I just saw my first Ardent baitcaster today.  With all due respect, I was completely unimpressed.  It was pretty light, but the spool has A LOT of side to side play.  The thumb bar was loose when depressed - it wasn't locked down when depressed - very rattley (is that a word?).  The finish was bizarre looking.  And I couldn't seem to get the sideplate off.  Worst of all, this was the roughest reel I ever cranked.  It had an annoying scraping NOISE and FEEL that reverberated throughout the whole reel.  

Thumbs up for being made in the USA.  But that's the best I can say about it.   :-[

I agree with you Micro. I have handled/played with the 400 and 1000, and was far from impressed. I have handled $20 Shakespeare reels that felt better and were smoother than the Ardents.

JMHO, But they are ugly and this is coming from a person who normally takes function over form. With these reels, I can't.

Also, how in the the world does Daiwa and Shimano make beautiful looking Mg reels that weigh less than 6.3 oz and the best Ardent can do is 8+ oz Mg reel? I'm all for made in the U.S.A., but they have got to compete in looks and weight among some things.  

I got a some crap from other members when i pretty much said the same thing about the garbbage ardent spinning reels.

I debated about responding to this thread because I hate having to defend myself for stating my MHO. But, here I go anyway.

I have three of the Ardent baitcasting reels and have been very pleased with their performance. I have purchased five but I have a 41 year old son that also tournament fishes and he has talked me out of two of them. I agree to the comments about the cosmetics, the reels are not as pretty as most other manufacturers. However they have performed flawlessly in fairly heavy use. I did have a problem with a knob coming off a handle but Ardent had a new handle in my hands in less than a week. These reels have been cleaned once a year and no other problems of any kind. I can't and won't respond to each of your comments. I just wanted to say I have been very pleased with myArdents..................Al