TackleTour

The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis



Introduction: When it comes to advances in rod building techniques and innovations in graphite materials there is perhaps nobody that is more respected than Gary Loomis. He is known globally as a wizard when it comes to the alchemy of carbon fiber and resin materials and pushing the envelope in rod manufacturing, and most recently with his new company Edge Rods. Gary is looking to shake things up this ICAST with the introduction of his lightest and most advanced rod series to date, the Epitome.

Complete Article: http://www.tackletour.com/previewicast2 ... itome.html

Follow-up X-ray blank, light-weight, balanced and under $300? Yeah, I'm ordering one for sure!

Curious which casting models will sport the full length grip as mentioned in the article.

Need a few of these. Saves me time trying to build a custom, the price is too right.

I wonder when these new Xray (gen II?) blank will come to NFC for sale. Love to build a big jig rod that is really light weight.

Hogsticker2 wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 17, 2022 3:44 pm

Curious which casting models will sport the full length grip as mentioned in the article.

I'm trying to find out this as well and talking to the team about the final configurations for all the rods. I'm also a fan of the solid grip if the balance is right and that swimbait stick has me very intrigued. The rod we have in the lab is so incredibly light and balanced and I'm excited to fish it more, hopefully after ICAST concludes.

amso4 wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 18, 2022 3:50 pm

I wonder when these new Xray (gen II?) blank will come to NFC for sale. Love to build a big jig rod that is really light weight.

The team at Edge is saying that the new Carbon-Tex reel seat and next gen X-Ray blanks will be available shortly after the Epitome rods start shipping. It feels lighter and a lot crisper than the current X-Ray blanks, and like you I'm really interested to see how this translates to a more powerful backbounce, big jig, and swimbait slinger.

_diggy_ wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:15 pm

Need a few of these. Saves me time trying to build a custom, the price is too right.

Handling this rod and feeling a jig at the end of the line really has me blown away on the aggressive price. This one definitely will push some of the other manufacturers to up their game when it comes to price-performance. Gary isn't messing around on this one.

Zander wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 19, 2022 2:17 am

_diggy_ wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 18, 2022 12:15 pm

Need a few of these. Saves me time trying to build a custom, the price is too right.

Handling this rod and feeling a jig at the end of the line really has me blown away on the aggressive price. This one definitely will push some of the other manufacturers to up their game when it comes to price-performance. Gary isn't messing around on this one.

I haven't been so excited in a minute

I hope I can get a 6ft6 MH model for my okappari needs

Is $295 the correct price? I saw icast had released a link to all announounced items so far and it has the new Epitome showing an msrp of $495.

MeatHead wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 19, 2022 2:12 pm

Is $295 the correct price? I saw icast had released a link to all announounced items so far and it has the new Epitome showing an msrp of $495.

Let's certainly hope so! Though I'll likely purchase one either way. If these blanks are truly an improvement over the original X Rays, it should be rather fantastic.

$295?!?!?

HOLY SCHNITZOLA!!!

I'm trying to understand if Epitome is supposed to be EDGE's flagship line and if so, how it can be priced under the Black Widow and First Strike lines.

Sounds like a no nonsense high performance fishing tool. I like nonsense in my rods so I'll pass but I see the appeal.

LowRange wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 28, 2022 6:07 am

Sounds like a no nonsense high performance fishing tool. I like nonsense in my rods so I'll pass but I see the appeal.