13 Fishing Omen Black 2 Spinning Rod Review

The 13 Fishing Omen Black 2 rod series is a high-quality choice in the mid-tier 100-150 price range that offers premium performance characteristics with class-defining balance.

This tournament-proven series provides a blend of strength with a top-tier class sensitivity to pick up subtle bite detection with Zirconia inserts to land trophy-caliber fish.

However, the blend of quality components and perfect balance of form is not designed for the broke college angler, but crazy-passionate anglers will appreciate its impressive strength at a reasonable price.

But is a moderate dollar rod what you need during an afternoon of fishing what you need to land those green leviathans or will a pole targeted at budget-minded anglers do?

Contents

Pros

  • Suitable for braided line
  • Extremely sensitive blank
  • Excellent action technologies

 

Cons

  • Exclusively fast action
  • Finicky reel seat
  • Not the smoothest casting

Review

Construction (craftsmanship, make quality)

These spin casting rods really earn their keep on the construction front with advanced 30-ton Japanese Toray blanks the use of low-modulus graphite with Poly Vector Graphite Technology.

This design affords the carbon fiber blank a tighter graphite composition which helps prevent energy loss during the cast and hook setting by increasing hoop strength with subjected to extreme pressure.

It’s worth noting that the Omen Black 2 manages to get the best of both worlds with a carbon graphite blank that’s extremely sensitive thanks to the low-modulus graphite but nowhere near as brittle as other, similar blanks.

This approach also allows 13 fishing to maintain an excellent tapered design thanks to precise Zonal Action Technology for a smooth action along the entire length of the pole without stress points.

 The 13 Fishing pole also comes with a custom Evolve Sang-less hook keeper which works better than most bulky hook keepers and even a closed hook keeper– though it’s not the Omen 3’s snaggle tooth hook keeper.

Even better, the deep-set guide frames allow you to use oversized lures and heavy baits with additional weight.

Speaking of the Omen Black 2’s ergonomic reel seat, this feature gives the angler touch and sensitivity beyond what you’d expect, allowing them to feel even slackline bites.

Though, the reel seat seems to have been made with 13 Fishing products in mind as it doesn’t fit quite as snugly as you’d prefer when using some off-brand spin casting reels.

The cork grip comes in both full and split grips, so you can find the design that feels most comfortable in your hands.

It’s worth remembering that, while fairly comfortable and generally more durable than high-density EVA foam, the AAA cork can benefit from a rubber grip material added on after the fact.

Length

These spinning poles come in five different lengths, which is somewhat noteworthy in its own right, but it’s the lengths in question that are more interesting.

Starting at 6’3″, the 13 Fishing Black Omen 2 also includes pole lengths of 6’7″, 6’10”, 7’1″, and 7’3″. These lengths should help ensure that you never lack in distance casting.

Material

The 13 Fishing rod uses low-modulus graphite which carries with it some uncommon qualities– especially if you’re used to getting more budget-friendly options.

For one, this material is some of the most sensitive carbon fiber graphite on the market, able to transfer vibration through the shaft of the pole far better than a high or even mid-modulus material.

On the other hand, low-modulus graphite that doesn’t flex as much as other carbon fiber threads are inherently more brittle which makes it more prone to snapping.

Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about that with the 13 Fishing Omen Black 2 spinning pole thanks to the various manufacturing processes used to reinforce this spin rod’s durability.

Beyond the carbon graphite blank, this spinning pole series also comes equipped with ALPS 316 Stainless Steel Guides with Zirconia Inserts.

This choice further cements the Omen 2 as an excellent choice for a lightweight jerk bait rod with deep-set guide frames that help prevent popouts better than any other design outside of one-piece rings.

This spin fishing pole also goes the extra mile with its hand-selected Portuguese cork handle that outright surpasses most high-density EVA foam options.

In fact, the only thing you might want to consider, depending on your fishing needs, is adding some TAC tape for additional grip.

Still, you won’t have to worry about the kind of pitting and disintegration you see with lower grades of cork.

Action

The Omen 2’s product description mentions Fishing 13’s proprietary Zonal Action Technology which ensures that you don’t have to worry about any weak or dead zones along the graphite fiber blank when casting.

Unfortunately, the Omen Black 2 doesn’t include a moderate action rating like the newer Omen Black 3.

Keep in mind that a moderate action reduces the spin-cast rod’s accuracy and sensitivity, but significantly increases the casting distance.

Regardless, the Omen Black 2 sits squarely in the fast action category with the occasional foray into the extra-fast action range which further improves the casting accuracy and graphite blank’s sensitivity.

Power

The product details of the Omen 2’s power ratings can get a bit messy depending on what source you check, but the excellent construction positions this pole as a solid jerk bait rod nonetheless.

But what’s even more impressive is that this option can maintain such a high level of power even with its lightweight design.

Regardless, you should have no issue fighting fish with the Omen 2 spinning rod no matter the species as this model provides a wide range of different power ratings to choose from.

Granted, the overwhelming majority of these power ratings sit somewhere in the medium range, including medium-light and medium-heavy, but older models also include heavy options.

Rod Guides

The Black Omen 2 further cements its position as a rod for heavy baits and oversized lures thanks to its ALPS 316 Stainless Steel Guides with Zirconia Inserts.

It’s worth considering that while this material isn’t known for the smoothest casting action and requires better technique to avoid tangling the ling during the cast, 13 Fishing applies multiple treatments to reduce the line’s drag.

The ALPS Stainless Steel Guides with Zirconia Inserts further improve your fishing game with their deep-set guide frames that add additional strength and surprising durability, even for stainless steel.

The guide system of this high-end option is so good that many customers who have to return a defective rod blank are still saving guides for their next rod.

Handle (material, shape, etc)

The cork grip with full or split grips, further accenting the pole’s tapered design, could use some third-party rubber grip material to improve the handle’s traction.

However, outside of that, there aren’t that many rods that can boast either a better material or construction than the one used for the 13 Fishing Black Omen 2.

Uses (Who is this Good For)

Selective anglers understand the value of incredible sensitivity the first time that they reel in a trophy-caliber fish after feeling a slackline bite.

However, beginners, who generally don’t have that kind of experience or skill to feel subtle bites, even with a blank design focused on sensitivity, might not get as much out of this 13 fishing line-up and prefer affordability in fishing rods instead.

Still, anglers already heavily invested in the fishing game love how this pole provides plenty of backbone for performance while still taking care to make sure all of the fine details enhance the fishing experience.

This tournament-proven series is perfect for competitive anglers who need premium performance characteristics for fighting fish out of brush or snags.

For bass fishing applications, these fishing poles give you more than enough maneuverability with a lightweight, sleek design.

And for those of you conscious shoppers looking to give back to the angler industry, this 13 Fishing line-up helps teach the art of fishing to the next generation by funding college bass fishing programs.

Reel and Real Seat Compatibility

This bass fishing rod boasts a custom-ported reel seat that’s not only sensitive but an ergonomic reel seat as well.

However, it’s important to note that an “ergonomic reel seat” is not the same as a “universal reel seat,” and you’ll need to be careful to pair this pole with the correct reel to avoid the dreaded wiggle that accompanies a poor pairing.

Warranty

The Black series comes with a 5-year warranty service that’s solid but has some non-warranty damage caveats, though it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

More often than not, your average warranty service will include exceptions for non-warranty damage that result due to a misuse of the pole– especially when using it outside of its intended purpose.

That said, some anglers resort to saving guides when returning the rod blanks due to their strength and durability (and because they aren’t part of the warranty).

It’s a nice change of pace that Fishing 13 implicitly shows the Omen Black 2 to be a quality rod through their generous return policy that only costs shipping and handling.

Conclusion (Wrap Up)

The Black series offers the perfect balance of form with a sleek design that offers incredible sensitivity, providing the angler touch and subtle bite detection with zirconia inserts.

While selective anglers are sure to appreciate the high-end blank performance characteristics, they’re also sure to appreciate the little touches like the Evolve Snag-Less Hook Keeper

 With this complete review guide, you should be more than comfortable with your ability to determine whether the Black series is right for you, or if trading angler touch and sensitivity is worth an affordable price.