13 FISHING - Inception - Baitcast Reels review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	13 FISHING
Material	HD Aluminum
Hand Orientation	Left Hand
Color	Gunmetal Grey
Handle Material	Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel, Stainless Steel
Fishing Line Type	Monofiliment, Fluorocarbon, Braided
Bearing Material	Stainless Steel

product features

HD Aluminum Frame
Beetle Wing Rapid Access Side Plate
6-Way Centrifugal Braking System
High Spin Spool System

product description

Born from a pedigree of performance and style, the 13 Fishing Inception Low-Profile Baitcast Reel is a feature packed reel capable of meeting any demand you make. The Inception is incredibly easy to fine tune and adjust. Its lightweight body and super low-profile design provide incredible comfort during those long days on the water.

The Inception has been designed to provide both power and precision to bring you to the top. Multi-material construction with a rigid aluminum frame and a high-performance re-enforced graphite side plate provide all the strength necessary, plus the stability needed to maximize spin rate. The Inception Low-Profile Baitcast Reel features an 8-bearing system comprised of two Japanese high-spin bearings, 5 stainless-steel bearings and an instant stop anti-reverse bearing.

Japanese Hamai Cut Gearing also offers a smooth transition of power from the handle, and the advanced drag system with multi-material oversized drag washers provides up to 18lbs of max drag to stop big fish in their tracks. The Inception Low-Profile Baitcast Reels is also equipped with a 6-way centrifugal braking system for complete cast control which is paired with a High Spin Spool System to provide increased casting distance and accuracy.

product details

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4 x 4.5 x 2 inches; 5.6 Ounces
Item model number ‏ : ‎ IN6.6-LH
Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex-adult
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 15, 2016
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ 13 Fishing
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01AOX3ZH2

important information

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Questions about 13 FISHING - Inception - Baitcast Reels

Does the reel come in a 13 fishing box?

Answer: Mine did. So far, all name brand products that I have purchased from Amazon come in their original packaging, surrounded by Amazon's shipment packaging.

Answer: Mine did

Before I order this 8.1.1 gear ratio? And left handed ? I did read 8.1.1 and there is a left and right but just checking

Answer: I believe I saw a left handed model but the 8.1.1 right handed is the easiest casting reel I own. I would highly recomend it.

Answer: Yup, you read it right both ratios come in left and right, 13 fishing offers a nice selection of lefty reels, they get pricey though

Answer: I think there is a left handed but yes there is a 8.1 1 and it's awesome

What size frame is this reel? 200? 300?

Answer: 100

Can I assume the Right Hand reel means that the handle is on the right hand side of the reel?

Answer: That's correct. The right hand reel means the handle is on the right side of the reel.

Answer: Yes it is on the right side, you would use right hand to reel in lure or fish.

Answer: The handle is on the right side.

Answer: Yes and a left handed reel has the Handel on the left side

Answer: Yes

Answer: Yes.

Does the spook tensioner click?

how do you operate the drag?

Answer: The start wheel next to the handle

Is this a low profile reel?

Answer: Yes it is low profile.I have my on a 13 Fishing Black Omen 7ft.3in rod. I love my. I will buy more 13 fishing reels and rods in the future.

Answer: Yes it is a low profile reel.

Answer: Yes, it is a low profile reel and feels very good in hand (according to my hubby).

Answer: Yes I would say about the same size as an Abu Garcia Revo much smaller than the concept by 13 fishing but again watch out for that side plate it can fall off easily. But other than that great reel cups nicely in the palm of my hand

Answer: Yes. It is a smooth, light reel that you can use all day

Answer: Yes it is low profile.

Answer: yes it is low profile,,,

Answer: Yes. Feels great in the hand and the drab finish offers better grip for manipulation of the reel.

Answer: Yes very, its tiny! Same size as a Shimano Curado 50 if that helps. I have small hands and I can hold it very easily.

Is this reel good for saltwater fishing?

Answer: Wouldn’t recommend it.

What is the actual color

Answer: it is a Dark Gray color

Answer: The color of the reel looks just like the photo.

Answer: Exactly as pictured

Answer: Gray

How come tackle warehouse says 18lbs of drag and here it says 15?

Answer: We took the information off 13 fishings website. I just looked again and some places say 15 and some say 18.

Answer: The official 13fishing.com states "18lbs" of drag so I would believe it has 18lbs. It's a great reel btw!

Answer: It is 18 lb and this IS an awesome reel. I have a Concept A also and this reel will match it as far as distance it will cast. Brakes are fantastic. Took seconds to dial them in properly. Haven't had any problems with the access plate being loose or coming off. The Concept A has a few more whistles and buzzers, but it is also about $50 more. If you're on a budget this reel won't let you down.

I frm asia can i use this for catch (toman) giant snakehead???

Answer: Yes

Where is this reel made

Answer: Some parts are Japan products, but all are assembled in USA. Some of the other 13 Fishing reels like the Concept "E" and "KP" have models that are built and assembled in Japan.

How does it hold up in salt water? I do a lot of inshore kayak fishing.

Answer: This is not a salt water real I would use a 13 Fishing origin C if it were up to me. The 13 fishing inception is a great real for bass fishing

Answer: Have never used in salt but have had mine for 2 years,have 2 they are great . Like any reel you should always rinse in fresh water after salt use.

How many yards of 30lb braid will this hold?

Answer: I'm not sure on 30lb but I have mine spooled with 65lb braid and it has quite a bit on it.

Answer: Most manufactures will put line diameter on the box. I believe power pro 30lb line is the same as 8 lb mono.

Answer: I used 30 pound Power Pro I did not measure how many yards but farther than I can cast it is an excellent reel.

Answer: At least a 100yards

how come when the drag is loose and I spin the handle the reel is smooth but not so much when the drag is tight?

Answer: No idea

I purchased 8.1.1 left handed reel and it did not have the beetle wing side plate. Does the 6.6.1 left hand reel have that feature?

Answer: This is an older model

When you spin the handle at a fast speed it makes sort of a wobble sound? anyone have this issue

Answer: I’ve had mine for a while now and have no wobbling sounds when spinning at any speed. You might need to send it back if it is not performing as it should.

Answer: I have not had this happen to me, but know a few guys that it has. They oiled the bearings on the spool itself and noise went away. Also just a little grease in crankcase will head off corrosion problems.

Answer: I’ve had mine for a year and used it for 4 tournaments, have had no problems with it , maybe it needs lubed or service?

Is this for salt water

Answer: The inception is not recommended for salt water. However, the Concept A is a similar price point ($175) and can be used for saltwater.

Answer: With the insides being brass gears and anodized metal outside you can; BUT i would rinse it with fresh water after every use. I even do that with reels designed for salt water!

Answer: No. This is best for fresh water bass fishing.

Answer: no it's not

Would a Concept reel handle fit the Inception?

Answer: According to the website NO!! but i have done some trial and error, and there are a few parts that mix in and fit over from the concept line to the Inception and the reel handle does change over! tight line and happy fishing

Does it work in saltwater

Answer: I have not tried the Inception 13 in saltwater, but I don't see why as long as you rinse the reel with freshwater after every excursion in the salt. Small species of saltwater fish would be great for this reel like Snapper blues, Hickory shad, small strippers and specked trout even flounder and fluke. I would have no problem catching fishing weighing 10 pounds or more with this reel.

Answer: No it works for freshwater

Is this the newer model that has the beetle wing access sideplate?

Answer: The one I received did not.

Answer: No it is not

What is the drag on this reel? Other vendors have it listed at 18lbs instead of the 15lbs shown here.

Answer: I'm pretty sure it has an 18 pound drag system. It's a little unclear as 13 fishing lists 18 and 15 on their own website but in looking every where else it looks like 18 is the magic number!

Answer: I have test mine with a scale and it was 18lbs. 2oz. for one and the other was 18lbs. even. Smooth as warm butter!!

Answer: It is 18lbs

how do you operate the drag?

Answer: The start wheel next to the handle

What is the capacity for braided line on this reel??

Answer: I guess it would depend on the size of the braid, but I don't think there would be a big difference, maybe a few yards. I have 50# braid on mine and there might be a 100yards on there, but probably less, with the backer. It's a small spool. I know the inception is trick shop compatible, but I'm not sure if the larger spools fit. At any rate, it's enough line to fish with. I usually cast down to the backing line, but I use it on my frog rod, so I don't need to cast a country mile.

Product reviews of 13 FISHING - Inception - Baitcast Reels

RobertCara : Backlash

No matter what test line or how little I put on the spool, it always back lashes. As soon as I use my other lews reel, no issues.

El Gonze13 : Dangling the dangle

Love this brand. Smooth all around and freaking sweet for the price

Eric rivera : Five Stars

Great product at a great price

Bobby : This is the reel started my obsession with 13. ...

This is the reel started my obsession with 13. I have since purchased the concept A and two concept C’s. I’m waiting for the concept Z. I prefer the centrifugal breaking two magnetic on my Lews reels. I just wish this had the beetle wing. I had A side plates fall off one of my lews while transporting on my kayak and it went bouncing down the road along with the spool and about 130 yards of braid.

Richard Sturdivant : Five Stars

This is a $300 doller reall for half the price just what the dr ordered

chris : Very nice!

I Picked one up about 2 months ago. used it for worm rig cranking and flipping. its absolutely wonderful. I will be buying more of them.

Cliente de Amazon : un carrete súper suave

Le doy 5 estrellas por el precio, los materiales y el funcionamiento del carrete, es una excelente opción para para pescar lobinas.

El Gonze13 : Dangling the dangle

Love this brand. Smooth all around and freaking sweet for the price

Tamasus : You may be dissappointed for $100.00

I seriously loved this reel. I used it for about 6 months...used it as a frog/buzzbait reel. Incredibly fast and the drag worked great. It casted farther than any reel I have ever owned... And then it fell apart. Literally. I read about people loosing the sideplate while casting, but I assumed that it was operator head space and amateurs fishing. Nope. My sideplate came off mid cast, sounded like a zipper going up at 100mph. Gears stripped, reel dead. Luckily didn't lose my buzzbait. Sad day. My concept A is still casting like a dream...I am hesitant about buying another 13 fishing reel, even though I considered another Inception over a concept A because of price. With that said, I did put this reel to the ultimate test...wind, braided line, the whole gammut. It's not the professional fishermans reel.

desertotter : My new work horse

By far the best reel for the price. I have used all brands from Abu Garcia to Quantum to Shimano. Before trying this reel, my go to reels were the Curado. After this reel, I will only buy from 13 Fishing. The casts were smooth and long. Drag was easily set and powerful. The 18 lbs drag is very, very impressive. It was a dream to cast and retrieve and when the fish were on it never missed a beat. I test a lot of equipment and this one will be my new go to work horse. I can't say enough about this real. Also, the flat grey is very sexy and sleek. If you are in the market for a new reel, you won't be sorry by purchasing this reel.

Amazon Customer : One Star

Piece of crap do not buy

Frank V. : Make sure you're okay with the braking system before buying.

Bought this reel with high hopes. Once I unpacked it I immediately noticed that the adjustable braking system is hidden behind a faceplate on the side of the reel. This faceplate needs to be removed each time you want to adjust the braking sytem - which you will do each time lures are changed or even when the environment changes (wind, etc.). Too much of a hassle for me considering that other manufacturers have the adjustment knob conveniently positioned on the outside of the reel where it can be accessed easily and on the fly. I checked the company's description of the reel on the Amazon page and nowhere does it mention that the adjustment is internal. I guess I should have examined the picture from all sides before buying. I returned the reel for a refund.

Amazon Customer : Five Stars

These reels look and feel great! Very powerful and quick (8.1:1)

chris : Very nice!

I Picked one up about 2 months ago. used it for worm rig cranking and flipping. its absolutely wonderful. I will be buying more of them.

Amazon Customer : One Star

Piece of crap do not buy

Roger : Already opened box. Clearly I got sent a return

Box was already opened and there is a rattling inside the reel?

L.M. Cushion : Five Stars

This reel is one of the smoothest Reels ive ever bought. It rivals more expensive reels. Butter????????????

viablethought : Smooth and casts like a dream!

So far so good. It’s still too early in the season and I haven’t caught any fish yet, but I’ve been out casting this around to test it out and this reel does not disappoint!! This thing is supper smooth and casts a mile! I have it paired up on a 7’2” iRod Genesis II MH and it is a pretty mean setup. Once I dialed in the braking and set the tension knob, 0 problems. I may be grabbing another one of these. We’ll see how it handles once there is a fish on the other end of the line.

Harry Dresden : Great Reel, horrible customer service.

Excellent reel and top of class for its price range.
Horrible design flaw for the removable side plate. Mine flew off during a cast.
I've been trying to coordinate a replacement purchase with 13 fishing for a WEEK now, not very impressed with their customer service at all.

RobertCara : Backlash

No matter what test line or how little I put on the spool, it always back lashes. As soon as I use my other lews reel, no issues.

Amazon Customer : but when you get is is better to lubricate it a little bit

It is a very smooth reel, no problems at all, but when you get is is better to lubricate it a little bit.

RobertCara : Backlash

No matter what test line or how little I put on the spool, it always back lashes. As soon as I use my other lews reel, no issues.

Evan L. : UNBELIEVABLE FOR THE PRICE!! IT'S LEGAL STEALING

By far the smoothest, furthest casting, best hook setting reel I've ever used. Blows away lews (which burn out gears and have sometimes jumpy drags), Shimano (overpriced and nothing special or bad overall), and daiwa away. I'm a huge Daiwa fan. Their tatula and tatula ct are, until now, the best reels for the money. The Daiwa has the best magnetic braking systems available and their drags are usually underrated on their higher end reels (example-tatula rated at 13 lbs of drag and tested at over 16 lbs). The t wing system on the daiwa will not allow braid to flouro leaders to pass through it, so by chance I thought why not try out 13 fishing and see what the fuss was about.

MAN!! What a reel. I ordered the 8.1 ratio, threw some 30 lb braid to a 5 ft 15 lb flouro leader and put on a weightless senko on a 5/0 owner offset round bend hook. Set the centrifugal braking to 2 and went to a very clear local pond that is very hard to fish bc its so clear and full of hydrilla and moss so you can't throw anything weighted on the bottom.

It casted the senko very far for a weightless bait (I've noticed senkos cast far because they're naturally more aerodynamic by design due to their compact design and lack of appendages). After dragging and shaking it for a bit, I felt a thump and set the hook. It felt like a dink but a nearly 4 lber flew out of the water towards me and I hydroplaned her in. The drag is so good and so stout...There's zero give. The hook set with the amazing drag and braids lack of stretch was unreal. Zero effort on my part, and even though the fish was trying to throw the bait along the way, the drag didn't give her an inch. I immediately came home and ordered a few more. I also got a Concept A 5.3 cranking reel at Academy for $105 (as a unit that was sold, spooled up and the customers card declined so they put it in the case deeply discounted) this morning and I'm in love with 13 fishing reels now.

To confess, I've talked a lot of crap about 13 fishing RODS in the past. They break easily and guides pop off but to their credit their newer models are fixing the past issues. The reels are so smooth I literally thought it was broken and not spinning the gears. You HAVE to try these reels. I feel like I'm stealing them at the $96 black Friday pricing. Not sure what to do with my 5 tatula ct reels that I was using for Texas rigs, jigs etc but the 13 fishing within a mere couple of days are now my favorite reels. Amazing fellas!!! Take that to the bank. Screw lews and Abu FOR THE MONEY, lews has a huge following but nowadays for the same money you can get a better built, lighter and overall better reel for the same money. Ive burnt out gears in a super duty, bb1, and lfs so far (deep cranking, flipping and swimbait fishing). Daiwa and 13 all the way for this hawg hunter! This is coming from a double digit bass club member. Drag and castability are big deals for me. Double digit fish can lock up gears on inferior reels. Buy this reel, it's the best for the money CURRENTLY when every aspect is considered.

**UPDATE 12/15/16***
I have since bought another couple inception and another Concept A cranking reel at Academy (in store clearance for $109) and a Concept C 6.6 ratio for $99 on ebay slightly used. Theyre all amazing reels. I'm slowly moving to these reels in general. If they only had the inception in a 5 speed gearing for cranking, they'd have this price point absolutely cornered. I also bought a 7 ft 1 in First generation omen black rod. It was at Academy as a return it appeared because the tip guide insert was missing. I got it for about half price after sweet talking the manager out of it. Still had the tags on it. I took it to Falcon rods world headquarters (4 miles from my house) and had them replace the top guide all together. I could have done it but I wanted a matching smaller stainless guide and couldn't find one locally.

The reel seat is the nicest on any rod I own. So comfortable. I took it to a pond and started ripping a trap through grass. It's got a great soft tip but good backbone and balance. I went home and ordered an envy black cranking rod on clearance from tackle warehouse.

If these rods hold up like my daiwa zillion and tatula rods, I'll be throughly impressed. I'm loving this brand more and more. Looking forward to trying their new rods for 2017 under their "One 3" brand. Highly recommended. I'll update periodically regardless of results.

***12/20/16***
I have since ordered a 7 3 MH envy black casting rod and a 7 1 MH spinning rod on clearance from tackle warehouse. I'll pair the spinning rod with an okuma helios hx25s. It's my favorite spinning reel and looks and feels amazing at only 6.8 Oz!

Richard Sturdivant : Five Stars

This is a $300 doller reall for half the price just what the dr ordered

Michele Selle : Five Stars

My husband loved his reel, and it arrived in a very timely manner. Thank you

Amazon Customer : Nice reel for the money but only after one tournament ...

Nice reel for the money but only after one tournament seemed to loosen up quite a bit . Still a quality prouduct ,if you're looking just buy , makes great casts, and nice drag

Amazon Customer : Five Stars

Excellent casting fishing reel.

Richard Sturdivant : Five Stars

This is a $300 doller reall for half the price just what the dr ordered

Gareth R. : Awesome quality and value

just tried this out today, this thing is sweet!!! Was throwing frog on it and it goes a mile, the spool spins sooo smoothly. High speed retrieve is great, quality feels good and the side cover isn't a big deal, just clip it closed and it works fine. Great value for money, I use Shimano Metanium, Curado and Chronarchs, and this feels as good. Great smaller size, similar to a 50 Shimano. Definitely worth a try

Richard Sturdivant : Five Stars

This is a $300 doller reall for half the price just what the dr ordered

Drew S : Really great reel. Smooth as you like.

First 13 reel and it is one of the lightest and smoothest reels I own. A dream to cast. The 8.1 to 1 pulls up slack nicely. Not for beginners. I actually like 13 fishing rods more than their reels (I own 5 of their rods and now 3I'd their reels) but this one is my favorite from this company.

jeff ryan hicks : good deal slow shipping

great price ,but why does it take a week ship after you pay for it???????

Fer Mendoza : Deception por Inception

Decepcionado........recibí una caja en mal estado, cuyo contenido era completamente diferente a lo solicitado y pagado...un carrete spinning usado y roto. Decepcionado, no de Amazon si no del personal que manipuló mi pedido..ojalá y recupere pronto mi dinero.....

Jppsc79 : has a slightly lower quality bearing inside but they are still superior grade. I could just about write a dissertation ...

Just as smooth as the concept reels, has a slightly lower quality bearing inside but they are still superior grade. I could just about write a dissertation on this reel, but let me make this simple; after fishing this reel i came back and ordered three more to replace my two Shimano Curado, and a Pflueger President. I contacted the customer service at 13 fishing and they said that there is going to be a release of more ratio options but not until 2017 (they said not this year 2016, so I assume 2017).

you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you