mojojojo Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 This is my first post here, so be kind. Im sure these kinds of threads are always posted but I can't decide on which rod to get. My max budget Ill spend is $200. Im looking for a good heavy fast or heavy moderate/fast rod. These are my choices of what I can get my hands on and feel. I don't want to buy a rod sight unseen: GLoomis E6X, St Croix Avid original or the Avid X (I love the full cork handle on the gen 1 Avid but the new Kigan micro guides on the X are awesome) Powell Max 3D ( I like the 765MH, its rated at 3/8 to 3oz. I haven't seen a rating quite like that. Perfect for my range of swim jigs) Phenix M1 Ive handled all of those (in store only) and really like all of them. Im leaning towards ST Croix Avid. I already own a Mojo Bass M/F and the Mojo Bass Glass cranking rod which is amazing. The Powell looks and feels extremely nice, but its made in China while all the otherwise are made here in the US..dont really know if this is an issue. Maybe thats why its $160 and not $200 like the others. I picked up the Zodias but something about it I just don't like. Quote
IndianaFinesse Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 First off, welcome to the forums! Buy the rod feels best to you, sensitivity is largely different for everybody even with the same rod. Personally, from what I have heard the avid x is far and away the best rod in that price range. Unfortunately I don't have enough cash to try it out myself, or I would be getting the 6'10" ml/xf avid x that's been calling my name. 2 Quote
Hogsticker Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 If you're using it for swim jigs, the M1 would be a great choice. Tip, flex, and taper are pretty spot on for this technique. Plus if you've already handled them and like them you won't be rolling the dice. They are not manufactured / assembled in the United States however. Phenix makes great rod blanks. Just my 2 cents. Quote
Turkey sandwich Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 Welcome to the forum! I haven't fished with, but have had a chance to handle the Loomis, Powell, and Zodias. I own an Avid X (6'10 ml X-fast spinning), and two Rage (6'6 Med Fast and 7'1 MH XF casting rods). The blanks on these rods (SCIII) are, to me, much better than any of the above that I've handled. The Avid X has become my favorite river smallmouth rod for tubes, drop shots, and essentially anything requiring lots of sensitivity and small weight. These blanks really are great blanks. Also, I've become a fan of the split grip for most applications. The majority of my rods moving forward will likely be Avid X or Legend Elite series rods. For $200-$230, I don't think another rod compares favorably to the Avid X. Also, with the SCIII blanks, if you can, handle both a MH and a H. St Croix tends to run a bit heavy. Since heavier lures seem your focus, the 7'1 MH Rage has no trouble throwing 1oz jigs (built on the same blank). There are other threads on Avid vs Avid X, but the consensus seems to be that he microguides really help sensitivity. Quote
mojojojo Posted April 30, 2016 Author Posted April 30, 2016 7 minutes ago, Turkey sandwich said: Welcome to the forum! I haven't fished with, but have had a chance to handle the Loomis, Powell, and Zodias. I own an Avid X (6'10 ml X-fast spinning), and two Rage (6'6 Med Fast and 7'1 MH XF casting rods). The blanks on these rods (SCIII) are, to me, much better than any of the above that I've handled. The Avid X has become my favorite river smallmouth rod for tubes, drop shots, and essentially anything requiring lots of sensitivity and small weight. These blanks really are great blanks. Also, I've become a fan of the split grip for most applications. The majority of my rods moving forward will likely be Avid X or Legend Elite series rods. For $200-$230, I don't think another rod compares favorably to the Avid X. Also, with the SCIII blanks, if you can, handle both a MH and a H. St Croix tends to run a bit heavy. Since heavier lures seem your focus, the 7'1 MH Rage has no trouble throwing 1oz jigs (built on the same blank). There are other threads on Avid vs Avid X, but the consensus seems to be that he microguides really help sensitivity. I was wondering about the SClll blanks. I have the older mojo bass on the SCll blank and its a nice rod. The new Mojos are on the SClll blanks like the Avids but are only about $130. Wondering why they are so much less $..must be the guides? I don't like the Rage handles otherwise id be considering them. I like the cork split grip on the Mojos and Avid X but I am also a huge fan of solid cork handles and the gen 1 Avid has one of the most comfortable full cork handles Ive felt. Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 In the rod that you pick consider warranty also. I believe that the Avid X is 15 year. The Phenix M1 I believe is limited lifetime but the Zodias is only 1 year. This should factor into your decision. Quote
Super User lmbfisherman Posted April 30, 2016 Super User Posted April 30, 2016 Out of the three I would go with the Avid. Don't have much experience with new version. Just make sure that the action is what you are looking for, you may need to step down a power. That is my only knock. I would've recommended the Zodias but since you didn't like it. No point! I hear most complaints about them is the handle. Quote
Turkey sandwich Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 12 hours ago, mojojojo said: I was wondering about the SClll blanks. I have the older mojo bass on the SCll blank and its a nice rod. The new Mojos are on the SClll blanks like the Avids but are only about $130. Wondering why they are so much less $..must be the guides? I don't like the Rage handles otherwise id be considering them. I like the cork split grip on the Mojos and Avid X but I am also a huge fan of solid cork handles and the gen 1 Avid has one of the most comfortable full cork handles Ive felt. The Mojo line is made in Mexico and is made with different guides, real seat, etc than the Avid X. There's supposed to be even a big difference in feel between the Avid and Avid X. Quote
mojojojo Posted April 30, 2016 Author Posted April 30, 2016 7 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said: In the rod that you pick consider warranty also. I believe that the Avid X is 15 year. The Phenix M1 I believe is limited lifetime but the Zodias is only 1 year. This should factor into your decision. 1 hour ago, Turkey sandwich said: The Mojo line is made in Mexico and is made with different guides, real seat, etc than the Avid X. There's supposed to be even a big difference in feel between the Avid and Avid X. I wouldn't think there would be any difference in feel between the Avid and Avid X unless the guides make that big of a difference. The Avids and Mojos are built with the exact same blanks with the "IPC technology" but just have different guides. Im wondering if just sticking with the new Mojo Bass is the way to go for only $125 or if its worth it to step up and spend an extra $80 on the Avid just for the upgraded guides I was under the impression that the reel seats on the Avids and Mojos are the same Fuji seats...no? Quote
Tmmytomato Posted April 30, 2016 Posted April 30, 2016 I am a huge Shimano/GLoomis guy but have owned and been very satisfied with the St. Croix Avid. I recently have added the Loomis E6X and been very happy with the three I have used so far. I have used the Zodius and had no problems with it as far as feel and sensitivity (6'10" MH) throwing 1/2 oz jigs. The Avid is an historically solid rod so you won't go wrong with it. I would find the rod that feels good to you, put a reel and line on it and make a number of practice tosses with it and if it feels right, buy it and don't second guess yourself. Quote
Super User WRB Posted May 1, 2016 Super User Posted May 1, 2016 Dobyn's has rods near or less than your budget with Kagin micro guides, cork etc. Tom Quote
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