Not every competitive angler can load a casting deck with $400 reels. Those who seek high performance without the high price tag will find a great casting partner in the Ardent Apex Tournament Baitcast Reel. Priced under $120, the Apex Tournament brings the pro-level features Ardent reels are known for - to help you get the most out of your time on the water. The feature list includes Ardent's super-lightweight, high-strength aluminum frame; deep V6061 T6 machined aluminum spool, and a quality 8+1 ball-bearing system complemented by an externally adjustable 270-degree Mag brake. Extra details such as an extra-long, swept-back aluminum handle and swept-back forged aluminum drag star enhance the compact footprint of this well-designed reel, for great handling at the point of attack. Versatile 6.5:1 gear ratio.
Great value great smooth reel and lightJeff Hamilton
Bought this reel for shallow water cranking and have been impressed with the casting distance. The reel is smooth lightweight and tight. Try one U won’t be disappointed.
Excellent reel!!! I have been using these to crank for a little while now and I love them. The low profile design and being so lightweight makes a big difference. Highly recommend especially for the price!Bryan J Ellis
Outstanding reel and a very affordable price! You are going to have a very difficult time finding a reel to out perform the Apex Tournament in the same price range. Used one all last summer tossin frogs around and flipping heavy mats no flaws ever out of this reel. Smooth drag easy castability Make this a no brainer for your next combo.
Cody shepherd
It would be very hard to find a reel in this price range that would come close to the smoothness and ease of the Apex Tournament.Brandon Long
I love how smooth this thing cast ! And you can throw it a mile .
Corey Beane
This is a Very smooth reel, light weight and cast with ease! I would definitely recommend this reel.Michael
I have two that I use for Spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs and they are perfect for these applications.
Brian White
This reel has excellent performance it is great for spinner bait, Jig, and crankbait fishing, it is light weight and has very smooth action and a Great warranty standing behind it. Pro Staff Curtis LasterCurtis Laster
Awesome reel and customer service!!
Jerry Tonnar
I have fished every reel made and this reel out performs all the $300.00+ reels I have owned. I will never use any other reel made.Frankie Ingram
Very smooth reel. Great quality and casting ability is phenomenal. I love this reel.
Mattcoots
Best bait caster I’ve used! Smooth and strong!! I’m hard to please, but I must say I’m impressed!Jonathan Yancey
Hard to beat the quality you get for the price! Smoothest casting reel I've used thus far. I've been impressed to say the least.
Cody Melton
My favorite reel by far! Fishing tournaments year long, they definitely hold up through all the wear and tearTyler Thompson
I own several of these reels and absolutely love them. Best bang for the buck!!
Kelly Callaway
For Performance & Value this reel is great! Cast & retrieves extremely well. As a FLW & TBF angler I can have multiple set ups at a reasonable cost.
Awesome reel. You can't beat it for the price. Light weight, cast a mile, and has great stopping power for those lunker's. Highly recommend this reel
Patrick Kranz
This is my reel ,I go to when I'm going back in the creeks fishing out of a canoe. You know your going get it submerged.Todd Grubbs
It has all the smooth features as its big brother the apex elite, yet it is more in the budget when you flip the canoe In deep water an can not retrieve your reel.
Used this reel for many tournaments during the 2017 season and for fun fishing. Can't believe how smooth and quite it is after many many hours fishing with it. Best reel I have ever used hands down.
Greg Alexander
This is a reel that is wallet friendly and is top notch quality, you can't beat it. Very light and casts amazing. If you are looking for a great reel for an amazing price pick one of these up, you will not be dissatisfied!pshaffer
The Apex Tournament is a great all purpose reel. Tough enough for 65# braid in the thick stuff and smooth casting for the finesse baits. You won't find a better reel for the money!
Tom Ayars
The Apex Tournament is one wicked reel. You cant beat it for the cost which is super easy on the wallet and it casts a mile and super smooth. Best bang for your $$$$. Highly recommend!Dylan Adams
Great quality reel! I have 3 of them and use them all the time on all my bait casters, never had any issues!
Justin
I used to fish with pro qualifier baitcaster because I could pick them up at the spring classic for under $75... After picking one of these up, I haven't looked back. Super smooth, easy to cast, no backlash issues... Awesome reel for the $Bradley Raines
The Apex Tournament is great reel for the angler that is just getting started or the veteran weekend warrior. It performs as well as some of the higher prices reels. A great reel at a great value.
Christopher Brown
casts as well, if not better than more expensive reels.ken cecil
High performance that everyone can afford!
Nathan Riley
I have two of these reels I use for my spinner bait rods love them. Cast great and is very smooth.jackie
Top notch on this reel, for under $120.00 it's the most dependable reel on the market.
Tyler Naufel
Caught my new PB the first day on the water with this reel. Like all Ardent reels the casting ability is unreal. The control I had over this fish was something I was not used to fishing similar priced reels. But price point on this reel with the performance it has is hands down the best on the market.Cory McCullough
For the money this reel is har to beat! Casts great, feels great, and has no problem working big fish in heavy cover... Very good value
DerekLaBarr
Top quality reel for the money.Works great for a swim jig reel.John O'Farrell
Combine this reel with the Ardent Gliss line and you have the smoothest and longest casting setup on the market. I am very hard on my reels and these take a beating and keep getting fish to the boat.
John Cook
This real screams quality from top top to bottom. Solid, light, and casts a mile. These are my go to reel for top water and crank baits.Mark VanMeter
I have owned this reel for 4 years was one of my first baitcaster I ever purchased, been a great reel have put it through alot of abuse and works awesome
Nick Brehm
Fantastic reel for the money! Light, smooth, and powerful! I can throw a buzzbait and spinnerbait a mile which comes in handy from the kayak or from shore! the drag is also versital enough to throw light swimbaits and plastics a good distance or skip them under trees as well! You can't go wrong liking your boat deck with several of these!Druck16
For the price this reel is amazing. Smooth, fast, and will cast a mile. If you want to try to good low price reel start with this one. I got me three of them.
Mark Anthony Clifton
A great reel for any type of angler i've used mine for soft plastics as well as crank baits, it casts amazing..john wester jr
the workhouse in my arsenal. With 8 + 1 ball bearings, this is a professional grade reel at a novice price
nick kelley
Love this reel! I have it on a kistler crankin rod and it casts my crankbaits with ease. One of the best reels in my arsenal.Mariela
Love this reel! Very smooth casting and reeling. Had no problem reeling in a few 5 pounders the first day out with it either! Im using mine for cranking but may get a couple more for pitching/flipping. Highly reccomended!
James Holmes
Hands down the smoothest reel I own. Can cast far, with the lightest lures. Even my expensive reels can't do that!DEWEY LOR
These reels are amazing for the money definitely the best option for a reel at 100 dollars, I have a couple of the lews speed spools and they don't come close to the quality this real!
Hunter Wright
My new favorite shallow crank reel!Adam Mundy
Awesome product, Lightweight and can cast a mile. I use this reel on my shakeyhead rod. Can not wait to put more ardent product on my deck.
shawn copelin
Great reel, these have been my workhorse reels. Light weight and smooth.Mike Oshann
Great quality with a super nice feel to it. Casts like a champ and reels extra smooth.
Harlan Giordano
The absolute best reels on the market for the money. It's gear ratio is a great all around speed. The light low profile reel fits perfectly in my hand. I can fish all day with out fatigue. Thanks Ardent.john f causey
Great Reel! Love it!
Ben Edwards