I use a Pfluger President on my ultra light setups for trout and panfish. I am going to be getting a new spinning reel for bass.
I enjoy my President a lot and it seems that it is well accepted here and was wondering if it is the best bang for buck spinning reel out there or if I just spent an extra $20 or so I could get something better
Sure you could spend another $20 and get something better, but that will always be the case!
Get another President, you won't regret it.
Honestly, I'm not so sure that another $20 is going to get you a better reel than the President. Maybe spend another $30 and move up to the Supreme.
The President XT is on sale some places right now for the same price as the regular President. I saw a Patriarch XT going for crazy cheap, I think from Cabela's? There's always great sale prices if you're willing to be patient, but the President is one of the best bang for your buck reels out there.
Handled a $60.00 Daiwa RG at Gander yesterday and was thoroughly impressed.
On 12/4/2016 at 11:42 AM, MDbassin said:I use a Pfluger President on my ultra light setups for trout and panfish. I am going to be getting a new spinning reel for bass.
I enjoy my President a lot and it seems that it is well accepted here and was wondering if it is the best bang for buck spinning reel out there or if I just spent an extra $20 or so I could get something better
I just saw a pfluger patriarch going for $130 at cabelas. That looks like a great reel.
On 12/4/2016 at 11:42 AM, MDbassin said:I use a Pfluger President on my ultra light setups for trout and panfish. I am going to be getting a new spinning reel for bass.
I enjoy my President a lot and it seems that it is well accepted here and was wondering if it is the best bang for buck spinning reel out there or if I just spent an extra $20 or so I could get something better
From all the reading I've done on this site it seems that the Pflueger President is the best reel at that price point. Personally I like to fish Shimano Stradic reels but you can add another $100 to get to that price point.
I got a Shimano Sahara 2500 for 50 bucks on sale at bass pro today
I played with the new Shimano Nasci the other day. its one hell of a reel for the price point.
The best BFTB for me is a Stradic on a really good
sale, or for a great price in the flea market!!
Bang for your buck...I would say Shimano Sahara and Sedona. I've had both and they lasted about 10 seasons each for just $50 or $60. You can't beat that.
Although the President is solid at the regular price of 59.99, I disagree it's the best bang for the buck. The Okuma RTX at 79.99 on ebay has arguably 80 buck worth of upgrades for only 20 dollars more. The carbon frame is incredibly light, and it's a smooth real, and holds up well. I actually like it better than the Pflueger Supreme with the magnesium frame. I have two of them. The magnesium frame can isolated spots of corrosion, which even though it's not affecting the function, is still annoying for a nice reel.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Okuma-Tackle-RTX-35S-Spinning-Fishing-Reel-6-0-RTX-Series-Right-Hand-325yd-6lb-/262749018907?hash=item3d2d0fdb1b:g:AlMAAOSw~oFXKPGq
I've owned a bunch of reels in Shimano's lineup (up to Stradic) and have always liked them. However, this past year I picked up a Daiwa Revros ($50-$60) reel and it is amazing. Super smooth, casts beautifully, it is my favorite reel. I can't say how it will hold up over time, but I would put it up against reels costing twice as much. I also am interested in the new Daiwa BG spinning reels that came out recently ($99), but none of my local shops have them in stock yet.
BBFTB reels for me in order are my Shimano Symetre (aluminum body) Pflueger Trion (rear drag), and Pflueger President (both have the wooden handle knob).
I never leave home without one of these reels. They are the perfect balance of great price for great quality to me.
shimanos are great until it rains and they get wet and become useless
^
I believe this problem has been fixed on all newer models. the problem was the friction rings on the older spinning reels would swell and cause the rotor to bind up (I believe that is what Bantam1 who works for shimano said over on TT).
I really like my Penn Fierce 2. Great reel for hopping back and forth between salt and fresh. They're not all that expensive either. I've got two of the Battle 2's that I use for my bigger saltwater stuff and they're tanks. I've been really impressed with Penn's stuff so far.
On 12/6/2016 at 11:25 AM, Hulkster said:^
I believe this problem has been fixed on all newer models. the problem was the friction rings on the older spinning reels would swell and cause the rotor to bind up (I believe that is what Bantam1 who works for shimano said over on TT).
I have a bunch of Stradics, and I fish in the rain all the time without any problems.
I tend to purchase the Shimano Spirex, mostly because I like the trigger that opens the bail. I have several of them , in the 1000 and 2000 sizes. I use everything from light mono & fluorocarbon to fairly heavy braid. The only time I have issues is when through operator error I get in a rut of using the handle to close the bail rather than manually. The drags on those reels work good enough for me.
The Shimano Sienna for $29 is really hard pressed to find a better budget reel. I have a 500 for my ice fishing and I trust a 4000 for King Salmon. In between for bass and trout, I have a NASCI 3000 and will be ordering a Stradic Ci4+ 2500FB hopefully soon!
Pflueger President, hands down.
99% of the time you see a thread on here about someone having reel trouble, its a Shimano theyre having trouble with. Wouldnt think of spending my money on reels that seem to constantly have issues...
On 12/4/2016 at 1:40 PM, j bab said:Sure you could spend another $20 and get something better, but that will always be the case!
Get another President, you won't regret it.
^^This^^ - the President is a good value spinning reel, with a good reputation which I have as well - I would not hesitate in getting something in that 2000 ~ 3000 series size President for bass . Maintain the reels properly with clean & lube and they will be a nice investment with a long service life !
I bought a lews speed spin for around 70. I am very happy with it, it's tuff my 3 year old could break it, and the drag worked perfectly for me all summer. I'd say look into them.
For best bang for the buck I'd go with the Shimano Sienna as well. I have a few Sienna FDs that I use for my surf setups since they're cheap and easier to toss out if I dunk the reel in the surf. Have never had an issue with them. The newer Sienna FEs look sharper and are the same price. Hard to beat for $30 especially if you can find them on sale.
On 12/5/2016 at 11:01 PM, MJinMN said:I've owned a bunch of reels in Shimano's lineup (up to Stradic) and have always liked them. However, this past year I picked up a Daiwa Revros ($50-$60) reel and it is amazing. Super smooth, casts beautifully, it is my favorite reel. I can't say how it will hold up over time, but I would put it up against reels costing twice as much. I also am interested in the new Daiwa BG spinning reels that came out recently ($99), but none of my local shops have them in stock yet.
Revros can be had for just under $40 with free shipping. Think I will send one to my brother-in-law. Thanks for reminding me about this reel.
I have 3 Pflueger Presidents. I wouldn't have them if they weren't good.
Spend a little more and get a Shimano Nasci
President is proven, and has long been a front-runner in the "bang for the buck" arena. You already have one, stick with what you know, you'll have no regrets.
I have bought Shimano's and Daiwa's that were $20-$50 more than Presidents..........and have never been impressed with them.
I have also bought the next Pflueger up.........the Purist. It's basically a President with an aluminum frame. Funny thing is, I didn't like it as much as the President.
If you want to save a few bucks, don't poo-poo the Trion, it's also very good, and a leader of the pack for the most bang for the buck in it's price range as well.
I have both, and both serve me well.
On 12/8/2016 at 11:11 PM, ww2farmer said:President is proven, and has long been a front-runner in the "bang for the buck" arena. You already have one, stick with what you know, you'll have no regrets.
I have bought Shimano's and Daiwa's that were $20-$50 more than Presidents..........and have never been impressed with them.
I have also bought the next Pflueger up.........the Purist. It's basically a President with an aluminum frame. Funny thing is, I didn't like it as much as the President.
If you want to save a few bucks, don't poo-poo the Trion, it's also very good, and a leader of the pack for the most bang for the buck in it's price range as well.
I have both, and both serve me well.
^^^^^this. although i cant speak for Daiwa's or the Purist. I have 2 presidents, a trion, and a supreme that all work great and have never given me any problems. ive always read mostly nothing but positive things about Pfluegers spinning reels. Shimano, i cant say the same thing, more threads pop up here than any other reels of people having problems with them. thats enough to keep me away...
Its pretty tough to beat that Pflueger President for value - its just an awesome reel. As for Shimano, I have never had an issue with my Sahara or my Saros.
On 12/4/2016 at 8:19 PM, The Bassman said:Handled a $60.00 Daiwa RG at Gander yesterday and was thoroughly impressed.
Cabelas has them on sale I ordered one see how it does. I have President as well so will be able to compare.
On 12/9/2016 at 4:21 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:Cabelas has them on sale I ordered one see how it does. I have President as well so will be able to compare.
Curious to hear. I've been a Shimano man for years but there's a lot of other stuff that's good.