Shimano Zodias vs Megabass Levante?

[clemsondds]

Same price...close at least...so anyone compare these two?  Would love to hear your thoughts.  I have both Megabass orochi and exprides...but thought I would look at the next level down for a basic 7'MH moving bait rod. Thanks

[torm]

The zodias cosmetically looks really nice. The levante looks awesome with the green when the light hits it right kinda like the old hyugas. While I do not have the mh levante, I have the flatside special gen 1 that was released and got recalled. Regardless of that I love that thing and have had no issues with it. Even lifted up a 4lber by accident night fishing with it. Very light rod and I like the feel of the eva on it a lot more than the new zodias. I have the 6'10 MH for the zodias and it feels quite heavy. Not of fan of fuzzy eva foam vs smooth. You have to be very careful with the new handle as it scratches quite easily. I never cared for bruises or scruffs on my gear by I'm in the minority group for that. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

8 hours ago, torm said:

The zodias cosmetically looks really nice. The levante looks awesome with the green when the light hits it right kinda like the old hyugas. While I do not have the mh levante, I have the flatside special gen 1 that was released and got recalled. Regardless of that I love that thing and have had no issues with it. Even lifted up a 4lber by accident night fishing with it. Very light rod and I like the feel of the eva on it a lot more than the new zodias. I have the 6'10 MH for the zodias and it feels quite heavy. Not of fan of fuzzy eva foam vs smooth. You have to be very careful with the new handle as it scratches quite easily. I never cared for bruises or scruffs on my gear by I'm in the minority group for that. 

You think the 6'10 Zodias is heavy?

[GetFishorDieTryin]

10 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Same price...close at least...so anyone compare these two?  Would love to hear your thoughts.  I have both Megabass orochi and exprides...but thought I would look at the next level down for a basic 7'MH moving bait rod. Thanks

I would think comparing the Zodias and Levante would be similar to the Expride and Orochi.  Your going 1 tier down in price point for both rods.  I dont think you can go wrong, both lines are great.  In my mind the only drawback with the Orochi is the availability.

[00bullitt]

I have a few of each (all are current models):

Zodias 7'2" Heavy

Zodias 7'2" Medium

Zodias 6'10" Medium Heavy

Zodias 6'10" Medium

Zodias 7' Med/Light Spinning

Zodias 7' Medium Spinning

Levante Whipsnake 6'11" Spinning

Levante Tour Versatile 7'

Levante Flatside Special 7'

Levante Diablo Spec-R 7'2"

 

Both rods are awesome! Aside from cosmetics, they are nearly identical in their level of sensitivity. They weigh about the same all things being equal. Components are all Fuji and aesthetics on both are stunning. Both hit way harder in performance than their $200 price tag.

 

I would heavily advise being able to feel the rods before you buy them and understand the true power and action. MegaBass identifies their rods by "F" number which gives a decent indication of power, but they are still very under rated. Meaning a broomstick has more flex than some of their rods. Shimano is very similar and their rating system is worse and more ambiguous.

 

Anything over an F5 in the Levante starts to feel like a pool cue in my opinion and in the Zodias they are about 1.5 power more than stated.

The Levante Flatside Special which they list as an F4.5 Medium "Regular" Action is my chatterbait rod. It has a good tip and nice firm action with bend in the right part of the blank. I would NEVER throw a flatside crank on it.

The Whipsnake spinning rod is a great action for a general purpose spinning rod. They list it as an F3 Light "Extra Fast". Its more of a Medium/Light. It is in between my Zodias Medium/Light & Medium. I ended up with the Medium Zodias because I took the power & action at face value and ordered it online. Was not at all what I wanted, but has turned out to be a fantastic spinning rod for jerkbaits and flukes. Yes, I have started using spinning rods for those techniques on ultra clear lakes to get the extra 20-25' of casting distance without any negative affect casting into the wind. The Levante Shakyhead rod is listed as a an F3.5 Med/Light "Fast" and is heavier than my Zodias Medium.

 

One other thing to consider is the handle length. I like that the net gain in rod length is realized in the Levante when going longer whereas the Zodias will give you a 2.5" longer handle and 1.5" more in the tip going from the 6'10" to the 7'2". The blanks also get sizable larger in diameter near the handle on the Zodias and they are heavier feeling in the hand.

I LOVE the 6'10" Zodias rod. I have one for spinnerbaits and the other is my finesse jig/texas rig rod. Its light in the hand and the blank is thin and very sensitive. I like thin blanks! 

 

The Levantes have about a 14-14.5" handle on most all of their rods whereas the Zodias have a 14" on their 6'10's and a 16" on their 7'2's.

I prefer the shorter 14-14.5" handle lengths for most of my rods.

 

A few of the rods I listed I don't use much as the actions just were not what I wanted being ordered online and I typically don't go through the hassle to return them as I will eventually find a use for them. The 7' Tour Versatile was the first Levante I bought. I got it and it was wayyyyy too stiff. I was so disappointed! The Flatside Special was the Power/Action I wanted by feel and why I now have that one (The Tour Versatile is rated an F6 and the Flatside Special is an F4.5) . Same with my Zodias 7'2" Heavy. Feels like a broomstick but turned out to be a good frog rod although it does not have the best tip to cast with. Ended up with the 7'2" Medium as it is the Power/Action that I was truly looking for for.

 

I have a well stocked store rather local to me (Hammond's Fishing) that now has them all in stock and I started buying them there rather than buying online.

 

In short, I like them both....ALOT! Price is great and the performance level is above what you pay for them. I do not recommend buying based on the stated Power/Action. Identify the technique and what you want and go find one to feel first. 

 

I also have Shimano Poison Adrena's and Loomis GLX & NRX for comparison of maximum sensitivity and overall weight. I use my Zodias and Levante the most.

 

 

[clemsondds]

On 3/30/2021 at 8:25 AM, 00bullitt said:

I have a few of each (all are current models):

Zodias 7'2" Heavy

Zodias 7'2" Medium

Zodias 6'10" Medium Heavy

Zodias 6'10" Medium

Zodias 7' Med/Light Spinning

Zodias 7' Medium Spinning

Levante Whipsnake 6'11" Spinning

Levante Tour Versatile 7'

Levante Flatside Special 7'

Levante Diablo Spec-R 7'2"

 

Both rods are awesome! Aside from cosmetics, they are nearly identical in their level of sensitivity. They weigh about the same all things being equal. Components are all Fuji and aesthetics on both are stunning. Both hit way harder in performance than their $200 price tag.

 

I would heavily advise being able to feel the rods before you buy them and understand the true power and action. MegaBass identifies their rods by "F" number which gives a decent indication of power, but they are still very under rated. Meaning a broomstick has more flex than some of their rods. Shimano is very similar and their rating system is worse and more ambiguous.

 

Anything over an F5 in the Levante starts to feel like a pool cue in my opinion and in the Zodias they are about 1.5 power more than stated.

The Levante Flatside Special which they list as an F4.5 Medium "Regular" Action is my chatterbait rod. It has a good tip and nice firm action with bend in the right part of the blank. I would NEVER throw a flatside crank on it.

The Whipsnake spinning rod is a great action for a general purpose spinning rod. They list it as an F3 Light "Extra Fast". Its more of a Medium/Light. It is in between my Zodias Medium/Light & Medium. I ended up with the Medium Zodias because I took the power & action at face value and ordered it online. Was not at all what I wanted, but has turned out to be a fantastic spinning rod for jerkbaits and flukes. Yes, I have started using spinning rods for those techniques on ultra clear lakes to get the extra 20-25' of casting distance without any negative affect casting into the wind. The Levante Shakyhead rod is listed as a an F3.5 Med/Light "Fast" and is heavier than my Zodias Medium.

 

One other thing to consider is the handle length. I like that the net gain in rod length is realized in the Levante when going longer whereas the Zodias will give you a 2.5" longer handle and 1.5" more in the tip going from the 6'10" to the 7'2". The blanks also get sizable larger in diameter near the handle on the Zodias and they are heavier feeling in the hand.

I LOVE the 6'10" Zodias rod. I have one for spinnerbaits and the other is my finesse jig/texas rig rod. Its light in the hand and the blank is thin and very sensitive. I like thin blanks! 

 

The Levantes have about a 14-14.5" handle on most all of their rods whereas the Zodias have a 14" on their 6'10's and a 16" on their 7'2's.

I prefer the shorter 14-14.5" handle lengths for most of my rods.

 

A few of the rods I listed I don't use much as the actions just were not what I wanted being ordered online and I typically don't go through the hassle to return them as I will eventually find a use for them. The 7' Tour Versatile was the first Levante I bought. I got it and it was wayyyyy too stiff. I was so disappointed! The Flatside Special was the Power/Action I wanted by feel and why I now have that one (The Tour Versatile is rated an F6 and the Flatside Special is an F4.5) . Same with my Zodias 7'2" Heavy. Feels like a broomstick but turned out to be a good frog rod although it does not have the best tip to cast with. Ended up with the 7'2" Medium as it is the Power/Action that I was truly looking for for.

 

I have a well stocked store rather local to me (Hammond's Fishing) that now has them all in stock and I started buying them there rather than buying online.

 

In short, I like them both....ALOT! Price is great and the performance level is above what you pay for them. I do not recommend buying based on the stated Power/Action. Identify the technique and what you want and go find one to feel first. 

 

I also have Shimano Poison Adrena's and Loomis GLX & NRX for comparison of maximum sensitivity and overall weight. I use my Zodias and Levante the most.

 

 

Wow thank you for the great review!  That really helps!  What do you use your zodias 6'10MH for?  Like it? 

[00bullitt]

11 minutes ago, clemsondds said:

Wow thank you for the great review!  That really helps!  What do you use your zodias 6'10MH for?  Like it? 

Freaking LOVE IT!!! Best rod in the Zodias line IMO.

Medium/Heavy for Texas Rigged Senkos/Worms, Shakey Heads light weight/small finesse jigs with 14# Sunline Sniper.

I use the Medium for Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits.

[Rodney Smith]

Is the 7 ft ML Zodias a decent drop shot rod?

[LCG]

On 3/30/2021 at 8:25 AM, 00bullitt said:

I LOVE the 6'10" Zodias rod. I have one for spinnerbaits and the other is my finesse jig/texas rig rod. Its light in the hand and the blank is thin and very sensitive. I like thin blanks! 

That was a great write up and review, thanks for sharing. 

 

May I ask how you find the Lure ratings and action of these Zodias models? 

 

The medium is listed as a moderate fast action with a Lure rating of 1/4-3/4oz. Medium Heavy rated as fast action, 3/8-1oz. Would you say that's accurate?

 

I am looking for the "one" rod for throwing 1/8-3/16oz texas rigged plastics, total weight being 3/16-5/8oz. Also want to throw 3/8oz squarebills and 5/16oz spinnerbait (actual weight 5/8oz).

 

Which power rating would you suggest for the 3/16-5/8oz range? Flexible on line choice as I realize that can make a difference once the fish is on. Leaning towards the 6'10 Medium. I kayak and bank fish mainly, ponds, rivers, small lakes with a mix of features. 

[00bullitt]

2 hours ago, Rodney Smith said:

Is the 7 ft ML Zodias a decent drop shot rod?

Yes, its absolutely perfect.

[00bullitt]

1 hour ago, LCG said:

That was a great write up and review, thanks for sharing. 

 

May I ask how you find the Lure ratings and action of these Zodias models? 

 

The medium is listed as a moderate fast action with a Lure rating of 1/4-3/4oz. Medium Heavy rated as fast action, 3/8-1oz. Would you say that's accurate?

 

I am looking for the "one" rod for throwing 1/8-3/16oz texas rigged plastics, total weight being 3/16-5/8oz. Also want to throw 3/8oz squarebills and 5/16oz spinnerbait (actual weight 5/8oz).

 

Which power rating would you suggest for the 3/16-5/8oz range? Flexible on line choice as I realize that can make a difference once the fish is on. Leaning towards the 6'10 Medium. I kayak and bank fish mainly, ponds, rivers, small lakes with a mix of features. 

Lure ratings and power are pretty close, but actions are off some. The Medium is a fast action and the Med/Hvy is more XFast.  The 6'10's are much closer than their 7'2" counterparts.

 

I throw 1/2-3/4oz. spinnerbaits/chatterbaits on the medium and throw 1/8-1/2 on the Med/Heavy. I initially bought the Med/Heavy for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits but wanted a tad more tip for casting control and the lighter action seemed to let the fish get his mouth closed on the lure. That is how I ended up with the Medium. Truth be told, the Medium is a great all purpose rod. I would almost prefer to have two Mediums in the 6'10". The 6'10" Zodias are so much thinner and lighter than their 7'2" counterparts too. The reduced weight just lets me feel soooo much better too. And balance in the hand is perfect.

The other rod I would highly consider is the Levante Jerkbait Special. Certainly aint a Jerkbait rod and it falls nicely between the Med & Med/Hvy 6'10" Zodias. Its more like a Med/Heavy Zodias with a Fast action which Megabass calls a Medium Power, Fast Action.

 

Hope that helps.

[WRB]

Not on topic, how does SC Victory ML XF spinning rods compare to Zodias? 

[Dumbbassanglr]

I’ll keep this going when I get my Zodias 610mh tomorrow. I had the previous version of the Zodias in the past and it was very sensitive. I have the levante tour versatile and it is super stiff but it is fairly sensitive.

[DomQ]

I LOVE my 6'10 med fast zodias. Can't get enough of it!!!

[Bakablo1]

3 hours ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

I’ll keep this going when I get my Zodias 610mh tomorrow. I had the previous version of the Zodias in the past and it was very sensitive. I have the levante tour versatile and it is super stiff but it is fairly sensitive.

I find the tour versitale perfect for setting the hook on Jigs

48 minutes ago, DomQ said:

I LOVE my 6'10 med fast zodias. Can't get enough of it!!!

 What do you use it for? I'm thinking about this as my next purchase 

[WRB]

On 4/2/2021 at 3:27 AM, 00bullitt said:

Yes, its absolutely perfect.

The tip is a little too ridged for 1/8 oz drop shot imo, everyone is different.

Looking for the SC Victory ML XF spinning but haven’t got to touch and feel yet, like the handle design.

Tom

[00bullitt]

39 minutes ago, WRB said:

The tip is a little too ridged for 1/8 oz drop shot imo, everyone is different.

Looking for the SC Victory ML XF spinning but haven’t got to touch and feel yet, like the handle design.

Tom

I suppose "perfect" is subjective and relative. I don't dropshot with less than 1/4oz. 

[WRB]

1 minute ago, 00bullitt said:

I suppose "perfect" is subjective and relative. I don't dropshot with less than 1/4oz. 

1/4 oz+ should be OK. Our bass often drop the worm if the feel 3/16 oz weight, 1/4 isn’t work here, unless bed fishing or very windy over 30’ deep.

Tom

 

 

[00bullitt]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

1/4 oz+ should be OK. Our bass often drop the worm if the feel 3/16 oz weight, 1/4 isn’t work here, unless bed fishing or very windy over 30’ deep.

Tom

 

 

I  just got done playing with all of the new Victory line and walked away with the 7'2" Medium/Heavy Moderate casting for crankbaits. The Medium/Light xFast spinning was flimsy (to me), but for 1/8oz...might be your cup of tea. Was even lighter than the Zodias Light Action by a touch. Pretty spot on to the G. Loomis E6X 821DSR.

[WRB]

Thanks, helps a lot. Loomis 1 power is too light, need something close to a 2-2+, our are 4-6 lbs drop shot fish.

Sold all my rods last year. Do not like bare front locking rinds or flimsy upper 1/4 tip rods. Will take look at the M XF.

Tom

[00bullitt]

I have the NRX 822 DSR and the GLX 822SYR. I agree, the 821 is a noodle. The Light Action Zodias 7' spinning is a touch lighter than the 822. And the Med/Light Zodias 7'er is a smidge faster.

[WRB]

Thanks for the input but must pass on the Zodias because made China on the rod is a major issue.

Tom

[GetFishorDieTryin]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

The tip is a little too ridged for 1/8 oz drop shot imo, everyone is different.

Looking for the SC Victory ML XF spinning but haven’t got to touch and feel yet, like the handle design.

Tom

The 6'10 Vic is a ML so there's some give in the tip, but definitely not "flimsy."  Being a 6'10 the tip section is fairly short, so you get to the backbone of the rod really quick on a hookset.  If you like SCs XF DS rods you will probably like the ML Vic.

[clemsondds]

On 4/2/2021 at 10:14 PM, DomQ said:

I LOVE my 6'10 med fast zodias. Can't get enough of it!!!

What do you use it for? Thanks for the help

On 4/2/2021 at 7:39 PM, Dumbbassanglr said:

I’ll keep this going when I get my Zodias 610mh tomorrow. I had the previous version of the Zodias in the past and it was very sensitive. I have the levante tour versatile and it is super stiff but it is fairly sensitive.

Yeh would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks 

[DomQ]

I use my 6'10 zodias as my jerkbait rod and I toss in line spinners, lipless cranks and poppers with it as well.