Black Betty 6061

[Jim Uran]

Cool looking reel, but not something I would buy for a hundred spot! I do think that these types of reels will only get better and more affordable from here!

[MNCPRGUY]

Def a sharp looking reel!

[LakeDocktor]

Jim, I meant to post pictures, but have been out of town. I think once people see these first hand, the quality will offset the price. Personally, I don't think there is anything that really needs improving on the 6061, but like everything else, someone will always wish more options. Then again, options come with a price tag. Needless to say, the ice can't form quick enough!

[Esox_Magnum]

Mines been on pre order for 2 months already...$100 isnt bad for a quality reel, most of us spend more than that on open water reels, why buy cheap reels for ice fishing? Many must think the same since all the pre oredered reels have been pre sold that I know of...

[BartmanMN]

That is sexy, but I'd like to know what is different between this one and the other ID60 Raft reels available online besides the spacing of the crank. The others are slightly less expensive, but not a ton.

Nice job on the color scheme.

[blackdog1101]

No doubt that is an excellent reel. The sad truth is that if the design catches on, someone in Asia will probably steal the design and create a similar reel for half the price. I hope the American entrepreneur is successful.

[Eric_Kruger]

I cant wait to get mine, I see no issue in buying one of these. No different than spending a benny on a saros or supreme for my rods.

[fisherman-andy]

No doubt that is an excellent reel. The sad truth is that if the design catches on, someone in Asia will probably steal the design and create a similar reel for half the price. I hope the American entrepreneur is successful.

So sorry to tell you that the Black Betty 6061 and the ($30) Eagle Claw inline reels are knock off replicas of the Raft fly reels already made by companies in Asia, mainly China that have been around for a while. The difference here is these reels are more geared towards ice fishing.

Cant wait to get my (2) 6061 pre-orders also. I dont have a problem paying $$$ for quality gear. Going to pair them up with a DH Perch Pounder & TUC quick tip precision ice custom rods.

[mainbutter]

Cool looking reel, but not something I would buy for a hundred spot! I do think that these types of reels will only get better and more affordable from here!

My thoughts exactly! Just you wait to see what ice reels will be like for $50 (in today's value) in as little as 3 years, heck it gets me excited to wonder about 10 years from now.

[mainbutter]

No doubt that is an excellent reel. The sad truth is that if the design catches on, someone in Asia will probably steal the design and create a similar reel for half the price. I hope the American entrepreneur is successful.

I know andy already replied, but this post is too dam funny because it's Americans that are making knock-offs from Chinese entrepreneurs.

[JP Z]

13 is copying off China with this reel, that is being made in China for them in this case. The only issue I really see with these reels is the fact that the spool isn't totally enclosed and you have that lip. If you have too much slack it will loop over the edge of the spool and you will have issues. This was the case at least with the Ice Tech reel that the other Black Betty is a copy of at least.

[muc33]

As others have stated, it depends on what you expect from your equipment. I have a different level of expectation than maybe half of you, or maybe 80%. This is to each person's level. I have found over the years, that the best way to find out if something is "better", or even "worth it" is to try it or wait until enough have to get a good opinion. I have equipment that costs more than some, and I also in the same fashion have stuff that others may think is junk. But I get to form that opinion and so do each of you. I for one will be choosing to give this reel a try. Why, because I want to see, for myself if indeed it is going to make my fishing experience a quality one, or maybe even better than that of which I have now.

[bbfenatic]

[fisherman-andy]

I don't follow your rational that they are knock offs but geared for ice fishing. If you change a product (fly reel) to fit a certain requirement (ice fishing) I would not call it a "knock off". A knock off is like a cheap watch made to resemble a Rolex with a Rolex logo made to think you are actually buying a Rolex. Many Fly reels are made right here in the U.S. and we dont see any of those manufacturers crying "foul".

I think someone is just nitpicking here...

There are many definitions, copy cat, imitation, generally it is of something that is popular. It doesnt necessarily have to be an expensive item. Cheaper can be said as one penny less.

If you havent seen the raft reels they arent exactly cheap and there are higher quality costly raft reels to be found aside from the mass produced cheaper versions from China. In part the EC inline reel and Black Betty 6061 dont look all that different, even features wise.

The idea of modifying a product to fit a different role doesnt change the part that it still a similar looking type product with similiar features. So if I put dirt/snow tires on my 4X4 pickup instead its now something totally new? Isnt still just 4x4 pickup though?

No one or mfg/vendor on here is crying foul here except maybe you? I only gave mentioned because people are un-informed on such similiar reels that are already in existence.

[SunnyFishin]

I don't think it's any secret they are using a raft reel body...they say it right on their facebook page.

Also, talking with the rep that comes in here and I've called and talked to them on the 800 number (guy said he was the owner), they make it pretty apparent they found a body at a Japanese tackle show and tweaked it for the ice market.

[SunnyFishin]

13 is copying off China with this reel, that is being made in China for them in this case. The only issue I really see with these reels is the fact that the spool isn't totally enclosed and you have that lip. If you have too much slack it will loop over the edge of the spool and you will have issues. This was the case at least with the Ice Tech reel that the other Black Betty is a copy of at least.

Are you mad because a company is figuring out how to improve on products?

A raft reel is a saltwater reel...it has no IAR (like the Eagle Claw reel), a shotty breaking system, poor drag, etc. It seems a few companies have figured out how to make popular products better, and for the ice market.

Isn't that all the world is, recycled ideas. There is nothing 100% innovative and I don't care what random product you ramble off. It all comes from the improvement of an existing idea or problem...it always has an origin. My dad has worked at an ammo plant up here for years and every time he brings home a box of the "most innovative, fastest, hardest hitting, blah blah" I just smile and laugh a little...

This board is full of spite and hate today...dam the men and women of the world for trying to do something different I guess.

[bee]

I,m going to have to say i'm glad i got the EC reel.

[dfeste]

I received one of the Ming Yang raft reels in the mail last week. I paid just under $50 including shipping. Retail is about $100. The reel is very similar to the 13 Fishing reel.

The one big differance, and it is huge, is that the raft reel has absolutely no drag system. I have the 6061 reel preordered and I'm going to at least try the Ming Yang reel. I can tell you that the Ming Yang reel feels much more solid than either the Frabill 241 or the Eagle Claw reel.

If 13 Fishing took that raft reel and simply added a drag system I can already tell you they have a winner. I'm excited to see it. I don't care for the Black Betty because of the spinning reel style stem but in this case I think it will fit this reel perfectly because the non handle side of the reel spins.

[mccullen]

Should this be under the thread titled "Gimmicks"? LOL

[fisherman-andy]

I,m going to have to say i'm glad i got the EC reel.

Me too. For the budget price the EC reel can be the game changer. Im also glad I have the 6061 on pre-order. Both reels will get lots of use this winter.

[fisherman-andy]

I received one of the Ming Yang raft reels in the mail last week. I paid just under $50 including shipping. Retail is about $100. The reel is very similar to the 13 Fishing reel.

The one big differance, and it is huge, is that the raft reel has absolutely no drag system. I have the 6061 reel preordered and I'm going to at least try the Ming Yang reel. I can tell you that the Ming Yang reel feels much more solid than either the Frabill 241 or the Eagle Claw reel.

If 13 Fishing took that raft reel and simply added a drag system I can already tell you they have a winner. I'm excited to see it. I don't care for the Black Betty because of the spinning reel style stem but in this case I think it will fit this reel perfectly because the non handle side of the reel spins.

The Ming Yang raft reels is just another mfg/vendor who produces these reels by the masses. There are already raft reels that have drag too. From what we've seen from the EC reel, I dont think the Black Betty 6061 is going to be all that different except in material build quality and finish. Certainly not a final say on features until the product is actually in our hands to be tested.

[SunnyFishin]

Quote:

Me too. For the budget price the EC reel can be the game changer. Im also glad I have the 6061 on pre-order. Both reels will get lots of use this winter.

The Eagle Claw won't even be around next year so it's probably a mute point.

We have them here at $30 on the reel alone and they "blow them out" direct for $15...seriously? Nobody sees the business behind that of Eagle Claw dumping the reels. Just getting rid of them as fast as possible.

If it was something they cared about, or thought worked...why would they not ship them to us at the stores when they are apparently in demand? Why blow them out and make no money (cause we all know they aren't making squat at $15).

[fisherman-andy]

[blackdog1101]

To correct my comment, it won't be long before an Asian company is marketing them here as in-line ice reels. I Googled images of Raft Reels, there are some nice looking reels on there.

[SunnyFishin]

Quote:

From a business stand point I would agree with you. You and I cannot predict the outcome of what will happen with EC and their reel. But that's not what im comming at as a game changer. All I see affordability and features of a reel that I want to where most dont have to drop a arm/leg to experience. To me that was big and was the factor.

I can agree with that statement, I don't doubt it will force the hand of more innovation (and potentially lower prices). Although, I'm not of the group that feels $100 is too much on a reel. My summer setups are hundreds on rods, hundreds on reels...suppose I don't have nearly as much as most on here though (more of the quality over quantity, or not enough paycheck for everything)

The EC thing is an anomaly to me though. Seeing those raft reel links around $100, the 6061 (with apparent upgrades) at $100...then a reel at $15. Just seems odd...