Pflueger

[Mobasser]

If you read through any past threads on mid priced spinning reels here on BR, the Plueger President gets many good reviews, and many guys say it's the best in this price range.                      I bought a new President for my son in law as a birthday gift five years ago, and he loves the reel.                                                           I bought one for myself last year, and was dissapointed in the reel. It felt rough, and grinded out of the package. I exchanged it for another one, thinking that maybe I got a dud.                 The second one had the same rough feel, and a sloppy feeling AR switch. I returned this one for a Lews Speed Spin, and have used it all summer. It's been a great mid priced reel.                             My only other experience with Pflueger spin reels is with an older( wood handle knob) Trion I bought at a flea market for fifteen bucks. I gave it a good clean and lube, and have used it off and on for several years, with good performance.   I've heard some bad reports on the new Trion models.                                    The name Phlueger has been around for a very long time. I feel that if they're going to stay in the game, they need to step it up here. Just my own observations, but for now, I'll stick with Lews and Shimano.                                              Sometimes, company's feel that they have to change they're designs, but, it's not always for the better.                                                    Has anyone else had any bad experience with the mid priced Pflueger reels?   

[MN Fisher]

16 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

Has anyone else had any bad experience with the mid priced Pflueger reels?

I've got 1 each of Trion, President and President XT left - my other Trion and President were sold.

 

I  think it's the fact that the Trion and President are 2019 or earlier models...both have been very good reels...quiet, reliable.

 

I've also heard about the newer models having some failings...but the 2020 Pres XT-LE I have is still 'up to snuff'.

 

The removal of the AR switch in the new Trions removes it from my consideration now...while I'm not a back-reeler, I want that switch.

 

Biggest problem I have with Pflueger now is that the only BC reel they're offering is the Pres-XT - every other model has been removed from their site. E-Mails, messages on their FB page, what-ever asking if the other models will return have been ignored.

[Team9nine]

My first Pflueger was a Cabela’s only Summit spin reel (30) I picked up in their Clearance bin. It turned out to be one workhorse of a reel, and became my favorite crappie reel for several years. When the bail spring mechanism finally gave out this past year, I tried to replace it with a similar model. It was no longer being made, so I eventually went Trion in the same size. First surprise was the lack of an AR switch - disappointed, but I can live without it on my crappie stick. But the bail mechanism started failing before summer’s end after just a few months of use. Their higher end stuff may still be good, and have better parts/repair ability, but I sold them for parts to recoup some of my investment and bought two new reels of a different brand. I’m not tough on my gear, but I fish a lot, and everything I own has to be good for the long haul. Its why I don’t change brands much or try new things. It gets too costly in the short run, and I’d rather fish than shop. 

[new2BC4bass]

My only Pflueger spinning reel is an older President XT.  I've read that the new Presidents aren't nearly  as good as the older models.  I suggest looking at a Daiwa.

[jimmyjoe]

   Pflueger (per se) does not exist. The name was purchased by Pure Fishing, and they can put that name on anything that they please, including sweatsocks and microwave ovens.

   Pure Fishing was purchased by 1) the chinese, then by 2) some other entity, and is now back in the hands of 3) the chinese. This is per a source at Spirit Lake.

   All Pflueger products are made under contract by third-party manufacturers. It's obvious contracts are let according to profit margin.

   The Western concept of quality control, with its attendant test standards and rejection rate, is foreign (literally) to the mass-production factories of the chinese. If they produce 10,000 units, they sell 10,000 units.

   If their customer wants the lowest price, then their customer deals with the rejection ratio. If their customer wants vetted quality levels, then they can do that, but they charge more ..... and sell the rejected units on a sub-market.

   High quality is available from the chinese. It doesn't come from the mass-production factories, and the price is much higher.         jj

  

[Mobasser]

22 minutes ago, new2BC4bass said:

My only Pflueger spinning reel is an older President XT.  I've read that the new Presidents aren't nearly  as good as the older models.  I suggest looking at a Daiwa.

I have since picked up a Diawa Revros size 1000 for panfish and stocked trout. Very good reel for the money. Also still have an older Diawa Laguna size 2000, still going strong.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Mobasser said:

I have since picked up a Diawa Revros size 1000 for panfish and stocked trout. Very good reel for the money. Also still have an older Diawa Laguna size 2000, still going strong.

Closeout last fall - I picked up 4 Avocet RZT reels - 2x1000, 2000, 3000.

 

Very under-rated...dunno why Mitchell discontinued them.

[Mobasser]

1 minute ago, MN Fisher said:

Closeout last fall - I picked up 4 Avocet RZT reels - 2x1000, 2000, 3000.

 

Very under-rated...dunno why Mitchell discontinued them.

Agree. Mithcell is another old longstanding brand, that seems to have lost popularity now.

[Eric 26]

4 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Agree. Mithcell is another old longstanding brand, that seems to have lost popularity now.

Mitchell is also owned by Pure Fishing.

[T-Billy]

If you can deal with not having an AR switch, I'm VERY happy with my Penn Spinfisher VI and Battle III's. I quickly got used to not having the switch. I just grab the line and pull a little out when needed.

Aluminum frame AND rotor. CNC machined gears instead of cast. Smoooth drag. They're very smooth running and since they have sealed gear boxes, I expect they'll stay that way for a long time. I have a 2000 and two 2500 series running 4# 6# and 8# mono. 100% satisfied customer here.

[new2BC4bass]

45 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

If you can deal with not having an AR switch, I'm VERY happy with my Penn Spinfisher VI and Battle III's. I quickly got used to not having the switch. I just grab the line and pull a little out when needed.

Aluminum frame AND rotor. CNC machined gears instead of cast. Smoooth drag. They're very smooth running and since they have sealed gear boxes, I expect they'll stay that way for a long time. I have a 2000 and two 2500 series running 4# 6# and 8# mono. 100% satisfied customer here.

I know nothing about Penn reels.  When I bought my first expensive rod about 45 years or so ago....a Berkley Lightning 6' ML spinning rod...I bought a Penn 430SS for it.  You can find the reel used on ebay for $148.99 plus $11.85 shipping.  I probably paid around $40 when I bought it new.  Mine would look new if it wasn't for a little boat rash on the bottom front.  That one looks pretty worn.

[throttleplate]

my 2020 pfleuger supreme had an issue with reeling, getting hard to turn the handle in one spot of the rotation.

It was like this new out of the box but i lived with it till spring of 2021 when i tore the reel down to its empty shell.

I cleaned out all the grease and all parts and relubed it and works like brand new.

Must have had some small tiny manufacturing soft metal caught in the gears that i didnt find but its fine now.

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, Eric 26 said:

Mitchell is also owned by Pure Fishing.

So is Abu, Berkley, Fenwick, Shakespeare, Stren, Ugly Stick...and a host of others.

 

Including Plano - which they bought this year.

[Eric 26]

3 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

So is Abu, Berkley, Fenwick, Shakespeare, Stren, Ugly Stick...and a host of others.

 

Including Plano - which they bought this year.

Didn’t know they bought Plano?. I’ve gone by their factory and outlet store here in Illinois but can’t find a spot to park my work truck to go inside☹️

[Wprich]

I have about 12 flueger reels in total from Presidents up to Supreme XT's and never had a issue out of any of them but they are mostly older models bought between 2010 and 2016.  I've fished them for bass crappie and even took them with me for salt water trips and they are still performing great with little to no maintenance.  I've heard the newer ones aren't as good since Pure fishing took over as said above.  I have a Patriarch XT spinner that is new bought this year that I am hoping lasts since it's likely made under the Pure Fishing brand.  Only taken it out twice so far no issues and feels smooth as butter.  I recommend to anyone wanting a pflueger to not buy from a Bass pro etc but go to eBay and used forums and look for a older model like a wooden handled President or one of the Supreme XT's with the gold accents not the orange(current) which is also going to be replaced end of this year with a updated XT.

[MN Fisher]

15 minutes ago, Wprich said:

I've heard the newer ones aren't as good since Pure fishing took over as said above

 

16 minutes ago, Wprich said:

they are mostly older models bought between 2010 and 2016.

Ummm - Pure Fishing acquired Pflueger in 2004 - so those 'older reels' you have are still under the PF umbrella.

[Wprich]

30 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

 

Ummm - Pure Fishing acquired Pflueger in 2004 - so those 'older reels' you have are still under the PF umbrella.

Haha oh well didn't know that part man thanks

[throttleplate]

finding parts is virtually impossible and e-mailing pure fishing gets you no where as they dont respond, ever.

[Team9nine]

9 hours ago, throttleplate said:

finding parts is virtually impossible and e-mailing pure fishing gets you no where as they dont respond, ever.

 

Which is what I found out with my situation I mentioned earlier in this thread, and why I simply sold my 2 Pfluegers off for parts - was better to go with a different brand than deal with those issues on an ongoing basis.

[Chris Catignani]

On 10/14/2021 at 9:52 AM, Mobasser said:

I've heard some bad reports on the new Trion models.

I have been using Trions for a few years and love em...until.

I bought one as a gift and noticed that they are now missing the AR switch. I'm one who uses that switch: for fish, to transport, when Im hung up. I did need another reel and bought a President and its good.

[Bankc]

12 hours ago, throttleplate said:

finding parts is virtually impossible and e-mailing pure fishing gets you no where as they dont respond, ever.

Try calling them.  I had the same problem with their general email address, but gave them a call.  They answered right away, every time, and were extremely helpful.  From there, I was given a direct email to one of their CR reps and she always responded to my emails within a few hours.  

[Boomstick]

My only Pflueger spinning reel is a prior generation President. I bought it as part of the President combo for $45 and it's pretty solid for what it is. My kid still uses it for lighter inline spinners to this day.

 

If I did not have a deal on it, I would just buy a Daiwa BG instead for a little more money.

[throttleplate]

8 hours ago, Bankc said:

Try calling them.  I had the same problem with their general email address, but gave them a call.  They answered right away, every time, and were extremely helpful.  From there, I was given a direct email to one of their CR reps and she always responded to my emails within a few hours.  

did you have a reel problem that needed parts? asking for my wife.

[Bankbeater]

I have two presidents with the wooden handles that I purchased back on 2011, and one I that I bought back in 2016 when my old Mitchell 308 died.  Haven't had any issues with any of them.

[GRiver]

I have president xt limited edition 2020 that I really like. It is really smooth and solid reel. I bought a president at a yard sale for 5 bucks, he said he never put line on it, was a gift and he didn’t fish. I’ve been happy with it too haven’t fished it much, but seems solid too. I also bought a Shimano spinning reel from him, 5 bucks too, said that he would’ve sold me the rods too but he had closed the in the garage door and broke them. That’s the only experience with Pflueger and so far it’s been good.