SLIDE into the Next Phase of CZB Equipped Reels with the 13 Fishing Concept Z SLD (continued)

Retrieve: 13 Fishing markets the Concept Z SLD's new "Hi-Cast Iron Carbon Frame" and sideplate which makes use of some composition of alloy and composites, but overall the reel feels much like a carbon based reel. It has a slightly hollow feel under load, but at the same time the Concept Z SLD feels noticeably smoother, and more powerful, than the last generation reel.

The reel continues to make use of the angular Arrowhead Line Guide

At first I tried to determine if this improvement was due to the gear design but even though the new gearing is treated to be harder wearing it is very similar in design. It is important to note that the new gears look different in color than the original raw aluminum gears, and this is a result of the company's new Ti-armor treatment process which improves corrosion resistance significantly. After a season of use I opened the reel up to find absolutely no surface corrosion whatsoever, which is something that was a concern with the previous reel, and especially when fishing in brackish conditions like our Northern California Delta region.

When retrieved the Concept Z SLD feels noticeably smoother and more powerful than the last generation reel

The reel also features the improved hard anodized worm shaft, but the primary reason for the feel is not just the tweaks to the materials but the improved overall tolerance of the reel itself. The new reel is more solid, and does a better job with screws, and molded pressure distributing washers, locking the handle-side sideplate into position and isolating the drive gears.

In comparison the Concept A2 feels much more like a traditional reel and actually seems more solid with an aluminum body but heavier with the metal frame and a brass drive gear

Drag: 13 Fishing is one of just a few company's that targets a max drag performance above 20lbs. and the previous generation reel was able to deliver 20.9lbs. of drag pressure at normal max settings (turning the drag star to what felt like maximum settings by hand).

The Concept C2 feels like a hybrid of both the A2 And Z SLD reels with the Cast Iron carbon frame and more traditional ball bearings

The Concept Z SLD makes use of an upgrades system that incorporates a polymer surface into the drag stack in an effort to deliver not just max drag pressure of 20 plus pounds, but a smoother more reliable drag under load. 

The Concept Z SLD makes use of a huge drag system with surfaces on both sides

In the lab we were able to achieve 22.1lbs. of max drag pressure with the new system, which is more than enough for bass fishing applications, and even many inshore species. In the field I found that the new system to be considerably more refined than the previous Bulldog drag, both in terms of the ability to make more detailed adjustments, as well as how smooth the drag was under pressure.

The addition on polymer helps give the drag system more refinement to match up with that massive drag pressure

13 Fishing is able to accomplish these advancements by sandwiching the main gearing with a large stack of washers on both sides, and including a polymer ring to help reduce binding, while increasing surface area between stacks. To give the reel an even higher-end feel there is even a spring loaded audible drag located in the center of the system that delivers a pleasant low pitched click as fish pull drag.

Similar to the retrieve feel and overall tighter tolerances of the reel as a whole the company has found ways to improve the features and performance of the drag system, adding to the overall refinement of the reel as a whole. 

The Concept Z SLD delivers plenty of pressure to stop fish and muscle them back to the boat

Next Section: An ergonomic gripe?