I bought a Delta Bass rod from Gary Loomis's EDGE company in May 2024. It has been excellent, once I actually got the rod. Here's my experience so far.
I bought this rod mostly for fishing heavy cover with soft plastics. 90% of the lures it's seen have been worms and creatures rigged Texas, weightless. I also fish drop shots, Carolinas, structure jigs, and 1/16-1/4 oz Texas rigs on this rod. It is paired with a Shimano Chronarch 151MGL, and I usually spool up 30lb Yozuri braid with Yozuri 14lb fluoro leader, 8-10ft, tied FG. I use Gama EWG hooks, 2/0 up to 4/0.
It has seen approximately 40 bass over 3lbs, a dozen over 4, a few 5lbers, and one above 6lbs this spring. Ive fished 15-30 hours per week since March, about 80% on this rod. Last October, it saw a day on Lake Ouachita where it caught 20 bass in a day on a drop shot. It's caught a lot of fish in the few months that I've owned it. I have experienced zero issues with wear, fit, finish, or build quality. I haven't seen any wear to the line guides, the reel seat is secure, the resin isn't cracked, and I haven't accumulated more than a couple scuffs on the handle.
This rod is long enough to flip and reach, sensitive enough to tell what the lure is doing, stout enough to provide a positive hookset and pull the fish out of thick hydrilla, light enough to do it all day, and durable enough to do it a lot. I had a shimano SLX rod that chipped a line guide and popped my line during a fight. Ive heard creaks and pops out of my AllStar Nano rod. My Bass Pro Fish Eagle snapped at the 4th guide when I tried to kayak flip a 2lb bass. None of those rods were as light, sensitive, smooth casting, or powerful as this rod.
The carbon grips are a plus for me. I usually prefer a cork grip with a cutout around the reel. But, these grips don't get slick like foam, and they're very sensitive and comfortable. Surprising plus. The butt cap is EVA foam, which is okay but seems a little cheap for this rod.
The only negative remark I have is not related to the rod. I ordered this rod in May 2024, and I waited until the end of September to receive it. Halfway through my rod being built, Edge switched to different reel seats. This meant that I got a better reel seat, but had to wait longer. It took a long time to arrive.
I can't speak to the warranty. I haven't had to replace anything and ive experienced zero defects. However, aside from the wait time, the customer service was excellent. The reps I spoke to were able to give me information on where my rod was in the factory, and details about when I could expect it to be done and why it took so long. I was impressed with their customer service.
All in all, this has been a really great rod. I would absolutely buy it again, and I'm planning on buying another rod from them to replace the SLX that popped my line. I wish the lead times were better, but this can be solved by ordering an in-stock rod. I can't think of an improvement to the rod I would make, aside from a cork or carbon butt cap. Thanks Edge.
Posted by no-pog