Shimano vs Megabass Jerkbait rods

[jejenkyns]

Looking at the Levante Jerkbait Special vs the Zodias 6'10 Medium.

 

Anyone experienced with both have a preference? How do the actions differ? Which is more versatile? Weight, feel, fit and finish etc?

 

Also open to hearing about experiences with the Orochi XX and Expride versions.

 

Thanks!

[NorthernBasser]

The Levante Jerkbait Special is a really nice rod. The trigger is a tad shorter than I like, but that may not bother you. 

[jejenkyns]

11 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

The Levante Jerkbait Special is a really nice rod. The trigger is a tad shorter than I like, but that may not bother you. 

yeah i can't see that bothering me at all

[jbrew73]

1 hour ago, NorthernBasser said:

The Levante Jerkbait Special is a really nice rod. The trigger is a tad shorter than I like, but that may not bother you. 

I would advise the op to try before you buy. The levante jerk bait rod action is perfect.

I just had the reel seats replaced on 2 brand new levante rods.  It was either sell or fix them.  The megabass reels seats are terrible.

 

[EzyEric]

I got the Zodias 610M in early fall last year.  So far I'm slightly disappointed with the action for Jerkbaits though I'm not the most avid jerkbait angler.  I'd love to know how the Magassbass fishes. 

[jejenkyns]

1 hour ago, EzyEric said:

I got the Zodias 610M in early fall last year.  So far I'm slightly disappointed with the action for Jerkbaits though I'm not the most avid jerkbait angler.  I'd love to know how the Magassbass fishes. 

What don't you like about it, if you don't mind me asking?

 

8 hours ago, jbrew73 said:

I would advise the op to try before you buy. The levante jerk bait rod action is perfect.

I just had the reel seats replaced on 2 brand new levante rods.  It was either sell or fix them.  The megabass reels seats are terrible.

 

Unfortunately I can't try either in my area. What happened to the reel seats?

[DomQ]

The look of the levante rods, in their price range, cannot be beat. But looks aren't everything.

 

I have the 6'10m zodias rod, it was my absolute most used rod this past season. It's super light weight, very sensitive, very comfortable to fish with for 8+ hours due to the new handle design and reel seat. The blank on the zodias rods have never left me feeling worried about throwing something at the top end of the lure rating, never a problem with the rod twisting, you can really feel the difference the x wrap makes. 

 

If it makes any difference, the new curado rods are essentially the last generation zodias rods, with the same blank and upgraded guides. They are 50 bucks cheaper here in Canada then the zodias and in my opinion, the most featured friendly rod in its price range. Also comes in most of the same actions as the zodias rods, even some new ones!!!

[jbrew73]

1 hour ago, jejenkyns said:

What don't you like about it, if you don't mind me asking?

 

Unfortunately I can't try either in my area. What happened to the reel seats?

They just were not comfortable in my hand.  The location of the trigger placed my hand in the wrong spot and the smaller size of the trigger let it dig into my finger.      
i use Daiwa tatula reels and I like that they are somewhat larger size than other brands.  Other reels may have been a better fit for that rod but I didn’t try anything else.
 I’m not knocking megabass at all, some people may find them very comfortable.  the action on the jerkbait rod was perfect so I spent them money to make it work for me.   

[The Maestro]

I'm starting to see that the optimal tool for jerkbaits is really a spinning rod.  Having your hand on the top of the rod just allows for a more natural way to impart the action. I've been spending time trying to get used to it over the winter as my spinning rod game is really weak.