Pflueger Supreme VS Shimano Symetre 2025
RushFan2112 reply :
Hey all,
Just curious about your personal experiences with these reels, and your likes/dislikes between the two. Both are $99 at BPS right now. Again, Shimano has decided not to support the reel trade-in program (very lame), so the Pflueger would actually be $15 less. I'm very torn on which one to get, and angry that Shimano feels that their gear doesn't need to be discounted.
PondHunter reply :
Sounds like you have made up your mind already.
dodgeguy reply :
the shimano guys will say symetre.it's a no brainer.get the supreme.
burleytog reply :
Quotethe shimano guys will say symetre.it's a no brainer.get the supreme.
It is a no brainer. The Symetre is the better reel.
burleytog reply :
Quoteand angry that Shimano feels that their gear doesn't need to be discounted.
Stasher1 reply :
QuoteHey all,Just curious about your personal experiences with these reels, and your likes/dislikes between the two. Both are $99 at BPS right now. Again, Shimano has decided not to support the reel trade-in program (very lame), so the Pflueger would actually be $15 less. I'm very torn on which one to get, and angry that Shimano feels that their gear doesn't need to be discounted.
Shimano has explained this numerous times in the past. IIRC, they donate NEW reels to charity so they don't feel the need to be involved in a program that collects and donates used reels.
Very few people drop off decent reels for the reel trade-in. The majority of them are well worn reels with little to no resale value. Which would you rather see go to needy kids, refurbished cheapo reels, or brand new Shimano reels?
SirSnookalot reply :
This is not even a close contest, supreme is superior in every way and now even cheaper with the trade in program. Anything under a saros is not worth msrp and anything over a stradic is price overkill for a recreational fisherman. Shimano, over rated and over priced.
Grey Wolf reply :
Bash , bash , bash !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
trevor reply :
Symetre. Better components, better drag, stronger. Ask any charter captain.
esoxangler reply :
I have both. I prefer the symetre over the pflueger. However, for 15.00 less, it may be too hard to pass up.
RoLo reply :
What's a Flooger? 
bigfruits reply :
ive owned both and id get the symetre without a doubt.
you should go to ohya.com and log in with the following:
username: customer
password: preferred
get the stradic FI for $119 shipped
trevor reply :
So far 2 1/2 for Pflueger, 41/2 for Shimano. Id like for the Supreme fans to tell us just what is so "superior" on a supreme, besides shiny paint and mirrors.
RushFan2112 reply :
QuoteQuoteHey all,Just curious about your personal experiences with these reels, and your likes/dislikes between the two. Both are $99 at BPS right now. Again, Shimano has decided not to support the reel trade-in program (very lame), so the Pflueger would actually be $15 less. I'm very torn on which one to get, and angry that Shimano feels that their gear doesn't need to be discounted.
Shimano has explained this numerous times in the past. IIRC, they donate NEW reels to charity so they don't feel the need to be involved in a program that collects and donates used reels.
Very few people drop off decent reels for the reel trade-in. The majority of them are well worn reels with little to no resale value. Which would you rather see go to needy kids, refurbished cheapo reels, or brand new Shimano reels?
I'd obviously have the kids receive new reels, but I find it hard to believe that Shimano wouldn't participate in other programs also.
On another note, it's funny to see the different responses to the post. I'm going to go to BPS later and get my hands on both reels again to make my decision. At this point, I'm leaning towards the Pflueger, but my mind may change once I'm holding both reels.
dodgeguy reply :
QuoteQuotethe shimano guys will say symetre.it's a no brainer.get the supreme.It is a no brainer. The Symetre is the better reel.
not even.
dodgeguy reply :
QuoteSo far 2 1/2 for Pflueger, 41/2 for Shimano. Id like for the Supreme fans to tell us just what is so "superior" on a supreme, besides shiny paint and mirrors.
i've owned both.the supreme is lighter and smoother.the 4000 size shimano weighs 14.1 oz. the supreme weighs 9.6 in the same size.that's 4.5 oz of weight.
RoLo reply :
QuoteQuoteSo far 2 1/2 for Pflueger, 41/2 for Shimano. Id like for the Supreme fans to tell us just what is so "superior" on a supreme, besides shiny paint and mirrors.i've owned both.the supreme is lighter and smoother.the 4000 size shimano weighs 14.1 oz. the supreme weighs 9.6 in the same size.that's 4.5 oz of weight.
You make a good point Dodge, but you'll notice that the balance-point of most fishing outfits
is forward of the reel center. Very recently, I attached an expensive lightweight reel
to one of my rods, and the outfit became disturbingly top-heavy and the balance-point
was about 6" forward of perfect balance! Though I place great importance on a lightweight rod,
too much reel levity can disrupt overall balance and feel.
Roger
burleytog reply :
QuoteQuoteSo far 2 1/2 for Pflueger, 41/2 for Shimano. Id like for the Supreme fans to tell us just what is so "superior" on a supreme, besides shiny paint and mirrors.i've owned both.the supreme is lighter and smoother.the 4000 size shimano weighs 14.1 oz. the supreme weighs 9.6 in the same size.that's 4.5 oz of weight.
The Supreme also has a magnesium frame. Why not mention that? :
Having owned two Supremes (one that was fished for five months and blew up, Pure Fishing sent me a new replacement, it was immediately sold), I know what they are.
dodgeguy reply :
as you may have heard me say before imho the correct balance point of a rod is the center of the reel seat.even on a spinning rod this is so because most people i see have the neck coming out between their 2 center fingers.if you balance your rods to the center of the reel seat they balance with any reel on them.
dodgeguy reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteSo far 2 1/2 for Pflueger, 41/2 for Shimano. Id like for the Supreme fans to tell us just what is so "superior" on a supreme, besides shiny paint and mirrors.i've owned both.the supreme is lighter and smoother.the 4000 size shimano weighs 14.1 oz. the supreme weighs 9.6 in the same size.that's 4.5 oz of weight.
The Supreme also has a magnesium frame. Why not mention that? :
Having owned two Supremes (one that was fished for five months and blew up, Pure Fishing sent me a new replacement, it was immediately sold), I know what they are.
and what about all the shumbindo stradics and symetres that bound up when wet?shimbindo never admitted there was a problem.it is well known on the internet.i know many ex-shimbindo users who switched to diawa because of this after getting no satisfaction from shimbindo. any manufactuer can build a bum reel.at least pflueger sent you a new reel.shimbindo left a lot of guys out in the cold and told them nothing was wrong.i give the superior customer service to pflueger on that one.
SirSnookalot reply :
QuoteSymetre. Better components, better drag, stronger. Ask any charter captain.
An established charter boat captain, if he were using Shimano equipment would probably use nothing less than a stella. A guide may use a lesser product but most people bring their own equipment with a guide anyway.
The supreme is lighter, smoother and has a better drag than the symetre, I prefer the handle on the supreme too.
3 supremes, 2 fresh and 1 salt, yes saltwater and no damage ( shimano says their mg reel is approved for saltwater)over 1 year of service on all and each like new. I'm going to put an 8040 on an 8'6 rod for a mock surfcasting outfit. Pure fishing is about the best in the business for customer service, Quantum also is very good 48 hour turn around fresh, 24 hour salt. Shimano was 4-5 weeks for me and negated my warranty on top of it.
Now a stradic fi for 119 is a great deal, I logged in but they wanted 159 from me.
burleytog reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteSo far 2 1/2 for Pflueger, 41/2 for Shimano. Id like for the Supreme fans to tell us just what is so "superior" on a supreme, besides shiny paint and mirrors.i've owned both.the supreme is lighter and smoother.the 4000 size shimano weighs 14.1 oz. the supreme weighs 9.6 in the same size.that's 4.5 oz of weight.
The Supreme also has a magnesium frame. Why not mention that? :
Having owned two Supremes (one that was fished for five months and blew up, Pure Fishing sent me a new replacement, it was immediately sold), I know what they are.
and what about all the shumbindo stradics and symetres that bound up when wet?shimbindo never admitted there was a problem.it is well known on the internet.i know many ex-shimbindo users who switched to diawa because of this after getting no satisfaction from shimbindo. any manufactuer can build a bum reel.at least pflueger sent you a new reel.shimbindo left a lot of guys out in the cold and told them nothing was wrong.i give the superior customer service to pflueger on that one.
How did I know that one was coming?
dodgeguy reply :
that's cause your special!!!ROFLMAO!!! ;D
i'd buy the supreme xt before the stradic.
trevor reply :
Shimano has a better drag than Pflueger. And big deal its made of magnesium. All that means is it will corrode easier. Shimano drags are some of the few drags that wil handle offshore fish (like tuna) for 3 hr fights, 100 days a year. Shimanos hold up to charters who have no experience (square cranking, messing with them, dropping them, reeling against the drag, ect). For toughness and reliability, shimano can't be beat. And as far as customer service, Shimano rebuilt 5 of my dad's tiagras that were 10 years old and developed frame cracks for free, no questions asked.
trevor reply :
No, an established charter boat captain, who actually runs a lot of trips a year, with lots of customers, doesn't pay that kind of money on a spinning reel when a Stradic FI works every bit as good. You dont need 13 bearings or whatever in a reel. Doesn't catch any more fish.
QuoteQuoteSymetre. Better components, better drag, stronger. Ask any charter captain.An established charter boat captain, if he were using Shimano equipment would probably use nothing less than a stella. A guide may use a lesser product but most people bring their own equipment with a guide anyway.
The supreme is lighter, smoother and has a better drag than the symetre, I prefer the handle on the supreme too.
3 supremes, 2 fresh and 1 salt, yes saltwater and no damage ( shimano says their mg reel is approved for saltwater)over 1 year of service on all and each like new. I'm going to put an 8040 on an 8'6 rod for a mock surfcasting outfit. Pure fishing is about the best in the business for customer service, Quantum also is very good 48 hour turn around fresh, 24 hour salt. Shimano was 4-5 weeks for me and negated my warranty on top of it.
Now a stradic fi for 119 is a great deal, I logged in but they wanted 159 from me.
RoLo reply :
Quoteas you may have heard me say before imho the correct balance point of a rod is the center of the reel seat.even on a spinning rod this is so because most people i see have the neck coming out between their 2 center fingers.if you balance your rods to the center of the reel seat they balance with any reel on them.
It's six of one, a half-dozen of the other.
Balancing the rod without the reel can only be accomplished by increasing the weight of the rod.
So instead of a heavier reel, you're going to end up with a heavier rod,
but that would be counterproductive to buying an expensive 3.75 oz rod.
Roger
maineman reply :
I just bought the symetre on RW advice and his advice has all ways been good.Ido like dodgeguy,s conviction on what he believes in! Maybe next year i will buy a supreme , jm rod and spooled with fireline braid! This year it will be the symetre, avid, spooled with yo-zuri 6#
SirSnookalot reply :
QuoteShimano has a better drag than Pflueger. And big deal its made of magnesium. All that means is it will corrode easier. Shimano drags are some of the few drags that wil handle offshore fish (like tuna) for 3 hr fights, 100 days a year. Shimanos hold up to charters who have no experience (square cranking, messing with them, dropping them, reeling against the drag, ect). For toughness and reliability, shimano can't be beat. And as far as customer service, Shimano rebuilt 5 of my dad's tiagras that were 10 years old and developed frame cracks for free, no questions asked.
Symetre for tuna and 3 hour fights? C'mon gimme a break, comparing a symetre to a tiagra is like comparing a Kia to a Bently The Shimano offshore line up isn't the same, the spinners like stella and sargossa are truly very fine reels, my 2 spheros have been falling out favor and I may replace my 8000 with a sargossa.
As far as conventional reels, tld's are and toriums are real workhorses and widely used on charters, the upper tier of offshore Shimano conventional is top notch.
I have a charter captain for tuna living a few doors down from me( from New Jersey but is a snow bird for the winter) he uses nothing but Penn, spinning and conventional, not pitting Penn against Shimano in that arena, but that's his choice.
trevor reply :
I didn't say a Symetre drag would handle a tuna - the symetre would probably explode! ;D
I meant that Shimano's drags are extremely high quality and handle tuna, marlin, shark, sailfish, ect.
Grey Wolf reply :
Why don't you guys fish your favorites and quit bashing other peoples equipment ?
Sherlock 60 reply :
QuoteWhy don't you guys fish your favorites and quit bashing other peoples equipment ?
Agreed.
I own three Symetre reels and am a fan, but in this situation I would go with the Pflueger.
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