The Pflueger President Spinning Reel (Prior Gen Model) is a staple in my tackle arsenal for four main reasons: affordability, durability, sleek design, and smoothness. These qualities are why this reel found its way onto many of my trout rods. It also works well when finesse fishing for bass. Small baits like the MegaBass X70 and Vision 110 Jr. +1 also work well the president. These qualities make it a perfect multi-species reel. I use it on rivers when I’m drifting a bobber set-up for brown trout, on ponds and lakes using a drop shot for bass, and when throwing lures for trout when I need a more powerful hook set. The Prior Gen model is similar to the newer models in durability. However, Pflueger changed the color schemes a bit.
Durability & Design
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The Pflueger President Reel has a graphite body and aluminum handle. You’ll notice the quality the moment you palm it. It also maintains a light weight, even with the larger models. You can fish it all day throwing lures for trout and not fatigue. Additionally, the larger series can be used when fishing a drop shot rig or finesse tube around shallow cover and doesn’t seem to impede your fishing or take up space.
Design wise, the President is a sleek and all around fancy-looking spinning reel. If you’re like me, you appreciate aesthetics, and I love the way the President looks on a copper-colored, cork handled, Okuma SST Rod. Pflueger mixed a lighter blue with gold trim and chrome which gives it an almost royal feeling. The durability of this reel is exceptional and has lasted me years while fishing multiple species including bass, trout, and steelhead.
It’s especially good for multi species as you can fish it in both fresh and salt water with good protection against gradual damage – it comes with a corrosion resistant coating. Just be sure to clean it well after salt water use.
Casting & Retrieval
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The 10 stainless steel ball bearing system gives the pfluegar a legendary smoothness. The casting and retrieval is insanely smooth with a feeling of having good leverage on the handle. The drag system is responsive and doesn’t slip or malfunction. I put it to the test on a lake in California where small mouth are known to grow large, and I landed a 3 lb smallie on a drop shot while maintaining a moderately loose drag. The machined aluminum spool and CNC gear system help improve overall precision and durability. The gears are engineered for durability and smoothness, offering a solid retrieve even when under load. It’s worth it for the money.
Final Thoughts
The Pflueger President spinning reel has an unbeatable price point with a durable build and design, and a corrosion resistant coating. It looks sharp, delivers noticeable smoothness with a 10 ball bearing system, and comes in a variety of sizes. I would recommend this reel to any angler looking to add a good reel to his arsenal for multi species fishing. You can throw trout lures, ultralight lures, finesse drop shot and ned rig setups, and small crank baits. It’s a perfect reel for beginners and anyone shopping on a budget.
