Pflueger was bought out by shakespeare a couple of years ago and revamped their line-up. I bought a president by Pflueger last year and has been on my go to rod since. I used to buy only shimano. Nothing too high end, symetre and sahara, and while they are good reels the president just gets one more star. Ultra smooth. Go and try one. The handle just seems to have a perfect center of balance when it spins, something I always felt lacked in the shimano’s. Smooth, smooth, smooth. I was never to impressed with the Mitchell just on dry runs at the store.
Summed up, at least try a Pflueger before you decide. Everyone has their preference. mike