Bates O.G. 100 Casting Reel Review
First Impressions
Designed and engineered in the United States, the round form and traditional lines of the Bates OG 100 casting reel harken back to a simpler time in fishing, long before social media, forward-facing sonar, and 70-mile-per-hour bass boats. While round reels have faded considerably in favor of sleek, low-profile models, they are far from obsolete.
Sporting an impressively classy appearance coupled with today’s advanced features, the Bates OG 100 immediately leaves a powerful impression. Along with its clean lines and attractive satin black and gold color scheme, the compact size of the reel is quite surprising and much smaller than anticipated once in hand. Complementing the diminutive profile is an equally light weight of just 5.3 ounces, putting the OG right in there among some of the lightest reels on the market, including the ultralight Daiwa Steez 70 CT SV TW.
Although the Bates OG 100 reel seems like a winner right out of the box, on-the-water testing is the only way to truly find out what any reel is made of. Before heading out, our testers had one particular question in mind: Will the relatively new Bates OG 100 hold its own against other popular, established reels on the market?
+Extremely compact size
+Full aluminum body
+Incredibly lightweight
+Impressive casting performance
+Buttery retrieve
+Smooth clicking drag
+Very comfortable knobs
-Price may not be accessible for some
Final Verdict
Breakdown
Performance: 9
Armed with an externally adjustable magnetic braking system, the casting prowess of the Bates 100 OG exceeded expectations with a wide range of baits. Spooled with 10-pound fluorocarbon and 20-pound PowerPro braid and fished on rods ranging from ML to XH, the tested reels delivered incredibly smooth, consistent casts with minimal backlashes once dialed in properly. While the absolute lowest limits weren’t explored, the Bates 100 OG successfully threw lightweight offerings like Ned rigs and the 1/4-ounce Megabass Dark Sleeper. The reel engages and disengages quite firmly, adding to its quality feel as well as its fun factor.
Equipped with brass main and pinion gears and 10+2+1 bearings, the Bates 100 OG exhibits a silky, refined, solid feel during retrieve. The handle measures 88 millimeters and features uniquely shaped and textured rubberized knobs that are a bit thinner than average, but this didn’t hold them back from being exceedingly pleasing and grippy.
No truly drag-burning fish were caught while fishing the OG, but testing showed the reel’s drag system to be butter smooth. With up to 14 pounds of fish-stopping force on tap, the drag provides crisp clicks as line is pulled out—an unexpected feature that’s not found on many baitcasting reels. Speaking of clicks, the drag star, cast control, and magnetic brake dial all offer similar sounds.
“The Bates OG is an above-average caster, and the clicking drag is an unexpectedly awesome bonus.”
Durability: 9
Featuring a one-piece frame fully machined from 6061-T6 bar stock aluminum, the Bates 100 OG is one magnificently solid, rigid reel despite its very light weight. Our testers had zero complaints about performance deterioration, poor tolerances, or any noticeable frame flex, and they expect this reel to hold together nicely over the long term. It’s also double anodized, making it a very worthy option for inshore species like snook, stripers, and redfish.
One of the tested reels exhibited a few minor scratches and dings during several months of fishing from the shore, kayaks, and boats. No matter how durable or “scratch resistant” a reel claims to be, keep in mind that damage is always possible, so treat your gear accordingly if that sort of thing matters to you.
“I’m impressed by the reel’s overall smoothness and haven’t experienced any abnormal durability issues while kayak or bank fishing.”
Value: 7
While small round reels like the Calcutta 50 and 100 used to be offered here in the United States, the Bates 100 OG is the only truly compact round baitcaster available domestically at the time of this review. Apparently, the U.S. market indicated that most anglers prefer round reels for heavier line and applications, as the current crop of round reels consists of larger and heftier models like the Daiwa Millionaire Classic UTD 250 ($109.99, 10.9 oz) and Shimano Calcutta Conquest 300 MD ($654.99, 12.7 oz).
With the absence of small round reels, the $375 Bates OG is certainly worthy of being compared to some of the high-end, low-profile offerings on the market. Two strong competitors with similar price points include the Daiwa Zillion SV TW G ($399.99, 6.7 oz) and the Shimano Bantam MGL A ($394.99, 7.6 oz). Both of these proven reels feature robust aluminum frames and a healthy dose of refinement; however, they both weigh more and have fewer bearings than the Bates 100 OG.
“The Bates OG casting reel compares favorably against other highly-respected offerings but isn’t drastically less expensive.”
Utility: 8
The OG carves out an interesting niche by giving anglers an extremely versatile, rigid, ultra-compact reel with the strength and power to really cover the bases. Equipped with a modest 7.1:1 gear ratio that retrieves 29 inches of line per handle turn, the OG is equally adept at slow-rolling a spinnerbait past a stump or burning a lipless crank over a shallow flat. If fishing with thicker lines, just keep in mind the line capacity isn’t very high for long-distance applications or targeting fish that make long runs.
The OG also provides excellent comfort during the retrieve. While obviously not quite as ergonomic as a low-profile reel, the extraordinarily compact frame and recessed reel foot allow it to maintain a very low profile when mounted on a rod.
“This is a great reel for a wide variety of baits and is extremely comfortable to palm thanks to the surprisingly compact size.”
Final Thoughts
Despite the Bates name being relatively new to the fishing industry, the 100 OG casting reel left one heck of an impression. Compact, refined, extremely lightweight, and an absolute blast to fish, this is one of the most exciting reels to hit the scene in recent memory. Some anglers might be understandably cautious about straying from the long-standing brands they currently use and trust, but we can definitely see why the Bates name is catching on so quickly. With products like the Bates 100 OG, they have demonstrated they can undoubtedly hang with the big boys.
Breakdown Summary
| Performance | 9 |
| Durability | 9 |
| Value | 7 |
| Utility | 8 |
Final Verdict |
8.25 |