I have owned three pfluger presidents that are 7 and almost turning 8 years old and thought I would share information for people who are interested. One is a size 25 xt, another is a size 20 standard, and the final one is a size 35 special edition.

 

(1A)

Problems that have been noticed out of the box during 500+hours of use

 

1. Stock grease is terrible in the cold feels grindy before warming up

2. Spool design and line lay is good, but not as good as a diawa or shimano in line lay and the lip design is inferior. 

 

3. 3-5mm of play in spool shaft, very minor, on par of similar value diawas and tatulas.

 

(2B) Problems that have arisen over time due to use most likley

 

1.  A solid 15mm of play in handle knob of original, and 10mm of play in the xt and xt special edition, every reel has some play in the handle, but twice as much as a diawa or shimano of comparable value

 

2. Light clicking sound on size 25xt when spool reaches top of oscilation cycle and bottom pf ocilation cycle, common in even the highest end Stella's, usually due to lack of grease, but its really bad.

 

3 slight minor warping in frame of reel in all three, all occurring in and near the bail arm and line bearing roller. Very minor and you won't notice tolerances unless using 90mm line diameterand lower.

 

(3C)

The annoyances:

 

1.Braid ready spool is just bad, the rubber is cheap and falls off leaving a gap in the middle of the spool that mono has to end up filling creating less line lay

 

2. Sizing of pflugers is 1 size smaller than all other brands

 

3. Knob material on original presidential  is plastic and even stored away from light in warm setting (such as a garage) will cause a weird cosmetic cracking that removes that rubbery texture.

 

So these are all the negatives, they are still excellent reels, I would prefer others but they are still excellent, just letting buying see the longterm problems that may arise, all three work completely fine still, just not new out of the box.

 

 

 

7 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

So these are all the negatives, they are still excellent reels

 

What makes these "excellent"?  

 

 

                                       

I tried a couple of them about the same time frame,  maybe 10 years ago and they were great reels until they weren't.  I had a slew of issues that made them unfishable. I think they lasted less than a year. Some people swear by them but I have yet to know a person who hasn't had some kind of issue with them in recent years. It's a shame.... they use to be reliable and well made.

Interesting

I've got a 2018 President-25, two 2019 Pres XT-30s and a 2020 Supreme.

 

Other than flushing the thick grease and replacing it with something better (I check all my reels upon arrival), I've had no issues with any of them.

 

Far as older ones...I've got a early-mid 70s 640ul that's just as solid and trouble free as when new...I don't use it anymore cause I've gone all right-hand retrieve and it's a left-hand only (the 641 was the right-hand model).

You have the generation of Pflueger before they went down the toilet. Recent models would disappoint you, sadly. I find that the only reel worth getting anymore is a Trion. For $40 you know what it is and that it won't last forever. It's essentially the same as their more expensive reels, and that's both awesome and a problem.

10 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

You have the generation of Pflueger before they went down the toilet. Recent models would disappoint you, sadly. I find that the only reel worth getting anymore is a Trion. For $40 you know what it is and that it won't last forever. It's essentially the same as their more expensive reels, and that's both awesome and a problem.

Ya - I'm looking at upgrading a couple of my reels this winter and knowing the issues with the new Pfluegers has me looking at the Shimano Nasci.

 

If Daiwa would sell the S models in the USA instead of 'offloading' the D models, I'd look there too...but I don't want deep spools...ya Digitaka is an option...but like to support US businesses even if they're selling Japanese reels.

Two years ago, I bought a new President at Christmas. It felt rough and grindy out of the package. I returned it for another one, which was the same. I took it back also and exchanged for a Lew's Speed Spin, which has worked good.                                                  Phlueger has gone downhill. I'll be buying Lew's, Shimano, or Diawa from here on.

Diawa LT series is way better.

I have 3 Presidents from 2016, and love all of em. It’s too bad to hear they’ve gone downhill so much. I’ve liked my Presidents so much that I’ve planned sticking with the President line for all new spinning reels, but from what everyone is saying maybe I should reconsider. I have a Supreme 25, as well as Supreme XT and President XT casting reels which I love as well. The President XT caster is probably my favorite reel to fish with. 

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

You have the generation of Pflueger before they went down the toilet. Recent models

Just curious, what year did they start becoming bad?

2 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

Just curious, what year did they start becoming bad?

Couldn't say exactly. 7+ years ago, during the generation you bought your reels, I was fishing Presidents and was happy with them. I'd say at least 4-5 years? I know some people say 10+ years but that wasn't my experience. 

I have a Presedent xt , supreme, and supreme xt  and have no issues with them except the President xt had a knob issue and I replaced it.  Good reels just not as good as my Daiwa's in my oppinion. Just not quite as smoothe.

I always liked the President reels starting back when they had the wooden handle knob and came with the spare spools. I've got three of those that are heavily used and still working well and very smooth.

 

I have to say though that the newer versions with the plastic knobs haven't been as smooth, and I actually found myself returning the last few. I got them to replace some cheap old Daiwa Regal X reels I bought 20 years ago, and couldn't do it because the old Daiwas were still smoother. The only issue with them is the finish was coming off everywhwre and the roll pin that holds the handle together was becoming loose.

7 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

like to support US businesses even if they're selling Japanese reels.

 

Japanese is about as American as you can get these days. lol.

3 minutes ago, fin said:

Japanese is about as American as you can get these days. lol.

Yup, and are most likley on the top 10 list of Pro west and Pro U.S nation in the world, you have to be when China and North Korea are your next door neighbors. it would surprise you but buying from them most likley represents your values rather than buying from the U.S. 

 

Seems as though the countries that are surrounded on all sides by unfriendly foes often share the same values as the west.

8 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

Yup, and are most likley on the top 10 list of Pro west and Pro U.S nation in the world, you have to be when China and North Korea are your next door neighbors. it would surprise you but buying from them most likley represents your values rather than buying from the U.S. 

 

Seems as though the countries that are surrounded on all sides by unfriendly foes often share the same values as the west.

I meant in regard to manufacturing and engineering quality, quality control, etc., but I can't argue with what you're saying.

12 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

Just curious, what year did they start becoming bad?

 

About 2 months ago.