Daiwa Regal LT vs Pfluegar President (vs Fuego LT)

[TotalNoob]

Looking hard at this Daiwa Regal LT Spinning Reel that BPS has on sale for $50. I currently use a Pfluegar President 30 (same price) but I'm very interested in the 6.2 ratio to help pick up slack line on jerkbaits. Their weights are comparable but the drag on the Regal is substantially higher at 22lbs. I'm not sure what to make of the other details. Is the Regal a good reel, comparable in quality to the President?

 

BPS says this is a "New" version of the this reel ... it's not generally been my experience that "New" versions of goods these days = better. Often times it seems to mean lower overall quality but of course that's not always the case.  

 

Before I saw this Regal on sale I had my eye on a Fuego LT spinning reel in 6.2:1. Can anyone provide any pros or cons between these three? I know the Fuego LT is at a higher price point, what additional qualities/features does it bring to the table? Does the President bring anything to the table that the Daiwas don't in terms of quality (in the < $100 category)? 

 

My four main categories of concern are:

1) Line Pickup

2) Drag (reservoir does have some 10+ lb wipers in it, haven't caught one but you never know)

3) Quality/Durability and 

4) Weight

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, TotalNoob said:

My four main categories of concern are:

1) Line Pickup 

2) Drag (reservoir does have some 10+ lb wipers in it, haven't caught one but you never know)

3) Quality/Durability and 

4) Weight 

The Regal and Fuego are significantly faster than the President, but in the sub $100 category I'd go with a Pflueger Supreme-30.

1) It's not much slower than the Diawas (31.8IPT vs 34.5IPT)

2) Setting a drag to max is a good way to break line - I set mine to 1/3 to 1/2 the line test...play the fish, don't horse it in

3) Fuego and Regal are carbon based bodies, the Supreme is a Magnesium body...I'll take a metal body over a 'plastic' one any day

4) Weight difference across all three reels is 0.3 oz - so it's not an issue.

[EWREX]

1 hour ago, MN Fisher said:

The Regal and Fuego are significantly faster than the President, but in the sub $100 category I'd go with a Pflueger Supreme-30.

1) It's not much slower than the Diawas (31.8IPT vs 34.5IPT)

2) Setting a drag to max is a good way to break line - I set mine to 1/3 to 1/2 the line test...play the fish, don't horse it in

3) Fuego and Regal are carbon based bodies, the Supreme is a Magnesium body...I'll take a metal body over a 'plastic' one any day

4) Weight difference across all three reels is 0.3 oz - so it's not an issue.

I'll vouch for the supreme. fantastic reel all the way around.

[The Bassman]

LT's are smoother. I've handled both LT's and Supremes. Carbon body is more than adequate.

[TotalNoob]

Can anyone speak to the Regal? Is that much more value gained for 2x the price between the regal and either the fuego LT or Pflueger Supreme? 

 

I see the regal (vs the Fuego) has 3 additional bearings, more than 2x drag, and weighs just .2 oz more. For 1/2 the price. Both with 34.5" of line recovery per turn. Similar terminology is thrown around in their descriptions, "Rigid, lightweight true carbon frame" on the regal and "Lightweight, sturdy carbon-infused housing" on the fuego. Both state "Air Rotor with Air Bail system", however, on the Fuego, it's "Balanced". The Fuego description also includes "Magsealed technology protects the main shaft" and "DigiGear computer-driven gear design". 

 

The key specs that I, as a novice, would think to look for (line recovery, drag, # of bearings, weight) when making the comparison would seem to favor the reel that costs half the price - with both reels made from the same company. 

 

When an experienced angler and reel owner looks at these two reels, what trade-offs does he see when looking at the regal vs the fuego?

[Tim Kelly]

According to the link, the picture shows it doesn't have the air bail, but a basic wire bail instead. I would say the fuego is a significantly better reel, but everyone values that differently. Choice is good.

[The Bassman]

They're both great reels. I have two Fuegos and love them. I use them for company so I don't have to be looking out of the corner of my eye at my Stradics. Use them myself frequently, too. That said, I think the Regal might even be the better buy. You're not paying for the mag seal which isn't all that critical in fresh water. 

[Allen Der]

If you like your president, and want something faster and lighter I would suggest the president XT.  You can usually find them for $60.  

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

6 hours ago, Tim Kelly said:

According to the link, the picture shows it doesn't have the air bail, but a basic wire bail instead. I would say the fuego is a significantly better reel, but everyone values that differently. Choice is good.

According to the description it does

 Its smooth, balanced Air Rotor with Air Bail system further reduces weight by another 15%

-------

I have the Daiwa RG-AB and would choose it again over my president no hesitation. Would even rather by another RG-AB over my Supreme XT or Stradic. I see no benefit to the higher priced reels.

 

[fin]

5 hours ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

According to the description it does

 Its smooth, balanced Air Rotor with Air Bail system further reduces weight by another 15%

-------

The description is wrong. It does have the Air Rotor, but it does not have the Air Bail. You can clearly see in the picture on BPS and on the Daiwa site.

 

I've never owned a Daiwa. I've tried Shimano and Pflueger, and now I want my next spinner to be a Daiwa to see how they compare. I came close to buying the RG-AB when Overton's had that 40% off sale, now they're all gone. Maybe replaced by a newer model?