The Best Value Baitcaster - Lews vs 13 Fishing 

Final update: this little reel is the little engine that could ru-vid.comUgkxSlytCJqozTF7EbdP4LWP-HUXf9WRDJ0e . It performed flawlessly and was easy to adjust drag in the moment while I was battling a 35lb bat ray behemoth. Mind you, this reel is spooled with only 25 lb braid and 25 mono topshot. It's paired with the kastking telescopic heavy power rod and the two work well together. This has now earned my respect and confidence when traveling and fishing. If you have ever hooked into large rays and sharks, you know they pull extremely hard and can run forever! This thing clamped down on the fish and was easy to adjust during the fight. It has a nice decently fast retrieve as well. Twice the fish went on mad runs and I was able to gain back line quickly to avoid spooling.

If it gives you confidence.... Use it.

I love how B-Lat actually uses/tests budget equipment. There are tons of of bass fishing channels out there that mention a budget set up were the rod and reel are $200 each. Especially, when they tell you to get a different rod and reel for every single bait that you have. $100 for a rod plus $100 for reel is high end for me because this is a hobby, not my job. I have one combo over $100 and I do not have a problem landing bass as a bank angler.

Toquavious 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

ive had a 13 fishing inception for 3 year now and i fish saltwater and i beat the hell out of that reel never had a problem with really nice reel still smooth and its been under the water a few time keep in mind its saltwater still going strong

I like my 13 fishing reels..BUT their rods are terrible...

i agree with that, my 6.3:1 SLX is my favorite chatter/crank reel

B Lat Sick Stick spinning rod is on my wishlist but I’m looking to get started baitcasting as well thanks for making this video

I’ve got some 13’s but I’ve fallen in love with diawa tatula reels. They throw better than my curado DC

I just ordered that Concept Z Slide, but I have a few of the old orange ones and love them. Got some Sport Zs, Concept A2s, and Inceptions too. I've even liked some of the bottom rung reels like the Origins... I didn't care too much for the original Origins but the newer ones like the R1, O1, and F1... they feel good and have the break control on an outside dial. All killer reels, and I also like that they make them in lower ratios. Reeling in a spinner or crank feels like reeling in a cinder block with a higher gear ratio haha. So much resistance even when you try and slow it down. That alone will tire you out if you're trying to throw it all day.

Other than Daiwa and Shimano, the same two companies in South Korea make 90% of the rest.

"I don't care what the frame is made out of, Jerry!" Dude. Hilarious, and so true.

I hate that a lot of rod manufacturers are putting the bait keepers on the handle under the reel seat

$270 for a reel where the anti reverse fails in cold weather??? I’ll stick with my shimano lmfaooo

The Tournament Pro is absolutely amazing. That and the Team Lews Light are my favorites.

I own both reels I love my 13 fishing concept a2 reel I have the concept tzx also and the a2 feels the best. But my favorite reel is by far the Shimano slx!!! I have curado and the slx just feels best.

what about Piscifun?

I wish shimano had that hook keeper like Lew's. I use deep cranks a lot and love my older slower ratio curados even though I have newer faster ratio reels. All my rods are old and have a beat up rusty first guide from hooking baits onto them.

Big fan of 13 fishing and the Concept A Gen 2 is amazing. Great customer service as well. Gonna pick up one of those Inceptions next

I've got 4 of the Lew's Tournament Pro G's ( the version that predates the Tournament model you have here ), 2 BB1 Pro's, and 2 Super Duty's. I've had all 8 of these Lew's reels for over 6 years now and I swear, all 8 of em still work & feel as smooth as they did the day I took em out of the box. I have no need whatsoever to update them at this time. I used mostly Shimano's since 1983, and nothing has held up as well as my 8 Lew's reels, I kid you not. Each are in various gear ratio's. I love all 3 models that I bought, but the Tournament Pro G was my favorite, so I immediately bought 2 more......which is why I have 4 of those and only 2 each of the others. But I will say this: when Lew's calls their one particular model "the Super Duty".......they weren't blowing smoke at all, they mean business. My Super Duty's have hauled in 20+ lb blue catfish while trophy bass fishing using jumbo live wild golden shiners down here on the Stick Marsh/Farm 13 reservoir. ( not to mention trophy bass up to 12 lbs, four of em so far, but I've lost much bigger bass that spit the hook. ) Sure, a bait-runner type casting reel with the clicker for live bait would be better, but the Super Duty's work just fine for me, on ultra heavy rods when tossing live wild shiners that are up to 10" long & weigh a good 1/4 of a pound or more. Tossing baits THAT heavy is really tough on a low-profile baitcaster. I use the jumbo live shiners only from late November through April, the cooler months down here. I also use my Super Duty's for heavy flipping & pitching. To each his own, but I'm absolutely sold on Lew's.

Shoot I don’t care who you are lews is one of the top bait caster companies out there just the quality of the product combined with the price they’re reels come at. They are super comfortable to hold especially with how I fish my plastics and jigs where I’m not really holding the rod I’m palming the reel. The only other companies in my opinion that are on par with lews in these criteria are abu Garcia and Diawa

I personally believe the Daiwa Fuego CT is the best budget casting reel on the market. I gravitate towards the higher-end gear, but keep several budget reels for techniques I don't employ very often. I've tried 13 and tried Lew's...absolutely HATE Lew's. I liked the 13 offerings, but feel you have to get to at least the "C" model to get anything really decent. SLX is a great reel, but I think the CT edges it out overall.

That’s why I use a 5:1 reel for cranks, blades etc. it upsets me the the manufacturers don’t have lower gear ratios reels. So…. Mind are old. And still work well.

I've had my 13 fishing Inception reel for bout 2 months now and so far its been a workhorse. Love the info, thanks

Picked up a Concept Z slide this year and love it. Definitely don’t have an issue using it over my Shimano DCs. It has made me want to try more 13Fishing reels.

I'm a big fan of the tournament pro. It fishes better than more pricey reels and is a workhorse.

Wow! Started out looking for a bargain reel. I got that and so much more! I’m giving the inception a try. I agree that matching your natural personality to reel speed is the way to go. I like cranking that handle quickly so 5.5s work for me with crank baits. Everyone is a little different and there isn’t a wrong or right. Great stuff B!

That release button on the 13 is a pain. It is constantly releasing when I hold this reel in my palm. I don't like it for that reason. I also had the spool pop out when the release was inadvertently pressed. If they could address that, I would love the reel. I have the A2. By and large, I use Abu Garcia Black Max and Pro Max reels. I try to keep my cost around $150-200 per rig...lower if possible. All my rods tend to run in the $60-120 range.

Brakes aren’t magnetic. Just saying…… I know you don’t cate about specs. I’m just saying…… they’re pins. It’s centrifugal. Cheers

Get the best of the best reel wise for reaction baits.

First time I've seen one of your videos and I have to say -- I LOVE IT! "I don't care how many ball bearings are in the reel, Jarod". #PureGreatness

I don’t know about the 13 fishing, but the LEWS Tournament Pro is so nice!

Been using 13 Fishing rod/reels for like 4 years now. Started out with the Inception reel and Defy rods and fell in love with the brand. Now have Concept reals and a combination of Muse Black and Omen Black rods. And far above and beyond most other things i have tried. Biggest thing with me is i have small hands and the 13 Fishing reels are a lot smaller than most other brands without sacrificing line capacity. And as far as the drags go the Bulldog drags that the Concept series reels is pretty beast.

I love my Lew's tournament pro! Just one correction you said it has magnetic brakes but it actually has a dail adjustable centrifugal brakes and they work great if you keep the hub on the inside of the side plate clean...

Favorite rod are terrible compared to so many other brands. Lew's make good stuff.

I just bought a Favorite Soleus 6.6.1. And the brakes are the business. Want to get your cranking rod for it (that didn't sound right, but you know what I mean). And got my son a less mach1 combo and the dual brakes are good to. But the favorite feels better in hand.

the 13 inception is not magnetic; it's centrifugal braking system

Man how da fuq!!??? I got a Lew T Pro and I ain't neva noticed dat bait keeper shit....lol. I just bought it like a month ago. I can't wait to get home from work and mess wit dat!!

Flush the clutch bearing on that Lew’s and oil it. No grease. Just a light film of oil and that handle backspin will stop. Unless of course the bearing is just worn out.

I hate to disagree with you, BUT I can slow down my bait with a 7.5 to 1 gear ratio. However I can't speed up enough with a 6.8 to 1 retrieve ratio to catch up with a bass swimming to me with the bait in it's mouth!!!

Drags really do suck on baitcasters. Def not on par with quality spinning reels.

I've used lews reels since the very first Bb1 back in the 70s. I have 6 of them still. In service and working. I have purchased one of each model up to the $279.00 one. There are many good and great reels out there but lews was the first of these high speed reels. Lews went to Shimano to get them produced cheaper and ended up going out of business because Shimano is started making a cheap plastic copy. I personally will never purchase a Shimano product no matter how good people think they are. I am no tournament angler.

Crankbait reels have to have a good frame, no matter what's it's made of. If you feel like the frame is going to break, trying to get a DT-20 down, junk it.

I nit a name snob. I do lean to Diawa jaut from oast experience amd what my pops used alot ,other than Penn, tbe ol Igly stick with a Diawa, Penn or occaaional Abu, may e a Lews. But mistly Diawa ,Penn and grand pops prolly had some Plfuegers or a zebco or two as well.

Go with the Lew’s because the 13 Fishing reels fall apart.

Spool. Size. Bigger reels. Bring in line just as good as fast speed. Reels.

Still using an old Quantum cranking reel for big cranks. I think it's a 3.8

B Lat, new to the channel and watching you. How do I get there American pole you showing?

First off...you are comparing one of 13s cheapest entrry reels to a lews

The slowest I got is 7.0:1 and I do feel like I need to buy me 6.0:1 or a Lil faster for some of my reaction baits.

The grey thing in the back looks like a giant baitcast reel

On a bad ,or really slow day. That skower rario helos alot as well. The more frustrated you get. The faster to go as well... Despite the fact that you are "trying" to slow down. Caught myself doing that the ine time i attempted to film a day on the water.

Thanks for your video, what is your opinion on Shimano Curado series?

Compared to an equal quality spinning reel a baitcaster is a piece of s***.

Didn't even have to watch the video. Ive been fishing for over 40 years. I know shit when I see it.

Looking like that 13 fishing reel has been discontinued

How often do you fish pickwick. That's my home place

If you really want to slow your retrieve down, use a longer handle on a slower reel. I've noticed the slower reels come with shorter handles. By putting a longer handle on, it helps me slow it down

I also have 2 Lews tournament pro reels. I love them but then pick up a Diawa CC80 for $50. The Diawa came close to the performance of the Lews. Then I wanted a deep crank reel. Research led me to a Diawa 150 5:? Gear ratio. That reel was as smooth as silk feels as nice as the lews and I think the breaking system is better. All that said I this yet purchase a Diawa Tatula SV, TWS, 103. This real is a step above in my opinion. Feel, smooth, have to work to get it to blow up and distance is comparable. And it dose not really blow up as much as fluff up. Much better better braking system. My $50 Diawa's are still in service but can feel the wear now (I'm out 4 hours a day fishing) and so far will be replace with another Tatula SV TWS 103.

I've used Lews for the last 8 or 10 years, can't remember. Great reels at all price ranges. Hard to think about changing. I fit in the weekend fisherman category but actually fish 5 days a week. Great to be retired.

I use slower ones because I cant stand reeling slowly!!!

Great info B! Thanks for keeping it simple for us weekend warriors!

Try concept a3 gen 2 and then let us know about junk drag

Literally just the other day I was looking at these reels wondering if they performed well on the water. Good to know that as of right now they have your full approval. On the other hand I had no idea that Lew's reels have built on hook keeper. Thanks for the heads up. 👍🏾

I don't care what the frame is made out Jerry😂

“Titanium forminimanite”😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

Abu black max for 40 bucks beats both

The Shimano Antares drag doesn't suck but do you want to spend $600? 😎

Jarrod!

I'm an Abu Garcia guy, but I've used the higher end bass pro Johnny Morris baitcasters and they are outstanding.

Check out the Shimano line dude❤🎉😊

Great video. Thanks!

That inception is so underrated.

I love the pencil sharpener analogy! Would love to see you compare it to the lews LFS at the same $99 price point.

Have you used the lews hyperspeed reel

Curado mgl is my favorite.

Yah Jarrod we don’t care…

I have a bunch of concept z's.

They are 30 dollars now

Ur r right on man ,. It's all money ,!!! My black maxes work just fine ! Neeeeeverrr a prob !!! 50$ yea. !😎

Cool vid bud. I know this is a year old vid. But the inception and z reels are 6-way centrifugal braking system not magnet.. also the lews reel anti reverse not working in colder weather. All you have to do is add lite oil to the 1 way bearing and that will sto. You can either take the reel apart to do that or just take the handle off and the star drag system and slide the sleeve up and add oil that way.. keep up the good work

That 6.8:1 seems like it would be awesome. Unfortunately Daiwa nor Shimano make those. I’m a big fan of 7.1:1’s. Idk if you’re a pro staffer anymore but that Bantam MGL in 6.2:1 is awesome

Geez Jared he doesn’t care!

I’ll always run a faster gear ratio reel. You’re missing out if you can’t speed up and slow down during a retrieve. Just another way to get a reaction strike.

I've been buying Daiwa reels for years......Spinning and baitcasters......they can't be beat...

Abue Garcia revo sx

Great video amazing advice I have said this same thing forever!! Thanks never knew NBA YOUNGBOY WAS A FISHERMEN!! LOL 🤪🤑🤣🍻🔥🔥🔥

It’s Hype to sell faster Reels. If I need to pull in a 20 pound Cat I’d rather have low end torque than Speed so I can actually turn the Handle to get it in.

NOPE! I bought a Revo that had one of those button release sideplates, had it for 30 minutes before that sh*t got flipped and it shot the sideplate to the bottom of the lake. F**K that design. I fish Lews reels exclusively now for their genius pin release system thats impossible to accidentally activate. I like Lews, like everything about em.

You switching??

Damn Brian my crankbait reels 4:3-1 5:5 to 1 chatter and spinnerbait 6:2-1 Your using a fast reel to me...lol

I hardly even fish a 100 size reel anymore. Komodo 200 tranx 200 then lexa for swimbaits. I still fish my tourny pro with 30lb braid for jig fishing. Not being sponsored it's hard to beat diawa and Shimano. Even their mid and low teir stuff. And 6.8 is the best speed. Why I still rock my tourny pro, it's a solid ass reel.

Hello from Biloxi Mississippi, Thank you for this video, me and my sister are taking up Fishing again, we share a apartment in a retirement community, BINGO SUCKS!!!! We are learning so much from You, Thank you again. GOD BLESS YOU 🙌

My 7'2 B Lat sick stick, is due for delivery by Sunday. I can't wait. Now, I have to decide what reel to buy... lol

Huh, I thought you were sponsored by lews? Love the info tho B-Lats! When you talk I listen!!!

I just got my first 13 fishing real and it was the sport z..... my goodness! It felt like nothing else i have ever used! I gave it to other people to use and thier exact words were "is there even anything on there?" Super smooth!!!!

Great Video my Friend and I’ve been looking at the Inception and the concept C for a while and saving some bread for a good Reel. Did you try any of the lighter stuff like 1/4 ounce maybe on the Inception? I’m just getting back into Fishing after 2 decades off and still figuring out the magnetic adjustments on the side of the Reel, my Abu Ambassadeur 5500 pro max doesn’t have those. Semper Fidelis and I truly enjoy your Channel and Honest reviews

I picked up the inception sport cause on sale, BUT, the drag is lacking. Supposed to have 18# of drag but it barely seems like it has 10. Oddest thing. I’m afraid to throw it at this point. Somewhat disappointed and am hesitant to purchase additional products from 13 fishing.

More. Power !!!

100% correct drag suck on all bait casters plus using your thumb to me I have better control on landing fish...