My First high end fishing reel!!

[scipper77]

Last month I scored some $190 Costa del mar sunglasses for $90. Today my brother in law texts me a picture of the fishing reel he just purchased. A Pflueger Supreme XT for $79!!

Long story short, I went out after work and picked one up from gander mountain. This was an in store special (not advertised on line).

The normal price for one of these is $130. I was going to buy a new reel for next season and had been looking at the Pflueger President's. As a matter of fact my discussions with my BIL about my good experiences with my old Pflueger and why it's better to have a metal body convinced him to want one as well.

It has a magnesium body and rotor in addition to all of the other bells and whistles you would expect (10 bearings, anti reverse, titanium line roller etc...)

This thing is lite. (7.5 oz.)

Because it's so light I was thinking about getting a good lightweight rod to go with it. I'd like to spend as far under $100 as possible for the rod and for me a 2 piece is a must so it will fit in the trunk of my car.

What's a good rod??

Since I'm not going to be able to use this thing for a month or two I thought I'd ask my friends here for opinions on this reel??

 

[veritas honus]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

I like Fenwick. A quality reel deserves a quality rod. Havn't bought a fishing rod in years, though; so I'm sure a lot has changed and there are probably a lot of companies I've never heard of, now. Wish I could help more; but check out Fenwick. You won't be dissappointed.

 

[dingbat]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

A good custom would be best but..... For the money, the Bass Pro Bionic Blade XPS is good quality rod at a value price.

BTW: Don't get that reel around saltwater. Magnesium is like Alka Seltzer @ Saltwater

 

[scipper77]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

I am aware of the risks with saltwater use.

Now I am second guessing if I got the right one?!?!

I got the Pflueger Supreme XT 9030XTX, which is a light (smaller) real. The ultra light and medium sized versions were the same price. At the time I was thinking that the light reel will take less line to fill and because it is lighter it should be easier on the wrist after many hours of use.

Now I am thinking that the added capacity of the medium sized reel makes it a better all around choice. My last reel was a medium and I'm not shelling out for 2 of these even at the $79 price tag (i think)

What is averyones preference as to reel size??

 

[dingbat]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

What are you fishing for that is capable of peeling more than 1-1/2 football fields of line off the reel under drag pressure?
I use a 260 Penn Slammer when jigging Stripers. The 260 holds 240 yards of #8 line. I fill the spool with mono then top shot with 150 yards of #10 braid. I can count the number of times I?ve been taken to the backing on one hand.

I don't look at the weigh of the reels as much as do the balance of the combo. Most of the ?perceived? weight is the wrist supporting an unbalanced rod. A tip heavy rod will make any reel feel heavy. A properly balanced rod will make a reel feel lighter.

 

[sasto]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

I went to my local baitshop, these guys are experts, known them a long time. I was looking for a reel for my good friends birthday. They picked out the Supreme XT. My buddy loves it.

 

[scipper77]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

What are you fishing for that is capable of peeling more than 1-1/2 football fields of line off the reel under drag pressure?
I use a 260 Penn Slammer when jigging Stripers. The 260 holds 240 yards of #8 line. I fill the spool with mono then top shot with 150 yards of #10 braid. I can count the number of times I?ve been taken to the backing on one hand.

I don't look at the weigh of the reels as much as do the balance of the combo. Most of the ?perceived? weight is the wrist supporting an unbalanced rod. A tip heavy rod will make any reel feel heavy. A properly balanced rod will make a reel feel lighter.

Well here is where I am at...
I bought the Medium sized reel today (Pflueger Supreme XT 9035XTX). I now have the light and medium and one of them is getting returned tomorrow.

I like the light reel because it is smaller and lighter and seems like a more efficient package for my bass fishing.

I like the medium sized reel because I can troll with it (letting out a lot of line) and correct me if I'm wrong but the larger diameter spool will cast a little farther.

If anyone wants to sway me one way or another as far as which reel to return now is the time. It's the same trip for me to gander mtn to return either one.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

You need to talk to the sales guys there. It all depends on what you plan to fish for. Some require a light action pole while others need a med/light pole. I have a couple of dozen poles and they are for different fishing (majority salt water) I think I have about 6 freshwater poles and they are mostly light action with probably two medium/light. The light are for trout and the medium/light are for steelhead. You also ned to figure out what length pole you want... Again, talk to the ppl at Gander... its their job to know this stuff. I'm sure you will find a good all round pole for your fishing... Good luck, you will buy many more I feel!

 

[dingbat]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

You need to talk to the sales guys there. It all depends on what you plan to fish for. Some require a light action pole while others need a med/light pole. I have a couple of dozen poles and they are for different fishing (majority salt water) I think I have about 6 freshwater poles and they are mostly light action with probably two medium/light. The light are for trout and the medium/light are for steelhead. You also ned to figure out what length pole you want... Again, talk to the ppl at Gander... its their job to know this stuff. I'm sure you will find a good all round pole for your fishing... Good luck, you will buy many more I feel!

90% of the people at the big box stores don't know the first thing about what they are selling. Go in and play ignorant one time. It?s amusing the way they try to BS you into things.

Like the guy at Bass pro the other day that I suggested that I replace my Furuno fish finder, didn't have a clue about Furuno, with a HB that cost less than he transducer attached to my Furuno. After talking with the guy for 15 minutes it was obvious that I forget more about sounders than this guy knew.

Or the guy at Gander Mountain the other day. He went on and one about what makes a good fishing rod. Action, weights, etc. Didn?t have a clue what he was talking about. I left him go on for about 10 minutes before I finally told him I?m a custom rod builder. Changed his tune after that.

 

[scipper77]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

I so agree about guys at big stores. What gets me is that because they work with the stuff for a living they think that they are the authority.

Bait shops on the other hand.... lets just say that I have never in my life been led to believe that the fish aren't very active when asking a tackle shop owner for advice. And they usually only stock pretty low end equipment.

anyways the reel return gets a reprieve for today (forgot to decide which one I want to keep). I really just want to keep them both but I am on a budget and I haven't quite told the wife that I'm going to have to spend another $100 or so on a decent rod and new line.

For bass fishing I thing the smaller reel is the way to go but I can't get it out of my head that the larger size reel is a better all around reel.

Can anyone tell me this. Should the drag be smoother on the larger reel due to the larger diameter that the line is stripping off of? I need something to go on so I can make up my mind. I'm sure I'll be happy with either one but I just can't logically rule out one reel vs the other.

 

[sasto]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

Bait shops on the other hand.... lets just say that I have never in my life been led to believe that the fish aren't very active when asking a tackle shop owner for advice. And they usually only stock pretty low end equipment..

This may well be true in your area......not mine.

 

[swl]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

I'd go with the 35, slightly bigger reel to go on a slightly bigger rod. The two are probably pretty close as far as drag and casting performance, I'd just go with what feels best to you. BTW, dingbat's right on about the weight thing, a tip heavy rig just acts like a lever on your wrist. Get a rod that balances well with your reel and you be happy all day!!

 

[scipper77]

Re: My First high end fishing reel!!

I'm looking at rods to go with this reel. One rod in particular that I'm seeing some good comments about is the Bass Pro Shops Carbonlite spinning rods.

The only problem I have with this rod is that only the 9' rod is available in a 2 piece.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

Can anyone point me in the direction of a nice 7' 2-piece rod for around $60-100?