Looking For 2 New Reels

I built myself 2 more rods for this spring using the St. Croix 5S69MLXF blanks which are equivalent to the St.Croix Legend Extreme rods but without the split grip handle.

I have had a few conversations about which reel to use on these,Since I already use the Pflueger Supremes on my other 2,I am leaning towards the Pflueger Abor (thinkin all 4 will feel the same) but I would like to hear of some other options to look at.

I do know it is hard to beat the cast-ability of light jigs with the Abor having an over size spool but I am open at looking at other options.

Thanks in advance

Jeff

I’ve been mainly a Pflueger guy, but I absolutely love these Symetres, in my opinion a better drag than the supremes. Have no experience with the arbor but have heard good things.

Between the lite weight and improved castibility with braid and flouro (due to the wide arbor design) I have replaced my Supreme and Supreme XTs with Arbors…

My two larger (2500 Symetre) reels I am thinking of replacing with super wide arbor 180SX US Supercasters…I checked them out in Chicago and really was impressed…they will be strictly flourocarbon filled Smallie dropshot reels…but I’ll bet they’ll work on Walleyes too.

I have both arbors and symetres. I like them both, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the symetre. As was said earlier, I think the drag is better and I just like the feel of the symetre better. Personal preference though as I have found nothing wrong with the arbor yet.

If I was sticking that kind of $ into those rods I would want a bit higher quality reel that balances them out as well. I would look possibly at the Pfluger Patriarch 9535X or my personal favorite brand Shimano possibly in the Stradic CI4 2500F. But everyone has a price point that they might need to stop at. I would take the rods to a place that has the reels I might be looking for & put them on to find out which reel balances the rod the way you like & feels the best in your hands. From experience a reel with more bearings, longer spool,wider spool does not mean the reel will perform that much better or last longer. I have a couple 8 & 10 bearing reels that only made it through a couple seasons.It only took a couple big fish to find out what quality of components that were possibly used in a product that now sit in a extras or junk drawer. I also have had some 5 bearing reels that lasted over 10 years that seen considerable use that I have gave to friends & are still in use. It has more to do with the quality of components that the reel is made from. The reel manufacturers now are generally using a bit higher grade components from days past. But there can be considerable differences when looking at a $50-$100 reel compared to a $200 reel. Which I consider its like comparing a premier series SCII blank to a SCV ART blank. Ultimately your the only person who can make the final decision based on price point & how it feels or fits in your hands. Just my $.02 Good luck in your choices.

I have looked at the Pfluger Patriarch 9535X But at close to $200 a pop they out of the question

Shimano and Diawa reels generally do a better job at the line lay on the spool. So it’s sometimes beneficial for a jigging type rod with lots of casting and jigging techniques, these reels will have a few less line snaffu’s. It is an extremely competitive market for reels right around $50-100 range.