Giving Anglers the EDGE: The first thing that Plano did right with the EDGE Series was spec them with the familiar dimensions and make them plug-and-play into existing 3600 and 3700 systems. That is where the similarities between the EDGE boxes and conventional plastic tackle boxes end.

The EDGE Series is a complete re-imagining of what the tackle storage system could be, and what anglers can expect from not just application specific storage, but lure specific storage. Simply put, the EDGE boxes are among the most highly-configurable tackle boxes available today.

This latch is easily opened with one up and outward motion

While the boxes will accommodate all types of freshwater and saltwater tackle it is clear that the company had bass anglers in mind when they created many of the EDGE designs. Boxes like the Crankbait and Jig boxes feature completely new inserts that stow these baits quickly, securely, and even aid in drying. 

An o-ring seal lined the entire lid to provide a water tight seal when closed

The entire Series is instantly recognizable with grey base trays, configurable yellow inserts, crystal clear polycarbonate lids, and a single latch extends the entire length of the box for easy one handed opening. The design is intuitive and once you understand how the hinge hooks on the lower portion of the box it is easy to open or lock the boxes, even with gloves on, or when not even looking directly at the latch.

Stainless steel pin hinges add significant durability and reliability to both the lid hinges and latch bar

The latch also applies enough pressure that the Dri-Loc rubber seal creates a water tight barrier and effectively protects the contents from water splashes and the rain. The single biggest point of failure on traditional boxes are the rear plastic hinges which often wear out, or crack if the lid is flexed the wrong direction. The EDGE boxes eliminate this issue with oversized hinges on both the rear and latch sides which are supported with heavy-duty stainless steel pins that not only make the opening and closing much smoother and more secure, but completely eliminate flex. The implementation is robust, and over the course of the last two seasons I never experienced a single hinge failure.

The Master Terminal Box is an excellent example of how the EDGE Series enables anglers to maximize every bit of space while still keeping even small tackle elements organized and protected

The rugged build quality extends throughout all the boxes and you can feel how solid they are once you start handling them. The polycarbonate lid is clearer than any other Plano box to date, and it is also more durable and will not change color over time. Even the vented dividers are thicker and more rigid than standard dividers. All of this adds up to boxes that look, and feel, much higher-end than traditional plastic boxes. The one tradeoff for this hardy build is increased weight, and depending on the configuration, the EDGE Series equivalent weighs more than double the average box. This isn't an issue if your using them on watercraft but it is something to keep in mind if your carrying multiple boxes in a hiking or traveling situation.    

The removable weight retainer boxes are mini storage box-within-a-box designs and make use of high-density foam to safely secure weights in place

Freedom to configure: In general all of the EDGE boxes are highly customizable, but there are two boxes in particular that offer freedom of configuration and organization options that set a new bar in the industry. These are the EDGE FLEX Series which features a fully customizable internal divider system that basically enables complete freedom of configuration of both horizontal and vertical dividers, and the EDGE Master Terminal Box, which is designed specifically for storing and organizing the tiny pieces of tackle of which it is named for.

The dividers are all pre-cut so you can configure these boxes quickly

Next Section: My favorite EDGE box...