Black Betty 6061...

[Colemanvdh123]

Alright everybody its official, the black betty 6061 is available at joes at the ice show.

My question is now that everybody is getter there hands on there long awaited reels what does everybody think.

Thanks

[Esox_Magnum]

Still waiting on mine, pre ordered it wih a local shop...

[muc33]

I will be completely honest that I will pass on them. I am not at all a fan of the drop neck on them. Your gloved hand can easily stop the reel process. I am still a firm and strong believer in the Okuma SLV 2/3's the hold their weight in design, drag is supreme and price is great at roughly 65. I purchased two more at Thornes booth today.

[Colemanvdh123]

Yeah same here. I had a 6061 preordered through reeds. Then I went to the 13 fishing both and played with the reel. I wasn't impressed with it. I have an eagle claw straight line reel and I really don't think that the quality improvement from the eagle claw to the 6061 is worth an extra $70. Both reels still have the same problems no matter which one you get. Both feel like the spool is really lose and wobbly and the breaking system doesn't really work like it is supposed to.

All in all I had my hart set on this reel and when I finally got my hands on it I was disappointed.

Seriously not worth $100.

I looked at the Okuma SLV 2/3 and I like that reel much better. Much better build quality compared to the 6061. The only disadvantage is the 1:1 ratio. But I think I'll be fine.

Moral of the story Came to the show wanting a 6061 left wanting a Okuma SlV 2/3.

Hope this helps everybody.

[fisherman-andy]

I find these reviews nothing more then speculation at this point because for one YOU AND I HAVENT TESTED IT OUT ON THE HARDWATER YET. Need to be field tested to give proper review. Feeling it in your hands is like touching a sports car and never driving it.

The inline reels do have their pros and cons but the positive far outweighs any negative feelings I had so far about these type of reels. Whether one choose a fly reel such as the Okuma SLV or the Black Betty its going to be used for specific purpose...

Advantages over a typical fly reel:

*Free spool, this reel will drop a 1/100 oz jig with proper tension adjust

*Drag without one having to let go of the retrieve handle

*Gearing: 3:1 which equals 17" line pickup per revolution of the retrieve/crank handle

*No line backing needed

[Crappyfisherman]

I went to the show to pick one up. But after looking at it decided to pass.It is a great looking well put together reel. Well worth the the money for those that like them.I am not knocking them.The main problem I have with them is the balance of the reel,it hung to one side.

[bee]

I have used the EC several times open water in the last 3 weeks. Nothing but praise for it. Today I will get on the ice for the first time with it. Looking again for nice results. If i find different i will say so.

[dfeste]

fisherman-andy I have to 100% disagree with you. If you put a dump reel in my hands I can feel that without field testing it. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get my hands on my 6061 reels so I won't speculate. I certainly hope they will be of higher quality than the Eagle Claw reel because I was not impressed with that.

[aanderud]

Andy, come on -- you know darn well you can tell if you DISLIKE a reel right in the store. How it feels in your hand, what the balance is like ergonomics, etc don't all need "field testing". LOL. How else would you pick from the hundreds of reels.

I'll give you that you can't tell definitively that you're going to LIKE a reel until you field test it -- but you can make educated guesses.

[Esox_Magnum]

I'll decide when I get mine mounted on my Tripwire and use it, if I don't like it there will be someone out there looking for 1...

[DTro]

I heard the same dislikes that muc33 mentioned from several people at the show.

[fishwater]

I just cancelled my paid for pre-order with Dean for three of them. I picked up an additional one Friday at the show from Joe's and found it had serious issues. It sounds like the issue isn't isolated, heard about another exhibiting the rattle reel syndrome already..

[fisherman-andy]

fisherman-andy I have to 100% disagree with you. If you put a dump reel in my hands I can feel that without field testing it. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get my hands on my 6061 reels so I won't speculate. I certainly hope they will be of higher quality than the Eagle Claw reel because I was not impressed with that.

You have been disagreeing with me on many things in many different topics & forums. I respect your opinion but you seem to have it out for me lately? However that doesnt make you right nor your opinion... thank you. If your gonna provide a review at least provide a proper detail one. Geez.. you havent even touched the reel yet.

I have just as many concerns about the reel as anyone one on here and hearing about defects and workmanship definitely puts me on the alert. However if im gonna let quick opinions crowd my judgement it better be a darn good one other then I touched it, or I think I had a bad one.

[fisherman-andy]

Andy, come on -- you know darn well you can tell if you DISLIKE a reel right in the store. How it feels in your hand, what the balance is like ergonomics, etc don't all need "field testing". LOL. How else would you pick from the hundreds of reels.

I'll give you that you can't tell definitively that you're going to LIKE a reel until you field test it -- but you can make educated guesses.

Thats definitely a "LOL." That makes you fall in the group of not properly testing a product. Just because you touched it, felt it, spin its handle doesnt make your opinion the right one. You can feel hundreds of nice reels and like them or not, then not like the one you finally picked out after actually giving it some use? Isnt that correct? Could that reason be possible? Im willing to bet it is.

Sure I can understand your concerns and that the reel has issues. Yes your are welcome to dislike the reel. But there are others who says different otherwise. That is the reason why we do the "FIELD TEST" buddy.

From a standpoint of reviews coming from guides and pro staffs. I EXPECTED BETTER. Maybe im a little bias since I work in the IT field. Field test, trial & error, etc is part of my daily routine. If fishing is ones profession or love, I also expect more.

[bobbymalone]

wannabe pro staff.

annoying.

i picked one up at the 13 fishing booth and fiddled with it for a bit. It's a nice reel, no doubt, but they can really take that $100 price tag and bury it. that's pretty obscene. not that I can blame them, since they seem to have no problem convincing people to pre-order the dang things without ever even having seen one.

[fisherman-andy]

wannabe pro staff.

annoying.

i picked one up at the 13 fishing booth and fiddled with it for a bit. It's a nice reel, no doubt, but they can really take that $100 price tag and bury it. that's pretty obscene. not that I can blame them, since they seem to have no problem convincing people to pre-order the dang things without ever even having seen one.

If that was directed at me lol.. go ahead if it makes you feel big and tall over me. I can take criticism. Just dont turn this thread to junk, it'll likely get locked up cause we cant be civil. No i dont claim to be a wannabe pro staff nor am I one. However I do love my toys and fishing.

I am not justifying the price or quality of the reel until I actually have some time to use it on the ice.

[herefish101]

Wrong again. That makes you fall in the group of not properly testing a product. Just because you touched it, felt it, spin its handle doesnt make your opinion the right one. You can feel hundreds of nice reels and like them or not, then not like the one you picked out after actually giving it some use? Isnt that correct? Could that reason be possible? I willing to bet it is.

Sure I can understand your concerns and that the reel has issues. Yes your are welcome to dislike the reel. But there are others who says different otherwise. That is the reason why we do the "FIELD TEST" buddy.

From a standpoint of reviews coming from guides and pro staffs. I EXPECTED BETTER. Maybe im a little bias since I work in the IT field. Field test, trial & error, etc is part of my daily routine. If fishing is ones profession or love, I also expect more.

[aanderud]

Andy, I know nothing about this reel but I can tell you without a doubt that I can tell which reels I like or do not like right in the store. Only ones that I like will ever have the chance of being "field tested". LOL

You can't make the claim (with a straight fact) that it's impossible to form a reasonable opinion on a reel's suitabilty without a personal field test. That's what you said in response to a couple posters who said they didn't like how the reel felt in their hands at the show.

[fisherman-andy]

A person can't always field test every piece of equipment they buy.... That's just not possible. If you pick up a junk reel at a store as soon as you feel the fit and finish you know it's junk. I know after hearing from some of my buddies, and quite a few people of the forums all say they were not impressed by this reel, that I will not be looking into one.

If I field tested all my fishing/hunting equipment i'd be broke from paying full price for bad gear and then having to unload it for cheaper. I'm sorry but when it comes to fishing/hunting equipment you need to leave the store with the product you want and that will last.

This thread is an opinion point for this reel, all to help a person make a better decision before they open the wallet.

I agree to a certain point. Yes a person cant field test everything. But this is a product that isnt available in the hundred different types like a spinning reel. You have 1 inline reel or two on the market. If you feel the reel is junk that is your call. I can see one not liking the reel if it was made poorly with cheap parts & materials. I for one one find the reel to my liking so far aside the negative marks. I will make my call after giving it some use. THAT IS ALL IM SAYING...

[fisherman-andy]

Andy, I know nothing about this reel but I can tell you without a doubt that I can tell which reels I like or do not like right in the store. Only ones that I like will ever have the chance of being "field tested". LOL

You can't make the claim (with a straight fact) that it's impossible to form a reasonable opinion on a reel's suitabilty without a personal field test. That's what you said in response to a couple posters who said they didn't like how the reel felt in their hands at the show.

Well that's your opinion and I respect that. I however feel different on how I use and buy my products. Your right, if I didnt like from touch and feel can sway me away from it. There is no LOL about that. However I do like the representation of this reel and am giving a different opinion and approach to it. It just another opinion just like yours. However your chiming in a post what appears to ask for thought or review for the BB 6061. What is one to expect? Base my whole experience on someone else's opinion that they felt it and its junk? So dont buy it? Yes that will push me to be a bit bias on such a review.

Im not gonna try to stir the pot any further nor am I trying to get on the bad side of some of you members on here. I hear ya and understand that 13 Fishing's got some quality control issues on their hands with this reel. Not denying that.

In part im done posting in the thread as I feel its gonna be turned into mush with the current conversation going on here between me and others. So i'll let others users chime in and let one decide ultimately for themselves whether they like such a reel or not. Till then good ice fishing everyone...

[Colemanvdh123]

Fisherman andy. Have you gone to the ice show yet and played with the 6061 reel?

If you have, what is your opinion on the quality of the reel baised on what you learned just playing around with it?

[fisherman-andy]

Fisherman andy. Have you gone to the ice show yet and played with the 6061 reel?

If you have, what is your opinion on the quality of the reel baised on what you learned just playing around with it?

I am hesitant to give feedback as so far I am being slayed on this thread. LOL.. nothing against anyone. Everyone is entitled to their own respected opinion.

I wasnt going to post any further on this thread but since you asked, I have 2 EC inline reels and have played around with them extensively the last month or so. I also have touched, felt, spun the wheel with the Black Betty 6061 at the show at 13 Fishing booth and at Tuc's booth. Feels smooth to me and not all that different from the EC reel. Design feels satisfactory or good enough to me.

I dont have a problem with the imbalance weight issue to the left due to the design. A big question here with these reels is with the drag setting, it could've been better. Im not a big guy and my hands are small so I dont have the same issue with reel touching a glove or retrieve handle. Again to me the free spool is a welcome feature, as I am continually pulling lines in 20-30 fow with a flyreel its becomes tiring and cumbersome.

I have 2 BB 6061 on pre-order which I assume will have in my hands next week. If I didnt like what I saw in the EC reels I wouldnt have made the order for the BB 6061.

From on here so far some of you arent so fond of the design and the quality control over production has left some wondering as people are reporting in some defective reels. For some spending $100 is a big deal and knowing this BB 6061 isnt all that different from the EC reel which can be had for $15-$30. Thus is why some is questioning if spending $100 is worth it?

If you have played around with one at the show you've likely got a feel for the reel. Did you also get a chance to see the EC inline reel at the Eagle Claw's booth to make a comparison?

Either way its not a reel for everyone. If your skeptical then see if you can find a EC inline reel instead if you need justifying the cost or quality of reel. There are some members on here that have already used the EC reel on open water or ice already. Hopefully more will chime in on their experience.

[dfeste]

Maybe it's you Andy and not me. I made no judgement on the 6061 (I even said I'd have to wait until tomorrow to see one) and you jump all over me because I disagree. I won't chime in any longer if my opion is not the same as yours. Please see it in your all knowledgeable being to forgive me. Done with andy

[fisherman-andy]

Maybe it's you Andy and not me. I made no judgement on the 6061 (I even said I'd have to wait until tomorrow to see one) and you jump all over me because I disagree. I won't chime in any longer if my opion is not the same as yours. Please see it in your all knowledgeable being to forgive me. Done with andy

I got nothing against you or anyone on here, dfeste. I actually welcome your criticism and comments and said I respected that as said before. Wasnt my intentions to go overboard with ya. I just find myself annoyed or odd that you and I have gone disagreeing on more then one subject on different threads or forums. I am no more knowledgeable then you are however I am bias when something isnt given a proper review, maybe its my downfall. Good fishing to you.

Re-read my first my very post on here. I question whether someone can write something off without giving it a proper review or test drive before everyone started firing on all cylinders. I dont care whether one think it looks or feels poorly made or designed, I want to see for myself. Each person views things differently, you have different views on this thread that contradict each other. One say bad, one say good? Shouldn't one at least see and test it out for themselves first?

The good part is hopefully the vendors will see & take these reviews into consideration and make adjustments for new inline reels next year.

[aquafang]

With all do respect.... All , well almost all products have a place in this world. Whether it be a price factor, feel, looks, or quality and performance, there are alot of people with difference of opinions. If this wasnt so, then there would only be one kind of everything in this world. I can personally tell by the feel that i am not a fan of a fly reel type reel. But i cannot say that they are bad. I just dont want anyone telling me they are the best.

Good luck to all who fishes with them.

I would like to hear reviews from die hard spinning reel users who try one.