Anyone use this reel? Is there really a benefit to the arbor spool?

 

http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/pflueger-reels-spinning-reels/pflueger-arbor-spinning-reel/1280268.html#srule=price-low-to-high&sz=15&start=6

No idea.  But, you'll have to balance any benefit against reduced line capacity.  100/8 sounds like a lot until you retie over a few trips and start seeing the spool through your line.

I recently gave away mine cause I saw no use for it anymore. I had the 7450 which I used for bottom fishing for catfish/whatever would bite and It was the perfect size for inshore fishing too. I had it on a 7 foot MH rod rated 3/8-1oz. I was mostly using 1oz sinkers and let me tell you, you can bomb sinkers out there like it’s no joke. It handled channel cats anywhere from 1-10lbs and the drag was great, never doubted it for a second. All in all, good reel. For me, it was useful because the spool had great capacity so I can sling baits out there and not have to worry about having barely any line left on my reel.  An advantage of such a wide spool is also less line coiling, meaning you get more performance from your mono or fluoro. The advantages are probably magnified when you’re using the right size line, a longer rod and weights in the “sweet spot”. I don’t even think you can find the 7450 online anymore. 

 

I’m sure the arbor spool does have an advantage but I wouldn’t use it for bass fishing. The size 30 is the only one I would go with for bass fishing and you can fit a decent amount of braided line on it, so why not? If you’re going to be bank fishing or focusing on long long casts (accuracy is more important than distance though ?) then I would consider it. It’s quite heavy at 8.6 oz but that’s how much most entry level reels weigh and even some pricier ones. It has a very slow gear ratio though (4.3:1) and takes in 25” IPT. If you’re gonna be using it for bottom fishing like I was then that’s no big deal. But it’s a little slow for reeling in slack line and catching up to running fish for most bass techniques.

 

 

 

I looked at the Arbors and walked away. There's really no benefit I can see.

Comparing the 30 size to my Trion-30

Trion - Higher capacity - 130yds of 8# vs 100yds for Arbor

Trion - Faster IPT - 25.9" vs 25" for Arbor

Arbor - Lower gear ratio - Arbor has more 'power'

 

Weight is only 0.1 oz difference and drag is only 1lb difference.

 

If you need cranking power - then the Arbor wins by a hair...in all other respects, even the Trion is better.

If you feel the need to spool up with 10-12# mono a large arbor reel helps with casting and line management. With light braid on spinning being all the rage I’d pass in favor of a lighter reel. 

The wider spool has to help a little bit with distance casting.   I think that reel would be a great jerk bait reel.