Wesley Littlefield 04.21.25
There’s nothing better than walking the bank or sitting in my kayak and ultralight fishing. I love how even small fish put up a good fight on an ultralight setup. However, I’ve broken many rods and reels, which gets expensive when you’re as tough on gear as I am. So, I jumped at the opportunity to test how the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo would hold up to discover if it’s worth your hard-earned money.
What It’s Made For
The Pflueger Monarch spinning combo is perfect for panfishing in ponds, creeks, and lakes. With this combo, I’ve caught crappie, bluegill, small largemouth bass, and even a couple of small turtles, but I wouldn’t target anything over 2 pounds.
First Impressions
As I pulled the Monarch combo out of the box and plastic wrap, it looked like a $100+ combo. The rod and reel were designed to complement each other, so they match well, and the color scheme is well-coordinated. However, if I’m being nitpicky, I’d like the rod and reel to be the same dark gray color.
Build Quality
- Rod: 2-piece I-M6 Graphite mid-modulus graphite blank, stainless steel guides, cork split-grip handle
- Reel: Graphite body and rotor, aluminum thick wire bail, right or left-handed handle.
Rating: 7/10
Balance & Comfort
When balancing it in my hand, this combo is slightly tip-heavy, but the effect is hardly noticeable with a good grip. I don’t tire from casting and reeling it after several hours of fishing because it’s lightweight and the grip fits my hands well.
Rating: 7/10
Casting & Line Management
I was impressed with how well the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo cast lightweight lures. I love using a Super Duper (small, lightweight spoon) and crappie jigs, but some rods struggle to cast them very far. The ultra-light, moderate-action rod launched my small lures accurately and with ease.
I’ve had a couple of minor instances of line twist, but this is primarily my fault. I used some line that had been sitting on my shelf for years instead of buying new line.
I’ve found the reel smooth while retrieving my lures and fighting fish. When I hook into a bigger fish, the drag works well and is smooth (when correctly set). For an inexpensive combo, it doesn’t perform like a cheap setup. I’ve spent more money on rods and reels that cast much worse.
Rating: 8/10
Sensitivity & Feedback
I was a little worried when I first saw how soft the rod tip was. I didn’t know if I’d be able to feel the subtle bites that are common to crappie fishing. But my concerns disappeared after catching several crappie with it.
I really enjoy using a cork and jig with the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo, but I’ve also caught several fish by casting and bouncing my crappie jig off of rocks and logs. Sometimes, it’s a little tricky to distinguish between a light bite and a small rock.
Rating: 7/10
Power, Drag, & Fighting Performance
Being able to fight bigger fish was another reason I was concerned about the soft rod tip. And this time, it struggled. Not so much in the water, as the rod provided enough power to set the hook, and the reel’s drag was smooth during the fight. The problem arose when I tried to pull a decent crappie onto shore or over my kayak’s edge. Instead of easily lifting the fish out of the water, the rod just doubled over, so I had to grab the line and pull in the fish.
Rating: 5/10
Versatility
I don’t see the Pflueger Monarch spinning combo winning any awards for being versatile. However, it does what it was designed to do pretty well. It’s an ultralight or medium setup (depending on which model you choose) that will catch various fish species (crappie, sunfish, bass, walleye, perch, white bass, and trout), but you’ll struggle to land your PB on this setup if it’s over 2 pounds.
Rating: 6/10
Value & Price Point
While I have some minor frustrations with this combo, it’s batting out of its league with the value I’ve received compared to the price point. It’s well worth the price. I would recommend it to any angler wanting to get into ultralight fishing. It won’t break the bank, and you’re not buying some cheap junk that’ll just break after a few uses.
Rating: 9/10
Field Notes
This was my first time using Pflueger products, so I didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard good things about Pflueger rods and reels, but after using this setup for a while, I understand why many anglers love this fishing brand.
It performed well, especially for an inexpensive combo, but I discovered a few things I’m not a fan of, the biggest of which is the flimsy tip. I struggled to land a ½- to ¾-pound crappie while on the bank because I had to pull it over a large rock. I also missed a few fish because I couldn’t get a good hookset. However, I tend to set the hook too hard when crappie fishing (my bass fishing instincts kick in), so the soft tip probably saved me on other bites.
I also managed to get snagged (several times; what can I say, I’m good at catching limbs and rocks), but I fanagled my hook loose, despite the rod tip bouncing all over the place. It did have enough backbone to dislodge my hook when needed. You just have to be willing to double the rod over at times.
My mom also fished with this rod (she was the first person to catch anything with it), and she really enjoyed using it because it’s lightweight and casts well for an inexpensive combo.
The Verdict
Last Cast: Pflueger Monarch Spinning Combo Review
The Pflueger Monarch spinning combo is well worth the small investment. If I could do it all again, I’d opt for the medium or medium-light rod, as it provides a slightly stiffer tip. However, you’ll struggle to find a better spinning combo at this price.
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