Inception Baitcast Reel | 13 Fishing
Our Inception baitcast reel brings tournament-level engineering to every cast. Built around a machined aluminum frame and featuring Japanese HAMAI cut brass gears, the Inception delivers the precision and durability serious anglers demand.
The 6-disc carbon fiber drag system provides up to 20 pounds of smooth stopping power, while the hybrid ceramic 7-bearing system ensures effortless retrieves in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Whether you’re pitching jigs to structure or burning spinnerbaits over grass, the 13 Fishing Inception responds with the kind of refined performance that puts more fish in the boat.
Performance specs & construction details
Drag System & Gear Construction
The Inception’s 6-disc carbon fiber drag system is engineered to deliver consistent pressure across the entire drag range. We machined the drag washers to precise tolerances, ensuring smooth starts without the jerky grab that spooks big fish.
Japanese HAMAI cut brass gears provide the foundation for the reel’s 7.3:1 retrieve ratio. These precision-cut gears mesh with minimal play, translating every handle rotation into efficient line retrieval. The same attention to engineering found in our Concept A3 platform carries through to the Inception’s internal components, ensuring reliable performance season after season.
Frame & Bearing System
We built the Inception around a machined aluminum frame that eliminates flex under load. The rigid construction keeps all internal components in perfect alignment, which translates to smoother operation and longer gear life.
The 7-bearing system incorporates hybrid ceramic bearings at key friction points. These bearings resist corrosion better than standard stainless steel and require less maintenance between fishing trips. The Cerakote protective finish on external surfaces provides an additional layer of defense against saltwater and harsh freshwater conditions.
Casting Performance & Line Management
Arrowhead Line Guide Technology
Our proprietary Arrowhead line guide reduces friction as line flows off the spool during casts. The beveled design allows line to glide smoothly, adding distance to every cast without requiring heavier lures.
Braking System
The Inception features our centrifugal brake system with six adjustable brake pins. This external adjustment system lets you dial in brake settings without removing the side plate, making on-the-water adjustments fast and simple. The same braking philosophy we refined in the Concept Z series ensures you can control spool speed for everything from lightweight finesse baits to heavy swimbaits.
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Common Questions About the Inception Baitcast Reel
The Inception spool holds 120 yards of 12-pound monofilament line. For braided line, you can spool approximately 140 yards of 30-pound braid. We recommend using a monofilament backing if you’re spooling with braid to prevent slippage on the aluminum spool.
The spool diameter is optimized for both casting distance and line capacity, giving you plenty of line for long casts while maintaining good spool geometry for smooth drag operation.
Yes, the Inception is fully capable of handling saltwater environments. The hybrid ceramic bearings resist corrosion better than standard stainless steel, and the Cerakote protective finish shields the aluminum frame from salt damage.
We do recommend rinsing the reel with fresh water after each saltwater outing and applying a light oil to bearing surfaces periodically. Many of our customers use the Inception for inshore species like redfish, speckled trout, and snook with excellent results.
The Inception features a 7.3:1 gear ratio, which translates to 30 inches of line retrieved per handle turn. This fast retrieve speed makes it ideal for techniques like burning spinnerbaits, ripping lipless crankbaits, and quickly picking up slack when fish run toward the boat.
The combination of speed and the HAMAI cut gears provides excellent efficiency without sacrificing torque when you need to winch big fish out of cover.
Yes, the Inception uses an external centrifugal brake adjustment system. You can access the six brake pins by removing the external dial cover on the non-handle side plate – no tools required and you don’t need to remove the entire side plate.
This makes on-the-water adjustments quick and convenient when you switch between different lure weights or fishing conditions. Simply dial the brake setting up or down based on the amount of control you need.
The Inception excels with a wide range of techniques and lure weights from 3/8 ounce up to 1 ounce. It’s particularly well-suited for jigs, texas rigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and medium-diving crankbaits.
The adjustable brake system lets you fine-tune performance for lighter finesse baits down to 1/4 ounce, though we recommend our Inception SZ model if you primarily throw lighter tackle. For heavy swimbaits and big topwater baits over 1.5 ounces, you’ll want maximum brake engagement and a slightly slower retrieve speed.
Yes, we back the Inception with our standard manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, damage from improper maintenance, or modifications made outside our authorized service centers.
If you experience any issues with your Inception reel, contact our customer service team or visit an authorized 13 Fishing dealer. We also offer replacement parts and service kits to keep your reel performing like new for years to come.
The only difference is which side the handle is mounted on. Right-hand retrieve models have the handle on the right side, meaning you crank with your right hand while holding the rod in your left hand. Left-hand retrieve is the opposite configuration.
Many anglers who cast with their right hand prefer left-hand retrieve reels because they don’t need to switch the rod between hands after casting. The internal components and performance specifications are identical between the two retrieve options – it’s purely a matter of personal preference and fishing style.