I just picked up a new Ardent XS 1000 Baitcasting Reel. I've been using it about a month now and this reel is performing great.

Right now the winter weather has kept me out of the bass boat, but I've been chasing open water trout with this 10 ball bearing reel and it's made lite work of these Northern NY Metal Heads.

I've found most often if I can use a reel for this style of light-line river drift fishing that it will work great for almost all of my summer bass fishing applications.

Has anyone else used an Ardent Reel yet?

Burnie Haney

I'm replacing every reel I own with Ardent products.  Gonna be pricey, but worth every penny.  I love their stuff.

I can't say anything about Ardent, because:

1) I can hardly find any pictures of Ardent reels on the www that aren't from the Ardent website.  The only non Ardent pictures I can find are from an Ardent Pro's website, and it look like they sit pretty high on the reel seat for a low-profile reel.

http://www.taylorleathers.com/photo_gallery/thumbnails/images/DSC_8676.jpg

2)  I never see any comments about them except from the few people that own one saying they're great - no specifics.

3)  I haven't seen a bona fide review of any of their products on any website (I'm not talking about some sales pitch review).

4)  No one around here carries them so I can't look at one and decide for myself.

I could not consider an Ardent under these circumstances.  And they may be the greatest reels in the world.    I just don't know anything about them except that they are made in the USA - not enough.  

How are they made?  Side plate materials?  What do the guts look like?  How do you access the brake?  

Ardent's website is worse than Abu Garcia's in terms of information - and that's pretty bad.  

Are the Ardent reels as heavy as some people say they are? I have been wanting to see one in person too.

No one around here carries them so I can't look at one and decide for myself.

That is the only thing holding me back.  I have been wanting one for about three years now but I have yet to see one in person.  I would love to be able to buy a US made reel but I can't drop $250 on something I haven't held in my hand.