Expride Vs Zodias -which would you get for

[clemsondds]

Hey looking to get a versatile spinnerbait rod. I have a few exprides and they are truly impressive. I’m looking for a shorter spinnerbait rod. So I’m looking at the 6’8” expride mh or the 6’10” zodias mh. Any thoughts? Also might use it for topwater and chatterbait.  Is the extra cost worth it? I like the shorter rod for accuracy.   Thanks 

[jbsoonerfan]

Both of those rods will fish very similar, I certainly like the feel of the Exprides over the Zodias though. They are worth the extra money in my opinion.

[clemsondds]

7 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Both of those rods will fish very similar, I certainly like the feel of the Exprides over the Zodias though. They are worth the extra money in my opinion.

Can you try to expound on “feel”? I haven’t been able to fish a zodias yet...what is it about the exprides you like better? Do you think I will notice much difference in moving baits? I currently use a 7’ lews tp mh. Thanks 

[jbsoonerfan]

The grip on the Expride feels better to me, the handle on the Zodias feels good, I just prefer the expride. Even on a moving bait, such as a spinnerbait, I like to feel everything that is going on and I think the Expride transmits that feel much better. As far as whether or not you will notice it on moving baits, that I can't determine, but I fish a spinnerbait over/in/around cover and I like to be able to tell what is going on with the bait. Feel is very subjective though. A Scotty Cameron putter "feels" better to me when the ball comes off the face as opposed to an Odyssey but you may think otherwise. Also, the expride looks much nicer to me, not that it matters on performance, but something that might to you.

[clemsondds]

5 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

The grip on the Expride feels better to me, the handle on the Zodias feels good, I just prefer the expride. Even on a moving bait, such as a spinnerbait, I like to feel everything that is going on and I think the Expride transmits that feel much better. As far as whether or not you will notice it on moving baits, that I can't determine, but I fish a spinnerbait over/in/around cover and I like to be able to tell what is going on with the bait. Feel is very subjective though. A Scotty Cameron putter "feels" better to me when the ball comes off the face as opposed to an Odyssey but you may think otherwise. Also, the expride looks much nicer to me, not that it matters on performance, but something that might to you.

Thanks! Which expride and zodias do you use? 

[jbsoonerfan]

Expride models - Previously used - 6'6 M, 6'8 MH and currently use - 7'2 MH glass, 7'2 MH, 7'2 H, 7'3 XH

 

Zodias models - Previously used - 6'10 MH and currently use - 7' MH (new model x2), 7'2 MH, 7'2 M, 7'2 H, 7'5 H

[clemsondds]

Wow! Pretty nice lineup! Would you mind sharing what you primarily use each for?

[Ogandrews]

While I don’t own those specific models I have multiple exprides and they feel just as good as my loomis imx pro’s which are $360-380. They are no question the best value per dollar in fishing imo. I like a longer rod for spinnerbaits so I use the 7’6” expride but if you like short rods I’m sure the 6’8” will work.

[jbsoonerfan]

53 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Wow! Pretty nice lineup! Would you mind sharing what you primarily use each for?

 

Zodias 20 7' MH - Spinnerbaits

Zodias 20 7' MH - Buzzbaits

Zodias 7'2 M - Med Cranks

Zodias 7'2 MH - 5/16 oz T-Rigs

Zodias 7'2 H - Frogs

Zodias 7'5 H - Punching (Usually 3/4 - 1 oz) also 3/4 Carolina Rigs

 

Expride 7'2 MH G - Chatterbaits

Expride 7'2 MH - 1/4 oz T-Rigs

Expride 7'2 H - 1/2 - 3/4 oz T-Rigs or Frogs in Heavy Cover

Expride 7'3 XH - A-Rigs / Swimbaits / 1oz plus Jigs or Texas rigs in deep water 

 

 

[clemsondds]

10 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

 

Zodias 20 7' MH - Spinnerbaits

Zodias 20 7' MH - Buzzbaits

Zodias 7'2 M - Med Cranks

Zodias 7'2 MH - 5/16 oz T-Rigs

Zodias 7'2 H - Frogs

Zodias 7'5 H - Punching (Usually 3/4 - 1 oz) also 3/4 Carolina Rigs

 

Expride 7'2 MH G - Chatterbaits

Expride 7'2 MH - 1/4 oz T-Rigs

Expride 7'2 H - 1/2 - 3/4 oz T-Rigs or Frogs in Heavy Cover

Expride 7'3 XH - A-Rigs / Swimbaits / 1oz plus Jigs or Texas rigs in deep water 

 

 

Thanks! That's a big help. Mind if I ask why you got rid of the 6'8 expride? What made you choose to use the zodias for your spinnerbait?  Thanks again and any other thoughts are welcome! 

[jbsoonerfan]

2 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Thanks! That's a big help. Mind if I ask why you got rid of the 6'8 expride? What made you choose to use the zodias for your spinnerbait?  Thanks again and any other thoughts are welcome! 

I got rid of it because I was a dummy! LOL I wanted to put Mega 360 on my boat so I sold some gear that had that most value, just haven't replaced it yet. IMO that Zodias is a pretty stout rod down through the butt section with a nice tip. It works really well for spinnerbaits. If I had the money though, I would rather have an Expride. That is why I suggested an Expride. I just don't have the funds right now to swap out for one.

[clemsondds]

1 minute ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I got rid of it because I was a dummy! LOL I wanted to put Mega 360 on my boat so I sold some gear that had that most value, just haven't replaced it yet. IMO that Zodias is a pretty stout rod down through the butt section with a nice tip. It works really well for spinnerbaits. If I had the money though, I would rather have an Expride. That is why I suggested an Expride. I just don't have the funds right now to swap out for one.

gotcha!  Would you go for the 6'8 again? (for spinnerbait)

[jbsoonerfan]

Only if I were 100% going to stay right at or under 1/2 oz. I find my spinnerbaits usually come in at over 1/2 sometimes up to over 3/4, so I would opt for the 7'2 MH. I also started fishing my spinnerbaits with trailers which makes a big difference IMO.

 

Edit, I don't throw 3/8 much at all, but it would be perfect for 3/8.

 

Edit some more if I may. I realize both rods are rated for 3/8 - 1 oz, but I think the 7'2 would handle a 3/4 oz better than the 6'8. The blanks seemed much different in the butt section to me when I had the 6'8. The 7'2 felt stronger in that area, if that makes sense. 

[Derek1]

2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Only if I were 100% going to stay right at or under 1/2 oz. I find my spinnerbaits usually come in at over 1/2 sometimes up to over 3/4, so I would opt for the 7'2 MH. I also started fishing my spinnerbaits with trailers which makes a big difference IMO.

 

Edit, I don't throw 3/8 much at all, but it would be perfect for 3/8.

 

Edit some more if I may. I realize both rods are rated for 3/8 - 1 oz, but I think the 7'2 would handle a 3/4 oz better than the 6'8. The blanks seemed much different in the butt section to me when I had the 6'8. The 7'2 felt stronger in that area, if that makes sense. 

That’s interesting, I wondered why you recommended the same rod just longer for heavier bait. Definitely food for thought. 

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

That’s interesting, I wondered why you recommended the same rod just longer for heavier bait. Definitely food for thought. 

It honestly may just be in my mind, but that is just my opinion. I'm sure others would disagree LOL

[clemsondds]

4 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Only if I were 100% going to stay right at or under 1/2 oz. I find my spinnerbaits usually come in at over 1/2 sometimes up to over 3/4, so I would opt for the 7'2 MH. I also started fishing my spinnerbaits with trailers which makes a big difference IMO.

 

Edit, I don't throw 3/8 much at all, but it would be perfect for 3/8.

 

Edit some more if I may. I realize both rods are rated for 3/8 - 1 oz, but I think the 7'2 would handle a 3/4 oz better than the 6'8. The blanks seemed much different in the butt section to me when I had the 6'8. The 7'2 felt stronger in that area, if that makes sense. 

Have you ever used your 7'2 glass for a spinnerbait rod?  I was thinking of picking that up for a chatterbait...thought maybe it could do both

[jbsoonerfan]

Yes, I threw a 3/4 oz with a trailer the other day and it performed very well. I had a 1/2 oz on my Zodias and wanted to try a lil deeper presentation so I just tied that 3/4 on my chatterbait rod. Worked very well!

[Derek1]

2 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Yes, I threw a 3/4 oz with a trailer the other day and it performed very well. I had a 1/2 oz on my Zodias and wanted to try a lil deeper presentation so I just tied that 3/4 on my chatterbait rod. Worked very well!

I’ve thought about getting a rod like that for spinnerbaits. It’s been my Favorite bait to throw for the last two seasons. I just snapped my spinnerbait rod on the first cast of the season. ( a mishap from my last cast of the season last year that I forgot.). Not sure if that’s the way I want to go though. I do seem to like a Slightly softer tip and strong butt section for them. 

[TxRaider]

On 3/23/2021 at 10:39 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

Expride 7'2 H - 1/2 - 3/4 oz T-Rigs or Frogs in Heavy Cover

Expride 7'3 XH - A-Rigs / Swimbaits / 1oz plus Jigs or Texas rigs in deep water 

 

 

Sorry to revive this older post, but how heavy of cover are we talking?

I just got a 7’2 Heavy Expride paired with a Curado K and 65 lb braid I intended for jigs 3/8-3/4 oz and open water frogging. I was planning to get the 7’3 XH for frogging  heavier cover (slop/weeds) and punching. 
I’m curious if I would get away using the heavy for frogging and find other uses for the XH.