I was in Gander Mountain this evening and was looking at these two reels - the President and the Cardinal.  I know they are both very famous reels.  I told the guy working there that I'm a Shimano guy but I'm on the look out for cheaper reels, something in the $50 range so I can buy more and try out different fishing line.  Right now I only own Shimano Saharas ($80 reels), Symetre ($100 reels), and one Daiwa Lexa ($120 reel).  So I'm looking for something a little more low cost but still good for bass fishing.  

 

 Both the President and President looked good and solid.  I keep reading good things about the President on this forum and in other places.  Gander Mountain had both reels for around $50.00 

 

 So I'm wondering - for bass fishing and using line in the six to eight pound range, which reel would you pick - the Pflueger President or Abu Garcia Cardinal?  

 

 Thanks!

I had the Cardinal SX and wasn't a fan. It didn't seem like it casted far at all. Then again, I had 12lb mono on and it was on a Zebco 2-piece rod so I'm sure it wasn't the best setup for casting distance.

I have no experience with the Cardinal, but can tell you that the President offers a lot of bang for the buck.  You will not be disappointed.

I have no experience with the Cardinal, but can tell you that the President offers a lot of bang for the buck.  You will not be disappointed.

^^^^^^^^^^  Yes to Pflueger spinning reels.  I have a President 6735, a Supreme 9025XT, and a Supreme 8025MG.

President for sure...

President gets my vote

I've fished both the President and the Cardianal, President wins hands down. 

A few years ago, I'd have probably recommended the Cardinal.  I have one that's about 7 or 8 years old that came on a $60 combo and is still one of my favorite reels.  However, AG has changed things up and tried to play two different markets with Cardinal.  I tried the lower end one, thinking that it'd be like my old one and it barely lasted a season.  I suspect the (newer?) STX  MIGHT be good, but I feel let down by AG and I have absolutely nothing bad to say about my President. 

Both are Pure Fishing products and generally speaking ABU Garcia gets more marketing and their prices are higher on a feature for feature basis. The Pflueger spinning reels, especially from the President and up are hard to beat bang for the buck wise. 

I have two Cardinal 101's that I use for drop shotting and finesse presentations. Great reels for the dollar value. This past spring I picked up a President and I gotta tell you, it wins hands down. The Cardinals are OK mind you. Very good drags and smooth retrieves, but the President is even smoother. Drag is great too. I'm a big Shimano fan from way back, but they are getting just too darn expensive. And parts are not easy to come by either. The Cardinals are true work horses. The President is a step up in my opinion. And it actually is smoother than my Symetre!

Both are solid.

 

President is my pick thought, I own one Cardinal and 3 Presidents.... I got the ABU first.

President and in the 40$ mark the trion .pfluugers win this range easy as pie .ive used them all from 30 to 60 nothing to compare.i do have a daiwia laguna i got at dicks for 12$ but aint tried it yet .I think what makes the pfluugers so nice.is the screw in handle and NO handle play at all

President for sure. I have the cardinal and literally bought the president this weekend. Just casted it at the river and man it is so much nicer. President on my spinning reel and silver max on my baitcaster, but going to break down and get a mettle h2o xpress even know i cant find it in lefty. Ill learn to do the righty bc

President for sure.

IMO the only thing better than a president for freshwater is a more expensive Pflueger and that only applies if weight is a critical issue.

I have a cardinal 101, pretty smooth reel but with daily use don't feel it has the durability of the president.

im with the cardinal love them

President gets my vote.

I've had my President for almost 2 years and that was my only combo until 3-4 months ago.  I beat the heck out of it and honestly didn't keep up with the maintenance and it still runs like a champ.  It needs a good cleaning but it has been great to me.