Zodias vs Rebellion

[A kid from Canada]

Looking for a ML casting rod to toss 1/4 - 3/8 cranks and 1/4 jig heads with 2.8 keitech paddles tails on. The Zodias has 2 options one being a 7'2 ML/XF graphite, the other 7' ML/M glass. The Rebellion is a 7' ML/R graphite, which action do you think would be best? I do prefer slightly longer handles on my rods which I why I'm leaning towards the Zodias line.

[The Bassman]

Asking for "best" recommendations is purely subjective. Brand loyalty and personal preferences tend to dictate the responses you'll get. Today's market is very deep as far as quality and performance are concerned. I'm sure either would serve well.

[MN Fisher]

^ What he said.

 

Personally I lean towards Dobyns and St Croix - both also have very good rods for the purposes you're looking for.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I looked heavily at those two rods along with the 7' MegaBass Levante Shakeyhead.

 

The MegaBass won out.  The Rebellion was heavy and didn't have a hook keeper, the Shimano was nice just not as nice as the MegaBass.  The Levante is the best $200-250 rod I've ever owned.

[A kid from Canada]

The best rod is subjective but I was more wondering which rod each of you would prefer for my techniques being the 3 rods are different actions and materials. Levante rods look amazing but the Shakey Head is a spinning rod and the Flatside Special doesn't have the lure range I'm looking for. I guess I would just default to the Rebellion because it's action lies in the middle of the 3 rods. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

12 minutes ago, A kid from Canada said:

The best rod is subjective but I was more wondering which rod each of you would prefer for my techniques being the 3 rods are different actions and materials. Levante rods look amazing but the Shakey Head is a spinning rod and the Flatside Special doesn't have the lure range I'm looking for. I guess I would just default to the Rebellion because it's action lies in the middle of the 3 rods. 

My bad, I thought I had read spinning rod.   Read the weight baits and saw those three rods, and just ran my mouth lol.

 

Disregard the poor advice. 

[Big Hands]

14 minutes ago, A kid from Canada said:

The action and power are important, but I have rejected many rods because I didn’t care for other attributes. 
 

weight

balance

ergonomics

seat placement 

butt materials

color

 

I have also compromised because sometimes the rod I wanted didn’t at a price I was willing to pay. 

 

[NorthernBasser]

I can't help you with those specific models. All I can say is I have both Zodias and Rebellion rods. Both are equally great rods as far as feel, fit and finish. 

 

They're also quite light. My 7'2 H Zodias casting rod weighs 4.47 oz. 6'9 ML Zodias spinning weighs 3.62 oz. And my 7'1 ML Rebellion spinnings weighs 3.40 oz.

[Str8BraidPowa]

I use two rods for the things you listed, one is the Zodias 7'2" ML fast, and the other is the Dobyns sierra ultra light 700 (use the same reel on both). I love the Dobyns for small cranks, and micro chatter bait, with that said I toss small jigs, swimbaits on jig heads, and micro texas rigs far more often and for that it's the zodias. If you told me I had to have one it would be with out doubt the Zodias. I caught more than half my fish this summer on that rod, a lot of that was on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig head with a hula grubb. Not sure about the other rod you are comparing to but I love this Zodias rod, I may even upgrade to an Expride version this summer. Good luck!

[AlabamaSpothunter]

16 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

I can't help you with those specific models. All I can say is I have both Zodias and Rebellion rods. Both are equally great rods as far as feel, fit and finish. 

 

They're also quite light. My 7'2 H Zodias casting rod weighs 4.47 oz. 6'9 ML Zodias spinning weighs 3.62 oz. And my 7'1 ML Rebellion spinnings weighs 3.40 oz.

That 3.4 on the Rebellion is very impressive.   To me it didn't translate in the hand as well as the Levante, but the Levante weighs an ounce more.  

 

The reality is that the Levante was the most beautiful spinning rod I've ever seen, I had to own it....I became biased after that.   The Zodius is a very close second in terms of being beautiful to look at.

 

I'm not afraid to admit, I want something nice to look at that is in my hands for hours at a time.  All three rods are beautiful, just hate that all three are made in China or Vietnam.   

[NorthernBasser]

16 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

That 3.4 on the Rebellion is very impressive.   To me it didn't translate in the hand as well as the Levante, but the Levante weighs an ounce more.  

 

The reality is that the Levante was the most beautiful spinning rod I've ever seen, I had to own it....I became biased after that.   The Zodius is a very close second in terms of being beautiful to look at.

 

I'm not afraid to admit, I want something nice to look at that is in my hands for hours at a time.  All three rods are beautiful, just hate that all three are made in China or Vietnam.   

To be honest, I was a little surprised when you said the Rebellion felt heavy. Maybe that model doesn't balance well? 

 

And I agree the Levante is a great rod. I love everything about it minus one very minor issue (to me at least, most people don't have issue with it) is the length of the trigger. It's shorter than most other rods. Personally I like it a little longer. With that said, it wouldn't keep me from buying another one. I have the jerkbait special that I use as a 2nd/3rd jerkbait rod and some topwater. 6'11 M that weighs 4.26 oz. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

4 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I looked heavily at those two rods along with the 7' MegaBass Levante Shakeyhead.

 

The MegaBass won out.  The Rebellion was heavy and didn't have a hook keeper, the Shimano was nice just not as nice as the MegaBass.  The Levante is the best $200-250 rod I've ever owned.

Those MB rods are nice.  I was impressed how stout the Orochi Whipsnake felt, while still having that light crisp feel.  MB must have put a serious amount of time into ergonomics and balance because the few models I have gotten to handle feel lighter than they actually are.  

[Scott804]

Don't have the rebellion, but I just picked up the ML/M Glass Zodias casting rod and I really like it so far. With an MGL 70 type reel it can really get those 1/4oz crankbaits where they need to go. Haven't tried a 1/4oz jighead but i'd imagine with a light wire hook and a swift, reeling hookset it could work well. I caught two on a mini max chatterbait on it yesterday and it loaded up perfect, just like a glass rod should with a bladed jig. Would recommend, fun rod. I even took it down to the bottom of the range and with the reel set right it certainly got by with a 3/16 oz bait.