The Pflueger Patriarch spinning reel is a high-quality reel that I would place at the high end of what I refer to as the Deluxe category of reels between $101 – $250.
In this review, we will take a look at what makes the Pflueger Patriarch a solid choice for the inshore fisherman or fisherwoman.
Pflueger is a company that has a lot of history of first starting out as a fish hook company back in 1881. In the early 1900s (1916 to be exact), the E. A. Pflueger Company was founded and began to expand into all areas of fishing gear.
It was then that the first baitcasting reel was introduced to the market. In 1954, Pflueger introduced the first spinning reel.
Pflueger products have always been famous for their innovation, dependability, and attention to detail and craftsmanship. Pflueger is also known for being the first to market.
The company is keeping an eye on the trends in technology and how they can be used to create a superior fishing product.
The Patriarch is a lightweight reel that is designed for what I refer to as more technical fishing and is available in three sizes to fit this bill – the 2500, the 3000, and the 3500.
Pflueger Patriarch fishing reels deliver unmatched durability paired with versatile handling. The combination of lightweight components makes this reel top-of-the-line.
The Patriarch is the top-of-the-line spinning reel available from Pflueger with the exception of its bigger brother the Pflueger Patriarch XT spinning reel. It has all the same features but upgrades 1 ball bearing and increases the gear ratio from 5.2:1 to 6.2:1.
The Bottom Line
- The highest-end lightweight spinning reel from Pflueger that delivers on performance
- Very smooth reel with 10 sealed bearings a great sealed drag
- High level of manufacturing quality and components that are designed for saltwater
- Very strong and lightweight magnesium body and rotor
The Pflueger Patriarch is a very good quality reel.
The Pflueger Patriarch is chock full of features that make this an excellent reel for all your inshore fishing needs. One of the things that make these reels so dependable is the use of high-quality components.
The reels are very lightweight as they incorporate a magnesium body and rotor combined with titanium for the main shaft. Not only does the use of these advanced materials provide for a lightweight reel, but it also makes it stronger, which means that you will get many years of use out of it.
I have always been the type of person who takes care of my gear, so I tend to migrate towards higher-end equipment as I know it will stand the test of time. I remember making the case in 1982 to spend several hundred dollars on a large Lowe backpack.
I still have that pack 35 years later and it is still an excellent pack after many hundreds of miles in the backcountry (yes, seeking trout).
Let’s take a closer look at the Pflueger Patriarch’s features.
Features
10 Bearing System – The Pflueger Patriarch uses a 9 XCR Ball Bearings that are shielded to provide friction-free and silky smooth retrieval. The XCR bearing system is not only sealed but also provides for up to 10 times the resistance of other standard stainless ball bearing systems.
A 10th bearing is used in the instant anti-reverse bearing system.
Instant anti-reverse bearing – The instant anti-reverse is a one-way bearing system on the Patriarch which is what we would expect on this higher-end reel. Your instant anti-reverse will allow you to not have any snap or slop when you go to set the hook.
Magnesium Body and Rotor – Pflueger has achieved a feather-light design by replacing the more common aluminum body and rotor with a much lighter and stronger magnesium body and rotor.
The lightweight magnesium body, rotor, and side plate are protected with a proprietary three-step coating to provide additional corrosion resistance and durability against the salt water.
Machined aluminum main gear – The machined aluminum main gear is precision manufactured for unsurpassed smoothness and durability.
Slow Oscillation – Slow oscillation combined with the titanium-coated line roller provided excellent line management for all types of lines.
Skeletonized Spool – I am not sure if Pflueger made up this word, but I like it “Skeletonized”. It means that the aircraft-grade carbon arbor aluminum spool has been ported to the MAX, making it Extremely lightweight.
I also like the fact that the spool is braid-ready with a rubber bushing on the interior so there is no need to back the braid with mono.
Sealed Carbon Drag – The sealed carbon drag system is sealed to always provide you with a smooth drag that will not catch or give you that jerky drag that is often found in the older and cheaper oiled felt drag systems.
The other thing is that the carbon drag system will last for many more miles of drag use than their oiled felt cousins.
Carbon Handle – Pflueger has replaced the standard aluminum handles with a carbon handle that is 21% lighter than aluminum. This handle is then topped off with a nice EVA know that fits comfortably in your hand for hours of fishing.
Titanium Main Shaft – The main shaft is constructed of solid titanium and is not only lighter by about 45% but it is also stronger by about 30% making this the perfect combination.
Features at a Glance
- 10 Bearing System with XCR Ball Bearings
- Magnesium Body and Rotor
- Machined aluminum main gear
- Carbon Arbor Skeletonized Spool
- Sealed Carbon Drag
- Carbon Handle
- Titanium Main Shaft
All three of the Pflueger Patriarch spinning reels use a 5.2:1 gear ratio that I find to be just about right for most of my inshore fishing conditions here in SW Florida.
Starting out with the 2500 model, we have a maximum line capacity of 150 yards of 4 lbs braid that drops down to 90 yards of 8 lbs braid. This is a lightweight reel with a maximum drag of 5 lbs but weighs in at just 5.3 oz.
It is feather-light and is great if you want a good fight on your hands, especially when you hook into a nice spotted trout, redfish or smaller snook.
The model 3000 is probably my favorite and has a maximum braid line capacity of 150 yards of 6 lbs test or 90 yards of 8 lbs, with double the drag capacity of 10 lbs.
I love this combined with my St. Croix Mojo Inshore for a super lightweight setup that can handle everything that I have caught in the flats so far. This great-sized reel is also lightweight at just 6.2 oz.
The largest of the three is the model 3500 which has a maximum braid line capacity of 200 yards of 8 lbs test or 110 yards of 14 lbs, with the drag capacity increasing of 14 lbs and still only weighs in at 7.3 oz.
For those of you who want all the details, I have provided the chart below.
| Model | Mono Cap (yds/lb) | Braid Capacity (yds/lb) | Bearings | Max Drag (lbs) | Gear Ratio | Line Retrieve (in) | Weight (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARSP25X | 230/2 110/4 90/6 | 150/4 110/6 90/8 | 10 | 5 | 5:2:1 | 24.5 | 5.3 |
| PARSP30X | 140/4 120/6 90/8 | 150/6 115/8 90/10 | 10 | 10 | 5:2:1 | 27 | 6.2 |
| PARSP35X | 180/6 140/8 110/10 | 200/8 150/10 110/14 | 10 | 14 | 5:2:1 | 28.8 | 7.3 |
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Pflueger quality
- Sealed XCR bearing system
- High-end carbon and titanium components
Cons
- Price, but you get what you pay for.
Alternatives
If you want to stay with the Pflueger brand name then I would suggest that you take a look at the Pflueger Supreme XT which is an excellent reel with a lot of the same features that you will find in the Patriarch.
It is extremely lightweight but still a super nice reel at about 25% less in cost.
The lightest Pflueger reel in its class, this spinning reel features an ultralightweight magnesium body and rotor that offers superb rigidity without burdening your rod with excess weight.
Switching brands — I would have to say go and take a look at the Shimano Stradic FK with the Hagane body and gears that has a very similar price point. The Shimano Stradic FK is not as lightweight as the Patriarch but the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ is for just a few dollars more.
With both of these reels, you have the trusted Shimano name brand.
The Stradic spinning reel utilizes Shimano's latest technology while also drawing on ways of the past and every part has been designed to improve the angler's experience on the water.
Another reel to take a close look at in this category would be the Daiwa Ballistic LT which uses a carbon fiber body to achieve similar weight, is sealed and actually has a superior drag capacity.
The Ballistic LT series of spinning reels were designed lighter and stronger in a more compact package. At the heart of the reel is a machined Aluminum Alloy DIGIGEAR designed for smoothness, strength and durability.
In Conclusion
For the serious hobbyist or professional angler who is seeking to get a lightweight reel that is designed to withstand the elements of saltwater and inshore fishing, I think that the Pflueger Patriarch is one of the best reels on the market.
I personally fish the 3000 model with an 8 lb braid combined with my St. Croix Mojo Inshore in a 7′ Medium Light Fast, which is the 6-14 line weight model and it is a great all-around rod! It is sensitive for jigging and has a good feel on the retrieve even with a large 5-7 lb fish on the other end.
Overall I think this is a great reel and that you will not be disappointed if you add one to your fishing arsenal.
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Kevin
Thursday 6th of October 2022
I too like the patriarch spinning reel and it's bigger brother the XT. I pair it with a St Croix Legend Elite 7.5 ft medium light using a 6 or 8-lb test braid. The reel just lasts forever. It is very smooth and light. I recommend it to every one