I was looking at picking up a few of the Pfleuger President reels during Bass Pros Black Friday sale. What would you all recommend for a lighter setup. The 25 or 30 size reel. Also, any rod recommendations? Thanks. 

If it's strictly for trout, go with the 20 size. The 25 size will be okay, but it's more reel than you need unless you're targeting larger trout. 

 

How do you plan to fish for them? Different techniques and rigs work better with different rods. 

 

I’m really not sure to be honest. I’m fairly new to trout and just wanted to pick something up while it’s on sale. I guess I was just looking for something for all around trout fishing. 

Fenwick river is decent. St croix also has a trout series worth a look.

I'd look for something around a 6' light action unless you're going to be fishing a long of small streams or around lots of overhanging trees and such where a shorter rod would be easier to manipulate. Nothing really fancy is required, but lighter rods make using lighter lures much easier. 

On 11/17/2017 at 8:36 AM, Jroc118 said:

I was looking at picking up a few of the Pfleuger President reels during Bass Pros Black Friday sale. What would you all recommend for a lighter setup. The 25 or 30 size reel. Also, any rod recommendations? Thanks. 

I have a 7' Okuma SST Ultralight rod. It's the steelhead, salmon, trout (SST) series. It works and feels great. It can also cast the small panther martin spinners a mile. Super sensitive and being an ultralight, makes it really fun. I even used it for smallmouth. The price is great for the quality. I believe it was around $30-$40. 

Loomis 842GLX if you want nice high end. I have done a ton of trout fishing the last 40 years and the stradic 1000 with 6lb pline cxx  is my go to for trout up to 23.5". My goal is to break the 5# barrier next year.

Here's a solid suggestion that you will be using for many years to come: a Pflueger President, #6925 on a B n' M Sam Heaton's Super Sensitive 7' spinning rod. Fill the reel with 2# test Fireline Crystal fused braid with a 4' - 6' fluorocarbon leader rated at 4# test. Connect the two with the Alberto knot and you're good to go. The whole rig can be purchased for a tad over $100.00. A steal for quality, endurance and performance - in my opinion.

 

Use a Thomson Buoyant spoon and/or the smallest KastMaster spoon for a total package.

On ‎11‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 3:05 PM, onenutinthewater said:

Loomis 842GLX if you want nice high end. I have done a ton of trout fishing the last 40 years and the stradic 1000 with 6lb pline cxx  is my go to for trout up to 23.5". My goal is to break the 5# barrier next year.

Better watch out for those 23.6" trout

9 hours ago, everythingthatswims said:

Better watch out for those 23.6" trout

That is my goal! 23.5 is my pb so of course i need to beat that.

On 12/3/2017 at 7:17 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

Here's a solid suggestion that you will be using for many years to come: a Pflueger President, #6925 on a B n' M Sam Heaton's Super Sensitive 7' spinning rod. Fill the reel with 2# test Fireline Crystal fused braid with a 4' - 6' fluorocarbon leader rated at 4# test. Connect the two with the Alberto knot and you're good to go. The whole rig can be purchased for a tad over $100.00. A steal for quality, endurance and performance - in my opinion.

 

Use a Thomson Buoyant spoon and/or the smallest KastMaster spoon for a total package.

Why would you use a heavier leader than mainline?

12 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

Why would you use a heavier leader than mainline?

Knots and abrasion resistance.  4 lb line is tiny, and I do quite well on 6.  Went all the way down to 2# and I settled on 6 for my taste.  I hate casting off lures. Cold aND light line is lures sailing of into the sunset.

Trout are where I really started with fishing when my dad invited me to a small tournament on Lake Taneycomo in Branson and I fell in love with fishing. For the first two years of that funny enough I used a Wal-Mart special for $15-$20 rod and reel combo I think it was a 6' Shakespeare which got me 3rd my first year and first my second year. The second year I won a Pfluger President Limited Edition Series reel and a St. Croix rod which I cannot remember specifically which one, one of their trout series rods. I'm a huge fan of the Presidents, I use both the 20 and 25. I agree with BlueBasser if its just for trout go with the 20, if you want to be able to go for the big ones and also want to be able to use it for some other things, which I do for pond hoping then go with the 25. I still have that Shakespeare rod the reel finally went out on me but I put one of my Pflugers on it and that's the combo that caught my winning fish last year  point being you don't have to break the bank to get a decent light or ultra light set up, before you buy I would recommend feeling the actions for yourself in store, one of my favorite things to throw is one of the Joes Flies 1/4oz inline spinner and I like a little bit of a less whippy tip for that. Oh and I use an 8'  i think Berkley steelhead rod in baby puke green lol which I think ran me about $30 or $40.00 for my float rigs. Good luck and happy fishing.

I have a pflueger 1500 supreme with 6# braid and a 4# fluorocarbon leader on a medium light extra fast 7’ 2” St. Croix pitching 1/4oz leach spoons, I have really good luck with gun metal color. I’ve caught a 25” rainbow right at 6# and this little reel was a blast on this fish. I also pair that supreme to a 6’ Cabela’s ultralight rod for smaller rivers and streams. I love this setup and occasionally use it for walleye if I know they’re around. My fishing buddy only uses1500 reels for all his fishing here in Montana and he’s caught 10# walleye without a hitch. I do prefer my 2500 size for most of my fishing here.