A Head-Scratcher With A Pflueger Combo

[zephyrhorn]

Hi All,

 

I'm new to the forum here, and I'm hoping you bass veterans can help me.

 

I just purchased a new Pflueger 6'6"combination spinning rod and Pflueger President 6935X spinning reel on...(gasp)...Amazon. It arrived in good shape and looks great, BUT...

 

When I hold the rod with the reel base passing between my middle finger and my ring finger, I find that the rod tip falls down VERY easily. I'm used to holding the rod in this "live-long-and-prosper" grip...have been used to it with all other spinning set-ups I have had. I am used to having the rod balance (or nearly balance) with my had in this position, and having to hold the rod tip up constantly is a bit of a distraction. I can see it being tiring when fishing all day long.

 

I called the Pflueger folks, and their rep said that the balance point was about 5-6 inches forward of where the reel mount joing the rod!

 

SO, my question is---- is this normal? I guess I could hold it forward of the mount, but I find that I get better control when my fingers bisect the mount.

I'm thinking of returning the "Combo" and just purchasing the 6935x reel by itself and putting it on another rod.

(My apologies if I have used the wrong names for the parts of the reel/rod.)

 

Any insights would be much welcomed!

 

Thanks to all, and good luck this season----

[bankguy315]

this is why its best to feel a rod/reel in your hand before you purchase it, I have made this mistake myself a time or two. As for correcting the situation, find a good sized screw and put it into the butt of the rod. hope that helps

[SirSnookalot]

IMO a purchaser of a combo is going to use many different lure types, the balance will always be different.  You can try and balance it from the butt, it may not be worth the effort.  For that size reel I'd prefer a longer rod.

[lecisnith]

I have this exact combo, actually. I don't have a "normal" hand position per se, when I notice how my hand is it is usually forward of the reel post or the post is between my ring and pinky fingers. As far as fatigue setting in from using this combo all day? There is little to no chance of that. It is so light that you can use it for twelve hours without a break and be fine. And you're going to be very happy with the performance. Or should be.

[Sonik]

Cabelas sells a combo that comes with a Pflueger President and their Tourny Trail rod. Very well balanced. It's on sale now I think. I bought the 7' ML and use it as my drop shot rig. I think it's around $60.

[zephyrhorn]

Many thanks to all of you for your thoughts...very helpful!!

 

I checked out the Tourney Trail rods Cabelas makes at their store today. The were on sale and the price was appealing. HOWEVER, I could not get the Pflueger reel to seat properly on the rod. The manager said I'd likely have to file down the cork just to get the reel installed....not something they wanted to do just to test the balance before purchasing. (I get that)

Ended up spending more on a Pflueger 6940 reel and a St. Croix 7' spinning rod I fell in love with. Nicely paired, imho.

[Sonik]

They must have changed something or it was broken. File down cork to get a reel to fit? That's stupid. I bought mine a couple of years ago and it had foam grips. Check item number IK-129899 on their site to see what I'm talking about. Not that it matters since you bought the St. Croix you like. Additionally, that combo is $100 now, it was $60-70 the other day I thought.