I own both plfueger presidents and shimano symetre . I like pfluegers but I would buy another symetre any day. My plfueger with braid on it is still as smooth as when I opend it though, and I can cast pretty damn far on it. My other pflueger has mono on it and it isn't nearly as smooth, not saying this is the monos fault though. It sorta clicks once every time you turn the wheel, I have tried to open it and check it out but I can't get the bottom off and don't want to force it and have parts fly everywhere. The symetre is a much smoother retrieve, but I don't think the president is a bad route. It depends what your looking for, 1 nice set up or two good set ups.