Hello, quick question about reels

[Derek Trepanier]

Hi all

I've been lurking for quite a while here and am somewhat new to fishing gear. I've reached a point where I'm upgrading my 6.5 foot IM6 gorilla stick / Quantum Snapshot LS to a new setup.

I ordered a 7ft Legend Extreme Medium Fast rod.

I am looking at 2 very different reels.

The reliable Diawa SS Tournament or the new Pfleuger Supreme.  

I'm mostly jigging, spooning, and spinbaiting.

Does anyone have any input that could help make this decision easier?

 

[junyer357]

Im guessing this is a spinning setup? I cant speak on the diawa, but i have 2 supremes (30 size) and would not hesitate for a second to go get more. Silky smooth. 

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

I do not own any Diawa gear so I can't comment there

I do have quite a bit of experience with Pflueger Reels Spinning ~

At that price point the Supreme Spinning Reel is a Solid Product

A-Jay

["hamma"]

I'm in the opposite group, i do have a few diawa's but no phlueger,.... the ss is a great reel.  Mine are from back in the mid nineties, and dont have "instant" anti reverse.  But i like them just the same, the drag is reliable, they cast well, and since i bought them i've only needed to have them serviced once. 2 of my ss's are matched with the tony bean smallie rod so they are 1300's, the other is a 1600,.... I havent even looked to see if they have been upgraded. 

I am actually more of a shimano fan, where i have three diawa ss's? i have more than 30 shimano's,.. stradics rule!

[desmobob]

I have a Daiwa Tournament SS that has given nothing but rock-solid performance, including years of annual in-shore striper fishing each spring.  It has an excellent drag.

That said, the Pflueger reel has a comparable drag, and a much smoother feel.

I don't think you could go wrong with either reel, but I think the smoother feel of the Pflueger makes it the winner.  As much as I like my SS, my recent spinning reel purchases have been Pfluegers and Shimanos.

Tight lines,

Bob

[MickD]

All the Daiwas I have are reliable, very smooth, reels.  I have heard a lot of good comments on Pfluegers.  One reason I prefer the big name brands is that some reel service people don't work on off-brands.  

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, Derek!

Take your pick. I've never owned a 
Pflueger, but do have a Daiwa, which
is a very smooth, solid reel.

If you are able to take your rod to a 
local store with both the reels you are 
interested in, ask to put each on and 
gauge the balance and feel of each.

I think you'll be able to pick the winner
once you've paired them up with the
intended rod.

[Derek Trepanier]

Thank you all so much! My rod comes in in a couple of weeks and I'll definitely try em both on to see which fit I like. This is the first time I've upgraded my equipment and I'm so bloody excited.. it feels like Christmas lol. It is definitely for a spinning setup, its so windy where I am that it'd be nightmarish for me to learn a baitcaster. Thanks again everyone!!!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Both are well built reels. Features wise the Pflueger spinners are hard to beat on a bang for the buck basis. 

[Derek Trepanier]

That's what I'm looking for. I went for the rod for the lifetime warranty. I only fish an old spinning rod that I've had since I was a kid and wanted a guarantee for durability. I can't imagine getting another rod for a very long time and routinely fish for walleye, bass, panfish (the occasionally-lucky-accidental pike / small muskeye, and rainbow); basically for whatever is available and running along the Canadian shore of the St.Clair river. The waters really clear here but the deep current can be strong in some places. 

To fish I'm mostly learning to jig, bottom bounce with Erie Dearies and worms. I will try a spoon or a Mepps from time to time. And now and then I'll use a plastic but have never had any luck with them. 

I'm definitely a newbie and have lots to learn. There's a technique around here called whipping that I'd love to try.

I really want to learn about catching trout too. I need lots of practice with rigs and want to keep everything as simple as possible though. 

I'm really glad this site is here.

But I'm definitely learning toward the Pfleuger now. Its $50 cheaper than the Diawa and I think I'd like to actually try the bells and whistles. My Quantum, for example, has the drag placed at the back and I've never tried one placed at the front. But I'll definitely rely on the feel and try them both out before I reach a decision.

My local fish store recommends I use 15 braid and says the rod can handle it. He's given me good advice in the past and I trust him. Thank you all so much!

[desmobob]

1 hour ago, Derek Trepanier said:

My Quantum, for example, has the drag placed at the back and I've never tried one placed at the front. But I'll definitely rely on the feel and try them both out before I reach a decision.

Front drag reels are said to have a smoother drag due to the larger drag washers they use.  I mostly use spinning gear for light line applications and drag performance is important to me.  I've hooked some monster carp and freshwater drum on ultralight and light spinning rigs and the front drags on my Shimano Symetre, Daiwa Exceler and Pflueger President reels have performed admirably.

Tight lines,

Bob

[lakeannaangler]

I'd get the pflueger supreme. Silky smooth drag, very smooth feeling, and light.

[d-camarena]

Easy decision, save the $50 and get the pflueger

[Derek Trepanier]

I'm definitely leaning that way.

I popped into the local fish store today and inquired about the Pfleuger Supreme XT. I'm going to get the model 35 which says it supports up to size 14 braid. Now the rod I ordered is just a medium but its St. Croix and I heard their power ratings are a little on the heavier side. Its line weight is rated 6lbs-12lbs.

My question is can I get away with a size 15lbs braid on this reel even though the specifications are limited to size 14lbs braid?

Is it okay that my line will be 3lbs heavier than my medium St.Croix rod is rated for? Its just a little bit and you can get some big fish around here.

My gut tells me I should take this guy's advice and I'm worrying for nothing. But I want to make sure since this is a really big purchase and I don't want to mess it up.    

[frosty]

I'll have to put my vote in as a Pfleuger fan myself. Just got the 2016 President limited edition, it's so smooth it's not funny. It's my second Pfleuger reel and I think my next one will be one to!

[timsford]

If you want a bulletproof reel that will last forever and handle ANY fish you hook, I'd definitely get the daiwa. There's a reason it's still being made exactly the same as it was in the 90's. I had one for almost 20 years and used it for everything from live bait for pan fish to swim baits for double digit stripes and never had a single problem. I wish I had never sold it. The Pflugerville are nice reels but will never last as long as the SS tournament

[Derek Trepanier]

Well, a curveball has been thrown in my plans but I'm making the best of it; my St. Croix never got delivered to my lfp and my television blew up. Happy wife Happy life. 

So now I'm looking at a rod/reel combo available at my closest Bass Pro Shops. 

Shimano Stradic FK/Bass Pros Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite Spinning Rod and Reel Combo 

http://www.basspro.com/Shimano-Stradic-FK/Bass-Pros-Shops-Johnny-Morris-CarbonLite-Spinning-Rod-and-Reel-Combo/product/2259617/

I don't see any reviews though, has anyone tried this? 

 

[Bankbeater]

I have a 6 year old president, and a 5 year old president.  No problems with either one of them.  I am thinking of getting another one for my ML rod.

[bigfruits]

I would really try to get that St Croix if I were you.

I love the smoothness and light weight of the stradic ci4s

[Derek Trepanier]

Aye. I got lucky.

I went in to look at the reel so I could sob and my LFS owner said he would throw in an old tv that he had. The reel I've settled on is the Pfleuger Supreme XT. Its a little cheaper and according to my LFS good quality. I'll keep my eye out for a deal in the future for the stradic but for now I'm gonna take his word since he's treated me so well and hasn't led me astray. I'm hoping its not too too much of a downgrade from the stradic but at the end of the day I think I'll have two different competent reels which give me that smoothness and light weight I desire. The Supreme XT has received great reviews and I'm excited. 

Thanks for all your help everyone. I'm moving from a Berkley Gorilla Stick to this one and I can't even comprehend the difference now. I can feel everything. (especially those snags lol) Can't wait to catch a fish!