Pflueger President 20 or 25? What are the Differences?

Pfleuger is one of the most renowned and popular fishing reels on the market, with their notable Pleuger President model leading the way in terms of favor and value for money amongst customers. If you’re in the market for a smaller reel, then the Pfleuger President 20 or 25 would be two of the best ones to start with.

Looking at them with the eye and a brief overview will probably lead you into thinking that they’re pretty much the same, which in reality, they sort of are; however, there are still some notable differences between them that set them apart.

These differences deter certain customers from buying one reel over the other as they are designed for particular fishing styles. 

Pflueger President 20 Or 25 - What Are The Differences, And Which One Should You Buy?

Today we’ll be getting down to the nitty-gritty and showing you the differences between the Pfleuger President 20 and 25 and what makes them both fantastic reels for certain fishing needs. 

Pflueger President Spinning Reel, Size 20 Fishing Reel, Right/Left Handle...
  • PERFORMANCE MEETS VALUE: Pflueger President spinning reels...
  • SIZE 20 SPINNING REEL: Features a graphite body and rotor...
  • RECOVER 20.2" | 51cm for every turn of the crank. Slow...
  • SEALED OIL FELT FRONT DRAG with a max drag of 6lb to help...
Sale
Pflueger PRESSP25X President Spinning Fishing Reel, 30, Blue
  • PERFORMANCE MEETS VALUE: Pflueger President spinning reels...
  • SIZE 20 SPINNING REEL: Features a graphite body and rotor...
  • RECOVER 20.2" | 51cm for every turn of the crank. Slow...
  • SEALED OIL FELT FRONT DRAG with a max drag of 6lb to help...

Pfleuger President 20 (PRESSP20X)

Specifications & Features

  • Lightweight Graphite Body
  • Ambidextrous Hand Orientation
  • Item Weight: 0.46lbs 
  • 7 Ball Bearings
  • Braid Ready Spool
  • Gear Ratio 5:2:1

What sort of fishing should you use the Pfleuger President 20 for?

This spinning reel should be used for lightweight fishing due to the small size of the reel. The Pfleuger President 20 would be ideal for pond fishing for creek fishing as this sort of fishing relies on lightweight and sensitive rods and lines. If you’re into ice fishing, then the 20 series would also be a great match for that style of fishing.

The 20 is the smallest of the reels in the President series, and with that comes the reduced ball bearings, drag power, and retrieval speed which shouldn’t make too much of a difference if you’re going to be catching small fish with the reel. 

The Pfleuger President 20 should only be used for ultralight fishing and no long-distance casting fishing styles to avoid breaking your reel. 

The Pfleuger President 20 compares to a size 5 or 10 from the Shimano brand. 

What can you expect to catch with a Pfleuger President 20?

As the 20 series is sensitive gear, it is well suited for certain fishing styles. It is one of the best options for fishing on a creek for fish like trout and even fishing out on ponds for sunfish, crappies, and bluegills. You may even use it for catching some of your local tackle down at a harbor. 

The reel can be paired well with ultralight ice fishing rods to help you catch some panfish or perch.

Pflueger President Spinning Reel, Size 20 Fishing Reel, Right/Left Handle...
  • PERFORMANCE MEETS VALUE: Pflueger President spinning reels...
  • SIZE 20 SPINNING REEL: Features a graphite body and rotor...
  • RECOVER 20.2" | 51cm for every turn of the crank. Slow...
  • SEALED OIL FELT FRONT DRAG with a max drag of 6lb to help...

Pfleuger President 25 (PRESSP25X)

Specifications & Features

  • Graphite Body and Rotor
  • Sealed Drag System
  • Ambidextrous Hand Orientation
  • 10 Ball Bearings
  • Item Weight: 0.55lbs

What sort of fishing should you use the Pfleuger President 25 for? 

The Pfleuger President 25 model offers a bit more versatility than its smaller counterpart the President 20x. The 25 model is still relatively small in the reel world, but it can handle slightly larger fish thanks to the additional power. The 10 ball bearing makes it extremely smooth for drag and retrieval while out on the water.

The larger spools allow a greater casting distance, making it an ideal reel if you want to throw lures throughout the day to attract fish. However, the 25 model is still pretty sensitive, and you’ll still feel a strong tug at the end of your line when you’re trying to retrieve something. 

What can you expect to catch with a Pfleuger President 25?

If you’re lucky enough to encounter some, then you can use the 25x to catch yourself some bass of around 3 to 4lbs, anything larger, and you might be asking too much of the reel. 

If you’re into ice fishing (see the best ice fishing flashers here), then you can catch some walleye fish with this reel. The sensitivity levels make it ideal for catching this difficult fish, and even though they can be pretty big, they don’t tend to put up a fight, so you’ll be able to reel them in with barely any problems. 

Sale
Pflueger PRESSP25X President Spinning Fishing Reel, 30, Blue
  • PERFORMANCE MEETS VALUE: Pflueger President spinning reels...
  • SIZE 20 SPINNING REEL: Features a graphite body and rotor...
  • RECOVER 20.2" | 51cm for every turn of the crank. Slow...
  • SEALED OIL FELT FRONT DRAG with a max drag of 6lb to help...

Comparison Table for the Pfleuger President 20 and 25

Take a look at this comparison table below to summarize the difference between the two models. 

FactorPfleuger President 20Pfleuger President 25
PriceCheck Price on AmazonCheck Price on Amazon
Weight 0.46lbs or 6.2oz0.55lbs or 7.5oz
Hand OrientationAmbidextrousAmbidextrous 
Ball Bearings710
Maximum Drag Pressure6lb8lb
Mono Capacity (yd/lb)200/2, 100/4, 80/6220/2, 110/4, 90/6
Braid Capacity180/4, 125/6, 100/8200/4, 140/6, 110/8
Retrieve Rate Per Turn of Handle 20.2”22.4”
Gear Ratio5:2:15:2:1

What are the main differences that set apart the Pfleuger President 20 and 25?

Weight

The 20 series is made for ultralight fishing, and for that reason, it is a lot more lightweight than the President 25 model. The 20 weighs 6.2oz, whereas the 25 weighs 7.5oz, which seems like a very large difference when compared on paper.

However, without holding each reel in either hand at the same time, you’d struggle to tell the difference between the two. 

This weight difference makes the 20 models better suited for more lightweight fishing and will offer more accurate casting. 

Drag Power

As expected, the 25 model has a higher draw power than the 20 models. The 25 has a maximum drag power of 8lb, whereas the 20 has a maximum drag power of 6lb, a notable difference.

However, you shouldn’t take much notice of this difference as the 20 models should only be used for lightweight fishing, so you won’t need to have as much power as you’ll only be catching smaller fish. The higher drag power on the 25 model makes it better suited for more heavy fishing like bass fishing. 

Ball Bearing

The 20 model is the only model in the President series which has a ball bearing of 7. The rest in the series have ball bearings of 10, including the 25 models.

The 20 does not have a smooth retrieval as the 25, and it can be quite noticeable. The 25 will allow the spool to move more freely, which will make it much smoother and easier to cast a lure. 

Line Capacity

The Pfleuger President 25 has a 10% higher line capacity than the 20 models. However, as you’ll only be using the 20 more for short-distance casting and lightweight fishing, you won’t notice this difference as much. 

Retrieve Rate

As we mentioned above, the 20 model has a smaller line capacity than the 25, which also results in a slower retrieve rate which is 20.2” in comparison to the 22.4” of the 25 models. If you plan to spend a long time casting lures, then you’ll probably notice the difference more.

Which one should you buy, a Pflueger President 20 or 25?

Pflueger Spinning Reels are some of the best around and are highly regarded, and for a good reason. They are both terrific and can be used in similar situations, and there are only some minor differences between them that set them apart.

If you need something for ultra-lightweight fishing, then the smaller 20 models will be better suited to you, that’s if you’re ready to sacrifice the lower ball bearings and slower retrieve rate.

The 25 series is more versatile, and we would probably recommend it more as you’ll be able to use it for more fishing styles more easily, especially for only a mere increase in the weight of the reel, which is barely noticeable unless comparing the two at the same time in your hands. 

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