SDoolittle Posted March 19, 2013 Posted March 19, 2013 I needed a new reel for deep cranking, and I planned to get another Revo Winch, but I decided to try out an Ardent Edge Pro 5.1:1. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I took it outside and cast it in the yard. It casts like a dream, but that's all I can say for it so far. Who else is using Ardent reels, and what are your thoughts? Quote
Super User slonezp Posted March 19, 2013 Super User Posted March 19, 2013 I've got 2 F500 flipping reels, both on 7'6 flipping sticks. Have never tried their casting reels. One I've been using for years without issue and the other I just bought a couple weeks ago because it was on sale for $80. I'm a Revo guy as far as casting reels. Quote
Blues19 Posted March 20, 2013 Posted March 20, 2013 I bought the first Ardent Reel, I believe its the XS. First time I went out the drag was screwed up. emailed the owner, sent it in to get fixed. Since then, I have had no issues, except not having more. I absolutely love it. I use it on a Medium action Extreme Rod for spinnerbaits. I hope you like the reel as much as I like mine. The owner is a really cool guy. I bought it when i was first starting out. I got it at the reel trade in. It was $250, but I had $40 off for the trade in, but I didnt wanna spend more than 170 for a reel. He looked at me and said he would give me the extra $40 if I would email him what i thought about it after using it. someone was like, for real? He told them that he was that confident that it would be a customer for life that he would do it. I havent bought my second yet, but plan on it next year. I really like their original design, kinda disappointed they changed it. Oh well. good luck Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted March 21, 2013 Super User Posted March 21, 2013 I'd like to try them, but they aren't easy to find. They aren't in the 2013 BPS catalog or the 2013 Cabela's Spring master catalog. Rogers Lures in Liberty doesn't carry them and they are one of, if not the largest independent tackle stores in the state. I saw a couple of them at a tackle store in Clinton, MO., but I didn't think that they were competitively priced compared to Shimano. (And really, is there any other standard to hold them to?) Anyway, for a company selling made in USA equipment, they make it difficult to sample their product. I would try one if they made one comparable to a Curado 50E, for a similar amount of money. JMO Quote
fl_bass Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 This might help. http://www.ardentreels.com/default.asp?File=dealer Quote
Super User slonezp Posted March 21, 2013 Super User Posted March 21, 2013 I'd like to try them, but they aren't easy to find. They aren't in the 2013 BPS catalog or the 2013 Cabela's Spring master catalog. Rogers Lures in Liberty doesn't carry them and they are one of, if not the largest independent tackle stores in the state. I saw a couple of them at a tackle store in Clinton, MO., but I didn't think that they were competitively priced compared to Shimano. (And really, is there any other standard to hold them to?) Anyway, for a company selling made in USA equipment, they make it difficult to sample their product. I would try one if they made one comparable to a Curado 50E, for a similar amount of money. JMO You can demo them thru the tackle warehouse demo program Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 22, 2013 Super User Posted March 22, 2013 My ardent reels cast further than anything I own. Period. Their greatest drawback is weight. Other than that I've had zero issue with them. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted March 22, 2013 Super User Posted March 22, 2013 How strange. BPS and Cabela's are listed as dealers on the Ardent web site, yet neither company has a picture of Ardent reels in their 2013 master catalog. Everharts in Clinton, MO ( west edge of Truman Lake) is listed as a dealer and the last time I was in there, they only had a couple and price wise they weren't competitive with what I can get Shimano reels for here in Kansas City. Their web site says that they are based in St. Louis. Another place on their web site says to write to them in Macon, MO. And they don't have any dealers in Kansas City? What up with that? A major metro area in their "home" state and they don't bother to have any dealers there? I generally don't buy reels unless I can touch and play with them before I buy them. I wish Ardent made it easier for me to do that. I know I could do the Tackle Warehouse demo program, but I'm not a big fan of back and forth mail order, so I'm probably not going to do that. Anyway, I think that if they were serious, they would make it easier to get hands on products. JMO Quote
Super User Hooligan Posted March 22, 2013 Super User Posted March 22, 2013 Part of the problem with Ardent is they're a small, American made, company that doesn't have the ability to build a million reels a year and have them sitting in warehouses. Sadly that's much the reason of their lack of availability. I'm told they are working on that. Quote
tritonguy Posted March 23, 2013 Posted March 23, 2013 I have 2 Ardent reels. They are not the smoothest reels I own but they will cast a freaking mile. I have used them a lot and they have held up very well. Quote
Blues19 Posted March 24, 2013 Posted March 24, 2013 the 3 year warrenty is pretty rad. I was told from a guy at bass pro that they have had quite a few problems with the really expensive ones, but the $150 one was pretty good. Quote
SDoolittle Posted March 24, 2013 Author Posted March 24, 2013 I ordered mine from Sportsman's Guide. Quote
MrSwimJig Posted March 25, 2013 Posted March 25, 2013 I would like to see them become more readily available. Would like to try one out. Quote
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