The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

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Drakestar
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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by Drakestar » Wed Jan 04, 2023 11:04 am

Thanks for the ideas on smoothing out the carbon weave edge. With all these CA storms and no fishing on the horizon, I have some time to figure out next steps :lol:

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LowRange
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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by LowRange » Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:07 am

I want to know how they made that reel seat. Its definitely a real carbon fiber object made from carbon cloth. Normally we use carbon fiber blended plastics which are pretty heavy and flexible. A cast carbon would be what I would expect but this one looks like carbon cloth built up in layers. In carbon fiber terms thats the real deal. Is it two peices joined together in a seam?

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by _diggy_ » Fri Jan 13, 2023 2:33 pm

No more updates? I thought this thread would be on fire :( Hopefully people that are receiving them aren't snowed in.

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by Drakestar » Fri Jan 13, 2023 9:46 pm

Not snowed in over here, but dealing with the California storms. I think this rod is a great candidate for winter finesse jigging, but there’s still tons of rain and all the lakes are blown out :(

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by _diggy_ » Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:40 am

I think you will get some sun next week out there. I saw some other people receive tracking info on other sites, hopefully they chime in. Although I am catching fish where I am with my other rods; I want to hear some outrageous rod sensitivity stories. "I can feel the crayfish trying to mate with my jig and then I felt a bass breath on both" You know what I am talking about :big grin:

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by Chode » Sat Jan 14, 2023 8:56 am

_diggy_ wrote:
Sat Jan 14, 2023 3:40 am
I think you will get some sun next week out there. I saw some other people receive tracking info on other sites, hopefully they chime in. Although I am catching fish where I am with my other rods; I want to hear some outrageous rod sensitivity stories. "I can feel the crayfish trying to mate with my jig and then I felt a bass breath on both" You know what I am talking about :big grin:
Might have to get a '22 7'MH Ultima for that. I can feel the fishies think before taking my bait. I can feel their neurons firing prior to it even knowing what to do. I can feel the vibrations of its heart beating with excitement when it sees my lure.

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by _diggy_ » Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:37 am

Chode wrote:
Sat Jan 14, 2023 8:56 am


Might have to get a '22 7'MH Ultima for that. I can feel the fishies think before taking my bait. I can feel their neurons firing prior to it even knowing what to do. I can feel the vibrations of its heart beating with excitement when it sees my lure.
That's what I am talking about :lol: I remember reading all kinds of wild quotes before buying my NRX. I NEED more of this type of content from the Epitome owners. We are waiting!

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by SteveSchmelzle » Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:41 am

that's cause the NRX was the largest leap in quality, which hadn't been seen before - or since.

we have had increases and improvements since the NRX, but not to the same level of jump the NRX brought the marketplace.

if it wasn't for the McReelSeat it would likely be considered the greatest rod release ever.
1-2%

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by _diggy_ » Sat Jan 14, 2023 4:00 pm

You might be right, but I also read outlandish comments before I bought my NFC Z-Bone and X-Ray blank. I am hoping for more similar feedback soon. When I see comments of that nature, I know what to expect. I have a rod list for 2023, hoping this makes it. :lol:

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by doomtrprz71 » Tue Jan 17, 2023 3:44 pm

I got notification mine shipped today, for a 4 month wait it better be mind numbingly awesome.

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by NOLRAMB » Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:30 am

Received the rod yesterday day, I placed the order on August 15th.

Initial observation is that it's really light, and reminds me of my X-Bites power and action wise although I have not compared them side by side yet.

I should be getting a 2022 Bantam I ordered for this rod in today that should balance it out nicely and look great also.

Seems sensitive, we'll see, I have Racing Designs, NRX's, Custom SCV builds, Black Raven Extreme, etc to compare it to.
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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by MeatHead » Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:22 pm

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_diggy_ wrote:
Fri Jan 13, 2023 2:33 pm
No more updates? I thought this thread would be on fire :( Hopefully people that are receiving them aren't snowed in.
I haven't had a chance to use mine for its intended purpose yet (inshore redfish and flounder), but have used it a few times in the neighbourhood pond and am really loving it so far. Sensitivity is great, even hits from small crappie register amazingly well, almost electric feeling. I've got an Alphas sv tw on it with 16lb Sunline Sniper.
It is slightly tip heavy, but not annoyingly so to me, and feels great in hand.
One negative for mine though is my tip top was slightly bent when it arrived, which has proceeded to turn into a broken tip top, so trying to decide whether to send it in under warranty (and have no idea when I'll get it back based on how long it took to ship out), or just take it to a local builder to have the tip top replaced.
Despite the tiptop issue, it's become one of my favourite rods and I really think once I can use it for my intended purpose I'll love it even more.

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by _diggy_ » Thu Jan 19, 2023 4:13 pm

Sorry to see that happened to your rod. Maybe they can send you the appropriate tip top. I know how you feel tho, since it's a new rod. Let us know how your situation turns out. It's to see more members finally getting the shipments in.

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by doomtrprz71 » Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:10 pm

So mine arrived today, it shipped 4 months from the date it was ordered. It it feels quite light, it's a little tip heavy not bad, but unless my experience on the water changes it I don't see this as a $500 rod, the build could pass for any of their cheaper rods minus the guide train, $295 seems like the right price. So hopefully I can shake off this sinus infection and hit the lake next week and see what it can do.

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Re: The Highest Example – The Edge Epitome Rods from Gary Loomis

Post by ss30378 » Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:08 pm

Got mine in last week, used it a couple times so far. Weighs 2.93oz on my scale so super light for a 7'2" MH. Balance point with a 6oz alphas is about a 1/2" in front of the lock nut. While subjective, it's a very sensitive rod, I've ditched using t-rigs to test sensitivity and now use weightless senkos with mono or co-poly with higher end blanks. It's just harder to feel what weightless plastics are doing than weighted baits. The epitome does have a touch more electric resonance than my x-ray based silver widow 736sj which for reference i though the 736sj had a touch more electricity than the 873 nrx+. Don't know whether it's the blank or the guides or a combination of them but it is a sensitive stick in my hands.

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