Accurate Ascender Star Drag Reels

For us the Ascender was the most exciting product showcased at ICAST 2025, this is a much needed budget friendly reel that blows the competition out of the water. This is still a fully machined aluminum reel at a price point where you'd expect it to be cast aluminum instead, like the popular Penn Fathom II or Daiwa Saltist.  These reels still come with the same drag capacity as the Tern 2 which is plenty for just about any style of fishing, as well as the great freespool you'd expect out of a star drag. The main savings come from having parts manufactured overseas and the machining time saved by switching over to a brass main and pinion gear instead of stainless steel and ABEC 3 bearings. Brass is still a great material for smaller reels and is plenty durable for anything except larger lever drag reels where stainless steel is expected and it has the bonus of being smoother once well bedded.  The matte black anodizing looks great and makes this reel feel premium, even the clamp and har