pflueger presidents are what i own and use. gander mt brand reels are made my pflueger, but not quite as smooth. i have the size 35 president also. love it. i feel its the best performance for the money. they are smooth and drag is silky. i use the 'backreel' feature (the toggle switch) quite a bit when big fish make runs but i leave it turned to the 'lock' position until i know its a good fish. as for the spirex you speak of, shimano makes GREAT reels also, but for my use, i think its lacking a very important feature. the reel only stops backreeling when the bail is in the 'up' position(when the line is closest to the rod for casting). some people like that, i dont. i like the reels that are 'instant lock' on the backreel for trolling and one handed rod usage. the spirex is not instant stop