baitcasting reel under 100 Bates Hundo Casting Left Hand 8.1:1 speed ratio enables fast retrieves for pitching Bates Fishing Salty Hundo Right

Throw an A-rig past a school and start reeling to keep it near the surface

Run a spinnerbait through the mouth of an inlet or creek and youll up your chances of catching a bass

Theyd benefit from a model in the 6:1 gear ratio range, but otherwise, you could build much of a tournament-ready arsenal around this model and be confident that you were ready to chase giants in any conditions

Best for Big Baits: Daiwa Tatula 300 Casting Reel Pros Generous line capacity Bigger gears for bigger fish and lures Daiwas T-Wing system for long casts Cons Not suited for small to mid-sized lures Key Features Left- and right-hand retrieves 5.3: 1 (right), 6.3:1, 7.1:1, and 8.1:1 gear ratios 11.5 ounces Seven ball bearings, one roller bearing Price: $234 As the fish youre chasing and the lures needed to tempt them grow in size, its critical to beef up every component of a reel

Whether youre just starting or gearing up to explore new techniques, the right gear makes all the difference