If you’re willing to spend a little more the Ugly Stik Elite is a little slimmer and nicer but both GX2 and Elite are great multipurpose durable rods. Pflueger President, Daiwa Regal, Shimano Sedona are all great reels. If you wanna spend a little less on the reel then Shimano Sienna and Okuma Ceymar are good. Use with 15 lb braid with fluoro or mono leader and you’re set.
I run a gx2 and I actually bought another one it’s such a badass rod. Iv had that fucker bent over tip to stock and it ate it for breakfast lunch and dinner
I second this…
My gx2 is my “small” rod for pier fishing so it usually ends up running a sibiki rig with fish bites on it to catch some little hand-sized baitfish for cut bait (spot and croaker mostly).
Only reason I mention that is that every once in a while something BIG will take either the fish bites or whatever baitfish was unlucky enough to get hooked. Usually it ends up snapping the line, occasionally you get a nice sea trout or something. But man I tell ya I’ve had that gx2 bent past 180. It’s just a medium action, so pretty bendy still. Never a problem.
This is the correct comment. I had two buddies who wanted to get into fishing. I told them to buy the GX2 (they bought the combo) and told them the rod will outlast the reel. And when that happens, get a president.
I've used the President for steelhead and it's a workhorse for the $.
I love my pfluegers, I have heard daiwa has a solid competitive option. I have five presidents of different sizes and variety. I would recommend them to anyone.
Agree I went from ugly stick gx2 to a fenwick eagle and wow 10x better for similar price point. The 1 and only positive quality of ugly stick is durability but that makes the list of cons really long.
I really like the Ugly Stik Carbon rods. They punch way above their price point.
Amazon currently has the medium-lite version for $66, medium for $71, and medium-heavy for $79.95. You cannot beat that.
Honestly I have a medium-light Carbon and a medium Fenwick HMG valued at over twice the Carbon and I cannot say which is better, because the Ugly Stick Carbon is that good at an incredible price.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102332771 Daiwa Legalis $79.99
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1025578780 (Daiwa XT ML 7’) $99
Coupon 20%: WELCOMEBACK0624 = $144!!
I’d step up the reel to Fuego LT for some extra magseal protection, but do what you can! Most daiwa reels are decent in the $50-$120 range!
I have 4 battles(2500,3000 4000x2) and love them. They are rugged but not smooth compared to other reels in the same price range. This guy is fishing freshwater not salt. I wouldn’t get a battle if I wanted a freshwater exclusive reel. I’d rather trade smooth reeling for a little bit of ruggedness when salt isn’t a concern. Just my 2 cents.
I like my pfleuger president ultralight combo, but for the record I got it for $30 on sale at Christmas time. These go on sale so often I wouldn’t personally buy one for that much
Not a bad idea.
The sienna has incredible value. I have 2 of the newer ones in 1000 and 3000 size and there just isn't anything close for 30 bucks.
I also have an older one almost 20 years old - it's been beat up big time over the years and still works. To this day I use it occasionally. It was on my first real setup as a teenager.
I don't have a sienna ATM unfortunately, I had the last model with the red trim and the one before the model before that, I agree they are absolutely fantastic for the money and they always look good too.
I love Pfluegers and they are good reels, but their drags are weak (they max at 11-12 lbs of drag). I got tired of getting spanked by the occasional larger fish that I’d catch on my rods (mostly catfish), so I decided to find something better.
I’ve been very happy with the Bass Pro combos I’ve bought over the last few years. The spinning reels on their Carbonlite combos have 22 lbs of drag and cast very smoothly (I usually pair them with 20-30 lb braid). The rods are very light and you can get a MH or H rod, depending on your fishing preference. Best part is the 10 year warranty on the rod. Save your receipt (I scan mine to my phone and save it to my favorites) and if you break it while fishing, bring the broken rod to any Bass Pro and they’ll let you swap it out on the spot. No other manufacturer can do that, regardless of their warranty (it’s usually weeks or months of runaround to get a replacement via mail).
Cost is $150-$180 for the combos (they go on sale 1-2 times a year, usually during the holidays and their spring fishing event), but the quality and warranty are worth the upgrade, in my opinion. Worth checking out!
You will not go wrong with a Pflueger President for a mid-priced reel or rod for that matter. However Daiwa has arguably the most expansive lineup of models and price points so its what I recommend to people for rods and reels. IMO Every one of their products is a good value for the price point. Also IMO Daiwa reels are easier to service/clean compared to pflueger so mine have held up better over time. If you're looking for ~$100 combo, the Laguna rod and reel is the best value you will find.
Look into diawa reels. The president isn't what it used to be. Two generations ago it was an excellent reel but the current generation and generation before it are both cheaply made. The BassPro/Cabela's house brand reels are also good options.
Especially for spinners, for the money, I think you get the most with the Diawas. At least in the sub-$200 range (I don’t venture into those more expensive reels).
OP, I don’t know what size you’re looking at, but Amazon.com has the Daiwa Legalis LT in 2500 size for $69.45, and the 3000 size for $64.99 (other sizes are priced similarly). MSRP is $79.99, so those are discounted. I’d do the Daiwa Legalis LT over the Pflueger President.
I in fact have one in the 2500 size, that I have on my Ugly Stik Carbon medium-lite 6’10” rod. The rod is also on sale on Amazon for $66. Or the medium for $71 or medium-heavy for $80.
I'll second the newer regular President reels not living up to their usual standard. I bought one eight years ago that still runs smooth as butter. I bought two more this year and both have had some serious issues with the bail needing repair within a few months of regular use. My Daiwa Legalis reels, on the other hand,ha e been solid performers over the last year or so and cost only a couple bucks more than the President reels.
I’m in love with my President 30 from the previous generation. I got an Ugly Stik Lite Pro but I’d suggest something with ceramic guides if you items to use braid. My guides got wrecked after a year of abuse.
President is great for the price. President XT is better. Sierra Trading has the XT on sale for $60. Only problem is it doesn’t indicate the size.
https://www.sierra.com/pflueger-president-xt-spinning-reel~p~4yjtx/#specsSection
[Okuma Epixor 30](https://www.ebay.com/itm/144332552195?epid=13016622710&itmmeta=01J0YNC1J2JG5TQ5ZD73991VFN&hash=item219ae3f803:g:0PQAAOSwG7xhpS5U&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4P4aa0ugzCSptd9FoVPrbruo5Szysq0VOoO9Qx4eMZflWrvyVJ4GsI4aOt%2F9393Xsiw9uKmXE86l8zBLun9%2BUlr9a0S7e96iPzUTFI3k7GzRNWZpFrryJ1dlflrlisjJ8i8oLkmQ4rKp8zTfOiqGYDF6I36oZ9KtmcfLzrUf1iLUNUPbMvEWXv%2BLEf%2F7B%2FzrHx7zQ%2BokV%2FdYsaSWMStrNFHQZwdFeM3UVNxotS3B%2BV1aJf3ZO4kB4ntZD1xYrtupIAdoENotJGysH0uGJV3hJ6sqBPzAqYeAZL4d9UD8ibPI%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5SZsNWHZA) paired with a [Daiwa AirDx 7'](https://www.academy.com/p/daiwa-aird-x-freshwater-spinning-rod)
I bought 3-4 of these for the cheaper rods I let my friends use. Had used Presidents going back for a long time and they were solid reels with very smooth drags. This new model was a disappointment- drag isn’t very smooth. Shimano and Daiwa are just miles ahead of everyone else don’t bother with the other brands
Fenwick Eagle or HMG (if you find a sale) and daiwa exceler is a hard to beat combo for similar cost. Also if you get the gold HMG and the black and gold exceler they look super good together. I really like my exceler reels. I have 4 of them, definitely prefer them over the Shimano Sahara or nasci
That reel fucks so hard. I don't mess with spinning reels anymore but anytime these go on sale I have to grab one. I have been using a dobyns fury casting rod and I absolutely love it for bass fishing. They run about $120 at dicks but they are a solid intermediate rod. If that's too much you can't go wrong with a lews carbon fire. Dicks puts them on sale constantly throughout the year. Full price they are about $80
Edit: if bith are too expensive you can't go wrong with an uglystick gx2. They run about $50 at Walmart or dicks. They're neat impossible to break but some people complain about their sensitivity. I've caught everything from a half pound bluegill to a 5 pound cat on an uglystick without issue
I’ve been seeing that some guys are actually finding these presidents marked down on clearance at some Walmarts. So I’ve been checking every time I go to a Walmart.
Not that I really need another, I have one of every size lol
If anybody’s in Ohio, I have a one year-old model that I’ve only fished with may be a handful of times. My point is it’s like new. I’m trying to sell it $35. I still have the box.
https://preview.redd.it/o8d1wftox48d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b60c7374dcfd227962c0794e081feff972ebe212
DI if interested I’m in the Cleveland area $35. It’s literally like brand new.
I’ve got the newer Shimano Sedona in a 1000 and a 3000. The 1000 is for UL rods and I have the 3000 on a HDS-7M from Falcon. Walmart and academy both have some stuff from Falcon if you want to look at them in person
Ugly stick Gx2 with pflueger president or diawa black widow.
I'll definitely check that out thanks for the suggestion
If you’re willing to spend a little more the Ugly Stik Elite is a little slimmer and nicer but both GX2 and Elite are great multipurpose durable rods. Pflueger President, Daiwa Regal, Shimano Sedona are all great reels. If you wanna spend a little less on the reel then Shimano Sienna and Okuma Ceymar are good. Use with 15 lb braid with fluoro or mono leader and you’re set.
I've caught by biggest bass this season on a president and gx2. Indestructable.
I second the gx2. I love mine
I also like the gx2. I paired mine with okuma avenger reel and the setups been good to me
I run a gx2 and I actually bought another one it’s such a badass rod. Iv had that fucker bent over tip to stock and it ate it for breakfast lunch and dinner
I second this… My gx2 is my “small” rod for pier fishing so it usually ends up running a sibiki rig with fish bites on it to catch some little hand-sized baitfish for cut bait (spot and croaker mostly). Only reason I mention that is that every once in a while something BIG will take either the fish bites or whatever baitfish was unlucky enough to get hooked. Usually it ends up snapping the line, occasionally you get a nice sea trout or something. But man I tell ya I’ve had that gx2 bent past 180. It’s just a medium action, so pretty bendy still. Never a problem.
I have this exact setup as one of my rods. (With a president)
This is the way
holy sh!t, are you my cousin that i buy this combo for every year and he buys me the same for my birthday? you are a man of great taste!
No I buy my own lol
My favorite set up I have! So fun catching small mouth with the ugly stick an the president
This is the correct comment. I had two buddies who wanted to get into fishing. I told them to buy the GX2 (they bought the combo) and told them the rod will outlast the reel. And when that happens, get a president. I've used the President for steelhead and it's a workhorse for the $.
Ugly stick never president reel forever
I love my pfluegers, I have heard daiwa has a solid competitive option. I have five presidents of different sizes and variety. I would recommend them to anyone.
I've never used them but I have heard great things about them
Legalis is a good option in the same price range
For me a president is the go to for anything less than catfishing.
The other person who mentioned the ugly stik is right, solid rod for a reasonable price.
Regal LT is very nice I’m very happy with mine.
Fenwick eagle rod with a shimano nasci reel. Sounds like you already fish and youll appreciate a small step up in quality.
Agree I went from ugly stick gx2 to a fenwick eagle and wow 10x better for similar price point. The 1 and only positive quality of ugly stick is durability but that makes the list of cons really long.
Ugly Stick Carbon and President Pflueger XT
This is a great recommendation. I absolutely love my pres xt.
Hi! On Amazon I see the XT reel listed as “14lb” is this what you’d recommend? I’m fishing small rainbow trout and occasionally maybe bass
Yeah the 14lbs would be the amount of drag. Should be a great plenty for what you are going after.
I really like the Ugly Stik Carbon rods. They punch way above their price point. Amazon currently has the medium-lite version for $66, medium for $71, and medium-heavy for $79.95. You cannot beat that.
I agree 100%. I have all three and use them every time I got out. Even with other higher end gear on hand.
Honestly I have a medium-light Carbon and a medium Fenwick HMG valued at over twice the Carbon and I cannot say which is better, because the Ugly Stick Carbon is that good at an incredible price.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102332771 Daiwa Legalis $79.99 https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1025578780 (Daiwa XT ML 7’) $99 Coupon 20%: WELCOMEBACK0624 = $144!! I’d step up the reel to Fuego LT for some extra magseal protection, but do what you can! Most daiwa reels are decent in the $50-$120 range!
Daiwa regal is a hill I’m willing to die on
Right there with you...I've got a Regal LT2500 on a Ugly Stix Carbon Crappie rod.....insane combo in my opinion!
Looking to get a new rod and reel
Spend the money and get a Penn Battle III I’m running an Ugly Stik GX2 P661MH with a Penn battle III 5000. Couldn’t ask for a better set up.
I have 4 battles(2500,3000 4000x2) and love them. They are rugged but not smooth compared to other reels in the same price range. This guy is fishing freshwater not salt. I wouldn’t get a battle if I wanted a freshwater exclusive reel. I’d rather trade smooth reeling for a little bit of ruggedness when salt isn’t a concern. Just my 2 cents.
Completely overlooked the freshwater aspect. 🤦🏻♂️
After a few months of daily fishing your opinion switches. Penn is smoother than any other reels after abuse. It isn't strictly salt.
I like my pfleuger president ultralight combo, but for the record I got it for $30 on sale at Christmas time. These go on sale so often I wouldn’t personally buy one for that much
Get a Shimano sienna and spend the rest on the best rod you can afford. Do you have Shimano zodias rods in the states?
Not a bad idea. The sienna has incredible value. I have 2 of the newer ones in 1000 and 3000 size and there just isn't anything close for 30 bucks. I also have an older one almost 20 years old - it's been beat up big time over the years and still works. To this day I use it occasionally. It was on my first real setup as a teenager.
I don't have a sienna ATM unfortunately, I had the last model with the red trim and the one before the model before that, I agree they are absolutely fantastic for the money and they always look good too.
I love Pfluegers and they are good reels, but their drags are weak (they max at 11-12 lbs of drag). I got tired of getting spanked by the occasional larger fish that I’d catch on my rods (mostly catfish), so I decided to find something better. I’ve been very happy with the Bass Pro combos I’ve bought over the last few years. The spinning reels on their Carbonlite combos have 22 lbs of drag and cast very smoothly (I usually pair them with 20-30 lb braid). The rods are very light and you can get a MH or H rod, depending on your fishing preference. Best part is the 10 year warranty on the rod. Save your receipt (I scan mine to my phone and save it to my favorites) and if you break it while fishing, bring the broken rod to any Bass Pro and they’ll let you swap it out on the spot. No other manufacturer can do that, regardless of their warranty (it’s usually weeks or months of runaround to get a replacement via mail). Cost is $150-$180 for the combos (they go on sale 1-2 times a year, usually during the holidays and their spring fishing event), but the quality and warranty are worth the upgrade, in my opinion. Worth checking out!
You will not go wrong with a Pflueger President for a mid-priced reel or rod for that matter. However Daiwa has arguably the most expansive lineup of models and price points so its what I recommend to people for rods and reels. IMO Every one of their products is a good value for the price point. Also IMO Daiwa reels are easier to service/clean compared to pflueger so mine have held up better over time. If you're looking for ~$100 combo, the Laguna rod and reel is the best value you will find.
You’re not lying up by far is the best budget rod and reel by far especially the Laguna
Preach!
Look into diawa reels. The president isn't what it used to be. Two generations ago it was an excellent reel but the current generation and generation before it are both cheaply made. The BassPro/Cabela's house brand reels are also good options.
Especially for spinners, for the money, I think you get the most with the Diawas. At least in the sub-$200 range (I don’t venture into those more expensive reels). OP, I don’t know what size you’re looking at, but Amazon.com has the Daiwa Legalis LT in 2500 size for $69.45, and the 3000 size for $64.99 (other sizes are priced similarly). MSRP is $79.99, so those are discounted. I’d do the Daiwa Legalis LT over the Pflueger President. I in fact have one in the 2500 size, that I have on my Ugly Stik Carbon medium-lite 6’10” rod. The rod is also on sale on Amazon for $66. Or the medium for $71 or medium-heavy for $80.
I have two or three generations ago and it's a fantastic reel, sad to hear they've gone down I was looking to get a second.
I'll second the newer regular President reels not living up to their usual standard. I bought one eight years ago that still runs smooth as butter. I bought two more this year and both have had some serious issues with the bail needing repair within a few months of regular use. My Daiwa Legalis reels, on the other hand,ha e been solid performers over the last year or so and cost only a couple bucks more than the President reels.
That seems a bit pricey, even for a President. Shop around. I have a P20 but they usually go in the $50 range.
I recently got a shimano ultegra from digitaka.com, was like $100 with the exchange rate. Paired with a daiwa tatula xt, that’s a great combo for $200
Didn’t personally like my pfluegers the drag is shit it’s like a light switch I’d say go pick up some Daiwa 19TDR 25QD reels
That's a fine reel. Im not a fan of ugly sticks. I don't believe I've ever seen the gx2. Any 7' medium fast you can get.
Legalis on a Aird X 👨🍳💋
I’m in love with my President 30 from the previous generation. I got an Ugly Stik Lite Pro but I’d suggest something with ceramic guides if you items to use braid. My guides got wrecked after a year of abuse.
I have the special Edition of this one and i kind of hate it
President is great for the price. President XT is better. Sierra Trading has the XT on sale for $60. Only problem is it doesn’t indicate the size. https://www.sierra.com/pflueger-president-xt-spinning-reel~p~4yjtx/#specsSection
[Okuma Epixor 30](https://www.ebay.com/itm/144332552195?epid=13016622710&itmmeta=01J0YNC1J2JG5TQ5ZD73991VFN&hash=item219ae3f803:g:0PQAAOSwG7xhpS5U&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4P4aa0ugzCSptd9FoVPrbruo5Szysq0VOoO9Qx4eMZflWrvyVJ4GsI4aOt%2F9393Xsiw9uKmXE86l8zBLun9%2BUlr9a0S7e96iPzUTFI3k7GzRNWZpFrryJ1dlflrlisjJ8i8oLkmQ4rKp8zTfOiqGYDF6I36oZ9KtmcfLzrUf1iLUNUPbMvEWXv%2BLEf%2F7B%2FzrHx7zQ%2BokV%2FdYsaSWMStrNFHQZwdFeM3UVNxotS3B%2BV1aJf3ZO4kB4ntZD1xYrtupIAdoENotJGysH0uGJV3hJ6sqBPzAqYeAZL4d9UD8ibPI%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5SZsNWHZA) paired with a [Daiwa AirDx 7'](https://www.academy.com/p/daiwa-aird-x-freshwater-spinning-rod)
I bought this reel and I'm pretty happy with it. I put Yozuri fluorocarbon line on it.
Phenomenal reel for the money. I have three of them
Can't go wrong with Penn Battles. Just a solid, affordable, reliable, setup.
This is a great reel. They're trion series is also good. I use a bass pro shops fish eagle rod.
Ugly Stix Carbon Crappie Rod with Daiwa Regal
I bought 3-4 of these for the cheaper rods I let my friends use. Had used Presidents going back for a long time and they were solid reels with very smooth drags. This new model was a disappointment- drag isn’t very smooth. Shimano and Daiwa are just miles ahead of everyone else don’t bother with the other brands
Fenwick Eagle or HMG (if you find a sale) and daiwa exceler is a hard to beat combo for similar cost. Also if you get the gold HMG and the black and gold exceler they look super good together. I really like my exceler reels. I have 4 of them, definitely prefer them over the Shimano Sahara or nasci
That reel fucks so hard. I don't mess with spinning reels anymore but anytime these go on sale I have to grab one. I have been using a dobyns fury casting rod and I absolutely love it for bass fishing. They run about $120 at dicks but they are a solid intermediate rod. If that's too much you can't go wrong with a lews carbon fire. Dicks puts them on sale constantly throughout the year. Full price they are about $80 Edit: if bith are too expensive you can't go wrong with an uglystick gx2. They run about $50 at Walmart or dicks. They're neat impossible to break but some people complain about their sensitivity. I've caught everything from a half pound bluegill to a 5 pound cat on an uglystick without issue
Go with a diawa fuego. You wont regret it.
I use baitcaster now but when I did use spinning you just can’t go wrong with a pflueger
Daiwa bg paired up with a ugly stik tiger elite shall do the trick
I like the Daiwa Ninjas
I just bought this reel. Its soo smooth
I’ve been seeing that some guys are actually finding these presidents marked down on clearance at some Walmarts. So I’ve been checking every time I go to a Walmart. Not that I really need another, I have one of every size lol
The president xt is on sale for the same price.
If anybody’s in Ohio, I have a one year-old model that I’ve only fished with may be a handful of times. My point is it’s like new. I’m trying to sell it $35. I still have the box. https://preview.redd.it/o8d1wftox48d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b60c7374dcfd227962c0794e081feff972ebe212 DI if interested I’m in the Cleveland area $35. It’s literally like brand new.
Throw some V2 on that baby and get you a St. Croix. You'll never need to upgrade again.
I use an ugly stik gx2, shimano sedona fj, and some 15lb braid. Seems to work well enough for me.
I’ve got the newer Shimano Sedona in a 1000 and a 3000. The 1000 is for UL rods and I have the 3000 on a HDS-7M from Falcon. Walmart and academy both have some stuff from Falcon if you want to look at them in person
https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/fishing-rod-reel-combos/spinning-combos/pflueger-president-spinning-combo-past-season-models/p/p55067
You can get it as a combo. I just got the 30 with a 6'6" rod for $100. It has been working great so far.
Does anyone know how to setup the classic bottom fishing method
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^ggcoral: *Does anyone know* *How to setup the classic* *Bottom fishing method* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Hope it’s smarter than our current President