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Event Article: 2007 ICAST Reel
Coverage |
ICAST Coverage Day 1 (Reels) - Better, Lighter, Faster, Cheaper (continued)
Ardent:
In the world of fishing reels,
you don’t find many manufacturers younger than Ardent Reels. Providing “Made in
the USA” product since 2005, Ardent has been hard at work designing,
engineering, improving, and refining their reels, really, since 2001. Up until
this year, the company really only had only one baitcasting and one spinning
reel in their lineup. 2008 promises to be different with a full line of 3
baitcasting and one spinning reel. We took a closer look at the new Ardent
Baitcasters for 2008.
David Duncan and Jerry Boling
shows us the Ardent reels
C400 Casting Reel:
This reel features a one-piece aluminum frame, Ardent’s Strike Saver Drag
System, a 6-pin centrifugal brake system, 6.3:1 gear ratio, four stainless steel
ball bearings and one stainless steel clutch bearing, and line capacity of 120
yards for 10 lb test line. The C400 will retail for $169.99.
C600 Casting Reel:
The C600 is Ardent’s mid-range baitcaster featuring all the same specifications
as the C400 except the C600 is upgraded with 6 stainless steel ball bearings and
a magnesium frame. Price point for this reel will be $219.99.
Ardent reels, Made in USA
XS1000:
We were introduced Ardent
Reels and their XS baitcaster at last year’s ICAST. The XS1000 is this very same
reel but redesigned from the inside out. This is their flagship reels and
features ten stainless steel ball bearings plus a stainless steel clutch
bearing, a 6.3:1 retrieve ratio, and a magnesium frame. This flagship reel is
presented at a price point of $249.99 and is backed by a 3-year warranty. In
fact, Ardent’s entire line of reels is backed by this same warranty.
Introducing the Ardent XS1000 with
3 years warranty
The brake system of the Ardent
reel
Conclusion:
Fifty
years is a long time, and while many of the players have changed, the passion
for innovation has not. Today, the use of computer-aided design and even the
implementation of digital circuits into reels, defines an unprecedented level of
refinement and creativity. Technology, advanced manufacturing, global sourcing,
and good old fashioned innovation all lend themselves to new benchmarks and an
exciting time for anglers in terms of reels that not only push the envelope in
addressing fishing applications, but even allow anglers to conceive new ways to
catch fish and enjoy the sport.
Stay
tuned for continuing coverage of ICAST as we move into the hotly contested “rod
wars.”
