Ardent spinning reels?

[Zofchak]

Part of my New Year's resolution is start buying American made products whenever possible. (No more Chinese imports! :Protest_e) With the loss of Pro Gear reels and Penn's insane decision to ship all of their spinning reel production oversees it's getting very difficult. Up until now I could not find a decent American made spinning reel. Has anyone used Ardent reels? It appears to be a decent looking reel and is comparably priced with the Shimano Stradic line. Best of all it's designed and made here. Maybe there is still hope for U.S.A built reels. :)

http://www.ardentreels.com/pro...Id=44

[waterfoul]

I think Ardent might be the ONLY company making it's reels in the US. Even US Reel ( http://www.usreel.com/Default.aspx ) has their reels built in China (designed in the USA... whoopie). How can a company call themselves US Reel and build them overseas??

[Zofchak]

As far as I can tell Ardent, Accurate and Zeebaas are the only three companies making spinning reels in the US. (There are few other companies like Avet who make outstanding casting and trolling reels here.:)) The spinning models from Accurate and Zeebaas are well out of my price range at $750-$1300 each:yikes:!
I believe the naming of U.S reel was intentionally done to try and convince buyers that they were an American made product:mad:. That being said they will never get any of my business.

[troutaholic]

The amount of research and design that the company is putting into the reels is amazing. They are growing fast with the suport of the US angler that knows a US company can build a better product then cheap china. Support our economy and catch more fish. These reels are built to catch fish. I own a couple models and cant wait for more to be released.

[waterfoul]

Just did some internet searching... where exactly can you buy an Ardent spinning reel? Only place I could find one was in ebay.

[Zofchak]

Here's the link to their authorized dealers. I'm yet to see one in person as I just found out about the reel this past weekend.:)

http://www.ardentreels.com/default.asp?file=dealer