I've had my A3 for just over 4 months now and love it.

Great detailed review. Been looking to put together a good swimbait rod and reel system this season. Definitely gave me something to think about. Glad to see your still on the water and making vidoes.

Hey man I'm happy your posting again, your videos are awesome. Keep up, and good luck fishing!

I watched your video . I was so impressed that I went and purchased the same reel . Everything you said is right on. Myself I couldn’t be happier with it . Thanks for the video . I hope you keep them coming.

Carl, glad ur back with new and exciting videos to give us reviews on. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us 💥🎣💥.

Nice to see you back buddy. Great review on this bad boy 13 Fishing A3. You've convinced me to get one 👍

I did buy it and I chose it over the established brands which I have owned. This reek is quality and I love being a part of a company that’s building a quality brand. I will take this reel everywhere. From the farm pond, to lakes, to the bay, and to the ocean. This reel rocks! Thanks for the review. You do a great job with detail and your production value is awesome.

Great review. Very informative. Thank you! I picked one up today.

Carl my man happy to see you posting a new video! I hope all is well and that you will be posting more frequently. Great review!

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Sup Bro?! Thanks a lot. All is very well, just busy. This one took a while, I really collected a ton of B-roll over the months. I plan to put out others much quicker....not quite as thorough or as much extra footage.

Thanks for the insights on this reel.

nice to see you back!

Absolutely outstanding review! Subbed specifically because of this video. Will refer to your reviews all the time now. Thank you!

@KeepinItReelFishing

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Alex! Glad you liked it and appreciate the comment man.

I love how your reviews are so objective and you state your opinions as opinions and not facts. Clear speaking, and you don't over explain any subjects. Thanks!

@KeepinItReelFishing

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Sean. I'm happy you found the review helpful and you liked my style/format. Its funny, because so many people want me to do reviews, but like 5 minutes long. I like to cover the big stuff, and the little stuff as I never know what a prospective buyer might be looking for or find important. Hence the long reviews. But, I'm with you in that I try not to over explain things....the videos are just long because many times there is a lot to cover. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a comment, have a happy new year, and tight lines.

Amazing review. Nice work!

awesome reel review! "keepin reel" and keep the vids coming!

There ya go!!!! That's what I'm talking about......Glad to see ya back!!!

Really awesome review man. Always super thorough and in depth. 👍🏼 loved it

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much James. Between your review and mine I think people can really get a great idea of whether this reel suits their needs. I'm just realizing I totally forgot to talk about gear ratios! Oh-well....I'm glad you covered it.

The first 2 seconds…. Lol fire 🔥! The stare down the path to success is second 2 none! Yes yes yes!

Thanks for the great review! Always a pleasure. Greetings from Berlin!

@nikolaiunterwegs

2 жыл бұрын

Die Berliner 🤓

Great to see more vids from you! I can't wait to see the video on the mattlures strong gill. I saw you post on Badlands, sorry for your loss bud. I lost my first deps 175 on my tenth cast. Hope you find it! if you haven't already! Keep up the great videos!

Your back! Great to see that.

Thanks for the review. I was curious about this company

Fantastic unbiased review! I thank you. Your newest subscriber😉

Yah man your back! Digging it!

Great review, I like your honesty

Awesome review as always. Nice to see another name in the hat as far as quality reels go. I fish exclusively in the salt and in a commercial environment so putting the hurt on gear comes with the job. Keep doing what you're doing I've enjoyed your content for at least a couple years now.

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Hey Kevin....thanks a lot man! I would love to hear YOUR review of the reel if you happen to get one. I'm always curious as to how well 'saltwater rated' reels really hold up in those environments.

Bit late to the party here, but i have to say, hats off because that is an excellent review of the product. Every question answered in my book. Keep up the good work👍

@KeepinItReelFishing

3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Glad the video was of value to you in learning about the reel.

Once againg very good review.thank you I do like that reel actually, I bought it.

Nice to see a new video from you! Make a new swimbait series! I LOVE swimbait fishing for trophy bass, or fishing for trophy bass with jigs, 7" senkos, big worms...

Hello from Ireland 🇮🇪 , I’m buy the A3 , 8.1:1 , first impression perfect, now put line braid 70 lb and can’t wait testing for big Pike , I’m fan Daiwa but the 13 A3 looks perfect strong 💪, thank you 🙏🏻 for the video perfect education

Welcome back brotha. We've been waiting for ya.

Excellent review loaded with helpful information.

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks Corey....glad you found it helpful.

Awesome vid with excellent information! Just subbed

Thank you, ill buy one now! Standing in a canoe .... very impressive 👏

I enjoyed your video :) Keep it up!

Thanks for your review. have two of those reels and performed a trick shop on one of them. I have been very happy with my purchases. They are as good as the Concept A in my opinion.

Good to see another video

Hey bro another great video. By the way finally got the mattlures hardgill in the slow sink version. All I got to say is wow it is amazing! Thanks for talking me into buying it a video or two ago. It's truly a piece of art.

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Hey Kyle. Awesome man! I'm glad you got one. I try not to be a salesman for any product, but some things are just so amazing I really recommend them to people. I was just fishing the new, yet to be released Magnum Strong Gill last night (its a Hardgill.....on steroids!). Matt's gills are almost always on one of my rods the entire year and I'm happy when other people can experience them and see how they are not only beautiful, but extremely effective.

@kylepaine9752

7 жыл бұрын

KeepinItReelFishing wow that's awesome. I can't wait for the strong shad and the new magnum hardgill to be released. By this point I'm gonna buy anything that man puts on the market lol

So far I've bought sportspal canoe and 13 fishing A3 ha! Great channel

I tend to over research an item before I buy it, & I had my eye on this exact real for over a year now...well before I saw this video. But after being able to compare it to all of the other competitors at fleet farm, & watching this video, I finally decided on this exact one. I was on the fence on gear ratio, but decided on the 6.3:1 and it worked great for top raiders (you just have to reel a little faster) but what I like is that when I use a crank bait that has a bit more drag, the slightly slower ratio really shows it’s true benefit. I know that some people back their line with mono, or put on even high weight & fancier brands, but I also decided on “65lb sufix 832 braid”. About 85% of a 150yard spool fits perfectly, and this line is almost half the price as power pro, and stronger. I also wanted to share a useful piece of info, the pole. I have this on an 8ft medium-heavy that can throw 1-4oz baits. I think the reel looks great on anything between 7.5ft - 8.5” long. Btw, why don’t they make that Shimano Curado 300 anymore, that looks like a really cool reel too. Collector someday, if not already. Thanks again for the great video & info. I am really enjoying the musky & large fishing community. 💪🔥

Awesome video

Nice job Carl!

That A3 is legit one of my favorite reels

Great all around reel from salt to fresh water very smooth and durable best bang for your buck i 100 percent recommend this reel comes with a nice torque handle I use mostly

Great review. I saw an A3 at the tackle shop and the owner didn’t know much about it just said it’s corrosion resistant. So I didn’t buy. But after seeing this video I’m heading back tomorrow 👍🏽

Keep it up!

A really good review...

GREAT REVIEW!

I have one on the way that I was on special for $99. I am excited to try it out and really appreciate your in-depth review.

@KeepinItReelFishing

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, you found a great deal! Your welcome Todd, glad you found the video helpful.

@justinfetty2176

3 жыл бұрын

I found the same deal, that’s why I’m here lol

Thank you for your quick response, I'll take a hard look at it.

I have the Z3 and I love it better than any Shimano or Diawa swimbait reel I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a few.

I always wanted a baitcaster, Just ordered an A3 tonight after a lot of reading, these seem to be an awesome reel, trouble free, great casting and very smooth.

@8.21productions9

3 жыл бұрын

wait. as your first baitcaster you ordered a swimbait reel? can I ask why? if you’re unfamiliar with using a baitcaster, getting a swimbait reel isn’t really a good idea. you’ve got way more line you’ll have to deal with when you get a backlash. if you wanted a concept a, you should’ve gotten the 100 size. not the 300 size.

@REKLUSE53

3 жыл бұрын

@@8.21productions9 Good catch! My bad, mine is just the concept A reel. The A3 is quite a bit larger, mine is very tiny. Same idea in quality, works great.

@8.21productions9

3 жыл бұрын

@@REKLUSE53 yeah, I feel it. i’ve got the original concept a, and I just ordered the gen2 a3. I expect nothing but quality from it, as i’ve had my original concept a for a few years now and i’ve beat the shit out of it and it’s been tough as nails and caught a lot of big fish with no issues. only thing I don’t like is the gear ratio. my concept a is the 8.1.1, while my a3 is the 5.1.1.

Waiting on my 13a...got a great price on all my concepts!

Curado 300 was released in 2008? That’s pretty incredible to say it matches up to a 2017 with close to well kinda similar price points for there times.. The 13 Fishing reel does look nice. Great review

I love 13 fishing ❤

Hey man! It's so inspiring to watch your videos also being a serious bass angler from NJ. I just discovered your channel two weeks ago and I'm going through every video. I've been bass fishing for most of my life and I'm where you were in 2015: trying to seriously devote myself to swimbaiting. I noticed you're using a White Label Lowdowncustoms XH in this vid. I'm trying to narrow down my next rod purchase and LDC is on my radar. What are your thoughts? I hope you see this and really appreciate your insight! Anyways thanks a million for all the info and unbiased reviews. cheers!

Great Review

I love them.

He's back!!!! Finally!

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

I'll BE BACK!......again! haha

Hi.. Got 2 questions... its the same weight of the brand new Concept A3 Gen 2 ???... and... which is the rod recomended for this reel? (casting all day long)....

@KeepinItReelFishing

4 жыл бұрын

Hey....got 2 answers for ya. Weight looks to be nearly identical at 10.3 for the Gen 2 vs 10.5 for Gen 1. Regarding the second question, I would strongly advise you choose your rod based on the primary lures you plan to use with it. Because this is a 300 size reel (large-ish), people typically use a heavier rod. But, whether a rod rated for 1/2oz to 3oz or one rated from 3oz to 8oz is entirely dependent on the lures you plan to use regularly. Also, I know it may seem odd, but don't feel the need use a rod and reel from the same manufacturer. If you find a good rod, at a good price from another brand its a smarter move to get that then use a 13 Fishing Rod that maybe isn't the best match for what you are doing. If 13 happens to make the right rod for what you are doing, than thats great too.

Love 13 reels quality for a great price

what is amazing to me the new reel coming out next year you can already buy the bearings it has for almost any reel on market now

Great review. Got all the points across which I had questions myself about this. You are spot on closing out on saying that we should be questioning the usefulness of the reel for daily fishing needs rather than brand comparisons, which is easily done. Penn, Daiwa, Shimano, 13 Fishing, who cares once it gets the job done. Anyway, I am looking to get this (Concept A3) for inshore and sea kayak, the extra drag is making it attractive but six months later from this review would you still recommend personally? Would be pairing on a 6 - 7 foot (12-20lb) rod. Thanks for the videos too and have subscribed and enjoyed many of your videos. Cheers Dave

Good video, everyone who is an equipment enthusiast should be watching your channel. I have been fishing hard 3 years, and with an engineer in family and my own careering leaning that way, I've never heard you say something that isn't spot on. Would like to know what rod and lure weights you were throwing/using for comparisons though. Also like to see the opposite of this and go to the finesse end of baitcasting. I recently bought a new Zillion SV TW and am amazed. Some say 13's higher end reels cast light, would love to see them match up to the cheaper Tatula SV or even the Chronarch MGL... Thanks for the always great content...

OH MY LORD the only fishing KZreadr that pronounced centrifical right you eared a subscriber 👍

@KeepinItReelFishing

6 жыл бұрын

Ha ha....I knew paying attention in English was gonna pay off one day!

@noahhill2701

6 жыл бұрын

KeepinItReelFishing I'm a mechanic and use the word centrifical a lot referring to clutches and such and everytime I hear someone say ( SENTRI FUGAL) it bugs the hell outta me 😂😂 keep up the awesome vids

@KeepinItReelFishing

6 жыл бұрын

Yup. I feel your pain brotha. One of those words that its becoming the norm to say the wrong way.

I'm very intrigued by your comment about it being smaller than the citrix. I'm curious if it's slimmed down in the sideplate due to it not having the non dsg. As it's definitely born in the same factory as okuma using many of the same lego parts

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Hey man....I've seen your videos and I know you have a great working knowledge of a lot of reel nuance. I had read a few threads over on TackleTour a while back where people were trying to determine the manufacturer of 13 reels. I seem to recall the 'evidence' showed that the reel was made by a larger, wholesale manufacturer....but that 13 was unique in that their was not a 'catalog' reel. Instead they created and owned the tooling, but capitalized on the existing manufacturing of whoever this larger manufacturer was. I can see that it would make sense for some pieces to be off-the-shelf and not worth designing brand new. I haven't dug that deep, but I'm wondering can you tell me what parts are the 'smoking guns' and if you know any particulars about 13 and their manufacturing?

@TackleAdvisors

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! I was hoping to see you post up some new content. Not many of us out there put the time in that it takes to do full in depth gear reviews with real information. Looking at the images on their site. And comparing them to the citrix reels and komodo reels I had aparte. The handle side of the frame and all it's contents looks remarkably similar to the citrix. The spool and brake looks similar as well. Seeing how many saltwater companies tried to say they had their own "tooling" and weren't clones.....and the crazy amounts of research that went into disproving that. I'm surprised nobody really did any true digging with 13. One company even went as far as taking video in a machine shop to show he and his friend turning parts (ancient mariner...google "spyron Alexakis stripers online" for a good read...... Between 4 threads I think I had to edit or hide 40 posts for threatening bodily harm then ultimately banned him....Alan Hawk did a number on a few cloners....Yet in the fw bass world it doesn't seem to get much attention. MY plate is pretty full. But I plan on picking up a 13 and okuma and trying to play musical parts out of sheer curiosity. I've only owned 1 13 product so I haven't mentioned anything other than the similaritites to Okuma. And it may be a bad example as it may be a defect Creed K. But I will be including them in some of my future reviews. Where about in NJ are you...I'm up in Bridgewater?

@jamessmith-bf2bx

7 жыл бұрын

Tackle Advisors v

What is that rod man? Looks good. I'm trying to get some decent baitcaster rod for heavy swimbaits. Any recommendations? Reel looks good! Is the level wind syncronized in that reel?

great video! can you also make a video on the LDC swimbait rod?

12lb test is a pretty standard size that many people use for fishing so i think that they use 12lb as a reference for how much fishing line it can hold bc pretty much everybody has seen and used 12lb test therefore having an idea for the diameter in which they can use as a reference point for bigger diameter lines

very informative. and I myself wouldn't pick it over shimano, well because they just last and like you said we are still yet to put some years on anything 13. thanks and hope you found that mag gill 😟

@sergiovillagomez4229

6 жыл бұрын

apexx bassin I’ve got 3 years behind my 13 Concept A still as smooth as the day I got it. Awesome reel. I love mine.

4:58 is the best. Nice cat! (fish)

Good review ... would like to see/hear something about how it handles when you have a big fish hooked. Also, those hooks on your shirt look real lol

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Me too Dan! Unfortunately even though I was chuckin some of my biggest lures with this rig, I never got into a real big fish. Strangely I have gotten only modest size fish on my giant Deps 250 (which it what I have been using on this set-up like 80% of the time)

I love this reel, but for the life of me can't decide between it and the shimano Calcutta 400B. Any weight or thought on that compare?

Best reviews

Long time no see. LOL. Great review as usual! Just a couple of points if I may. I do agree it is smaller than the Okuma Komodo SS, but having said that the A3 also has a smaller line capacity. No deal breaker there. Other than that, I am not entirely sure what the Japanese Hamai Gears actually mean? Well, the reel is made in Korea, unless they are saying they are using the same machines as the Japanese to cut the gears perhaps? Personally, I do have a Tailwalk Elan Wide Power Plus which as you know is probably made in the same factory in Korea, that is why I have my doubts that it really casts that well. My experience with the Tailwalk is that it casts OK, but definitely not to the level of the Shimanos and Daiwas which could well be attributed to the moving levelwind during casting? At $240 it is not cheap, I think prior to the launch of the Shimano Tranx 300/301, most people including myself would have given the A3 a try too. But, from what I have heard, the Shimano Tranx 300/301 is supposed to cast better than any other heavy drag high line capacity low profiles out there right now. Just my two cents.

Hey Carl, is there any possibility of doing a swimbait review of the Jackall Gantia 180? Looks like a great lure but there's no informative videos on it. Just wondering your take on it. Thanks man appreciate it, hope all is well.

Looks sick. I'll probably save the money and get the Abu Garcia toro though.

will you do a one year later video on this ?

Very good review. I know you are using it for freshwater fishing. Is it, in your opinion, a bit overkill for northern pike? What species do you target with it? This reel was highly recommended to me by everyone. Thank you!

@KeepinItReelFishing

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Tom - I think its right in line with what you want if your targeting pike. I use it on bass, but I don't use it because I need it for the fish, its because I need the big spool for when I use 25lb test, which in turn I need/like to use on my 5oz+ lures. I think most pike anglers are probably using a 300 size reel, but in reality I never heard of a pike actually "breaking" a smaller 200 size reel.

How tight do you set your spool control when you cast? I have read advice to adjust it till there is no side to side play on the spool. I have also read advice on adjusting the spool control so that when your clutch is pressed, there is little overun when the lure hits the ground. What is your advice?

@KeepinItReelFishing

6 жыл бұрын

The spool control knob is there to control the spool during the final part of the cast, right before it hits the water. Where as the braking system (magnetic or physical) is there to control overrun during the start and middle of the cast. Knowing this makes all the difference and will help you set it up. Honestly, different reels 'behave' a little differently. For instance, Daiwa actually lists in the instruction manual of their Tatula SV to back the cast control all the way to that point where there is just a tiny amount of side to side play, and then to set the magnetic past to full power. And then, based on lure weight and other factors you keep cranking down the magnets until you are getting maximum cast without overrun. On that reel that method works perfect, just as the manufacturer intends. However, on some of my other magnetic reels and centrifugal reels the same procedure does not give me the same results. I mention all this because I believe there is not one BEST way to set up a reel. If you error on the side of a more loose spool, just make sure you are starting with your brakes really high. Conversely, if you have your cast control set pretty firm, you will find that your distance may suffer until you back of the braking a bit. On this particular reel I have the cast control set pretty damn tight such that when the lure hits the ground there is almost no overrun. I think I have the brake pins set to '3'.

What size pole would you compliment this with?

Nice and honest review! How much does the spool weighs? My lexa 300 and tatula hd 200 starts to wear out, so im looking at this reel or the tranx 300 as a replacement...

@golforfishing

6 жыл бұрын

Larsey Olsen, it's been 10 months since you commented, so what did you end up getting as a replacement? I also have a Lexa 300, how would I know it's wearing out? Are you just talking about the noise and grinding feel?

Would you buy this over the tranx 300? I noticed the new a3s have a little different looks

@KeepinItReelFishing

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Ham - I have no experience with the newer Tranx series, so.....no idea. Yes, I saw they restyled the new ones a bit too. Realistically either the 13 Fishing or Shimano will serve you just fine.

What line is that you have on the A3? Is it P-line CXX? Great review too...

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you! It is 20lb CXX

I have same reel. It's very nice. I like it more than Komodo or Prorex 300.

They say this is rated for 30+lbs drag, but when i fully apply the drag, i can pull the drag with my hand. Seems similar to my smaller reels with less drag. Is this reel really rated at 30lbs of drag?

@KeepinItReelFishing

4 жыл бұрын

Hmm. While I never did it, if I put on gloves and pulled a plastic line (mono, copoly, or fluoro) I think most of us could pull line on a locked out 30lb drag if we really tried. Having said that, I'm guessing you feel that you can pull it out easier than expected. In that case the possibilities are the drag is over lubricated and/or defective is some way. I have both the A3 and Z3 and both of mine are darn tight. So, perhaps something on your particular reel.

Will this work well with 3/8 jig?

Carl what's the lightest lure you've thrown with that set up(? twards reel) after having it set up what's the distance? did you get a lot of back lash? could I bomb a daiwa sp minnow far with that reel? planning on surf fishing (from shore or rocky tide pools)with a (casting set up) rare but not unheard

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

I've used 2oz lures with success. For me its the rod that is the limiting factor. Because I have this as my BIGGEST bait reel the rod that its paired to is rated for 3-8oz. So, while I'm sure I could cast 1oz and probably even less just fine.....that rod won't load up at all and it will end up causing the reel the backlash. My best distance was coming on a River2Sea S-Waver 200 (3oz) and I would estimate it to be around 150-175 ft. But, again that is because that 3oz is a sweet spot for that particular rod (LDC Customs While Label XH) and as such it loads deep and imparts a ton of energy on the cast. The reel has excellent bearings and a nice open level wind opening....but its rod/lure relationship that is most largely determining the distance that is achieved.

@TheFishingExperience916

7 жыл бұрын

KeepinItReelFishing thanks a lot carl I decided on the lexa 400 a lot of line same price and the rod like you said is going to be more of a soft rod 9 ft and will load nicer in the cast I hope I don't hook any thing in the surf I didn't plan on much appreciated

i have a lot of wrist action i snap the rod to get them extra long cast

Also how do you decide LH or RH? I am looking at one of these in a 6.3:1 for Top Raider baits. Does that ratio sound like a good fit?

@KeepinItReelFishing

3 жыл бұрын

Nothing more than personal preference. Historically, right handed anglers used right handed reels. But, after you cast with your right hand, you always had to then switch the rod/reel into your left hand to be able to reel. For the better part of a decade now right handed anglers are recognizing the absurdity of switching hands every cast and left handed retrieve reels have become increasingly more popular. Personally, thats how I would play it. If you are right handed get a left hand retrieve reel, if you are left handed get a right hand retrieve reel. Sounds funny but in practice it makes sense. Do a quick search on here for right vs left handed baitcasters and you'll get a better sense of what I'm saying.

@KeepinItReelFishing

3 жыл бұрын

Regarding the ratio, yes....6.3:1 is a good all-around ratio, either that or the one up....a 7:1 reel. I use them both interchangeably, just speeding up or slowing down slightly as I have to.

I have a Shimano Scorpion MD oh 8.3 to 1 from Japan. Cost me 200 dollars from Japan, the yen is way dow, almost half price. Have you tested this reel.

What type line you have on that real , brand and size

Green eyes cool

Should I get this or an okuma Komodo?

I thought the trebles on your hoodie were real 🤣

What's ur opinion on the s-waver 200? Also I was wondering what modifications u do to it

@KeepinItReelFishing

7 жыл бұрын

Hey Jacob - the 200 is an nice glide bait. You can see the damage that Matt Allen and Tim Little do on it. In my opinion the 200 is a good size for commanding true giants, but also not so huge (like a Deps 250) that you won't get mid size fish as well (4lbs and under). I have a video on glide baits actually where I compare the swim of the 200 to a few other popular glides.

@jacobmiller9292

7 жыл бұрын

KeepinItReelFishing thanks, that was a really well made video, its crazy u can actually see followers behind ur bait and it's awesome one hit ur glide bait in the demo.

Does anyone have problems with the drag? It's almost non existent until it gets used a little. Everytime even after cleaning the grease out of the drag

Anyone that can say if this reel is better than the Shimamo tranx 300?

Update video? 5 years later?

My A3 is less than a year old and the drag nut stripped out , so when you try and tighten the drag it just spins and never tightens. Also bought the Z reel by 13 fishing and it has slop in the handle and is noisy. I’m done with this company.