Edge Rods by North Fork Composites MagBass 705-1 Product Review

Rod Review

The Search For One : Guess Who's Back Building Rods? (continued)

Power: The MagBass 705-1 comes with a rating of "Medium Heavy" on the blank, with the prototypical lure rating of a medium heavy powered rod. However, the line rating on this stick is a little lighter than one might expect with a range of eight to fourteen (8-14) instead of something along the lines of ten to eighteen (10-18). This might explain why we felt the rod might be best with lure weights up to five eighths of an ounce (5/8oz) instead of three quarters (3/4). Confused yet? Good.

Lab Results for EdgeRods MagBass 705-1
Model	Avg RoD (2-32 oz)	Taper	Measured Weight (oz)	Balance Point (inches)	Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
EdgeRods MagBass 705-1	2.13	X-Fast	5	4.5	0.11
MBR783C GLX2000	1.72	Fast	4.8	5	0.11
TSFO 26 Rod Avg	1.69	--	4.92	7.65	0.19

These labeled ratings of medium heavy versus heavy versus medium, etc., are exactly why we have our RoD WRACK. Here we can measure the deflection across a range of weights for all the rods we test, and compare them against sticks we've determined as our baselines of comparison.

Fig 1: This chart illustrates the deflection characteristics of Edge Rod's new MagBass 705-1 as compared to our baseline Search For One data. You can see by this chart the 705-1 is pretty comparable to the MBR843C GLX only slightly softer.

For Edge Rod's MagBass 705-1, this resulted in a RoD of 2.13 - a number more in line with what we'd call a medium powered stick. The thing is, with the 705-1's faster (extra-fast as rated by Edge Rods) taper, this rod sets up faster than a traditional "medium" powered stick when under load. So really you're getting the best of both worlds - a rod with a medium powered tip, yet the feeling of a medium heavy backbone because the rod sets up so quickly.

Performance Ratings for EdgeRods MagBass 705-1
Pitch (1-5)	Cast (1-5)	Sensitivity (1-5)	Hook Set (1-5)	Control (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	5	5	5	23	25	9.2

Edge Rods refers to their full rear, carbon fiber grip as "The Black Widow".

Features: One of the things we appreciate about the new MagBass series from Edge Rods is they didn't just recreate something with which they or we are already familiar. They've gone through the effort of creating different features on the rod to both enhance performance but also ergonomics.

A closer look at the reel seat reveals the handle portion is offset from the center line of the rod - effectively lowering the profile of the reel you are using.

Features wise, the 705-1 comes with a carbon fiber handle with a natural finish. It's not glossed over, nor does it feel like it has any kind of protective coating, but rather, it feels like just raw carbon material in your hands. It's comfortable to grip when wet or dry and is not slippery at all when wet. Best of all, it's easy to clean up if you get any kind of fish slime, scent, or any other goop on it.

The only criticism of this style reel seat is that metal lockring - it will eventually mar the foot on your reels.

The guides are K-Series Fuji titanium frames with SiC inserts spiral wrapped around the blank. This configuration is still foreign to many and to many more, just plain odd looking, but the performance benefits of eliminating twist in the blank when the rod is under load helps prolong the life of your rod. It is ultimately, a much more comfortable rod to fish.

Otherwise, the exposed blank and trigger are a standard design.

The reel seat has an opening at the bottom to expose the blank and a metal lock ring to secure your reel. This ring does not have any type of plastic sleeve, so the likelihood of eventually scratching the foot on your reel is very high.

A look at how it all finishes above the reel seat.

The 705-1 also comes with an open ended hook keeper and a rod sleeve that's very good for protecting your rods individually, but a little bulky for the rod locker depending upon how many rods you've crammed into that storage compartment in your boat.

Features Ratings for EdgeRods MagBass 705-1
Grip (1-5)	Guides (1-5)	Reel Seat (1-5)	Hook Keeper (1-5)	Rod Sleeve (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	5	4	5	3	22	25	8.8

Next Section: A Edge in Design and Ergonomics