Pflueger GOLD Medalist Pro Reel anygood?

[C._Weed]

Hey Guys,

I just bought a new reel. The Gold Medalist Pro,(Pflueger) off Dick's Sporting goods. It is listed at $49, was on sale to $39.99, then for some reason came up as $22.99! So I was happy. The reel has 8 bearings and a good drag system, from what I can gather. I like it alot. Very smooth and light. I put it on my 7ft Fast action ML Avid rod, feels nice. I just tried it for a few mins, and caught a nice 22inch Largemouth on a *** Watermelon seed 6" finesse worm. Always seems I catch fish when I am not trying, when I try, I come up empty. lol This drag system works nice.

Anyone ever use/own one of these? I can't find much info at all on them, on this forum or the net I think they are made special for Dicks Sporting Goods. I wonder how it compares to the normal Medalist reel of Pflueger? Like this one. http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/products.php?p=10

This Gold Medalist Pro isn't even on the Pflueger site. I hope it ain't gonna fall apart after a few outings.

I would much rather have the grey color, instead of this Goldish white sparkle paint job,(for not letting fish see it from the riverbank) but for $22, I couldn't pass it up!

[kybassangler]

I'm not familiar with that reel but, I have a Pflueger Max and I wouldn't trade it for nothing.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

They make it just for Dick's. I have no experience using it , sorry.

[dodgeguy]

it has a graphite frame = flex.the medalist is aluminum = no flex = superior.

[Big T]

My wife has this smae reel, it is a pretty good reel for freshwater but I think it as well as the last Pfluger reel I bought sucks as far as durability in the salt and brackish waters, I fish. The finish corrodes to quickly.  > I will not waste my money on another, next time I will buy a Shimano. Just my opinion though.

Tony

[dodgeguy]

it was never rated as a saltwater reel.

[C._Weed]

dodgeguy:

yeah I talked to you before about not getting a graphite reel. Are you saying this GOLD Medalist reel is graphite? I don't think it is. Maybe it is. I know the Medalist isn't, but mine is a Gold Medalist Pro. IF it is only made for Dick's, perhaps it is a cheaper version of the Medalist. As long as it isn't Graphite, I am OK I guess, it has 8 bearings in it, and a 6disc drag system, which I think is good. And it was only $22.  

Specs that were on the package of my Gold Medalist Pro reel says:

Seven Stainless steel Ball Bearings

Uni-Lok Instant Anti-Reverse Bearing

Large Diameter Titanium Line Roller

Smooth Six-Disc Front Drag System

Rosewood T Knob Handle

Machined Aluminum Spool with Titatnium Lip

Spare Aluminum spool

Left/Right hand retrieve Quick Release fold down handle

I guess it is aluminum like the Normal Medalist Pflueger Reels.

[dodgeguy]

mount it on the rod.grab the reel by it's body and twist.if it moves at all it's graphite.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

When I read the abve post: I just tried this with my Pflueger Trion Spinning reel, and i have a strong grip. Results It is graphite and no movement. So my friend Mike is here, he is a weight lifter, same results for him! That reell is graphite however, But that twist buisness is highly overstated for well made graphite SPINNING REELS. my President included However I belive it is an issue for baitcasting reels , jut the way the gearing is laid out

[fish-fighting-illini]

Hey Weed the bottom line is you got a good deal pricewise on a reel. You only spent $22.99 so as long as you aren't fishing it for a living so be it.  If you get a year out of it prob a decent deal, 2 yrs great deal, 3 yrs one he** of a deal. I own a Pfluueger President spinning and it is graphite. I've caught some nice 4lb bass and 5 or 6lb catfish on it. Having a blast with it. This despite buying one size smaller (6725) than I probably shoud have. Now if you are a guy horsing them in out of lilly pads all the time with 60lb braid on it maybe a different story.

As far as the graphite for me goes. I'm mainly a bank fisherman which means rocks mud etc so I'm fairly rough on them. I think it was Raul who posted about graphite or magnesium? frames and he said one drop and he had some reel of some brand break. I tend to learn lessons the hard way but haven't had a problem. I'm gentle but I drop mine at times from low level and don't worry about it. I'd prob spend $59 per year forever for the one that I have.

The "reel" bottom line is if you enjoy the reel, catch fish and have fun with it that is all that really matters in the big scheme of things. Don't worry about it just go fish with it!

[C._Weed]

I have it on the rod, tried to twist it off, like as if I wanted to break it off from where it is mounted, when I do that, the whole reel moves probably less than a 1/4inch. I bet if I wanted, I can twist it hard as I could, and do that a couple times, and maybe not break it off, but bend it out of proportion or maybe snap it eventually. With that being said, it still feels strong. I catch fish average under 5lb, am careful with my gear, only paid $22.99, so I will keep it. Rarely horse a fish in, unless me gets nervous on a big one. At the least I will use it for trout. Caught a nice pickerel today on it, and a few 16inch bass, felt nice. Casts awesome, Is light weight and makes me fish more positivly minded.

thanks guys...

btw the rod is rated for 4 6 or 8 lb line. I only use 6lb mono line. So if I hoarse a big fish in, I think the line would snap before the reel.

It is whitish and turns goldish with the angle.  heres a pic:

[Big T]

In response to the Pflueger not be rated as saltwater reel, neither is my Shimano Symtre but it has held up a heck alot better than the Pfluegers have in the enivronment where I fish. I was knocking these reels as far as BAss fishing I was merely pointing out that if you fish in a tidal river as I do where it goes from salt to brackish water then it would not hold up.

Big T

[ww2farmer]

C. Weed, I have 3 of these reels, as well as 2 Presidants, and 2 of the aluminum frame Medalists. They are fine reels, smooth, cast great, and have been very durable.

[C._Weed]

Thanks for your input ww2farmer  

[dodgeguy]

for what you paid it's a decent reel.i'm not knocking it.i'm a pflueger fan big time.i just will not buy a reel without a metal frame.considering gears and bearings have tolerances in the .001's of an inch a 1/4 inch is a lot of flex.i have also had necks break on graphite reels fighting fish in weeds.for finesse fishing in light cover it would be fine.