Pfleuger Supreme SP35 Spinning Reel Product Review

Reel Review

Pflueger Delivers Supreme Value in the Mg Based SP35X

Date:	3/27/16
Tackle Type:	Reel
Manufacturer:	Pfleuger
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.93 - BEST VALUE AWARD!

Introduction: Pfleuger continues with their edict of providing anglers with quality value at a quality price with their recently re-imaged Supreme spinning reel. What makes this reel such a value? How about a spinning reel with a magnesium body and rotor for only $99.99? Let's take a look and see if this reel's performance can keep pace with its awesome price.

Pflueger Supreme SP35X Specifications
Line Capacity - Rated	6/230, 8/185, 10/155
Line Capacity - Spool Volume	12.6 cm³
Retrieve Ratio	6.2:1
Inches Per Turn (IPT) - calculated	24"-33"
Weight	8.8 oz
Handle Length	62mm
Bearings	9
Bearings per Knob	2 bearings
Roller Guide Bearings	1
Origin	Made in China
MSRP	$99.99

Introducing Pfleuger's latest interpretation of their Supreme Spinning Reel.

Quality/Construction: Pflueger's Supreme spinning reel features a metallic silver body with a black and gold aluminum spool. It comes with a machined handle capped with a soft rubberized knob. The reel's finish and tolerances are all very good with no unusual blemishes or alignment issues that we could see in our test model.

Quality Ratings for Pflueger Supreme SP35X
Finish (1-5)	Frame & Sideplate Tolerance (1-5)	Handle Tolerance (1-5)	Knob Tolerance (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	4	4	16	20	8.0

Our SP35X spooled and ready for action.

Performance: I spooled the SP35X with some 8lb nylon monofilament and mounted the reel on a Fenwick Elite Tech spinning for its field tests. Our testing were conducted primarily at Lake Berryessa, California.

This reel features a very comfortable knob on the handle.

Retrieve: A lot of value priced reels have issues with knocking when you turn the handle - some very faint, others more obvious. The Pflueger's SP35X had no such issues during our trials and actually felt quite smooth to a point where this felt like a much more expensive reel than $99. Spinning reels, in general, have come a long way and the SP35X is case in point.

Performance Ratings for Pflueger Supreme SP35X
Retrieve (1-5)	Drag (1-5)	Power (1-5)	Bail Operation (1-5)	Line Twist (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	4	4	4	3	20	25	8.0

Fig 1. The Sweet Drag Performance chart above shows the consistency in drag performance of our Pflueger Supreme SP35X.

Drag: Out on the water, I only managed a handful of smallies and spots to about 15" so nothing terribly hard pulling - at least not for a sustained pull. Nonetheless, at light settings, the SP35X's drag performed flawlessly. Back in the lab and strapped to The Machine, we can see the SP35X's Sweet Drag Performance chart more or less reinforces my experience out on the water. At the highest setting we tested (half a turn backed off of full lockdown), the drag did show some erratic behavior, but just like with the casting reels we test, this is somewhat expected when the washers are constricted to near full pressure.

Sweet Drag Performance for Pflueger Supreme SP35X
Turns backed off from locked drag >>>>	1.5	1.25	1	.75	.5	Avg % Change
Start Up	2.6	2.9	3.2	4.7	8
Sustained	2.7	3	3.3	5	7.7
Lowest Value	2.4	2.7	2.7	4.3	6.4
Change in Startup vs Sustained	4.2%	4.9%	4.1%	6.6%	4%	4.8%
Biggest Drop from Sustained	13.6%	12.5%	15.7%	14%	16.5%	14.5%

The SP35X has a folding handle for ease of storage.

Power: With only 8lb test monofilament spooled onto the reel, it's difficult to get a true sense of the reel's power, but the SP35X did everything I asked of it and without hesitation. The 62mm handle provides excellent leverage for a reel of this size.

The 62mm handle provides excellent leverage.

Next Section: Digging into the features