Rapala-VMC now owns 13 Fishing

[WRB]

BR members better get used to the 13 brand!

New marketing should create discount sales on the original branding.

Tom

[Pat Brown]

Honestly, a lot of their affordable workhorse reels are still kicking and catch lots of fish for me.  I really enjoy the inception  series. I like the way that they palm a lot.  Drag is nice.  For not too expensive and beating the bank in muddy rainy conditions, they're more than up to the task.  Probably snag a few of these when they blow them out.

[PhishLI]

9 hours ago, WRB said:

BR members better get used to the 13 brand

Works for me. The majority of the fish I've caught over the past 6 years were hauled in on several versions of Omen Black 2s. Nothing but dependable and rugged sticks. The Evolve reel seats fit my grip perfectly which is a big thing. The 7'4" Meta is next and I'll have a Widow Maker as soon as it comes in stock next spring.

[Eric 26]

Count me in as a fan also. I love my fate black med light spinning rod paired with my creed lte spinning reel. 

[Glenn]

Well, to be clear, Rapala bought a 49% stake back in 2019.  The difference is that they upped it and now own a 60% stake.

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/rapala-13-fishing-71323.html

 

[Vilas15]

Sheesh. They just introduced their own line of plastics and now this too. They've got everything but a line of boats now. I do like their products and can get a good price on them. Might try a reel but I'll stick with other rods.

[galyonj]

I bought a pair of Blackout spinning rods on deep, deep discount a little while back. Only experience with the brand, but they seem like nice sticks for the money. 

[1984isNOW]

ML fate black Spinning way to heavy, more like light medium heavy. But I respect their hustle.

 

If Rapala works this right they stand to make a lot if money, considering the market and mark up on repeat reels and rods through China. I have a concept Z and A and they're solid. Wish the ML rod was actually ML.

[michiganoutdoorsman]

I had a 13 fishing combo I got as a gift, never really liked it much. Reel was decent, rod sucked. After that it kinda turned me off from their products. Maybe I should’ve given them more of a chance, but I stuck to the bigger names for most of my rods and reels. We’ll see how this one pans out for the brand and the industry.

[Susky River Rat]

I only ever used their ice fishing combos. I did like them.

[Spankey]

Own nothing from them. Have touched a few rods and can say they felt good.  Never gave any of their stuff an honest look. 

[MiceNReets]

? 
 

[Drawdown]

23 hours ago, galyonj said:

I bought a pair of Blackout spinning rods on deep, deep discount a little while back. Only experience with the brand, but they seem like nice sticks for the money. 

For the money, the spinning Blackout has no business being as good as it is. Hangs in there sensitivity-wise with the SLX, and maybe does even better (because of the skeleton grip).

 

I would pick up 13Fishing rods at blowout clearance prices in a heartbeat.

[galyonj]

That's exactly what I did. They were down to $20 a rod on the 7'1" medium spinning rods. At that price I bought two and called the shipping charge a wash. Gave one to @TnRiver46 as a token of my appreciation.

[TnRiver46]

And it catches bass ! 

[galyonj]

That's always desirable.

[Cdn Angler]

I've had about 5-6 fate green rods and have had major issues with durability. Of those at least 4 had hook eyes come off, the inner metal ring come off and two rods snapped (arguably I was being a bit hard on them, but I've never had a single other rod snap in the middle of the rod). 

 

When they work they feel great and are reasonably priced, but I'll never buy one again. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I knew 13 was kind of under the umbrella of all the Rapala brands for the past few years.  Kind of surprised they discontinued the soft plastics but kept hard plastics that may compete with Rapala.  IMO theyre kind of like Ark rods, except they put a little more $ in components instead of the blank.  Theyre really competitive with budget to mid price point rods, I really like my Muse, but once you get to that price point competition gets really stiff. Never owner any of their reels and from what Ive seen I wouldnt take one of their spinning reels for free, after seeing 2 fail.  Casting reels sound promising though.  The Concept Cs look great on Paper, just havent been able to get 1 in hand anywhere, no one sells them around here.

I noticed that there was nothing from 13 from iCast, but theyre debuting a bunch of rods and some reels so I cant figure that 1 out.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

On 7/16/2023 at 12:13 PM, MiceNReets said:

? 
 

That 1 hurts...They replaced it though right?

[MiceNReets]

3 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

That 1 hurts...They replaced it though right?

It was my buddy’s rod.  It was the expensive one.  $400 here in Canada on sale for $200.     First hook set and that broke.   Right back to the store for his money back.    I’m sure 13 fishing would of replaced it though.  
 

I’ve had a few 13 fishing rods and I’ve really enjoyed them.  Great customer service from what I hear.   But my buddy’s rod breaking.  That hurt for sure.  

[Gera]

On 7/15/2023 at 6:08 AM, Pat Brown said:

Honestly, a lot of their affordable workhorse reels are still kicking and catch lots of fish for me.  I really enjoy the inception  series. I like the way that they palm a lot.  Drag is nice.  For not too expensive and beating the bank in muddy rainy conditions, they're more than up to the task.  Probably snag a few of these when they blow them out.

I'm at 50%-50% Daiwa-Shimano mid range reels.. Only have a concept A2 for my frog reel and if it was lighter it would for sure be in many more combos.. your description of workhorse is very accurate.