Dedicated Jerkbait Rod Battle: Expride 6'10 M vs Zodias 6'10 M vs St. Croix Victory 6'8 MXF

[larrymarketfishing]

Hello all!

 

As the forum title says, I'm looking for a dedicated jerkbait rod (will be paired to a SLX MGL 70), and I have my sights primarily set on a St. Croix Victory 6'8 MXF. 

 

However, I was wondering if anyone that has the 6'8 Victory, if you also have the 6'10 Expride, is it worth spending a little more to get the Expride? The Victory and the Zodias are both $200, and the Expride is only $60 more. Matt from TacticalBassin swears by the 6'10 M Expride, so I wanted to see if you guys would agree? I’ve got my heart set on the Victory, but looking for any reason to either get the 6’10 Zodias or spend a little more for the Expride.

 

Thanks again!!

[kdubracing]

Interested in the replies on this as well, but for a slightly different reason. Looking at these specific rods also but for a finesse jig/light or weightless t-rig/shakey head rod. If you have experience with them, please offer some insight on those techniques as well. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Ok, this information may be useless, but here is my opinion. I got into jerkbait fishing about 4 years ago (never had any luck till I went with a guy that slayed them on one). I have tried every action and taper under then sun and I settled on a 6'8" MH x-fast Shimano Curado. The reel seat isn't the most comfortable but it doesn't make too much of a difference. I tried a 6'6" M Expride and it seemed to cast them better, but IMO it was too "whippy". I don't worry about ripping the hooks out with the MH because I set me drag to fish a JB. I feel like I get more feel out of the rod. Like I said, I am different than most people, so my opinion might be useless to you.

[WRB]

I have SLX MGL 70 with Major Craft Iovino Splash-It MF 6’8” rod combo and it’s an excellent combo for what you are looking for.

Tom

[Deephaven]

Can't speak to the Victory, but I use a L. Elite blank in the same action for jerks.  LOVE IT.

[larrymarketfishing]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Ok, this information may be useless, but here is my opinion. I got into jerkbait fishing about 4 years ago (never had any luck till I went with a guy that slayed them on one). I have tried every action and taper under then sun and I settled on a 6'8" MH x-fast Shimano Curado. The reel seat isn't the most comfortable but it doesn't make too much of a difference. I tried a 6'6" M Expride and it seemed to cast them better, but IMO it was too "whippy". I don't worry about ripping the hooks out with the MH because I set me drag to fish a JB. I feel like I get more feel out of the rod. Like I said, I am different than most people, so my opinion might be useless to you.

I was surprised to see the 6’10 Expride is a Moderate-Fast. I asked Matt what he would recommend between a Dobyns 685CB (also Mod-Fast) and the 6’8 MXF Victory, and he said definitely the Victory for sure because the tip section is a lot more crisp and would work jerkbaits a lot better. 

[GreenPig]

I'm enjoying my Zodias 6'10" Med Fast and Curado MGL 70 for JB's. 

[larrymarketfishing]

Well, I ordered the 6’8 MXF Victory…Bass Pro Shops has it for $20 off retail and they had a 10% off code today. And I had a $50 gift card.

 

 

[LCG]

On 12/13/2021 at 12:50 AM, GreenPig said:

I'm enjoying my Zodias 6'10" Med Fast and Curado MGL 70 for JB's. 

Which model Zodias are you using for that spinnerbait? Keep debating the 6'10 M for light spinnerbait / Texas rig duty. Is the lure rating of 1/4-3/4 accurate? 

[GreenPig]

It's the 7'2" Medium. I haven't thrown anything over a 1/2 oz on the 6'10" but it feels like the rating is correct. The 6'10" is a nice rod and should work great for light spinnerbait/ Texas rig.

[MiceNReets]

On 12/16/2021 at 7:02 PM, larrymarketfishing said:

Well, I ordered the 6’8 MXF Victory…Bass Pro Shops has it for $20 off retail and they had a 10% off code today. And I had a $50 gift card.

 

 

Old post.   I know.    Raising the dead here.  
 

 

how do you like the Victory jerkbait rod? Or anyone else that has one.   Can you chime in?  
 

thanks

[Jmurphy87]

7 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Old post.   I know.    Raising the dead here.  
 

 

how do you like the Victory jerkbait rod? Or anyone else that has one.   Can you chime in?  
 

thanks

I don’t have the victory rod, I have the legend tournament bass one though. It seems really good so far, I feel like I can really choose how I want to work the bait with the rod and I can tell what it is doing. I have not had a whole lot of time on it yet, I ended up getting towards the end of last season. I would imagine that the victory rod would be about the same.

[MiceNReets]

27 minutes ago, Jmurphy87 said:

I don’t have the victory rod, I have the legend tournament bass one though. It seems really good so far, I feel like I can really choose how I want to work the bait with the rod and I can tell what it is doing. I have not had a whole lot of time on it yet, I ended up getting towards the end of last season. I would imagine that the victory rod would be about the same.

Ha.  Funny you should post that rod.  I JUST got off the phone with st croix about upgrading my avid x to the legend tournament jerkbait rod.    Same model you have.   
 

anyone else have any comments on the legend tournament jerkbait rod?

[MN Fisher]

32 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

anyone else have any comments on the legend tournament jerkbait rod?

Not on the Legend - but I do have the Victory.  Light, snappy...I enjoyed using it for jerks this past year.

[Jmurphy87]

47 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Ha.  Funny you should post that rod.  I JUST got off the phone with st croix about upgrading my avid x to the legend tournament jerkbait rod.    Same model you have.   
 

anyone else have any comments on the legend tournament jerkbait rod?

That’s funny 😆, it’s a really nice rod that doesn’t weigh much at all. I have mine paired with a tatula 80 that’s spooled up with 10lb daiwa samurai fluorocarbon line. The combo feels really nice in hand. I will admit that I started with daiwa reels and eventually transitioned to shimano reels mostly. I have had a steez a, 2 zillion g, tat elite, tatula sv tw and I always could feel the difference in the braking profiles. The steez an and tatula elite were my long casters and the other reels always felt a little bit over braked to me, who knows could just be my casting stroke preference. But I find that I get better distance from my shimano reels and I like them better. But the tatula 80 is nice and light and balances the rod nicely and so that is why I chose it. I will test it out more once the weather changes around here, I really want to get a slx 70 mgl to throw on it to test my theory out you know.

[MiceNReets]

4 minutes ago, Jmurphy87 said:

That’s funny 😆, it’s a really nice rod that doesn’t weigh much at all. I have mine paired with a tatula 80 that’s spooled up with 10lb daiwa samurai fluorocarbon line. The combo feels really nice in hand. I will admit that I started with daiwa reels and eventually transitioned to shimano reels mostly. I have had a steez a, 2 zillion g, tat elite, tatula sv tw and I always could feel the difference in the braking profiles. The steez an and tatula elite were my long casters and the other reels always felt a little bit over braked to me, who knows could just be my casting stroke preference. But I find that I get better distance from my shimano reels and I like them better. But the tatula 80 is nice and light and balances the rod nicely and so that is why I chose it. I will test it out more once the weather changes around here, I really want to get a slx 70 mgl to throw on it to test my theory out you know.

 

nice.   I look forward to trying it.    I have a tatula 80 here I was thinking to use or a couple slx mgl 70s here that I can use.

both are 7 speeds.   Generally want a slower retrieve reel for jerkbaits?  I never really put much efforts into jerkbaits but now that I moved to a new area and new body of water.  It seems they are the ticket for smallies here or topwater.    
 

was always fishing largemouth and now the smallies took over this area and are pushing them away.   Last year I was catching smallies in the swampy areas where I’d expect to catch largemouth punching the grass and what not.  

 

[Jmurphy87]

20 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

 

nice.   I look forward to trying it.    I have a tatula 80 here I was thinking to use or a couple slx mgl 70s here that I can use.

both are 7 speeds.   Generally want a slower retrieve reel for jerkbaits?  I never really put much efforts into jerkbaits but now that I moved to a new area and new body of water.  It seems they are the ticket for smallies here or topwater.    
 

was always fishing largemouth and now the smallies took over this area and are pushing them away.   Last year I was catching smallies in the swampy areas where I’d expect to catch largemouth punching the grass and what not.  

 

Yes the 7.x ratio is about the standard for what people use for jerk baits, some use 8.x ratio but I prefer the 7.x. I just want to take up the slack line and nothing more, it’s that delicate balance of not moving the bait with the line that you pick up with the reel. The rod gives the bait your action and the reel maintains the right amount of slack to keep your movements consistent and correct. 

[MiceNReets]

30 minutes ago, Jmurphy87 said:

Yes the 7.x ratio is about the standard for what people use for jerk baits, some use 8.x ratio but I prefer the 7.x. I just want to take up the slack line and nothing more, it’s that delicate balance of not moving the bait with the line that you pick up with the reel. The rod gives the bait your action and the reel maintains the right amount of slack to keep your movements consistent and correct. 

ahhh… was thinking 6.x for jerkbaits.   

[webertime]

Gear ratio is really person dependent.  I accidentally over reeled a lot when I started so I went to a 6 ratio to help and it worked.  6, 7, 8 whatever as long as you can use it effectively.

 

I have a 68Mxf Legend Xtreme with an OG Steez and 8lb Sniper and it's pretty darn perfect.  Any of the 68Mxf are great JB rods.

[DogBone_384]

I’ve got the Expride. I like it almost as much as my 6’9” KLX (M/MF) for jerkbaits. 
 

I find the Kistler more comfortable in my hand. It’s made in TX and was over $100 cheaper than the Expride.

[larrymarketfishing]

On 1/15/2024 at 11:11 AM, MiceNReets said:

Old post.   I know.    Raising the dead here.  
 

 

how do you like the Victory jerkbait rod? Or anyone else that has one.   Can you chime in?  
 

thanks

Sorry for delayed response. I did like the 6'8" Victory for jerkbaits. The action was pretty much perfect for throwing them. The only thing I didn't like was the grip was just a little on the thin side, and the trigger was a little bit short for my liking, and those two combined resulted in sore left hand and wrist after only a few hours on the water. 
 

I've since ordered the 6'10" Medium Shimano Expride B and I loved it so much throwing jerkbaits that I bought a second one. The grip is more comfortable and the extra 2" in length made a bit of a difference in casting distance, as far as I could tell at least. If you have the budget for it, I would highly recommend getting the Expride. 

[MiceNReets]

1 hour ago, larrymarketfishing said:

Sorry for delayed response. I did like the 6'8" Victory for jerkbaits. The action was pretty much perfect for throwing them. The only thing I didn't like was the grip was just a little on the thin side, and the trigger was a little bit short for my liking, and those two combined resulted in sore left hand and wrist after only a few hours on the water. 
 

I've since ordered the 6'10" Medium Shimano Expride B and I loved it so much throwing jerkbaits that I bought a second one. The grip is more comfortable and the extra 2" in length made a bit of a difference in casting distance, as far as I could tell at least. If you have the budget for it, I would highly recommend getting the Expride. 

 I ended up getting a legend tournament bass 68mxf instead of the victory.   Really looking forward to trying that out.   I’ll check out the expride.   I used to have a 6’10 M poison adrena gen 1.    Regret parting with that one.   I’d imagine the expride is similar to that?

[larrymarketfishing]

14 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

 I ended up getting a legend tournament bass 68mxf instead of the victory.   Really looking forward to trying that out.   I’ll check out the expride.   I used to have a 6’10 M poison adrena gen 1.    Regret parting with that one.   I’d imagine the expride is similar to that?

Haven't fished the Poison Adrena before but the TB guys say the action is pretty much the same as the Zodias, but just weighs a little less. I'd imagine it's the same story for the Poison Adrena, but much lighter since it doesn't use any cork at all on the handle.

[UncleSasquatch]

Anyone have experience with the Ark Tharp One Eyed Jack? I’ve been wondering if the Expride 6’10 is really worth double the price. I also have never used the Arks and been curious. 

[NorthernBasser]

18 minutes ago, UncleSasquatch said:

Anyone have experience with the Ark Tharp One Eyed Jack? I’ve been wondering if the Expride 6’10 is really worth double the price. I also have never used the Arks and been curious. 

I haven't used that model. I do have the 7' Hammer (previous version) and the 7'3 Money Maker in the new 2024 model. These are great rods, especially at the price. Obviously not same level as the Expride, but still very nice. 

 

@T-Billy has a handful of them. Maybe he's fished the One-Eyed Jack.