Light spinning reel selection

[john from md]

I currently use a Shimano Sedona 1000 as my light jigging reel. I have never been too happy with it except that it has a 6.2/1 retrieve. A friend directed me to the Pflueger Supreme XT as it has the same speed and light weight. The problem is, I don't have any experience with Pflueger.

Anyone got any comments regarding the Pflueger line of reels?

[Bayhawk]

Hey there John, I have always been a Diawa & Shimano guy, but my buddy just recently found some pfluegler's on sale and picked me up one... the President XT 6520, I'll be using it for trout fishing... looks and feels sweet, 10 ball bearings... bail trip is thick and sturdy... I like it, now I'm also lookin' at the supreme XT... never thought I'd be fishing a Pfluegler......been around for a long time

I'll follow up when I use it.....George :thumbup:

[john from md]

Thanks George. I have used mostly Penn and Mitchell for big water and Shimano and Diawa for light stuff. I know Pfluger and Shakespear have been around along time but I have never used either. I'm told, Shakespeare now owns Pflueger for what its worth.

[Gotta Gaff 'Em]

if youre looking for light style as in trout and puppy drum kind of reel the penn sargus packs a punch. its a little heavy but its got a serious body to it, high gear ratio and sweet drag system. I own a pflueger as well, cant remember the style off the top of my head but its got a really nice drag system as well, but you gotta keep it clean and lube it every now and then or it gets itchy. Otherwise quantum makes some really nice stuff, most of it is on the pricey side though

[john from md]

Did you buy your Sargus before or after they stopped making them in Philly? My experience is that the reels they are selling now are not up to the Penn standards that they used to have.

[Seahunter]

Look around. You can find a Penn 260 Slammer for @ $100. Get lucky, might even find an American built one. Tried and true performer.

[john from md]

The smallest slammer, the 260, is about 4 oz or so heavier than the supreme 9030. It is also slower at 5.0/1.

[BUDC]

I have 2 Penn 420SS with ~15# Power Pro line on med. spinner rods (6') that I use in salt water to try and catch Speckle Trout. They have landed 3-4# Flounder, 2-3# Croaker, 3' sand shark, 3-4# Bluefish, 3' Garfish and other prizes like Oyster Toads. All that without a whimper -- save Drag Spring Washers and Drag Nuts. The springs flatten out and the plastic on the nuts break away from over tightening. They have been tough little reels with very little maintainence and a lot of abuse, just keep a spare drag spring and nut assembly on hand.
budc

[Seahunter]

The smallest slammer, the 260, is about 4 oz or so heavier than the supreme 9030. It is also slower at 5.0/1.
I've never been a big fan of high gear ratio reels. Higher gear pressures, less torque. Very few applications demand it. Vertical jigging isn't one of them.

Also keep in mind that the gear ratio is only 1/2 the equation. The diameter of the spool is the other 1/2. A lower gear ratio with a larger diameter spool will produce the same recovery rate with a much higher torque.

The Supreme has a magnesium body. Magnesium and saltwater don’t always get along very well.


Magnesium corrosion is most severe in wet chloride-bearing environments (saltwater splash, spray, or immersion), but it may also be serious in chloride-bearing atmospheres.

The weight of the reel isn't nearly as important as the balance of the combo. I have my 260 on a custom rod built on blank that weighs 1.7 oz. Perfectly balanced and optimized for the reel. More than makes up for the heavier reel.

[Fishman]

I fish the Diawa Exceler witch has replaced the Laguna. To me this is the perfect lite tackle reel for Flounder. Speckled Trout and Puppy drum. It’s not a high-speed reel like the Shimanos but a perfect speed for these fish

[wino]

I have 4 slammers made in USA , good but can't compare to the Quantum Cabo PTS.
These Cabos stand up to tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and deep jigging with butterfly jigs.

[joeycastaneda]

If you are looking for an ultralight reel I use an Okuma V-15A and if money is not an issue I recommend the Shimano Stella FD1000.

http://www.okumafishing.com/family/247535/Vsystem

http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/reels/spinning/Stella_FD.html

[toddkfly]

Most of my trout and puppy drum reels are Stradic Fl's. Great reels and handles the salt great. I have some friends that have recently switched over the the Quantum Cabo PT's and really love them.

[mmanolis2001]

I have 2 Pflueger reels. an Intensity (i think that the name) and a presidential. They have worked well enough. I did have an issue with the intensity's bail closing while casting which was a problem. I would go with a shimano for lite stuff.

[tdub]

I haven't fished the Quantum Cabo's but can attest to the Boca's (the cheaper Quantum); fantastic drag, solid build, very smooth, and a nice large knob on the handle. I fish the size 40 for most inshore, the 50 and up are considerably larger and more suitable to surf fishing. I accidentally hooked a large bull nose ray on the 40 and the drag handled it with no problem; the rod I was using was the weak link in the equation. I also have a Quantum Catalyst which is nice, although the knob on the handle is smaller. You can find some good deals on Ebay.

[redfish12]

I've had a few Pluegers over the past few years (trion, presidential, supreme xt, etc) they are very smooth and great for freshwater, but they don't hold up in the salt. I wore my trion out on rock last year and it got to be noisy and hard to reel. Still had a smooth drag though. I got a small sargus (not sure of the number) to replace it and I've absolutely loved that little reel. I read an in-depth review at SOL prior to purchasing and it seems pretty solid. I've had no problems with mine casting for specs in the surf, from my kayak, or light jigging on a boat.