I was thinking of purchasing a baitcaster for some inshore pitching around dock lights and mangroves and I would like to buy American if possible. Ardent is the only company I could find that produces reels here but everything I seem to find is marketing'esque stuff. No real nuts and bolts breakdown of their product. Does anyone here have any knowledge or experience with them?
give them a call! marketing is one thing, but most guys won't lie straight to your face. if asked directly, they will most likely tell you the truth.
I just finished servicing one, an XS casting reel. Small, well built. This one had been fished in touraments a while then pasted on to the guys that help pre fish, so it has lots of hours. It needed some parts, and the folks at Ardent were very good to work with. The address is: Ardent Outdoors, 420 Lake Street, Macon MO 63552, phone is 660-395-9200. I'm old fashon, and I still like round Ambassadeurs, but I think I could be swayed.
Do you think it would hold up well to a salt environment?
depends on how many dry surfaces there are. salt will find them all.