Bates Fishing Co. Goat SWM 200 Casting Reel Review

For testing, the reel was filled with 20-pound Sunline Sniper FC fluorocarbon, which seemed to be about the stoutest line you'd want to spool up with to maintain decent line capacity. The lower casting limit of the Goat SWM 200 wasn't explored since it’s more suited for heavier applications, but we did fish it plenty with Alabama rigs, glidebaits, and even deep crankbaits.

The reel comes fitted with a magnetic braking system and palm-side dial for easy adjustment. We found it straightforward to fine-tune the brakes for smooth and consistent casting performance. On the water, the Goat SWM 200 proved to be a very capable caster and was able to make long presentations without excess overruns or other performance-robbing issues. Distance casting was further aided by the high-capacity spool which also affords a margin of safety should you happen to hook into a big striper or other drag-peeling species.

Aided by tight tolerances, brass gearing, and 10+1 stainless bearings, retrieves with the Goat SWM 200 were ultra smooth. We also really enjoyed the comfort, feel, and leverage provided by the long 120-millimeter CNC-milled handle and oversized power knobs. However, one reviewer’s reel started squealing after a couple uses, but simply lubricating the loud bearing returned the reel to silence for the remainder of the testing period.

The Goat SWM 200 boasts a stainless and titanium drag with a watertight seal and over 18 pounds of stopping force. While nothing over three pounds was caught while testing, the reel’s drag does provide consistent pressure and more power than you’ll likely ever need. Both the drag star and cast-control knob click when turned for some nice added refinement.

We didn’t have any problems with structural or mechanical durability during the testing period. For comparison, the 9.4-ounce weight of the Goat SWM 200 is about the same as the Abu Garcia Beast 200, but is over an ounce heavier than the Tatula, Tranx, and Curado 200 reels. The robust, solid feel of the Bates definitely instills confidence, but of course no reel is totally immune to wear or failures over the long term. We also found that the matte finish held up just fine during normal usage.

At the time of this review, the $395.00 price of the Goat SWM 200 is substantially more than other 200-sized reels sold here at Tackle Warehouse. To put it in perspective, the closest competing offerings size-wise and price-wise include the Abu Garcia Beast 200 ($249.95), Daiwa Tatula 200 ($229.99), and Shimano Tranx 200A ($254.99).

The Tranx 200A is the only one of this competing group that supplies an all-metal body, but the Goat SWM 200 boasts other features that set it apart and even make it comparable to 300-sized reels, including a very long handle, powerful drag, and generous line capacity and bearing count. While the Bates does exude a bit more of a “special” or “custom” vibe, it’s still hard to definitively classify it as a strong value.

The Goat SWM 200 only comes with a 7.1:1 gear ratio, giving it nice middle-of-the-road speed for both slower and faster retrieves. Additionally, the massive 120-millimeter crank arm and oversized knobs give the angler lots of power and leverage with larger baits. The Goat SWM 200 definitely looks the part of a heavy-duty casting reel, and its spool capacity is comparable to the Shimano Tranx 300B, just with far lighter overall weight. The combination of generous line capacity, power, and a highly palmable frame made the Goat SWM 200 a favorite for Alabama rigs, deep-diving cranks like the Strike King 10XD, glidebaits like the River2Sea S-Waver 200, and more.

Outside of the premium price tag, it was hard to find much not to like about the Bates Goat SWM 200. While we wouldn’t mind the addition of another gear ratio or two, the reel provided us with plenty of capability for heavier bass-fishing applications that could put a strain on lesser reels. There are certainly other capable and more affordable reels on the market, but the Bates Goat SWM 200 represents a very solid option for anglers seeking premium performance and durability with an added unique flair. For something even more special, the Goat SWM also comes in limited-edition “Gunny” and “Knox Gold” editions that are sure to turn heads.