Pflueger Purist Spinning ...initial Write-Up

[jerzeeD]

Ok guys. Decided to start a review thread for this reel since their is still not many reviews of this reel available. Being a Pflueger guy who needed a new reel to slap on my 6'6" M/F Avid, I thought I would be the idiot guinea pig who would buy one without ever evrn seeing one in person...So here goes! Just keep in mind I have not fished this reel yet and won't until spring. I will add to my review then.

I purchased the 35 size online. Pfluger always has one aluminum bodied reel in their spinning lineup.The last version was the President XT, and prior to

that it was the Medalist. This is the latest, but not "new" by any means. The first thing I noticed is that the body and rotor are almost identical to the President XT.Same lines, made of the same material, same spool design.The only differences visually are a heavier bail wire (ALA Medalist), different trim ring around the handle screw in port (Oddly enough, same ones the Medalist uses), Gray finish instead of burgundy (Hold on, that is the same color gray the Medalist has!), a black spool, and the same redesigned handle/knob assembly as the new President has. It weighs in at 10.3 oz, pretty light when you consider the materials used and the fact that the President XT weighs in at 11.4 oz. in the same size.The Medalist weighed in at a whopping 12.6 oz...but I can't compare as the Medalist is solid aluminum body and rotor, Where as the other 2 have aluminum bodies with graphite rotors.

I noticed 2 things when trying to figure out how they saved almost an ounce of weight over the President XT, and I think they are the difference makers in regards to weight reduction.

First off is the knob and handle assembly. The knob is smaller than the knob used on the President XT. However, I believe most significant weight savings comes from my further inspection of the spool. The back of the spool is tapered down and thinner in the rear where the port holes are located than the President XTs' spool....Which is a consistant thickness around the entire spool.The inside of the Purists spool is also wrapped in a thin layer of some kind of vinyl or plastic material. Probably to add to the newest "Braid ready spool" marketing ploy I am noticing more of lately.

Out of the box it is butter smooth. The bail is the same trusty sure-click bail system Pflueger has used for years. I have owned a President XT and still own 2 Medalists. All of them have been good....The Medalists have been d**n near bullet proof. If this reel performs and is as reliable as the others have been, I should be very happy. Only time will tell. I will be back in Spring to add to this review once I get some time on the water with it.

[MCS]

Nice review, look forward to hearing more. I just picked up a 40 size XT since it was going out got it for $45 and am really loving it so far. I was considering a purist but couldn't pass the deal up. I think I will pick up one of these next when I retire/upgrade my 35 size Templar if I keeping hearing good feed back.

[JustinPlog]

love the purist! just as smooth as my revo sx. cant wait to try it out this spring in the tournaments!

[SirSnookalot]

Not a purists but picked up a Pflueger arbor last year and it's seen a lot of action.  Smooth with an excellent drag, my main cuda reel, caught a 50 incher with it last week.