Pitchin' & Flippin Rig

[NTW]

NTW- If you find a blank you like, I could build it for you if you would like. I finished one for Cecil last year...as far as I can tell, he likes how it turned out.

Could you send me an email? That may work out but I'm even more interested in learning how to build as a hobby. [email protected]

[river rat316]

I would take a hard look at the Ardent line, they are made in America, and imho that counts for alot

[bemidjibasser]

NTW- email sent

[olski]

I tell you what, just wait a bit. We are starting to get some new stuff in and I can't believe some of the rods that are coming out for around $100 or less. I am probably going to get cursed for saying this but I would not take an Ardent if you gave it to me. They need to make a better product if they are going to put that kind of price tag on them. Talk about trying to get by on the "made in the USA" deal.

[olski]

IMO

[Wayne Ek]

Olski, have you fished a new Ardent yet?

[river rat316]

I agree that when they first came out they werent what they were cracked up to be, but they have come along way imo.

[olski]

Olski, have you fished a new Ardent yet?

Not the Denny B. one for this year. I did try out the flippin reel last spring when it came out and was pretty disappointed the reel. It did it's thing fine but felt like a cheeper reel. Not trying to be a basher just that I looked forward to a reel being made in the US and saw the price tags and thought OK they have to be pretty nice then they were released and it was a major disappointment. Tried again last spring and better but should have been about a third of the price. IMO. From my experience Ardent is trying to get buy on where they are made not how they are made.

[Wayne Ek]

I can't speak with authority on the new Ardent, because I have not fished one for a full season. That being said I have a new

Ardent 1000 sitting here next to one of my Quantum Energys and they seem to have the same quality to me. I will certainly know more after a season of hard use. On a differant note: Stopped at Cabelas on the way down to the cities yesterday and purchased one of their Mag-touch rods (spinning) a wanted a casting but the handles seemed a little small to me. The spinning stick feels good and I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it was when I put a reel on it at the store.

[Larson15]

I played with an ardent last night and they still cant hold a stick compared to a curado. I really wish these things were better quality.

[Wayne Ek]

I've never fished a Curado, I know Deitz likes them. I don't really want to get into an arguement over which reels are best.

And I'm looking forward to giving a couple of the Ardent reels a try this year. The thing that attracted me to Ardent was the idea of building reels that were technique specific, I think it's an interesting idea.

[NTW]

I went to cabelas (owatonna) and followed up with gander. Not much for selection right now so I'll probably sit tight until they get their spring shipments. I was told that would be March. A couple things I noticed.

RODS

- Mojo Bass rods are at $90 (down from $120). Anyone have experience with the flippin' stick you'd care to share? It felt pretty decent and didn't seem significantly heavier than others in the store.

- Mag touch pros are strange, and kinda cool! Also, they are $10 cheaper online ($79) so it'd be beneficial to mention that if you're gonna buy one.

- I love the shimano rods but didn't see any over 7' - they have some somewhere right? Is there a Compre over 7'?

REELS

- No Ardent F500 or F700 to be found. They aren't even sure they'll get them? I'm thinking I might order one online for store delivery just to test it out and return if I'm not blown away.

- I like the Accurist. The salesman was sure I'll never use the flippin switch but I'd like to mess around with it. The reels have great reviews and I trust the brand.

- I just bought a citica on a combo with a shimano convergence from gander for $90 (impulse buy with points). Seemed like a good buy on a reel that I like and I'm sure I can find a use for the rod...

[olski]

NTW, good call I think if you hang on till new stuff is in you will be able to compare (the Mojo is kind of heavy) I would make the sports show on your calender for sure.

[zepman]

Nate,

If you ever get up close to Thorne Bros. stop in. They usually always have a really good selection of rods...even the hard to find Shimanos (length). Tons of other goodies in that store that you just can't find anywhere else.

[NTW]

Sounds great, I'll be at the show in March...

Thanks Chris - I've heard that about Thorne Bros and would like to check out their selection sometime.

[Larson15]

thorne bros doesnt have much of anything out right now