparing products too. they even mounted to the handle the same. But they IMO are missing the boat by machining them, they could cast them suckers and drop the price in half.....85 bucks plus shipping +/- a few bucks is more than most people are trying to spend.

Lesson of today, if you want more line pick up, and have the money buy the ice tech. If you want a very reasonably priced reel with the same benefits, and dont have a ton of money to spend buy the black betty....two different products, two different markets.

[munchy71]

they could cast them suckers and drop the price in half

Really? Do you know how expensive casting is for a low volume product? Why do you think there are any hardly foundries left in the U.S.? Aluminum casting is the WORST too, with all the EPA hoops to jump through. Trust me, as a manufacturing engineer, it's my JOB to know these types of things. Besides, even after they are cast, there would be machining required for the bearing surfaces, center bushing bore, spindle, thread-cutting and the like.

They could be investment cast, I suppose, but dies for that type of process can run $20 to $30k, so R.O.I on that kind of investment at the current volume of reels they sell would be about 10 to 15 years. Typically companies are looking for an ROI of 3 years or less, so that would fall WAAAAY out side that criteria. Bad business decision for sure. It's the same reason we often choose to turret punch our low volume parts rather than buy a die and run them through a large straight side press. It's just impossible to justify the cost of the die for such low production numbers. Long story short, for low volume production, machining is lamost always the way to go. Casting them would more than likely double the price.

-Munchy

[Eric_Kruger]

Ok so casting isnt an option....theres still gotta be a cheaper way for them to manufacture them....theres fly reels all over the market that are cast/machined that are way more complex for cheaper...

maybe a polymer option?

Either way your missing the point... as stated you can get two reels for the price of one ice tech, and from the sounds of it they have the same if not better quality...you should be able to at least see whats wrong with that picture..you have one product that is entering the market at the perfect level for maximum sales, price wise its right in the window of what the average joe will want to spend, its a quality reel with a company that has an ever expanding online presence. Then you have the other product that is twice the price (still in my opinion due highly to the manufacturing process) and you really dont gain anything but a few extra inches of line take up...Which one is gonna have a higher sales number after the season? Ice tech needs to lower the price to compete with all the new reels on the market, Have i once said they are junk? NO, but they need a new marketing program if they wanna stay in the biz.

[Crappyfisherman]

Love this stuff,I really hope the Betty is as good as it looks. As for myself I have 3 Razors,3 fly reels, 2,000 spinning reels and more Thorne Bro. rods than I will ever want my wife to know about.

Sure hope when I die my wife sells my stuff for more than I said I paid for it.

[Jim Uran]

I would agree Eric, this topic was taken from a darn good write up on a new product, to someone steering to their product.

Maybe someone should start another thread: Razor vs Black Betty.

[munchy71]

Ok so casting isnt an option....theres still gotta be a cheaper way for them to manufacture them....theres fly reels all over the market that are cast/machined that are way more complex for cheaper...

maybe a polymer option?

Either way your missing the point...I get that your biased, but as stated you can get two reels for the price of one ice tech, and from the sounds of it they have the same if not better quality...you should be able to at least see whats wrong with that picture..you have one product that is entering the market at the perfect level for maximum sales, price wise its right in the window of what the average joe will want to spend, its a quality reel with a company that has an ever expanding online presence. Then you have the other product that is twice the price (still in my opinion due highly to the manufacturing process)

[Eric_Kruger]

I give....we agree to disagree, everyone be sure to check out both options at your local store....

[pushbutton]

No need for disagreement Eric, if you are a tourney angler fishing in 30 ft deep clear water for Interglacial bluegills, the IceTech may be a better option ......if you are just a normal guy, maybe even a little above, or even a little below average.....looks like a Black Betty might be a a viable alternative for half the price

[BartmanMN]

will these be carried in local stores or online only?

[Dark Cloud]

will these be carried in local stores or online only?

I know they will be at the St Paul show and Thorne Bros will carry them also. I'll try and find out more info...

Just solid rumors with no specifics but 13 Fishing will be releasing a another reel soon with many more features and a higher price point...

[Jim Uran]

Watch out for Clams new inline reel, you would think it would be coming out soon also! Another viable option

[Dark Cloud]

Clam, Frabill, 13 Fishing: all new stuff comming out, plus i'll still be using fly reels...

It is nice to have options...

[FISHINGURU]

Bluegills?

How well would either of these reels do in 30 FOW fishing for eyes and pike? By the sounds of it not very well.

[Stick in Mud]

By no means an expert, but I don't think the problem is the reel's ability to handle a heavy fish. It's more about the pick-up on the reel...which can be slower with in-line reels than with spinning reels.

I caught lots of (ok, a few) walleyes (in shallow water) last year on an in-line reel, and it worked great.

[swampbuck]

All of the 13 products will be available at most retailers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas, If they dont have them ask them to carry them next season