I am trying very hard to decide on a reel and I've narrowed it down to 3 choices, Daiwa Revros, Daiwa RG-AB and Pflueger President. I've never held an RG-AB but I've heard that their better than the Revros and the Revros is definitely smoother than the President. Anybody ever use the RG-Ab? I know the President would probably outlast the Revros but I'm not sure about the RG-AB. Anybody have any suggestions???

Also how the heck do you grip those "T" style handles. They drive me nuts. (Probably because I'm not used to them )

1 hour ago, Largemouth21 said:

I am trying very hard to decide on a reel and I've narrowed it down to 3 choices, Daiwa Revros, Daiwa RG-AB and Pflueger President. I've never held an RG-AB but I've heard that their better than the Revros and the Revros is definitely smoother than the President. Anybody ever use the RG-Ab? I know the President would probably outlast the Revros but I'm not sure about the RG-AB. Anybody have any suggestions???

Also how the heck do you grip those "T" style handles. They drive me nuts. (Probably because I'm not used to them )

I've owned a JDM Revros for like 10 years and works flawlessly so I don't if a President will outlast it, I have never owned a Pfleuger reel ( nor will for that matter ).

That is funny, because I own around 9 of the Presidents and several are over 10 years old. I love them and they work flawlessly for my wife and I.  As for them not being smooth, the only one I have heard say that they are not smooth are those that also say they never owned one nor ever handled one!  I guess a 10 bearing reel is automatically expected to grind  or something!!!  You are welcome to fish what you want,  but at least put one in your hand first before you eliminate it.

Here is an example of what those reels can do. This past April we took our semi- annual trip to Dale Hollow. We arrived the week the big female smallies left the beds and were hanging out on main lake grass flats. They were in a foul mood so they did not want to eat anything. None of the normal baits worked. They would not touch jerkbaits, jigs, swimbaits, spinnerbaits slow rolled, shakey heads, nothing. The only bait working was the Ned Rig.. So that is what our guide had us doing out there to catch our big smallies. Most were between 4 and 7 pounds. We threw them on our G Loomis SJR 721 6 foot light action spinning rods and yes Pflueger Presidents. She hooked and landed an 8 pound cat on that rod and reel combo. We loosened her drag, and she ran from the front to the back of the boat a bunch of times. It was the funniest thing to watch and I told her she was doing a perfect Ike imitation!!!  The reel flat out work. The reel that is matched up on that rod is a 6930 and it still works perfectly. By the way I do not recommend chasing catfish with that light of a setup, BUT you have to do what you can when a big fish bites. Here in Md we often catch stripers and big blue cats while bass fishing, so again you need gear that can handle it. In addition to the

In addition to the Pfluegers we also fish one Shimano Symetre, and my most recent purchase was an Okuma RTX30S. That is a great reel. It is made of a carbon fiber type material I believe. It has a high speed retrieve and is super lightweight. I like the RTX reels as well as the Helios. Check those reels as well. Just be careful with the Shimanos, there are reports of some Shimano spinning reels locking or binding up  and Shimano not having a solution yet. I pray my wife's Symetre does not develop this problem. This is on her frog rod and it matches the Irod well

Can't kick about any of my Symetres either. Not bottom end not top end Shimano. Perfect for my needs.

I have the Daiwa RG.  Only had it for a month or so, so my feedback will be limited.  First off, the handle doesn't bother me, even though it is different from what I mostly use (Shimanos).  It is super-smooth.  Feels like a reels costing way more than $60.  In fact, if it weren't graphite frame, it would certainly be more expensive.  I'm sure many will say the graphite frame is a deal-breaker, but I can live with it.  Over the years I've had many of the graphite spinning reels from Shimano in that $30-$60 range, and I've never had any flex issues.  I haven't caught anything with the RG over about 2.5 lbs so far, but it has handled decent sized keepers just fine.  Overall, based on my experience thus far, I think it is a GREAT buy at $60, and even better at $50 (I can't remember where, but I know I saw it on sale for $50 just this week...maybe Cabela's?)

I bought a president and the line lay was horrible, returned it bought another and did the same thing. The revros is a sweet reel for $50

I own the Revros and think it's amazing.  However, I was at Cabela's about 10 days ago and was even more impressed with the RG-AB.  Obviously both the Revros and the RG-AB are new reels so it's difficult to know on how they will stand the test of time.  Personally, I'd roll the dice on the new RG-AB, the Revros is nicer than any of my Shimanos, many of which cost significantly more, so I think Daiwa is onto something in their mid-priced spinning reels.    

Actually I just ordered a new 2017 Daiwa BG spinning reel, was about $83.  It has gotten great reviews and I'm curious....

RG

Update from my post above.  I received the BG last evening and I think I will return it and get the RG-AB instead.  The BG is a saltwater-capable reel and is a bit heavier than the RG-AB, as I expected.  However the reeling action is not as smooth as either the Revros or the RG-AB.  Since I don't have a need for the saltwater capability, I'll save a few bucks and get the smoother reel to boot.