Do you need specific bearing lube for saltwater bearings? I used some ardent and it seemed to slow it down.. 

Don't think so.  The bearing in saltwater reels are still stainless steel, just like freshwater reels.  Did you use bearing oil or regular oil?  Bearing oil is thinner.  It also gets thrown out of the bearing faster and so needs to be replenished sooner

Stainless doesn't mean it won't corrode.

I use a moly paste to lube everything. Just a little with one drop of reel oil. It will seem tight at first but it will free up.

Moly

Eliminates all wear

Reduces friction don't use it on the drag plates.

Fights corrosion.

Prevents galling

I have only 1 b/c for saltwater, my spinning reels are so superior I don't use my Avet hardly at all.  All I do to my sw reels is oil the handle bearings, line roller bearing and spindle, I do nothing else unless the reel needs to be repaired.  I use Boca Bearings brand of oil, primarily because it's easy for me to buy it right over the counter.

Ceramics have an advantage in salt water if/when the need to replace them comes. Keep equipment rinsed, dry and lubricated and you should be fine. No special product is needed for bearings. 

I mostly use Ardent Bearing Oil. But i expected my Baitcaster to be flying since i do a usual clean up of that reel.