Expride A vs 20 Zodias

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Ive never seen much less held an Expride because every time I went to Tackle Direct they were sold out.  The other day I did get a chance fondle the 6'10 MH Zodias rod.  Its an impressive rod, especially for the price.  I was planning on buying an Expride later this year.  If the new Zodias is close to being as sensitive as the Expride, I might just get a Zodias.  Can anyone who has both the new Zodias and the Expride tell me how they compare?  Thanks in advance.   

[jbsoonerfan]

I have the Expride in the following - 6'6 M, 6'8 MH, 7'2 MH, 7'2 H and 7'3 XH and I have 2 of the new Zodias rods, both in 7' MH. If I were to compare the 7'2 MH Expride to the new Zodias, I would give the Expride the nod in almost every category aside from maybe the butt section of the Zodias with the monocoque handle. The Expride feels far more sensitive in my hands. That being said, I prefer the new Zodias over my 6'8 MH Expride for moving baits. It may be that the Expride is not as powerful during the retrieve as the Zodias when throwing a 1/2 oz jackhammer, but the Zodias also feels better casting the lure. 

 

I am still trying to decide if I can remove the hook hanger on the new Zodias and make it look good. I absolutely hate where it is located.

[GoatWizard]

I have the 7’2 MH Glass composite Expride and just got the spinning 6’9 ML Zodias, so apples to oranges, but they’re both great rods. I prefer the cork on the handle of the Expride to the foam on the Zodias. I’ve been using the Expride as my chatterbait set-up and it has sensitivity and a strong backbone. The Zodias caught me 8 bass on a drop shot rig on my first outing with it. I don’t really have a rod in the same price range or action to compare it to but it’s magnitudes lighter and more sensitive than my 7’ M Dobyns Fury spinning rod. 

[DomQ]

Ive got both rods. The expride is more sensitive but the zodias is a fun rod man. I really appreciate the expride and what it offers, I think it is the best rod in its price range, but I also think the same for the new zodias rod as well. I find myself reaching g for the zodias way more then the expride because it feels very fluid throughout the cast, I think the butt has a lot to do with that. Its just a fun rod to use man.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Thanks guys...Y'all are echoing what Ive heard from a couple people so far other then the Zodias casting smoother.  Looking at the specs it seems like the Exprides may have an action that's a little slower compared to the Zodias.  Im looking at the 7'2 MH MF Expride just to use an all purpose.  Its not going to be dedicated bottom contact rod so honestly I don't need Expride sensitivity.  I love throwing bladed jigs, ill probably like throwing them even more with an Expride.  Ill be using it for 5/16+ swim jigs, ripping traps, jigs every so often and depending how it loads skipping.  I would imagine with shipping being so backlogged, even if your Johnny on the spot with your order it may be hard to get a Zodias.  I appreciate guys...Tight Lines 

[ironbjorn]

59 minutes ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

Thanks guys...Y'all are echoing what Ive heard from a couple people so far other then the Zodias casting smoother.  Looking at the specs it seems like the Exprides may have an action that's a little slower compared to the Zodias.  Im looking at the 7'2 MH MF Expride just to use an all purpose.  Its not going to be dedicated bottom contact rod so honestly I don't need Expride sensitivity.  I love throwing bladed jigs, ill probably like throwing them even more with an Expride.  Ill be using it for 5/16+ swim jigs, ripping traps, jigs every so often and depending how it loads skipping.  I would imagine with shipping being so backlogged, even if your Johnny on the spot with your order it may be hard to get a Zodias.  I appreciate guys...Tight Lines 

Things should be getting a lot better with availability and shipping with the season coming to and end for much of the US.