There’s something about having the fish of a lifetime get away that makes you feel sick to your stomach and start asking some dangerous questions. If you looked own in disgust at your “cheap” reel and drag that failed you, one of them might be, “Are expensive fishing reels worth it?” You also might want to know what the differences are between low priced and high priced reels as you debate plucking down a few hundred bucks to ensure your dream catch stays hooked next time.
While I have long advocated that you can get away with a cheaper fishing rod, I will emphatically say that buying an expensive fishing reel is definitely worth it, assuming you take care of it. An expensive fishing reel will be much smoother, cast better, have a more reliable drag system, balance better with your rod, and generally make fishing more enjoyable.
Note that this post should compliment my article on expensive fishing rods quite well. After reading this, I’d suggest checking it out. You can find that post here.
Navigation
Sometimes I get a little carried away with these articles. Here are some quick links so you can skip right to what you’re looking for rather than scrolling through 5,000+ words!
- What Is the Difference Between Low Priced and High Priced Fishing Reels?
- Advantages of Cheaper Reels
- Comparing Apples to Apples: Spinning Reel Reviews
- Pflueger Trion
- Pflueger President
- Pflueger Lady President
- Pflueger Arbor
- Pflueger President XT
- Pflueger Supreme
- Pflueger Supreme XT
- Pflueger Patriarch
- Pflueger Patriarch XT
- Are More Expensive Baitcasting Reels Better Than Cheaper Ones?
- Apples to Oranges: Baitcaster Reviews
- Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier
- Abu Garcia Revo STX
- Pflueger Patriarch
- Other Questions About Fishing Reels
What Is the Difference Between Low Priced and High Priced Fishing Reels?
It would be impossible for you to decide if it’s worth shelling out your hard-earned cash for an expensive fishing reel if you didn’t first understand why they’re better than inexpensive ones. There are several differences between cheap and expensive fishing reels that you should know about:
Expensive Fishing Reels Tend to Be Lighter
One of the more distinct differences between low priced and high priced fishing reels are their weight. Cheaper fishing reels tend to weigh more than expensive ones. In some cases this can be quite dramatic. For example, the Pflueger Trion in size 35 discussed below weighs in 10.40 ounces compared to the 7.20 ounce Pflueger Patriarch XT. While you might not think 3.20 ounces is a huge deal, try fishing with the two all day long. You’ll feel a difference.
This probably isn’t that huge of a consideration if you fish occassionally, but if you’re dedicated to the sport and putting in long hours, it might be worth buying a more expensive reel due to their lower weight.
More Expensive Reels Can Balance Better With Your Rod
Because they tend to weigh less, a more expensive fishing reel should balance better with a higher-end rod that also weighs less. In my opinion, it’s well worth it to find a rod and reel that are as light as possible and balance well together. This makes fishing much more enjoyable throughout the day. There’s little point in spending hundreds of dollars on a top-end rod and then skimping on the reel you pair it with.
Easier to Learn On
This may be counter-intuitive but it can be easier to learn on a “better” fishing reel than a “worse” one. This is especially true for baitcasters. Higher-end baitcasters are likely to have more advanced (and useful) braking systems than entry level models. This “dumbs down” the process of casting and thumbing a bit, which can make things easier for beginners.
Likewise, high-quality spinning reels can also be easier for beginners because they’re smoother and less clunky than entry level models. This just gives a better feel that lets you concentrate on what you’re doing rather than wondering if your equipment is broken.
High End Fishing Reels Tend to Have Better Drag Systems
I say this with complete sincerity: I would rather have a $200 fishing reel on a $50 rod than vice versa. The reel, and specifically its drag system, are that important. You will flat out have a better chance of landing your next trophy if the drag system is top notch.
Many folks think that the drag system is simply meant to keep line from breaking. They reason that since braid is so prevalent, one can just up their pound test and call it a day. In fact, one of the most important things that the drag system does is prevent the hook from ripping out of the fish’s mouth. A thin wire hook, such as one found on a crankbait or drop shot, can easily tear through a fish’s flesh if they didn’t get a good hold of it. Braid does not stretch and compounds this problem.
A good drag system will allow you to play larger fish and tire them slowly without their breaking the line or pulling free from the hook. In my mind, this is the most critical difference between cheap and expensive fishing reels and the number one reason why its worth it to buy a top end reel.
Advantages of Cheaper Fishing Reels
There are certainly some advantages to buy a cheaper fishing reel over an expensive model. If it isn’t in the cards to go all-in on a high-end reel, don’t despair, as you might be able to find a great product for a cheap price (bear in mind, most of my fishing reels cost less than $75 and I use them all the time).
Often Are All That You Need
Oftentimes, an inexpensive fishing reel is all that you need. The reason I have so many Pflueger Presidents and so few Pflueger Patriarchs isn’t that I like the President more, but that it is all I need. I don’t really need an expensive fishing reel if I’m throwing spinnerbaits with their large hooks on braid. The drag system of the more economical options works well with these.
Likewise, my five-year-old son and two-year-old daughter don’t need the most expensive reel out there – they need one that they can drop in the sand and abuse for months on end before it breaks. Higher end fishing reels can be sensitive objects. The lower-grade stuff often stands up to beat downs better.
More Economical
An obvious difference between inexpensive fishing reels and expensive ones is price. You can often purchase several “cheap” fishing reels for the price of one high-end model. This is useful if you have many rods to outfit at once.
The economics may also make it more worthwhile to replace the reel rather than repair it when it wears down. You can look at this two ways: you can simply get a fresh reel when necessary (perhaps taking advantage of the “trade in” programs of your local tackle shop in the process), or, you could use this as an opportunity to learn to clean your reel yourself. Even if you destroy it beyond hope in the process, you really haven’t lost much.
Comparing Apples to Apples: Pflueger Spinning Reels Review
I’ll examine this issue in this article by reviewing several Pflueger reels. I have been using these for a decade and they are on the overwhelming majority of my rods. In fact, I own at least one of most of the spinning reels Pflueger currently offers for sale. The only Pflueger reel I don’t own is the Patriarch XT.
Using one brand of spinning reels to make comparisons should better illustrate the differences between the entry level models and high-end models which tend to be about four times as expensive, plus or minus.
For the sake of consistency, I will provide the weight for all reels in size 35. While I personally prefer size 30, not all reels are available in that class and I wanted to give you a good idea of the difference in weight between less expensive and more expensive fishing reels.
While many of these reels don’t come in appropriate sizes for children (20 and 25), those that do will be mentioned below as I know many people visiting my site are doing so to help their child or grandchild learn to fish.
Please note that while I will share some stats on these reels, I’m not going to list every stat as that would be more appropriate for an in-depth review. What I’m trying to do is showcase the major differences between models so that you can make a better decision if an expensive fishing reel is worth it to you.
Pflueger Trion
I have a number of Pflueger Trions in my arsenal. While they are considered Pflueger’s “entry level” spinning reel, they do a fine job. Some of their stats include:
- Weight: 10.40 ounces (size 35)
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- 7 bearing system
- Slow oscillation gearing
- Graphite body and rotor
- Aluminum spool
- Stainless steel oil felt drag
- Aluminum handle
- Soft touch knob
10.40 ounces for the size 35 is a full 3.10 ounces heavier than the top of the line Patriarch XT. Many of its components are of heavier material, such as aluminum, rather than lighter carbon or magnesium in the top end models. You will notice this difference in weight after a long day on the water.
Where the Pflueger Trion Shines
I consider a Pflueger Trion to be one of the best spinning reels that you can buy if you are a beginner. They’re also very good reels for children. For one thing, they have reasonable features such as the 7 bearing system and aren’t ridiculously heavy at 10.40 ounces for a size 35, and 6.30 for the size 20 (which is much better for small children).
Another important consideration is price. While this is always going to be subject to change as you might find a sale here and there, they are one of the more affordable reels out there and you can buy several of them for the price of one Patriarch, for example. This makes them a good choice for anyone who wants to build an arsenal, and also allows for some “collateral damage” while your kids are learning. Note: spinning reels + children + sandy bank = disaster.
While I don’t think it’s fair to call this fishing reel “cheap,” there is quite a difference between it and the more expensive reels I’ll discuss further below.
If you’re interested in checking out the current price for the Pflueger Trion, you may do so at Amazon’s link for the product, found here.
Pflueger President
The Pflueger President is the “workhorse” of my arsenal of fishing reels. I like them so much that they’ve made me seriously question if more expensive fishing reels are actually worth it. The President does such a great job for me! A few of their stats for consideration:
- Weight: 10.70 ounces (size 35)
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- 10 bearing system (20 size reel is a 7 ball bearing system)
- Graphite body and rotor
- Braid ready spool
- Sealed drag system
- Slow oscillation gearing
- Aluminum handle
- Soft touch knob
- Aluminum bail
While the 10.70 ounces is .30 ounces heavier than the Trion, that’s a pretty imperceptible difference that buys you a lot of options.
For one, this reel comes with a spool that is ready for braid. If you look at the spool in the photo above you’ll notice two little black rubber lines running vertically. These prevent your braided line from slipping. This eliminates the need to “back” your spool with monofilament, so you can tie braid directly on without issues. I suppose that’s a nice option to have, but I’d still recommend you learn to tie a double uni knot and use a mono backing to save money.
I do want to come back to the weight for one more moment. Remember that I’m posting the size 35 weight. This is a very popular size of spinning reel but I do favor the 30 because I like to keep the weight down. The President’s size 30 weight is 8.80 or almost two full ounces lighter. This is a very comfortable reel to fish.
Who Should Buy the Pflueger President
Again, this is the main fishing reel in my rodbox. I’d estimate a good 70% of the fishing rods I own have a Pflueger President on them. I’ve put these on my children’s rods as well in size 20 as they pair up great with an Ugly Stik Elite.
I think these reels are a bit more durable than the Triumph. I don’t know if it is the sealed drag system or what, but they seem to stand up better. It also might just be a case of the extra three ball bearings making it seem smoother, however.
The only issue I’ve had with these is that they, like all spinning reels, will eventually have the bail wear out on you if you don’t manually flip it. As these reels are good for beginners and children, that doesn’t usually happen so I have had a few that wore out. I just switch those over to “my” rods as this is a non-issue for me given I manually flip mine (so it doesn’t matter if it fails to automatically flip).
The Pflueger President is a popular fishing reel and a good choice for beginners and kids. You get a few more options than the entry level Trion but it’s still inexpensive. You can check the best price at Amazon here.
Pflueger Lady President
Please leave me a comment if I’ve missed something, but as far as I can tell, the only differences between the Lady President and the regular President are the color and the fact that the Lady President comes in less sizes.
I bought one for my wife because she thinks it’s pretty. All of the information I wrote about its twin applies to this as well. This is a good reel for the price. If you prefer this color, you can find the Lady President for sale at Amazon here.
Pflueger Arbor
I only have one Pflueger Arbor so I don’t have the same experience with this model as the others. It’s obvious difference is the arbor spool which has a larger diameter than regular spools. This is touted as being better for fluorocarbon as that line tends to have high “memory” (meaning, it will spiral and take on the shape of spools). Having a larger diameter makes this less prevalent or problematic than a narrow diameter spool.
Some specifications:
- Weight: 8.80 ounces (size 35)
- Gear Ratio: 4.3:1
- 8 Bearing System
- Hybrid Body
- Aluminum Spool
- Sealed Carbon Drag
- Aluminum Handle
- Large Arbor Design
- Soft Touch Knob
Who Should Buy the Pflueger Arbor
Note that the hybrid body and smaller spool contribute to a better weight. Another thing to notice is that it has a lower gear ration than many other reels in this list at 4.3:1. This is going to make it a better option for lures like crankbaits that are better fished with lower gear ratios (that the Arbor is also great for fluorocarbon lines, which are often used with crankbaits, doesn’t hurt). If this all sounds like a good match for you, you can purchase the Pflueger Arbor at Amazon by following this link.
Pflueger President XT
Here we start moving past the entry level spinning reels and more into the mid-range. The Pflueger President XT is a step above the President in most ways as you can see from the stats below:
- Weight: 9.10 ounces (size 35)
- Gear Ratios: 5.2:1 or 6.2:1
- 10 bearing system (20 size reel is a 7 ball bearing system)
- Aluminum main shaft
- Aluminum pinion gear
- Braid ready spool
- Sealed drag system
- Rubber cork knobs
I picked up one of these reels for my father’s spinnerbait rod. He’s getting a little older and it is a chore to reel in a spinnerbait as fast as he can over and over again. As the Pflueger President XT is one of the few spinning reels that comes in a faster gear ratio (6.2:1), I thought it would work out well for this purpose (the fact that I was matching it to a custom red fishing rod for him didn’t hurt, either).
I’m not sold on the rubber cork knobs but that’s a matter of taste. I suppose if I fished in the rain more often I’d come to appreciate them more. I just don’t do that much since having kids.
Who Should Buy the President XT
All in all, I’d look at a President XT as almost the equivalent of a St. Croix Avid Series rod. Once you start going above this, the law of diminishing returns starts to kick in. For example, the next reel up is only .30 ounces lighter. The President XT might be the better buy if you want to build an arsenal of midgrade reels. You can find further details and purchase the President XT here.
Pflueger Supreme
The Pflueger Supreme is another reel that I’d consider “mid-range” from Pflueger. It is a bit of an upgrade over the President XT. For example, it’s the first class in Pflueger’s lineup that has a magnesium body and rotor for weight reduction.
- Weight: 8.80 ounces (size 35)
- Gear Ratios: 5.2:1 or 6.2:1
- 9 Bearing System
- Magnesium Body and Rotor
- Braid Ready Spool
- Stainless Steel/Oil Felt Drag
- Aluminum Handle
- Soft Touch Knob
- Slow Oscillation Gearing
Who Should Buy the Pflueger Supreme
Just as with the President XT, the Pflueger Supreme is a good choice for someone who doesn’t want an entry level reel but also doesn’t want to go all out. You’ll definitely be able to tell some differences between this relatively expensive fishing reel and some of its cheaper cousins, and might come to appreciate them. The fact that it is almost two ounces lighter than the Trion being a prime example. You can pick up one of these for yourself and read more reviews at its product link on Amazon.
Pflueger Supreme XT
I have a confession to make. I bought this exclusively for its orange color. You see, I picked up a St. Croix Legend Glass spinning rod earlier this year and thought a rod of that caliber deserved an appropriately high-end matching reel. Given that the Supreme XT is orange and the Legend Glass is kind of an Amber color, I think they go quite well together.
Color aside, this is a high-end, expensive fishing reel well worth mounting on a high-end, expensive fishing rod such as the Legend Glass. Here are some stats:
- Weight: 8.00 ounces (size 35)
- Gear Ratios: 5.2:1 or 6.2:1
- 10 Bearing System
- Magnesium Body and Rotor
- Braid Ready Spool
- Sealed Carbon Drag
- Carbon Handle
- EVA Knob
- Slow Oscillation Gearing
I really like this combo. It looks good, fishes smoothly, and can cast crankbaits a mile. The rod is 5.1 ounces so all in we’re talking 13.1 ounces. I could fish this combo all day. I’ve already linked to where you can purchase the rod up above and if you want to match it to a great, high-class fishing reel, pick up your own Pflueger Supreme XT today.
Pflueger Patriarch
This is the favorite spinning reel that I own, but it’s so expensive that I only have one. I have a size 30 Pflueger Patriarch paired with a St. Croix Legend Elite 7′ ML/F spinning rod that I use for drop shots. It is without any doubt my favorite combo. A look at some of its stats should tell you why:
- Weight: 7.30 ounces (size 35)
- 10 Bearing System
- XCR Ball Bearings
- Magnesium Body and Rotor
- Machined aluminum main gear
- Slow Oscillation
- Skeletonized Spool
- Sealed Carbon Drag
- Carbon Handle
- Carbon Arbor
- Titanium Main Shaft
This is an exceptionally light weight yet powerful reel that has allowed me to catch some true monsters. The drag system works beautifully, which allowed me to catch this carp. I was using 6lb test at the time and fishing with a thin wire drop shot hook. The chances of this fish pulling the hook out or breaking the line would have been tremendous without the help of my Patriarch.
I truly can’t recommend this fishing reel enough. Catching the carp above on such light line and hook firmly convinced me that expensive fishing reels are worth every penny. The only downside is the reel is so expensive that I would be very careful about where I took it and how I set it down as I wouldn’t want it to get dirty or ruined. In any event, the price of this reel makes having it repaired/cleaned worthwhile.
Who Should Buy the Pflueger Patriarch
If you’re the kind of angler who demands the best equipment, the Pflueger Patriarch is for you. Though this isn’t cheap (in fact, I’d call it downright expensive), there is a clear difference between it and lower-priced fishing reels. I really enjoy this reel but do think it would be out of place paired with a lower-quality rod.
If you’re interested in picking up one of these for yourself (and you should definitely be interested in it), you can find them at Amazon here.
Pflueger Patriarch XT
As I said above I don’t actually own this reel. It seems quite similar to the regular Patriarch but adds a bearing and cuts down its weight by .10 ounces in the size 35 option.
- Weight: 7.20 ounces (size 35)
- 11 Bearing System
- Magnesium Body and Rotor
- Machined aluminum main gear
- Slow Oscillation
- One piece bail wire
- Skeletonized Spool
- Sealed Carbon Drag
- Carbon Handle
- Titanium Main Shaft
- Carbon Arbor
From what I can see, reviews are quite favorable towards this reel. You can find them and more information on the reel in general at Pflueger’s wesbite.
Are More Expensive Baitcasting Reels Better Than Cheaper Ones?
So far this entire article has focused on the differences between cheap and expensive spinning fishing reels and has made no mention of baitcasters. That was done deliberately as I have a good familiarity with the Pflueger brand and thought an apples to apples comparison would suffice.
I can’t do that with baitcasters for a few reasons, but the primary one is that I don’t recommend buying a cheap baitcaster, period. This just invites trouble. Let’s explore why.
More Expensive Baitcasters TEND to Have Better Braking Systems
There are several differences between cheap and expensive baitcasting fishing reels, but the primary one is going to be their braking system. A better braking system (and specifically, a dual braking system) will make casting much easier. This is important, because baitcasters aren’t that easy to use. It has been said by many before me that it’s well worth buying a more expensive baitcasting fishing reel than a cheaper option for this reason.
A “Better” Baitcaster MAY Have More Options
Another difference between a cheap baitcasting fishing reel and a more expensive one is that the more expensive one “may” have more options. What I mean by this is that they’re more likely to come in left hand retrieve and more likely to have a wide range of gear ratios and retrieval speeds to fit a larger range of presentations.
This is because most people who are buying expensive fishing equipment such as reels have particular needs. When you get into the higher-end stuff, it is usually purchased to fulfill a specific combo for a precise technique. A reel that works well for crankbaits might not be as great for spinnerbaits. Thus, the more expensive the fishing reel, the more likely the manufacturer offers several models to fulfill this wide range of purposes.
Apples to Oranges: A Few Baitcasters I Have Used
I can’t give you the same “apples to apples” comparison with baitcasters that I did with spinning reels, but I can at least set you on the right course if you’re looking to purchase your first one. This is because I own baitcasters from several different companies rather than one company’s lineup.
Pro Qualifier
This fishing reel is exclusive from Bass Pro Shops and is widely considered the best baitcaster for beginners because its one of the few reels with a dual breaking system that can be had for less than $100 (when on sale, which is often). It comes in left and right hand retrieves and a number of gear ratios.
As mentioned above, one nice thing about this reel is that it often goes on sale well below its standard asking price. Great times of year to buy it include the annual spring sale that coincides with the Bassmaster Classic and any normal holiday. I’ve seen these listed as much as 50% off at times which makes them a steal. I would not recommend paying full price for this reel ever as it is probably just a matter of weeks to months before you can get one at a steep discount.
Abu Garcia Revo STX
I purchased an Abu Garcia Revo STX in the hopes of finding an “upgrade” from my Pro Qualifiers. While the Revo STX is certainly more expensive, I’m not quite sure it is that big of a difference. The weight of the STX is 7.3 ounces which is the same as the Pro Qualifier 2. It does come in a higher gear ratio, topping out at 8.0:1 compared to the 7.5:1 in the Pro Qualifier.
I only own one of these and am not sold that it is “that” much different than the Pro Qualifier despite having a base cost that is considerably more, to say nothing of the sales the other reel provides.
Pflueger Patriarch Baitcasting Reel
I own two Pflueger Patriarch baitcasting reels that I have matched with a St. Croix Legend Tournament and St. Croix Legend Xtreme casting rods. I bought this reel mostly out of brand loyalty with Pflueger and because I wanted to match these high-end fishing rods with comprable reels. Given the St. Croix Legend Xtreme and Pflueger Patriarch are flagship models for their respective brands, I figured I couldn’t go wrong.
To be completely candid, I’m not totally sold on liking this better than the Pro Qualifer. Apparently, I wasn’t alone as it doesn’t appear that Pflueger even offers this model anymore. (Please drop me an email if you notice that this changes so I can update things, but as of writing, it has disappeared from their website). I had a hard time getting this reel to cast as far as my Pro Qualifiers, but then again I rarely needed to as I primarily use these setups for flipping jigs and creature baits at nearby targets.
What About Spincast or Fly Reels?
I hate to say this but I don’t fly fish so if you want information on whether or not expensive fly reels are truly worth it, you’re going to have to look elsewhere. I did find this interesting article that tackles the subject and seems to have good advice. It breaks down what makes an expensive fly fishing reel worth the money and I’d recommend you check it out. The author makes some colorful points as well, which is always fun.
As to spincast reels… I don’t like them, I don’t use them, I don’t teach my children to use them, and if you see a professional fisherman using them, in my opinion, they’re doing it to be cute. With that said, again, here is an external link to an article that breaks down a few of these reels, some approaching $100 for reasons entirely unknown to me.
Other Random Questions About Fishing Reels
While I’m at it, I thought it would be good to answer a few of the more common questions about fishing reels, specifically those having to do with their size. After all, there’s little sense investing in an expensive fishing reel that is the wrong size.
If you see a question that I haven’t answered, go ahead and leave a comment and I’ll update the post with an answer. One I won’t answer is if you can mix spinning reels and casting rods and vice versa, as I already discussed that at length in this post.
Should You Buy a Used Fishing Reel?
I would emphatically state that you shouldn’t buy a used fishing reel unless you are very confident you are able to fix it. Unlike rods, which can be purchased used with few issues, fishing reels are hard to judge by a photo on the internet. I’ve tried buying a few online and have often been disappointed.
With spinning reels, you have no idea if the person you bought it from knows to manually flip the bail or not, so you might be buying one with a weakened bail spring. It is also possible that it hasn’t been cleaned sufficiently from season to season. Neither of these are readily apparent via a photo.
An Exception: Good Deals Can Be Had on Baitcasters
I would make an exception to this rule with baitcasters simply because I think the odds of you getting a lightly used one are very good. Many a person has tried their hand at a baitcaster only to become frustrated and give up before they could learn it. You can get some phenomenal deals by remembering the motto, “his loss, my gain.”
With that said, it’s not as though there can be no issues with buying used baitcasters. You still have no idea how well it was maintained. I’m just saying, if it looks brand new, there’s a good chance it practically is.
What Is The Difference Between Fishing Reel Sizes?
Most baitcasters don’t come in different “sizes,” however spinning reels do. There are many schools of thought about what size reel you should buy. It boils down to what you need to use the reel for. Generally speaking, larger reels can hold larger diameter line, and more of it.
You can generally find the manufacturer’s recommendations for line size on their websites. Take these with a grain of salt as they are often wrong. For example, on Pflueger’s site they list the braided line capacity of a size 30 President spinning reel as 160 yards of 10lb test compared to a monofilament capacity of 130 yards of 8lb test. 10lb test braid is actually equivalent in diameter to about 2lb monofilament (source). 30lb Braid is the equivalent of 8lb monofilament.
How Do I Know What Size Fishing Reel to Buy?
In order to determine what size fishing reel you should buy, you need to identify what you’re going to use it for. Below is a chart with my recommendations.
| Fishing Reel Size | Uses |
| 20 | Best for smaller children or ultralight rods. Good for pursuing panfish. |
| 25 | A good sized reel for spinnerbaits for younger kids. I have my five-year-old’s spinnerbait rod equipped with a reel in this size. |
| 30 | This is a good all around reel size that is comfortable to use. I favor this size personally as I like to keep weight down. |
| 35 | This is likely the standard size most people use. Many professionals prefer a little bit larger spinning reel. It allows for a more powerful drag setting often which can be important if you want to get more fish in the boat. |
| 40+ | Works well for larger gamefish where you want to put heavier line on. There’s a point where the line becomes so heavy that you’re better off with a baitcaster, however. |
How Do You Match A Reel to a Rod?
You want to do the best you can to balance a comparable reel class to rod, but perhaps more importantly is ensuring you’re matching size as shown above. It would bed weird to have a Pflueger Trion in size 40 paired with a medium light Legend Elite.
I’ve prepared the following table that attempts to match a St. Croix Rod to an appropriate Pflueger fishing reel. These will balance well and would be my “ideal” match.
Please note I’m using spinning reels in these examples. If you’re interested in learning more about these fine fishing rods, check out this article.
| St. Croix Rod Series | Pflueger Spinning Reel |
| Triumph | Trion, President |
| Premier | Trion, President |
| Mojo Bass | President |
| Avid | President XT |
| Avid Pearl | President XT (colors match well) |
| Legend Tournament | Supreme, Supreme XT |
| Legend Glass | Supreme, Supreme XT (colors match well) |
| Legend Elite | Patriarch |
| Legend Xtreme | Patriarch, Patriarch XT |
Conclusions: Expensive Fishing Reels ARE Worth It
I trust that when you purchase your first expensive fishing reel you’ll immediately be able to tell the difference between it and a cheaper model. More expensive models are certainly worth their price when you consider that they are lighter, have better components including drag systems, and tend to balance well with higher end rods. You’ll find that you enjoy your time more on the water and probably catch a few fish that a less advanced reel would have lost.
With that being said, I really am a believer in the Pflueger products I listed above. I truly do use the President as my “main” reel. It works well given that I have small, excitable children prone to dropping it constantly, and I’ve caught my share of large fish with them. Thus, while expensive fishing reels are “worth it,” they aren’t necessary to have a good time or to be successful.
I hope you found this article, and its companion article on rods helpful. If you did, I’d like to invite you to join my Facebook group so I can keep you up to date with new posts and fishing reports.
Thanks,
John Paxton
