Zodias vs Avid

[Ik_47]

I’ve been looking to get a new worm and jig rod (with maybe the occasional chatterbait or topwater) and I’ve narrowed it down to either the 6’10”MH Zodias or 72MH Zodias or a 7MH Avid. They honestly both seem like very good rods, and I like the makeup of the Zodias a little bit more than the Avid. However, I also like the Avids warranty and the fact that it’s made in the US as well. The lack of hookeeper on the Zodias does not bother me. For those of you who own the rods, what are they like? Are they too stiff to throw 1/4 ounce t rigs? Are they sensitive? Are they versitile or pretty technique specific? If anyone owns both, which do you prefer? Any and all imput is appreciated! Thanks!

[dodgeguy]

Avid x has aluminum oxide guides. For that price they should be Fuji alconite at least.

[RichF]

I have both of the Zodias models you listed and the 7'4 Heavy Avid X.  Both lines are awesome.  The Zodias is lighter and definitely prettier with the x wrapped blank.  Both are plenty sensitive but I think I'd give the slight edge to the Zodias. St Croix has the better warranty but Shimano does have a one time replacement program where you can get a brand new rod at 50% the cost.

[Kidflex]

I have the 72mh zodias. although you can throw a 1/4 oz t rig with the rod,  it feels right with at least a 5/16 or 3/8oz imo. Great light jig/pitching rod also. Sensitivity is on par with the avids I’ve owned in the past. 

[Scuba Steve]

I used to have a 7’ avid spinning. I returned it because it didnt feel right throwing anything under 1/2 oz. It was a broom stick for the “mh” category. Got a medium avid instead, perfection. 

With that being said my 6’8 medium avid is basically my designated 1/4 oz bottom contact rod. Its a flawless rod. Light, incredibly strong, very sensitive, and looks good. Handled a 36” muskie in river current on 10 lb braid last december without issues. 

[Ik_47]

On 6/5/2019 at 7:27 AM, RichF said:

I have both of the Zodias models you listed and the 7'4 Heavy Avid X.  Both lines are awesome.  The Zodias is lighter and definitely prettier with the x wrapped blank.  Both are plenty sensitive but I think I'd give the slight edge to the Zodias. St Croix has the better warranty but Shimano does have a one time replacement program where you can get a brand new rod at 50% the cost.

I was worried about the warranty at first, but both warranties only cover things that are manufacturing defects, so I feel the one year zodias warranty is sufficient. Thanks for the info! What is the difference between the 610 and the 72? I throw a lot of light texas rigs like 1/4 ounce + plastic, would the rods be able to cast it a decent distance? Also, how soft are the rods? Do they have a softer tip or a stiffer tip? Thanks again so much!

On 6/5/2019 at 8:59 AM, Kidflex said:

I have the 72mh zodias. although you can throw a 1/4 oz t rig with the rod,  it feels right with at least a 5/16 or 3/8oz imo. Great light jig/pitching rod also. Sensitivity is on par with the avids I’ve owned in the past. 

Thank you! Would a 1/4 ounce weight plus a heavier plastic like a rage bug or 5” senko be enough wait to load the rod back? I don’t have to be able to bomb cast a 1/4 ounce t rig but at least cast an OK distance. Thanks!

On 6/5/2019 at 3:59 PM, Scuba Steve said:

I used to have a 7’ avid spinning. I returned it because it didnt feel right throwing anything under 1/2 oz. It was a broom stick for the “mh” category. Got a medium avid instead, perfection. 

With that being said my 6’8 medium avid is basically my designated 1/4 oz bottom contact rod. Its a flawless rod. Light, incredibly strong, very sensitive, and looks good. Handled a 36” muskie in river current on 10 lb braid last december without issues. 

It seems like you can’t go wrong with an avid! This is going to be a tough decision haha

[CountryboyinDC]

On 6/4/2019 at 12:21 PM, dodgeguy said:

Avid x has aluminum oxide guides. For that price they should be Fuji alconite at least.

The Avid has Alconite (don't know about the Avid X, I usually don't use micro guides) coatings.  Not as many guides as say a comparable Legend Tournament or the Legend Glass has, and they're full size rings, but the coating is Alconite for whatever that's worth.  As others have said, St. Croix rods tend to heavy on the power side for the rating.

[Kidflex]

1 hour ago, Ik_47 said:

I was worried about the warranty at first, but both warranties only cover things that are manufacturing defects, so I feel the one year zodias warranty is sufficient. Thanks for the info! What is the difference between the 610 and the 72? I throw a lot of light texas rigs like 1/4 ounce + plastic, would the rods be able to cast it a decent distance? Also, how soft are the rods? Do they have a softer tip or a stiffer tip? Thanks again so much!

Thank you! Would a 1/4 ounce weight plus a heavier plastic like a rage bug or 5” senko be enough wait to load the rod back? I don’t have to be able to bomb cast a 1/4 ounce t rig but at least cast an OK distance. Thanks!

It seems like you can’t go wrong with an avid! This is going to be a tough decision haha

It’ll be fine with 1/4 plus senko etc 

[dodgeguy]

36 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

The Avid has Alconite (don't know about the Avid X, I usually don't use micro guides) coatings.  Not as many guides as say a comparable Legend Tournament or the Legend Glass has, and they're full size rings, but the coating is Alconite for whatever that's worth.  As others have said, St. Croix rods tend to heavy on the power side for the rating.

Avid x has different guides . Everything I've seen says Aluminum Oxide. Definitely cheesy for that price. 

[CountryboyinDC]

38 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Avid x has different guides . Everything I've seen says Aluminum Oxide. Definitely cheesy for that price. 

You're probably right.  They're probably the micro version of whatever is on the Premiers.  I know I saw an Avid X once, but wasn't interested because of the micro guides - I use braid to leader setups too often.

[newyorktoiowa57]

I know its a little out of that price range and harder to get a hold of, but you might want to check out the 72MH Expride.  I've only used it a couple times but it's amazing so far. It can handle a 1/8 texas rig. 

[Ik_47]

39 minutes ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

I know its a little out of that price range and harder to get a hold of, but you might want to check out the 72MH Expride.  I've only used it a couple times but it's amazing so far. It can handle a 1/8 texas rig. 

I’d love to get an expride they seem amazing, but unfortunately out of my price range and they are always on back order haha

1 hour ago, Kidflex said:

It’ll be fine with 1/4 plus senko etc 

Thanks, what model do you have?

[newyorktoiowa57]

44 minutes ago, Ik_47 said:

I’d love to get an expride they seem amazing, but unfortunately out of my price range and they are always on back order haha

Thanks, what model do you have?

I'd try to handle both of these rods in store.  I was interested in buying an Avid at one point, but after handling one at BPS I changed my mind. It was very tip heavy. 

[RichF]

5 hours ago, Ik_47 said:

I was worried about the warranty at first, but both warranties only cover things that are manufacturing defects, so I feel the one year zodias warranty is sufficient. Thanks for the info! What is the difference between the 610 and the 72? I throw a lot of light texas rigs like 1/4 ounce + plastic, would the rods be able to cast it a decent distance? Also, how soft are the rods? Do they have a softer tip or a stiffer tip? Thanks again so much!

All warranties really only cover defects.  What I like about St. Croix is their replacement and upgrade plans.  You can pretty much use those programs for as long as you have the rod.  Shimano only allows you to replace once.  Still not a terrible plan though.

 

1/4 oz T-rigs would work fine.  I often use a 3/16 weight and speed worm with my 7'2.  There really isn't any difference between the two rods (except for the obvious length).  I find Shimano and St Croix rods to be on the stiffer side of medium heavy, which I like.  

[dodgeguy]

3 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

You're probably right.  They're probably the micro version of whatever is on the Premiers.  I know I saw an Avid X once, but wasn't interested because of the micro guides - I use braid to leader setups too often.

I was gonna buy one but that turned me off. Bought a BPS Patriot rod instead. Fuji sic microguides. 

[Ik_47]

22 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

I was gonna buy one but that turned me off. Bought a BPS Patriot rod instead. Fuji sic microguides. 

Yeah, I was looking into an avid x but the micro guides are a no go for me, because I’ll probably use a leader with this rod.

22 hours ago, RichF said:

All warranties really only cover defects.  What I like about St. Croix is their replacement and upgrade plans.  You can pretty much use those programs for as long as you have the rod.  Shimano only allows you to replace once.  Still not a terrible plan though.

 

1/4 oz T-rigs would work fine.  I often use a 3/16 weight and speed worm with my 7'2.  There really isn't any difference between the two rods (except for the obvious length).  I find Shimano and St Croix rods to be on the stiffer side of medium heavy, which I like.  

I’ll probably get the 72MH then, thanks for the info its very useful! I know the rod has a fast action, but how soft is the tip, like how easy is it to bend the part that’s supposed to bend? I like that the rods have a strong backbone but I don’t want to buy a broom stick lol. Also, do you notice a difference with the High-Power X blank? Does it really help with casting and hooksets? Thanks!

23 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

The Zodias 72M is a pretty beefy M powered stick.  It really launches baits out there.  It does not fish very well right at the low end of its rating.  It fishes on the heavier side of medium.  It versatile enough to do 1/4 jigs and Senkos as well as rip lipless cranks through grass.  It is a nice all around softer-MH or heavier-M depending on how you look at it.  To me it is a mod fast stiff tip M powered rod with good backbone.

Do you like the rod though? I don’t mind if it’s a bit heavy.

[Matt_3479]

I have an expride and had a st. Croix avid x. I’ve fished with the zodias but only once and for an extremely short period. From what I’ve been told that shimano did an excellent job of mimicking rods power and action from line to line. The avid x was nice, solid rod, good power but didn’t really do anything for me personally. The expride blew me away and if the zodias is anything like the expride I’d be going zodias. 

[FishTank]

I can't speak for the Zodias but I have a 7 MH fast Avid.  It's a great solid rod, sensitive, and casts just about anything.  I even used it to cast a Mepps #3 pretty much all day when the crappie were biting.  My only complaint would be the hump by the reel seat sometimes feels weird compared to other rods.  I have had various Avids over the years and they have never let me down. The newer versions do seem less stiff (which is a good thing).