Pflueger President Spinning Reel Review
Published by Chris Riley in Fishing Last updated on December 29, 2023
A spinning reel is a must-have for all anglers, regardless of their experience levels. It is the first thing that pops to mind whenever you think of fishing as it has helped many to learn the basics of fishing. It is very critical to angling since it is the gadget that enables you to pull the fish out of the water and into your territory.
Pflueger President is a line of fishing reels under the Pflueger brand that includes ice reels, casting reels, and spinning reels. The collection is every angler’s dream as they are all well thought out solutions to accommodate all your needs. Today we are reviewing a recently upgraded Pflueger President Spinning Reel:
The Pflueger President XT Spinning Reel
The XT is an enhanced version of the previous standard Pflueger President spinning reel with the added advantage of a sealed drag system that protects its components from external damages.
It boasts 10 stainless steel ball bearings to help prevent line resistance while casting and during retrieval and an ultra-smooth oil felt a strong dragging system. They have maintained the fast line recovery rate and the lightweight design, making it convenient yet effective.
Pflueger products are a guaranteed steal as it is a household name in the fisherman’s world with tons of products and even more positive reviews they have been collecting over the years. They are one of the brands under the Pure Fishing Group, which focuses on fishing gear and equipment.
Pros
- Up to 10 bearing a smooth drag system
- Sealed drag system for longevity
- Lightweight
- Adequate spool
- Fast line recovery rate
Cons
- No braking system
How to Choose a Spinning Reel That Works for You
There are a few things that will guide you when making that all-important decision
Your Budget
This is the ultimate determinant of the spinning reel you will end up with. There is a whole spectrum of qualities and advancements that are suitable for different types of fishing and different fish types.
It is hard to get the best of everything, and you will find yourself having to strike a balance between what you need and what you can actually afford. You may end up having more than one reel for different purposes.
The Size of the Spool
This will always be indicated on the reel so that you can make an informed decision. Larger spools have a bigger capacity and will probably cost more.
You should note that not all situations require a large capacity, so there is no need to spend more on account of the capacity if you don’t need it.
Composition of the Parts
Always consider what the reel is made of because it will determine how strong it is, whether it will retain its luster, and ultimately how long it will last. Magnesium carbon and graphite are used in higher-end models. Plastic is used in lower-end models, and aluminum is the most common.
It is understandable if you can’t afford a magnesium fishing reel at the moment. You may end up paying more in the long run if you settle for cheap plastic. Most aluminum reels are affordable.
Whether It Has a Drag System
The fishing line should move out and reel back in smoothly, and the drag system determines this. The smoother it is, the less likely you will damage your fishing gear or lose your catch.
You also risk line entanglement if there isn’t enough tension in the spool. There should be mechanisms in place to help you set your preferred drag level.
Line Recovery Rate
This shows how fast you can reel in your fish because it measures how much line goes back in the spool per every handle rotation. It is also measured as gear ratios, which can be explained as the number of motor rotations completed with one full rotation of the arm.
Bearings
The more bearings a reel has, the smoother the feel of the cast. They ensure the handle and the spool are coordinating.
Newer models have their bearings sealed to protect them from external damage and ensure they last as long as possible. A typical good reel has five bearings and above.
Anti-Reverse
Once engaged, this function locks your reel and prevents the line from unwinding and catching you by surprise. You have to manually turn it off if you want the unwind the reel.
Ease of Handling
The handle and all functional knobs should be easily reachable and easy to operate. Since the water tends to be slippery, there should be measures to made handle that situation.
This could be in the form of introducing a rubber handle for the angler to grab on to in case of an emergency. It should also consider your dominant hand as you will not get similar results if you force the wrong hand to fish.
Why Choose the Pflueger President XT Spinning Reel?
It has a slow oscillation oil felt front drag system, which lets out the line smoothly, allowing for easy casting and absorbs the shock of a tug, enabling you to reel in the fish without damaging your line. The drag is adjustable via a soft-touch knob.
The PRESSP20X (reel size 20), the smallest model, has seven ball bearings supporting this drag system while the rest have 10 bearings (sizes 25, 30, 35, and 40). The drag system is sealed. Consequently, it has minimal interference from external elements that may damage the parts, which means it will give you long service.
It has a graphite body and rotor with an aluminum spool material and rotor, making it both durable and light. These components are tough and resistant to everyday wear and tear but weigh very little. The size 20 is 6.2oz, while the size 40 is 11.5oz.
There is a lot of real estate in the spool, especially for the size, but the entire spectrum has adequate spool capacity, from 180 yards of 4lb test to 320 yards of 10lb braid and 200 yards of 2lb to 285 yards of 8lb mono. This allows you to enjoy the smooth reeling we have prepared for as you have plenty of line to work with. With this spinning reel, you are practically game ready.
A gear ratio of 5.2:1 means the line recovery rate is adequate for most of your fishing needs as it is fast, but not so fast you end up losing the torque you need to haul in the bigger fish. It has an instant anti-reverse feature, which won’t the reel to shock you during a moment of distraction.
It comes with both left and right reel handle positions and rubber cork knobs that are anti-slip, easy, and convenient to grip. Coupled with the low weight, it handles pretty well.
Viable Alternatives
We found some other fishing reels from the latest fishing reels review that we feel could serve as great alternatives if you want to back up your Pflueger President XT fishing reel.
The Abu Garcia Revo Rocket Spinning Reel
It has 9 Stainless steel HPCR bearings and one roller bearing with a rocket gear ratio of 7.0:1; the perfect offer for a smooth reeling experience that is fast and gives you maximum control.
It also has a carbon body and a carbon rotor that makes it lightweight yet strong. Coupled with a compact carbon handle that is easy to hold, it is one of the most enjoyable reels to use.
PENN International VI Conventional Fishing Reels
It is very durable due to its composition, machine anodized aluminum body, stainless steel main gear, and matching pinion gears. These have super strength and are corrosion resistant.
It has a quick-shift II 2-speed gear, which makes it faster than other reels in this category. It is a premium product offering the same, if not better service than the other reels.
These advantages may make it a bit pricey, but it is not an everyday purchase and is guaranteed to serve you for a long time.
Daiwa BG2000 Saltwater Spinning Reel
This one comes with a gear ratio of 5.6:1 which is adequate for a majority of fishing techniques and comes with with an anti-reverse system to protect your reel from damaging itself through unintentional backspin.
It has a waterproof drag system that protects its components from external water damage. It is the option to go for when you avoid spending an arm and a leg as it is very pocket friendly.
Our Recommendation
The Pflueger President FT strikes the balance that you need in a fishing reel between a smooth cast going at the optimum speed through a well-designed device. The price versus value addition analysis definitely tilts in its favor. It is a worthy investment and a great addition to your fishing gear.
Categories: Fishing
3 Comments
Richard Vann on August 22, 2021
What spinning reel has a braking system? Duh! None… if it doesn’t have instant anti-reverse then throw it away.
ROCK on January 1, 2022
I have a President and a President XT(mine has the rosewood handle) I love them both! Pflueger makes the best reels in my opinion.😁
Pappy Mercer (AKA: JERZEYBOY) on June 11, 2022
Great reels, especially when teamed up with Ugly Stik Elite rods! I bought a bunch of each for my nearby Grandkids (a 12yr old, and twin 8yr olds; all girls, who love to fish!)
The combos range in power from ultra light to heavy, mostly fast and moderately fast actions. The rods are virtually indestructable, and I used to fish the Susqehanna near Harrisburg, PA for Smallmouths with the Pfluegers and never had an issue with any of them.
Great Value!