Wesley Littlefield 04.21.25
There’s nothing higher than strolling the financial institution or sitting in my kayak and ultralight fishing. I really like how even small fish put up an excellent battle on an ultralight setup. Nonetheless, I’ve damaged many rods and reels, which will get costly once you’re as powerful on gear as I’m. So, I jumped on the alternative to check how the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo would maintain as much as uncover if it’s price your hard-earned cash.
What It’s Made For
The Pflueger Monarch spinning combo is ideal for panfishing in ponds, creeks, and lakes. With this combo, I’ve caught crappie, bluegill, small largemouth bass, and even a few small turtles, however I wouldn’t goal something over 2 kilos.
First Impressions
As I pulled the Monarch combo out of the field and plastic wrap, it seemed like a $100+ combo. The rod and reel have been designed to enrich one another, in order that they match properly, and the colour scheme is well-coordinated. Nonetheless, if I’m being nitpicky, I’d just like the rod and reel to be the identical darkish grey coloration.
Construct High quality
- Rod: 2-piece I-M6 Graphite mid-modulus graphite clean, stainless-steel guides, cork split-grip deal with
- Reel: Graphite physique and rotor, aluminum thick wire bail, proper or left-handed deal with.
Ranking: 7/10
Stability & Consolation
When balancing it in my hand, this combo is barely tip-heavy, however the impact is hardly noticeable with an excellent grip. I don’t tire from casting and reeling it after a number of hours of fishing as a result of it’s light-weight and the grip matches my fingers properly.
Ranking: 7/10
Casting & Line Administration
I used to be impressed with how properly the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo solid light-weight lures. I really like utilizing a Tremendous Duper (small, light-weight spoon) and crappie jigs, however some rods battle to solid them very far. The ultra-light, moderate-action rod launched my small lures precisely and with ease.
I’ve had a few minor situations of line twist, however that is primarily my fault. I used some line that had been sitting on my shelf for years as an alternative of shopping for new line.
I’ve discovered the reel easy whereas retrieving my lures and combating fish. After I hook into a much bigger fish, the drag works properly and is easy (when accurately set). For a reasonable combo, it doesn’t carry out like an inexpensive setup. I’ve spent more cash on rods and reels that solid a lot worse.
Ranking: 8/10
Sensitivity & Suggestions
I used to be a little bit fearful after I first noticed how comfortable the rod tip was. I didn’t know if I’d be capable of really feel the refined bites which might be frequent to crappie fishing. However my considerations disappeared after catching a number of crappie with it.
I actually get pleasure from utilizing a cork and jig with the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo, however I’ve additionally caught a number of fish by casting and bouncing my crappie jig off of rocks and logs. Typically, it’s a little bit tough to differentiate between a lightweight chunk and a small rock.
Ranking: 7/10
Energy, Drag, & Combating Efficiency
With the ability to battle larger fish was one more reason I used to be involved concerning the comfortable rod tip. And this time, it struggled. Not a lot within the water, because the rod supplied sufficient energy to set the hook, and the reel’s drag was easy throughout the battle. The issue arose after I tried to drag an honest crappie onto shore or over my kayak’s edge. As a substitute of simply lifting the fish out of the water, the rod simply doubled over, so I needed to seize the road and pull within the fish.
Ranking: 5/10
Versatility
I don’t see the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo successful any awards for being versatile. Nonetheless, it does what it was designed to do fairly properly. It’s an ultralight or medium setup (relying on which mannequin you select) that may catch varied fish species (crappie, sunfish, bass, walleye, perch, white bass, and trout), however you’ll battle to land your PB on this setup if it’s over 2 kilos.
Ranking: 6/10
Worth & Value Level
Whereas I’ve some minor frustrations with this combo, it’s batting out of its league with the worth I’ve acquired in comparison with the value level. It’s properly definitely worth the worth. I might advocate it to any angler eager to get into ultralight fishing. It received’t break the financial institution, and also you’re not shopping for some low cost junk that’ll simply break after just a few makes use of.
Ranking: 9/10
Area Notes
This was my first time utilizing Pflueger merchandise, so I didn’t know what to anticipate. I’d heard good issues about Pflueger rods and reels, however after utilizing this setup for some time, I perceive why many anglers love this fishing model.
It carried out properly, particularly for a reasonable combo, however I found just a few issues I’m not a fan of, the most important of which is the flimsy tip. I struggled to land a ½- to ¾-pound crappie whereas on the financial institution as a result of I needed to pull it over a big rock. I additionally missed just a few fish as a result of I couldn’t get an excellent hookset. Nonetheless, I are likely to set the hook too exhausting when crappie fishing (my bass fishing instincts kick in), so the comfortable tip in all probability saved me on different bites.
I additionally managed to get snagged (a number of occasions; what can I say, I’m good at catching limbs and rocks), however I fanagled my hook free, regardless of the rod tip bouncing in every single place. It did have sufficient spine to dislodge my hook when wanted. You simply need to be keen to double the rod over at occasions.
My mother additionally fished with this rod (she was the primary particular person to catch something with it), and he or she actually loved utilizing it as a result of it’s light-weight and casts properly for a reasonable combo.
The Verdict
Final Forged: Pflueger Monarch Spinning Combo Evaluate
The Pflueger Monarch spinning combo is properly definitely worth the small funding. If I might do all of it once more, I’d go for the medium or medium-light rod, because it offers a barely stiffer tip. Nonetheless, you’ll battle to discover a higher spinning combo at this worth.
