Pflueger President

[PFUNK]

So I just purchased a new Fenwick Elite Tech walleye rod online for a great price and ended up deciding to pair it with a Pflueger President 6730 reel. I made the decision to go with the pflueger after reading lots of reviews and I am sure I will be happy with my purchase. However, there is one thing I am nearly certain I will not enjoy about this reel, and that is the oddly shaped wooden handle. It seems like it is a goofy shape to begin with and will get really slippery after handling fish or in the rain. Does anyone know if you can swap it out for a regular rubber handle. I like the handles on the Shimano's I normally use, and would like something more like that on the Pflueger if possible. Where would I get something like that?

[muskielaw]

Not sure where you would get a different handle but i would assume the big C would have something if any one would. I own a comple of the presidents and agree the shape feels wierd at first but never notice when fishing. Also never had a problem with it being slippery in rain. If you want the rubber handle you can always step up to the president xt. I have the elite tech paired with the xt and the maroon color of the real matches the elite tech perfectly. It is a sweet set up but you will be happy either way with that rod. Good luck.

muskie

[River Dan]

rubber grips you can get glow in the dark, several colors bass pro has them 4 sure

[PFUNK]

Thanks for the input guys. I found some rubber grips on Cabela's HSOforum but they look like they are made to fit over a conventionally shaped handle or a baitcaster handle. I don't know that i can make them work on the oblong pflueger handle. It is nice to hear from another owner that you quickly get used to the odd shape. I did look at the president XT but was keeping the budget down and heard plenty of good stuff about the president and didn't think the handle would ruin it for me. Excited to see how it pairs up with the fenwick now.

[delcecchi]

The only objection or problem I have with Pflueger spinning reels is that they seem to sit a little bit farther from the rod, and I sometimes have trouble hooking the line with my stubby fingers.

Anyone else notice this?

[TravP]

Call pure fishing. I would think they would probably sell you a handle for an arbor or president xt or something.

[delmuts]

"The only objection or problem I have with Pflueger spinning reels is that they seem to sit a little bit farther from the rod, and I sometimes have trouble hooking the line with my stubby fingers."

I've noticed this too, but still love mine!I wondered about the different handle at first, but didn't take much to get used to it, and have not found it slippery. Sweet reel!

[Dusty]

I also bought a President this spring but haven't used it yet. Didn't even notice the handle. I bought it because it was the smoothest operating bail system I found. If I recall correctly, it has 10 ball bearings so it should be smooth.

[Dylan33]

I've had my president reel for 3 years now and love it! I never even notice the handle when fishing.

[solbes]

I need to get a new reel for my 2nd Avid rod, and was thinking of getting the President. Previously I've only owned Shimano's of the Senora, Sedona, Symetre type models. Are the Pfluegers of similar quality, and will it hold up for 8-10 years like I get out of my Shimano's?

Back to the original post, I didn't think the handle was that odd when I was handling it in the store. But it certianly looks different. Kinda cool I think.

[Covey]

When I first got my reel I was not a fan of the wood either. Now I own three of them and can hardly use another handle. I love the feel of the handle. You will get used to it fast.

[FM_Mike]

If you do not like the wooden handle you can always see it they can get a handle form a

Pflueger President XT they have the rubber padded handle end. They should switch right over.

On another note, I have used the 6730 with wood handle for years and never had and issue with

slipping. If you like the other handle call pure fishing and get the one for the XT.

Mike

[gurkster]

I like mine. Going on 6 years with it and no problems. I fish at least once a week with it, opener until September.

[PFUNK]

Well after hearing what everyone has to say about it, I will definitely give the wooden handle a try. if I don't like it I will give pure fishing a call. Just seemed so out of the ordinary from anything I had used before so I was worried it would be awkward... but i guess not. Definitely excited to give it a try as I hear a lot of good stuff about it. Was considering the Shimano symetre but went with the pflueger to save a few bucks.

[jaymevb]

doesn't gander sell the same reel with a different name without the handle for less money?

[toughguy]

doesn't gander sell the same reel with a different name without the handle for less money?

They do. I have 2 and love them. The other handle is the reason I went with the Gander reel. If I remember right it was $10 cheaper.

[PFUNK]

So you're saying the GM reel is made by the makers of Pflueger for Gander and marketed as a Gander mountain reel? Is it the GSX Tournament spinning reel? Specs on that one sounds pretty close to the Pflueger. Line capacities and weights differ a little between the two and it is $10 cheaper than the pflueger from gander. However, I purchased the Pflueger from the big C and the price there is $10 less than Gander is asking.

[SandPoint]

Pflueger/Shakespeare no longer makes the gander brand spinning reels.

[vern]

PFUNK,

Which Fenwick Elite Tech rod did you buy? I recently bought the 6'3" M-XF jigging rod but haven't had a chance to use it yet. Just curious, thanks.

[PFUNK]

Vern... I ended up going with the 6'9" ML-Fast. I was looking for a rod I could get multiple uses out of, and it should be good for either jigging or rigging. I haven't had a chance to use it yet either. My Pflueger president just came yesterday and the handle isn't bad at all. Feels very smooth but we will have to see how the drag performs and how it holds up over time. If anyone else is interested in those Fenwick Elite rods, I got mine off of Amazon for what I felt a very good price. I paid $93 and change for mine. Check it out if you are in the market for one.

[itchmesir]

Just picked up a President the other day from FF... my old Trion was starting to have problems.. when i saw it was the same price to either go with another Trion GX-7 for 49.99 or a President for 49.99... the choice was obvious.. smoother reel for the same price.. sign me up.. so far no complains.. as smooth as a freshly shaved..... well you can fill in the blank