Pflueger President alternatives

[bitsandbass]

I know the Pflueger President reels go for around ~$40.  Are there any other reels of similar quality or better that sell for around that same price?

 

Also, whats the diffs between the Pflueger President 20B & 20X?  Thanks.   

[NYWayfarer]

Kastking Sharky II

 

I find myself comparing the Sharky II to the President all the time. I find them both the perfect balance of low price and high quality.

[FryDog62]

I’m a big fan of the Presidents myself, but have heard some strong reviews on the Daiwa Revros.  

[TylerT123]

I like my Mitchell 300, same price range.

[optimator]

I've got a couple of President's & Trion's. Their OK. I've never fished a Revros but they sure feel nice in the store. For that price range it would be the one I would buy. Eventually all my reels will be Shimano & Daiwa. YMMV. 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Daiwa BG SERIES  all day everyday....aluminum framed and a handle that dont have no back playcan be found for 60$

[optimator]

1 hour ago, Maxximus Redneckus said:

Daiwa BG SERIES  all day everyday....aluminum framed and a handle that dont have no back playcan be found for 60$

I bought a BG 2500 this year. I'm sold on them for sure!

[Boomstick]

I got a Daiwa BG for $75. It's a little bit more expensive than the President, but worth every penny. Also the upper model Pflueger reels should be worthwhile as well although I am not familiar with them in the price range between the President and Supreme XT.

[bitsandbass]

30 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

I got a Daiwa BG for $75. It's a little bit more expensive than the President, but worth every penny. Also the upper model Pflueger reels should be worthwhile as well although I am not familiar with them in the price range between the President and Supreme XT.

 

What the diffs between the president B and X models?

[Boomstick]

5 minutes ago, bitsandbass said:

 

What the diffs between the president B and X models?

I think the B is an older generation but I am not 100% sure to be honest. If I didn't just sit down for the first time today, I would go check mine which is the older model. Some people tell me they prefer the older model, but I believe the newer model will be better with line twist and more importantly, losing loops which is the biggest issue I've always had with that reel.

[bitsandbass]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

I think the B is an older generation but I am not 100% sure to be honest. If I didn't just sit down for the first time today, I would go check mine which is the older model. Some people tell me they prefer the older model, but I believe the newer model will be better with line twist and more importantly, losing loops which is the biggest issue I've always had with that reel.

 

Is the President good for braid?

[Yudo1]

9 hours ago, bitsandbass said:

 

Is the President good for braid?

Yes

[Boomstick]

9 hours ago, bitsandbass said:

 

Is the President good for braid?

I haven't tried it yet, but I wouldn't see why not.

[Bluebasser86]

Love my Presidents, also have and have had good luck with the Sharky II from KastKing, and the Revros from Daiwa. 

[Beetlebz]

I've had a couple great kastking baitcasters, but i got a Mela II 1000 to try out. I wanted to like it, I really did. Cheap, knock around back packing type reel. First time I caught a fish the spool shaft started binding. After through investigation all I can come up with was it had a bent shaft. Replaced it with a 2000 size... same thing. One fish, bent shaft. Ive heard good things about the new snarky 3 but I have a bad taste in my mouth now. 

 

For what it's worth, I snagged a shimano Sahara off eBay during one of their eBay wide sales for $55. There's a sale going on now but I think it's 10% off. Still worth looking!

[bitsandbass]

Alan hawk does fantastic reviews on reels. Checkout his website. He breaks them down and goes into great detail with tons of pics.

 

He said avoid Kastking. 

 

I see he recommends the daiwa BG as his #1 freshwater reel. 

[NYWayfarer]

5 hours ago, Beetlebz said:

I've had a couple great kastking baitcasters, but i got a Mela II 1000 to try out. I wanted to like it, I really did. Cheap, knock around back packing type reel. First time I caught a fish the spool shaft started binding. After through investigation all I can come up with was it had a bent shaft. Replaced it with a 2000 size... same thing. One fish, bent shaft. Ive heard good things about the new snarky 3 but I have a bad taste in my mouth now. 

 

For what it's worth, I snagged a shimano Sahara off eBay during one of their eBay wide sales for $55. There's a sale going on now but I think it's 10% off. Still worth looking!

I have the Mela II 2000 and I have shelved it for many months now. The reel is decent enough but I am not a fan of the "honeycomb" spool. Too much room for dirt and debris to get into the reel and on the spool shaft. I had a problem with the drag knob on mine. I contacted Kastking and they sent me a new one ASAP.

 

There is a world of difference between the Mela and the Sharky series. The Sharky II is a true workhorse reel. I own 2 of them a size 1500 and a 3000. Both are still running smooth as can be in their 2nd season with me.

1 hour ago, bitsandbass said:

Alan hawk does fantastic reviews on reels. Checkout his website. He breaks them down and goes into great detail with tons of pics.

 

He said avoid Kastking. 

 

I see he recommends the daiwa BG as his #1 freshwater reel. 

Before making a decision I would watch some more reviews and read some of the ones on here from trusted anglers like @Bluebasser86 

 

All I know is I reach for my Sharky II way more than I reach for my President nowadays.