What? No bearings? Hmm. Well, we checked it out in Florida's saltwaters and found the Z was impressively smooth and likely would resist corrosion better without all those surfaces.
February 07, 2018
By Game & Fish Staff
What? No bearings? Hmm. Well, we checked it out in Florida's saltwaters and found the Z was impressively smooth and likely would resist corrosion better without all those surfaces.
As part of Game & Fish's series of reviews of the best baitcasters 2018, we look at 13 Fishing's Concept Z.
By Pete Robbins
The bright red finish is a giveaway this reel offers something exceptional, but its appeal is not just cosmetic.
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For years, there has been an arms race among manufacturers to maximize or optimize the number of ball bearings in their offerings. Oddly enough, the Concept Z actually has no ball bearings.
The bearing-less Z casts like a dream, and is also a thing of beauty, with an aggressive looking star drag and skeletal handle that looks like it's straight out of a reel customization shop or a sci-fi movie.
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What distinguishes it? The Concept Z has a dramatic look. But beyond its visual appeal, the Concept Zero Bearing technology, one which eliminates the need for bearings by replacing them with a proprietary polymer, sets this reel apart from the field. If you've had problems with bearings getting gunked up or corroded, consider that problem eliminated.
High-end features previously found only in more expensive reels? The Concept Z is impervious to saltwater, and has Japanese Hamai-cut gearing to service a rock-solid 22-pound drag and dead stop anti-reverse. Normally new technology means paying the price to be an early adopter of the latest innovations, whether it's electric cars or virtual reality, but in this case, the Z is fiscally priced at just $200.
SPECIFICATIONS
Gear Ratio 6.6:1, 7.3:1, 8.1:1
Line Capacity 135 yds / 12 lbs
Weight 6.1 oz
Bearings 0
Price $200
HIGH-END FEATURES
No-bearing design
22 lbs of drag
6-way centrifugal braking system
Arrowhead line guide
