Spinning Reel Shootout

[AC870]

I bought 3 new spinning reels in last week or so. Kinda having my own little comparison test. All within $10 of costing $50. They're all 2500/3000 size range. 
Pflueger President, Pflueger Trion and Shimano Sahara. 
Hadn't really fished em yet. Just playing with em around the house. 
So far, I like the Pfluegers best. Problem with the Sahara is the little switch you flip to backreel is oddly placed and teeny-tiny. 
I've found the best casting setup to be braid with a floro or mono leader. 
Couple are spooled up straight copoly but probably change them to braid eventually. It's just so smooth casting. 
I was tossing the Sahara with 10-lb Power Pro and man it's accurate.

 

[Hulkster]

the newer shimanos, including the new saraha FI don't even have an anti-reverse on/off switch. backreeling is no longer an option on most shimano spinning reels.

[Jagg]

The President is the standard in it's price range for decades and there's a good reason why.

[Crestliner2008]

9 hours ago, Hulkster said:

the newer shimanos, including the new saraha FI don't even have an anti-reverse on/off switch. backreeling is no longer an option on most shimano spinning reels.

 

Sad state of affairs! Another reason why I am now staying away from Shimano and focusing primarily on P. Presidents. Better value for your dollar in my opinion.

[Bluebasser86]

No anit-reverse switch is a deal breaker for me. I've switched to almost exclusively Pflueger spinning reels from the Trion to the Supreme XT and they're all solid. I also have an Okuma RTX that cost just a bit more but is a smooth, solid reel that I'd have no issue buying again.

[A-Jay]

Bought my wife a couple of Presidents in 2008 (I think) and they are both still going strong. (but do see limited duty)

Since then I've owned 6 Pflueger Spinners,  2 each of the XT's,  Supreme's & Supreme XT's - they see much more duty during the season.

The anti reverse has failed on ALL of them.

Couldn't take it any more ~ Went back to Shimano; Sustains & Stradic's.

YMMV

A-Jay

[Darren.]

My Stradic FK doesn't have an AR switch and to be
quite honest, I don't miss it at all. I never back reel

so it is not a deal breaker. Besides, the Stradic drags
are fantastic by my experience. FWIW.

[Raul]

Out of those mentioned I would pick the Sahara without thinking it too much.

[Al w.]

I have a Pflueger Trion that I've used for 6-7 years.  It has been a good one. 

[AC870]

The Sahara I got has an on/off for anti-reverse but it's very small. 

[Jagg]

Shimano spinning reels just don't fit my hand and Pfluegers do. I have Trions for my kids, wife and loners. I have Presidents and President XT's for myself. Use them for panfish, black bass and inshore for 2 decades and have been stellar the whole time with just a little maintenance.

 

 

I wish they still came with the spare spool, but other than that, love my Pfluegers!

[Darren.]

15 minutes ago, Jagg said:

Shimano spinning reels just don't fit my hand and Pfluegers do. I have Trions for my kids, wife and loners. I have Presidents and President XT's for myself. Use them for panfish, black bass and inshore for 2 decades and have been stellar the whole time with just a little maintenance.

 

 

I wish they still came with the spare spool, but other than that, love my Pfluegers!

 

Very interesting. I was all set (years ago) to buy a President
based on reviews I read all over the web. I ended up with a
Stradic FI 1000. For me, the Shimano fit my hands better.

 

But as I've said in other threads, what I love, another may 

hate. I have no beef with Pflueger and understand they're 

darn good reels. Just for my hands, the Shimano's felt better!

 

Opposite for you! All good  We're all catching bass!!

[RoLo]

The President is an excellent reel, but the cranking system and smooth drag on the Shimano are tough to beat.

I haven't backreeled since the 70s when it was promoted by In-Fisherman, so I don't miss the anti-reverse.

 

Roger

[Angry John]

The best of the budget spinners may be Pfluger but over 150 the top two can't be touched.  My favorites are a few seasons old now but are in the 200 range.

[blades]

have tried a few and still think the diawa ss series like ss1300 is hard to beat

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The Shimano AR is head and shoulders above the rest being self contained and ungreased. The others will hold up though with regular maintenance. 

[Jim Sutter]

• For the past nine years I have used Quantum spinning reels. I have been very pleased with them. I do not own any bait casters.

[ChrisD46]

On ‎1‎/‎14‎/‎2017 at 8:58 PM, Jagg said:

Shimano spinning reels just don't fit my hand and Pfluegers do. I have Trions for my kids, wife and loners. I have Presidents and President XT's for myself. Use them for panfish, black bass and inshore for 2 decades and have been stellar the whole time with just a little maintenance.

 

 

I wish they still came with the spare spool, but other than that, love my Pfluegers!

*+1 ... I have the excellent Sahara but made the mistake of not trying it out in the store : The result is the bail hits my knuckles on the retrieve (reel is too close to the rod for my size hands) . The President (for me) is a better fit and a fine reel .