Even more specific, it was the Ardent F500 reel.


And once again joe wants to get in a pee match with everyone who dont like them. Keep in mind that he sells them and MIGHT be a little bias.

I have not tried that reel and I probably wont try it because the Ardents that I have handled I have not liked.

Even more specific, it was the Ardent F500 reel.


And once again joe wants to get in a pee match with everyone who dont like them. Keep in mind that he sells them and MIGHT be a little bias.

I have not tried that reel and I probably wont try it because the Ardents that I have handled I have not liked.

No everyone has their right to their opinion> I know why cranker put the post on he did. He has never fished with one and is peed off about selling another brand rod.

i like my ardent reel.

It's a pretty innovative reel design, that's for sure! No level wind, a *very* narrow spool and most unusual of all, no drag star...the drag is set at the factory at 22#.

Flippin' is all you'll do with this one for sure but if you do a bunch of flippin' and have a dedicated flippin' stick, this might be a gr8 reel for you. I wasn't able to see how much it weighs though...

Ardent F500 Flip-N-Pitch Baitcast

Its not innovative at all. Shimano came out with the Brushbuster in the mid 80's that was a dedicated flipping reel when flipping was just getting popular across the country. It didn't sell well at all and was dropped after a year or two.

You don't think a narrow spool eliminating the need for a level wind and a factory set 22# drag eliminating the need for a drag star is innovative? Sure most everything has been done before but this reel goes at least two steps beyond a flippin' switch.

The Brush Buster didn't have a flipping switch, it was a dedicated flipping reel. It had a star drag but in addition had the lever that locked the spool, much better than a pre set 22# drag. You could also get it in either right or left hand unlike the Ardent.

Of course you can't get the Shimano and can get the Ardent. Don't get me wrong...I won't be getting either. I don't do that much flippin' and wouldn't dream of dedicating my flippin' stick to only flippin' (it's a wonderful long caster and jig stick too). As for pitchin', I pitch with every combo I fish with. While interesting, the Ardent doesn't fit my style at all.