13 FISHING - 6061 - Inline Ice Fishing Reels review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	13 FISHING
Material	Aluminum
Hand Orientation	Left Hand
Color	Black
Handle Material	Aluminum
Item Weight	7.2 Ounces
Fishing Line Type	Monofiliment, Fluorocarbon, Braided
Bearing Material	Stainless Steel

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CNC MACHINED ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION - The 13 Fishing Black Betty 6061 Inline Ice Reel features CNC-machined 6061 aluminum construction for unparalleled toughness and durability.
PISTOL/PENCIL GRIP STYLE - Its incredible frame design allows you to fish a "pistol" or "pencil" grip style without rubbing the rim of the spool.
2.7:1 GEAR RATIO - Just engage the super free-spool to drop even the lightest baits deep, and use the 2.7-1 gear ratio to retrieve line at a amazing 19" per crank.
MULTIPLIER FLY-STYLE REEL - This multiplier fly-style reel eliminates line twist so you can delicately and naturally present small or light baits
PREMIUM COMPONENTS - With an internal gear cover, smooth carbon drag, instant anti-reverse, and much more, the Black Betty 6061 Inline Ice Reel definitively gives you the most pleasant fishing experience.

From the manufacturer

13 Fishing Philosophy

Fishing is a universal sport, connecting fisherman around the world. It’s a universal language, once a way we unite with our fellow anglers. Fishing is our passion; it is a part of our culture passed down from generation to generation. It connects our families with tall tales, it brings us around the dining room table.

It’s time we reestablish the sport as one where anglers can fully appreciate it. Let’s embrace socialization and cooperation between fishermen of all skill levels. It’s time to take fishing up a notch or thirteen.

Fishing for those who truly appreciate this sport, offers great potential for expanding our cultural horizons. Let’s take it there. Let’s put fishing on the map as one of the world’s most enjoyable and indulgent pastimes. Let’s finally give fishing the center stage as an outdoor sport through the power of our fishing community.



Gear Ratio	2.5:1	6.3:1	6.6:1	4:8.1
Available in left and right hand retrieve	✓	✓	✓	✓
Usage	Ice Fishing	Saltwater, Freshwater	Saltwater, Freshwater	Saltwater, Freshwater

product description

13 Fishing 2015 Black Betty CNC 6061 Ice Reel is available in two hand-styles: Left and Right. Please note: LH model is for anglers that turn the reel with their LEFT HAND! Due to the addition of the integrated fender design this reel is not convertible to opposite retrieve. No expense has been spared in building the ultimate inline ice reel. Top ice anglers demanded an inline reel with all the bells and whistles for serious hard-water fishing. We delivered a CNC machined 6061 aluminum reel as tough as the guys that fish them…then we added a smooth carbon drag system, anti-reverse, and bait alarm. Just engage the super free-spool to drop even the lightest baits deep, and use the 2.7-1 gear ratio to retrieve line at an amazing 19"" per crank. The 2015 model is upgraded with an internal gear cover, New 6061 Aluminum Handle w/EVA Knobs, and an incredible frame design to allow anglers to fish a ""pencil"" grip style without rubbing the rim of the spool. Specifications: Material: 6061 CNC Machined Aluminum; Gear Ratio: 2.7-1 Ratio; Drag: Carbon; Anti-Reverse: Instant Stop; Total Bearings: 5 Stainless Steel; New Feature: New Integrated Fender.

product details

Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 4, 2020
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08MS1XJ9D

important information

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Questions about 13 FISHING - 6061 - Inline Ice Fishing Reels

What is the maximum weight and length of line that can be used on BB

Can this reel handle LakeTrout or is it more of a panfish reel?

Answer: Yes it can handle much larger fish. It has a good adjustable drag and the reel itself is of a heavy duty design. It will hold enough line of the appropriate weight for the species your after to allow you to let the fish strip drag when needed. I'd say unless your after a sturgeon there isn't many species your likely to hook into that this reel won't handle.

What is the recomended Line weigh (braid) and yardage rated, nothing stated on 13 Fishing website either?

Answer: I use my reel on a 28” ice pole and I have 2lbs cigar line and love it. I use it for white fish! I don’t like braid lines.

so the left/right reel is a right hand?

Answer: It's sort of misleading the way they have the choices as "Left: or "Left/Right". I think the choices should be "Left" or Right" and "Left/Right" should be removed from the choice tabs. I clicked the "Left" choice tab as I wanted a left hand wind and that's what I got.

Answer: This is a right handed Reel.

It it supposed to click every time it goes around? Not sure if mine is defective

does this reel have a free fall button?

Answer:

Answer: No it does not just a release button

Answer: Yes

I'm new to inline reels-- haven't put line yet-- when I reel (towards me), the spool spins away from me, is that correct?

Answer: I guess I don't fully understand your question? Why are you reeling towards you? You reel clockwise and the spool will spin counter clockwise!!

Answer: The simplest answer is the spool turns in the opposite direction of the handle on retrieve.

Answer: That’s correct

will the reel handle come off and switch left or right?

Answer: No, you have to order left or right hand reel.

Answer: No

Answer: No. It is right or left specific.

Answer: no

Answer: No it will not.

Answer: No

In which country was this made?

Answer: Like most in China

Can you change the handle to different colors

How do i insure that I'm getting a left hand model?

Answer: Ok this is a bit tricky due to the way Amazon lists these in the description. The best way to tell (at least my store) is by the item model number. On this one it looks like 60612015-RH

Answer: Order model that says LH which means you reel with your left hand.

Answer: I ordered a left handed one, and got what I ordered.

Right hand reel means you reel with right hand

Answer: Yes. Most folks cast/control the rod with their dominant hand and reel with the other. So if you fish with the rod in your right hand, get a left hand reel.

Answer: Yes, you hold the rod in your left hand and reel with your right. Preferred for left handed fishermen.

Answer: Correct. If you are right handed, you want the lh.

Answer: Correct. Tight Lines.

Answer: Correct.

Answer: That is correct

Answer: Yes that is correct

When selecting the reel hand on this page is says "left/right" what does that mean? is a typo? because i thought this reel couldnt convert?

Answer: If you are a right handed person the handle is on the left. It is not interchangeable

Answer: They are like any spinning reel. They are Rh or Lh .

Does this reel come with the fender so you can fish using a pencil style grip?

Answer: YES IT DOES. LOVE THIS REEL

Answer: Yes

I want to reel with my left hand. Some answered questions say a 'lefty' has the handle on the left and other say a 'lefty' has the handle on theright?

Answer: Selecting left or left handed would mean it is referring to the retrieve. If you want to retrieve with your left hand, you would want the left hand reel. If you retrieve with your right hand, select a right hand model. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Answer: If you want to use your left hand to reel, then you should purchase a LH reel, this would have the handle on the left when attached to a rod.

Answer: Whatever way it's labeled is the hand you reel with

What is the "left/right" version of this reel? Thought it was not reversible.

Is this the new 2016 model available on amazon as shown on 13 fishing website?

Answer: latest model, just shipped direct from 13

Answer: Yes, the reels we have are fresh from 13. They are the new model.

I’m venturing a guess that you can spool fluorocarbon without having a mess? I tried a spinning reel and that was a mistake.

Answer: Most ice lines should work great on this reel. You won't get the twist like you naturally will with a spinning reel, but as I'm sure you know there will twist developed from ice jigs and their tendency to spin and twist when jigged straight down.

Answer: Yes fluorocarbon works fine. The reel is extremely smooth and will keep rolling off line when your jig hits bottom so keep an eye on that of you will definitely have a mess.

Answer: Haha yeah. I have this and use fluorocarbon... These are made to prevent that mess

Answer: You will have no problem with Fluorocarbon

Answer: I use fluoro and it works well. It doesn't backlash any worse than other lines...

How do spool up the spool with fishing lines? Is it the same as any other reels?

Answer: The beauty of this reel is that it doesn’t twist the line - even when the drag is letting line be pulled out. You spool line on this reel by putting the line on straight. The simple way is to put a pencil through the spool of new line, let someone hold the pencil so that the spool spins and crank it straight onto the reel. Don’t overfill the spool.

Answer: It’s the same except you don’t have to worry about line twist. It’s a pretty big spool so I would recommend a backer.

Product reviews of 13 FISHING - 6061 - Inline Ice Fishing Reels

Jay Jameson : I used it once and it was awesome! The second time I used it I found ...

I used it once and it was awesome! The second time I used it I found the the handle was gone! The screws were not tightened from the factory and must have fallen off on my walk down to the lake. After a couple emails and a number of phone callsI finally got my parts in the mail, about 3 weeks total! I don't feel that I needed to tighten all the screws on it before I started using a brand new reel! Other than that, I really Like it!!

Joseph B Rex : Its junk!

First, the most important part of an inline reel is the tension adjustment and this goes from too tight (hard to pull out line) to too loose (causing a horrible backlash-I found out the hard way) with only the slightest turn. Plus the backlash is hard to clean up because the knob that holds the spool has to be unscrewed tediously to remove the backlash line tangled behind the spool.
Second, the company makes a much better plastic reel called the Descent that has a quick push button spool release in case you ever do get a backlash and you can buy two for the price of one 6160 reel. Don't buy this reel, it's not worth the money. For the price it should have a magnetic brake for backlash elimination.

Amazon Customer : Not worth the money, cheap product.

I purchased this thinking it was a higher quality product. Unfortunately it felt cheap, reel was not smooth. Just overall felt awkward in your hand.

PAUL GEHRKE : Five Stars

love these reels...they work great!!!!!

Bruce Bonicatto : Drop speed brake did not work

I have purchased 9 13 fishing reels. From the Ghost to the most expensive. All of my Ghost reels work fine. I have sent back 4 of the more expensive reels because the drop brake did not work. You could not control drop speed. Sure makes a mess when using 2# line. Love the reels that I have that do work. I will buy 2 more for next year.

Amazon Customer : Great transaction

Product as advertised, fast shipping, great transaction, thanks!

Bruce Bonicatto : Drop speed brake did not work

Amazon Customer : My buddy has this reel and after trying it out ...

My buddy has this reel and after trying it out for pan fish I had to have one. I have a couple straight lines but this is the best

ryan : Best reel on the market!

Best reel of the winter. Very smooth,rarely malfunctioned and handles like a dream. I was also using Frabill reels,eagle claw and st.croix. All my rods will have black Betty's for next season.

Amazon Customer : No instructions

Disliked that there were no instructions with it. More complicated than I thought. Sent it back.

Joe : The flagship inline ice reel that concerned the entire market

One of, if not the best, inline ice reel on the market today. I gave the freefall 4 out of 5 for several reasons but the 6061 is the flagship ice reel in my opinion. You can't go wrong with it, and given the price point and unmatched construction and comfort; this is the ice reel for the future for me.

I have a dozen and I have never had an issue.

I see a lot of people using 371s and I'll put it this way. I would rather tow my boat onto the ice, cut a hole and jig with a spinning reel, than use a frabil ice reel.

Chris : Five Stars

Works great!

Bruce Bonicatto : Drop speed brake did not work

THAT TEXAS Gal : Five Stars

Awesome reel

Bruce Bonicatto : Drop speed brake did not work

collin corning : Five Stars

Live it but hard to find

Amazon Customer : No instructions

Disliked that there were no instructions with it. More complicated than I thought. Sent it back.

Billy : The Anti-reverse has gotten more "Instant" with some use.

I live in the South so I didn't buy this for ice fishing. I bought it to use for vertical jigging for crappie and sand bass which we generally do during the day in cooler months and at night under lights in the Summer. The technique generally pays off very well. After using small spinning reels for this over the past few years I decided I wanted an inline reel for less spool memory on the line and less line twist from the spinning reels. I am easily able to solve the line twist issue with a baitcast reel but these have small diameter spools and you do get some issues with the line keeping spool memory more so than with the bigger spools of an inline reel. I also wanted the push button free spool feature and star drag features as well as a geared reel other than just 1 to 1. This reel is much smaller than I thought it would be but the spool is of adequate diameter to almost eliminate the spool memory issues with the line. The free spool has plenty of adjustment for any weight lures I use jigging and the drag is also quite adequate for the size fish we generally catch. I only have one con for this little reel and that is the anti-reverse is not instant by any means. I have $20 spinning reels that have absolutely instant anti-reverse and I expected an $80 reel made by such a prestigious company as 13 Fishing to have an instant or at least close to instant anti-reverse but that is simply not the case. If this issue were solved it would get 5 stars from me but as it is 3 stars is all I can give it considering the cost. I will keep it and I will use it but I am disappointed in the anti-reverse compared to almost any other reel I own. 13 Fishing FIX THIS and you have a 5 star reel.
UPDATE 1-17-18: After using it a bit the anti-reverse bearing is acting as it should so I am bumping it up to five stars. I have no idea why it didn't perform as it should have right out of the box unless it just needed some use to loosen it up or possibly it was over greased or something. Whatever it's cause, it is now working as it should. That said I offer my apologies to 13 Fishing. You don't need to "fix" anything on it. Unless you feel like you must have the trigger release offered by the Free Fall model I believe this is the best inline reel out there. I considered the trigger release model but started thinking about what could happen if it got pulled by accident while fighting a fish. That could cause a serious overrun problem if it did happen. With this design it would be almost impossible to accidentally engage the free fall button so this is my reel of choice. I guess everyone has their own thoughts on aesthetics but when your think about build quality this reel is miles ahead of the competition.
UPDATE 2/23/18: This probably wont have any noticeable effect on usage but it has a bit of in / out play on the handle shaft side. It doesn't wobble or move side to side or anything that negative. It's just something I noticed worth mentioning. I compared this play to all the inline reels I own which is several brands and types. The only reel I have that doesn't have any play at all at this point is the cheapest inline reel I own which is a LEO ordered from China for $15. Virtually all others have some play but out of all of them the 6061 has the most. This probably means nothing as to how well it works. Another thing worth mentioning is the free fall rate adjustment knob is all but useless as it has about 1/4 turn between totally free and dead stop with a 1/16th ounce jig. This is not a negative thing for me as I just leave it loose and use my finger on the spool to slow or stop it. If you have only fished with a spinning reel in the past it may take some getting used to but if you fish a baitcast reel you should get the idea and technique down instantly. In short. DON'T depend on the spool speed drop control stopping the spool if your lure hits bottom or you are asking for trouble. This is true with just about all inline reels of similar design. Some very nice inline reels don't even have the adjustment knob at all and they work fine for me.

Amazon Customer : No instructions

Disliked that there were no instructions with it. More complicated than I thought. Sent it back.

Doc Plaid : Nice quick drop

Fishing faster equals more fishing, this thing gets me back in the water quicker than my spinning reels without the twist. I enjoy fishing with it.
Plaid Chad with Perch Shoulder Fishing

Amazon Customer : Great transaction

Product as advertised, fast shipping, great transaction, thanks!

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