Shimano Zodias

[fishfor5]

I have been looking for a new topwater/jerkbait rod to pair with my new Shimano Casitas. I have been looking at the shimano zodias or the G Loomis E6X. I felt the Zodias at a recent elite series event and it was a very well balanced and light rod but I am looking for some personal experiences with it and if it would make for a good topwater/jerkbait rod.

[fishballer06]

The Zodias is a much nicer rod than the E6X.

[RichF]

1 hour ago, fishballer06 said:

The Zodias is a much nicer rod than the E6X.

Completely agree.  The E6X looks and feels like a cheap piece of junk.  The zodias is far superior.  Super light, wickedly crisp and sensitive and it looks awesome. 

[fishballer06]

10 hours ago, RichF said:

Completely agree.  The E6X looks and feels like a cheap piece of junk.  The zodias is far superior.  Super light, wickedly crisp and sensitive and it looks awesome. 

I wouldn't call them "junk", but certainly not the best in the price range. I have the 6'8" M-F spinning rod that I use for tubes and its pretty heavy. 

In the $200 range, I'd say the SC Avid and Zodias are the best rods in that range. 

[Dan_the_fisher]

E6x would be competitive in the $100 market imo, there are way better choices in the $200 range. I feel a g.loomis rod doesn't really become quality until the imx series. In your price range you need to look at a st criox avid, I have a 6'6 mf avid for my jerkbaits paired with a new curado 70. I honestly think that my avids are as good or better than the new g. Loomis imx rods out today. 

[roadwarrior]

St. Croix Avid is a great value at the pricing point.