Pflueger Fishing Reels: Patriarch XT vs President

In this video I compare the top of the line Pflueger Patriarch XT spinning reel to the entry level President (entry level in price, however still made with great materials that make it anything but entry level.)

[@j_music_8779]

Good, honest, thorough review. 👍 I currently have the Pflueger supreme and really love it. I am thinking about setting up another poll and will probably go with the president XT. Cheers!

[@briharesfishingtours]

I think that would be a very wise choice!

[@ericl2969]

I agree with you about the crank knob. I have a number of Pflueger spinning reels, and all are the President style. I recently bought two more and accidentally got them in the President XT version instead. I took them straight back to the store and exchanged them for Presidents, not for the price difference, but because I like a crank knob that fits nicely between my fingers a lot more than one that's big and roundish, which is less natural to grip. You can bet I would REALLY avoid those super-trendy reels (from certain other major brands) with crank knobs that are nearly as big as ping-pong balls, because that makes no sense to me at all. You asked for comments about Pflueger reels in general, and here's one. The latest incarnation of President spinning reels is "not quite" as smooth as the older ones, and by that, I mean that there is a SLIGHT bit of additional internal friction. I think it might be due to the fact that there is an additional gear in the new reels to provide a slower rate of spool oscillation, a feature that is said to provide better line-lay and better casting. This "upgrade" hadn't made it into the whole Pflueger lineup yet last time I checked, but it's something in all the newest President models. I don't mind the slightly greater cranking effort. In fact, a reel that's too effortless in cranking seems harder to control when slowly retrieving lures that provide minimal pulling resistance. I have talked to a few other fishermen who agree with me on that point. So to me, the President still seems to be a fine reel. Okay, I'm back a couple days later to edit that part about "slightly greater internal resistance". I checked my newer reels that have the extra gear in them, which take *slightly* more effort to turn the crank than my older reels. In fact, turning off the anti-reverse gets rid of that slight extra resistance, so that clears that up. And it's a VERY minor thing that you'd never notice when actually using the reel. I wouldn't want to give the impression that this is a quality issue. As far as I can tell, it's not a quality issue at all.

[@briharesfishingtours]

Awesome feedback! I agree that pretty much all Pflueger products are of great quality. Pick your poison I suppose.

[@trottski4891]

The supreme is a good mix for the in-between. And also the supreme xt. Supreme is $99 xt version is $149 that's the line they make between the models. Supreme still uses the magnesium base and carbon handle and a 6.2:1 ratio. Or also the president xt limited edition are great reels also they release every couple years. I have some from the 2016 line of the president limited edition that are 6.2:1 ratio and quite a bit lighter than the orginal president. The new 2020 line of the limited edition I believe is a 5.2:1 but not quite sure but they look awesome with the a rose wood handle. I'm definitely a pflueger guy also and have probably 10 reels of there's. I still use my first president I got when I was 16 which was 14 years ago now and it's still going strong. Mainly just use it for panfish though.not sure where your from but I'm really looking forward to their new inline models they came out this year for ice fishing. Just have to wait for ice. Normally there's plenty by now but there isn't any yet this year😭 and can't wait.

[@RCSTILE]

I own both, but mine are A 2023 Patriarch and an older President and there is NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THESE TWO REELS.