Pflueger Spinning Reel Choice

[gm4511]

I'm a devoted Plueger President Spinning Reel user but Bass Pro has the Pflueger Supreme® XT Spinning Reel on sale for $99.97 and I'm tempted.  The XT is lighter, ok for salt water, and one more bearing.  

 

For those that have both, what differences, pro and con, stand out for you between these two reels?

 

I'm not interested in other brand recommendations, as good as they might be.  When I find a brand that works well, I stick with it until it doesn't.  

 

[MN Fisher]

I don't have an XT, but I do have the base Supreme.

 

The metal frame means less torsion twist than the graphite frame of the President..this is a big plus if you hook into a hawg.

[fishinNWA]

My Grandpa purchased that reel on sale, but in the 20secs I held it I noticed the reel handle came out at little different angle then the base supreme. Not a big deal at all but thought I would let you know

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, fishinNWA said:

My Grandpa purchased that reel on sale, but in the 20secs I held it I noticed the reel handle came out at little different angle then the base supreme. Not a big deal at all but thought I would let you know

That seems to be typical with Pflueger - my President-25, President XT-30 and Supreme-30 all have slightly different angles on the handle.

[fishinNWA]

Maybe I missed it on my Pflueger at home, but I haven't fished with it in a while due to the fact its single digits out lol

[Dogface]

I have 3 or 4 Presidents I use on catfish, pan fish and loaner rods. I was so impressed with the Presidents I purchase a Supreme to try. There was no XT when I purchased mine.

 

It is a very nice reel and one of my favorite reels. I use it all the time. The feel and quality is better than the Presidents to me. 

 

BTW I have had the reel 5 or 6 years now. It gets used frequently and I have never had a problem. I never had a problem with the Presidents either. 

[FrankN209]

I do own the XT version and love it. Great reel, smooth, good drag system.  I have the 30X size and use it for bass, shaky heads, ned rigs and such. 

[garroyo130]

Aren't the standard Presidents felt drag reels? 

[MN Fisher]

7 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

Aren't the standard Presidents felt drag reels? 

You are correct - the President XT as well.

 

I upgraded mine to carbon-fiber.

[FrankN209]

6 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

You are correct - the President XT as well.

 

I upgraded mine to carbon-fiber.

Yes, so did i, made a big difference. 

[garroyo130]

19 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

You are correct - the President XT as well.

 

I upgraded mine to carbon-fiber.

 

Idk why but I was under the impression those got carbon fiber. So only the limited editions get carbon fiber drags? 

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, garroyo130 said:

 

Idk why but I was under the impression those got carbon fiber. So only the limited editions get carbon fiber drags? 

Yep - that and the different paint job is the 'upgrade' from the standard Pres XT to the Limited Edition.

[OkobojiEagle]

The Supreme XT I bought a couple of years ago has the anti-reverse bearing not working frequently.  I've read of this problem from others as well.  I've been going to dis-mantle and clean the bearing, but haven't as yet.

 

oe

 

edit... this thread got me off my lazy *ss and found that reel.  Cleaned the anti-reverse bearing in an ultra-sound cleaner.  Works as it should now.

[DitchPanda]

Fisherman factory outlet has the supreme xt 30 and 40 size on sale for $88.88.

[Bass Junke]

I have the President XT and the Supreme XT. I was tempted to purchase another XT from BPS also. Think I am moving away from Pflueger. The XT is on sale because they have changed all their spinning reels for this year, all new colors. Look nice but all the back reel/ free spool switches are gone. Sad.

 

I have stripped these two reels down and was slightly disappointed at the lack of difference between them. The Supreme XT is twice the price, yet I don't see what spent all that extra money for. Yes it is a much better looking reel, yes the bail wire is very beefy, Yes it have carbontex drag. Same number of bearings. I don't know. I did not buy another Supreme XT, I bought a Curado MGL. Moving over to Shimano. 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, Bass Junke said:

The Supreme XT is twice the price, yet I don't see what spent all that extra money for.

Metal body instead of a graphite body is the big different.

[GRiver]

I have the president 35 and the President 35 XT Limited Edition. Looking at them the XT is bulkier looking, but honestly it feels better than my regular President. Smoother and the drag is more even than the president.
        I have it on a 7’ med, hvy. Use it for wacky rig and skipping around docks.

 Got it on sale at Bass Pro for around $60.00, I think.

[Bass Junke]

23 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

Metal body instead of a graphite body is the big different.

Thanks MN Fisher.

Okay, cool but. Look I am not trying to dis any reel companies, and I'm sure stripping down a couple of models of anyone reels might reveal the same. 

Who knows, next year when I strip down the two Shimano bait casters I just bought, I may find that they look just like every other reel. Time will tell. 

[1984isNOW]

Was looking into this reel because I bought it on a whim 50% off, but seeing someone say they got it for 60 bucks got me immediately regretting not waiting for a better deal.

 

The Supreme XT does say it has a sealed carbon fiber drag - people still think this is a worthwhile buy? Should I go in a different dshooting. It's size 30 and It's for Ned rig and maybe some (newish to me) drop shotting. Maybe a small jerkbait

[MN Fisher]

The Pflueger 30 size is a 2500 size - so anything you'd use a 2500 for. Wacky, Neko, Shakey would all work with that size reel.

 

I actually use a Supreme 30 with 20# braid on a MH/F rod for skipping jigs/chatters since I can't skip with a BC to save my life.

[MickD]

I have both and frankly don't detect a difference in how they fish.  Both are smooth operating and have smooth drags.  If I used them in salt, might have a different conclusion.

 

I have never found that composite frames have any disadvantages.  I like the lighter weight.  Tatula LT's are my favorite reels right now, they do everything well and I don't feel any deflections under the stresses  I put on them.  

[JackstrawIII]

My Supreme XT is my favorite reel. The regular supreme is great too, but the XT is awesome. I couldn’t put my finger on the specific difference from a user standpoint tho. 

[PressuredFishing]

Shimano... (I'm kidding)

 

Gear material is different, personally I feel brass is smoother. They can go on sale for as low as 70$ sometimes. Only thing that makes the Supreme sw friendly is o ring seals, which are okay but, not worth the 100+ price tag. Gearing all their reels starts to wear fast in my experience and start becoming loud and grindy, expecially wrenching fish with the higher XT gear ratios with usdm 6+lb line. Maybe I've become spoiled fishing my tatula lt. 

 

In a nutshell its pretty much cosmetic upgrades and extra bearings in the handle and 3 on the main shaft where you dont need them. 

 

 

 

On 2/8/2022 at 6:12 AM, GRiver said:

Looking at them the XT is bulkier looking, but honestly it feels better than my regular President. Smoother and the drag is more even than the president.

spinning reel and it's good gear durability. 

I have the 20xt, xtLE35, and xt10 and had a supreme

Smaller the reel the less smooth it is, plus they pack tractor grease in there. Gearing cut on all of them looked pretty much the same on all models, I'd just get the cheapest one and buy an extra gear set for when they strip.

+ xtLE wood knob handle becomes super loose and wobbly

[OkobojiEagle]

To fans of the Supreme XT spinning reels... I just listed a swap of my XT 30 on the swap board.

 

oe