Can't decide

[BassSteve]

Ok guys,

 

I'm having a hard time deciding between the expride or megabass Levante for my general purpose MH rod needs. I hear good and bad about the levante, but almost nothing bad about the expride lol. People that own and have used both please give me your advice. Thanks 

[Darth-Baiter]

which Levante?

[BassSteve]

7 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

which Levante?

Something more general purpose, like I think it's called touring. Whichever is their more general purpose model 

[Darth-Baiter]

tour Versatile.  

 

i played with the rod, and kinda kick myself for not buying one.  zero idea about the Expride.  

[FishTank]

55 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

Ok guys,

 

I'm having a hard time deciding between the expride or megabass Levante for my general purpose MH rod needs. I hear good and bad about the levante, but almost nothing bad about the expride lol. People that own and have used both please give me your advice. Thanks 

What do you intend to use it for? What weight range?

[BassSteve]

44 minutes ago, FishTank said:

What do you intend to use it for? What weight range?

I use between 1/4 and 5/8  max probably 

[webertime]

Tour Versatile is pretty fast action, Brailist is slightly more moderate but still a great jig rod.  Moving single hooks and Carolina Rig are great on the Brailist.  On sale for 150-160 it's hard to beat.

[PBBrandon]

I have the 7’2” MHF Expride B and it’s a fantastic rod. I’ve held the Levantes in store and they feel really nice as well. I’m sure you can’t go wrong. 

[MiceNReets]

4 hours ago, BassSteve said:

Something more general purpose, like I think it's called touring. Whichever is their more general purpose model 

Well I have the Orochi XX Tour Versatile rod and I find it ok but it’s not my favourite.  Ive heard that the Levante version is more enjoyable but I haven’t tried one.  However, I also like the Levante line better than my Orochi xx rods.   Except the cork handle is nicer on the Orochi line up.      You should look at the Perfect Pitch Levante instead of the Tour Versatile.    I know it’s a heavy but I feel like it’s more like a MH+.    It’s got a good back bone and soft tip.   I use it for everything pretty much.   I also have the Braillist it’s MH but I don’t find it to be an all around rod.   
 
plus with KTS having the Levante on sale, they’re definitely worth getting.  You wouldn’t be disappointed.

 

 

throw on a JDM ‘21 Zillion Sv and you have a great combo.  
 

[FishTank]

4 hours ago, BassSteve said:

I use between 1/4 and 5/8  max probably 

Take a look at the P5 Super Destroyer from a JDM site. It's a great do all rod that can be had for around $300.

[NorthernBasser]

Expride 100%. 

[JN94]

Expride

[ironbjorn]

Definitely the Expride.

[waymont]

Another expired vote here.

[Darth-Baiter]

Levante!!  (just to fight back all the Expride love)

 

[MiceNReets]

1 minute ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Levante!!  (just to fight back all the Expride love)

 

I had a couple exprides and I felt they were just eh… 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

 

however I haven’t been a fan of the Shimano rods.   Except the poison adrena.   They had that special something.   
 

I find the new generation Levantes have that special something especially for an “entry level” rod.   I enjoy them more and find them better than my higher priced Orochi rods.    
 

Having said that, the Shimano warranty is a lot better than the Megabass warranty IF you are not the original owner.   If you’re the original owner with receipt then the Megabass warranty from what I hear is fantastic.  
 

having said that…. I’d go with Levante over the Expride.    You can also go into the store and handle them side by side to see what you think feels better in hand.  Also bring the reel you intend to use with the rod.  That’ll make a difference.   I’ve had reels that I planned to use with a certain rod and that clearly didn’t happen.  Didn’t feel the way I hoped when it came time to use them together.   

[FrnkNsteen]

I don't have an Expride to compare, but I do have a Zodias and a Levante, which are both $200 rods. 

 

Between those two, I choose the Zodias over the Levante. Mainly because it is lighter, better balanced, and at least to me,....feels more sensitive to me.

 

Assuming the Expride is a step up from the Zodias,... Logic has me assuming the Expride would win. That being said.... I have never bought an Expride because they don't feel right in my hand (balance issue ro me) but I can say they always seem to be the choice others compare to in to $200-$300 price range. That usually says a lot!!

That being said,... The Levante IS a nice rod and is beautiful. I have a '18 Bantam MGL on mine throwing a spinnerbait and the rig is the sharpest I own!!

[WaskaCrank12]

I have a similar interest in this post/question - 

 

@MiceNReets you mentioned KTS having a sale on the Levante - I am new to fishing/forum - what is KTS ? (I googled KTS Fishing and was not finding anything) - thank you 

[MiceNReets]

4 minutes ago, WaskaCrank12 said:

I have a similar interest in this post/question - 

 

@MiceNReets you mentioned KTS having a sale on the Levante - I am new to fishing/forum - what is KTS ? (I googled KTS Fishing and was not finding anything) - thank you 

kittery trading post?  I saw someone else mention it so I referenced it.    Don’t have that here in Canada so I have no idea what it is.  I googled it up as well.  

27 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I don't have an Expride to compare, but I do have a Zodias and a Levante, which are both $200 rods. 

 

Between those two, I choose the Zodias over the Levante. Mainly because it is lighter, better balanced, and at least to me,....feels more sensitive to me.

 

Assuming the Expride is a step up from the Zodias,... Logic has me assuming the Expride would win. That being said.... I have never bought an Expride because they don't feel right in my hand (balance issue ro me) but I can say they always seem to be the choice others compare to in to $200-$300 price range. That usually says a lot!!

That being said,... The Levante IS a nice rod and is beautiful. I have a '18 Bantam MGL on mine throwing a spinnerbait and the rig is the sharpest I own!!

 

comparing the 2020 Zodias to the expride I find the Zodias  a better rod and at a lower price too.   I find the new Zodias reminds me of the gen 1 Poison adrena and they feel the same to me.    As for expride they just don’t feel right in hand to me and I feel they are over hyped.    I’ve also noticed locally the resale value isn’t there compared to Megabass rods.    That’s local used markets out here that is.   

[BassSteve]

2 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

I had a couple exprides and I felt they were just eh… 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

 

however I haven’t been a fan of the Shimano rods.   Except the poison adrena.   They had that special something.   
 

I find the new generation Levantes have that special something especially for an “entry level” rod.   I enjoy them more and find them better than my higher priced Orochi rods.    
 

Having said that, the Shimano warranty is a lot better than the Megabass warranty IF you are not the original owner.   If you’re the original owner with receipt then the Megabass warranty from what I hear is fantastic.  
 

having said that…. I’d go with Levante over the Expride.    You can also go into the store and handle them side by side to see what you think feels better in hand.  Also bring the reel you intend to use with the rod.  That’ll make a difference.   I’ve had reels that I planned to use with a certain rod and that clearly didn’t happen.  Didn’t feel the way I hoped when it came time to use them together.   

In the end I went with a rod by Gamakatsu. Its supposed to be here tomorrow....wish me luck we'll see how it turns out..

[MiceNReets]

2 minutes ago, BassSteve said:

In the end I went with a rod by Gamakatsu. Its supposed to be here tomorrow....wish me luck we'll see how it turns out..

[BassSteve]

8 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Nothing like paying a lot of money for a rod and not being able to check it out first lol

[MiceNReets]

2 hours ago, BassSteve said:

Nothing like paying a lot of money for a rod and not being able to check it out first lol

Could be worse I suppose.  

 

what rod did you end up ordering?

[BassSteve]

6 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

Could be worse I suppose.  

 

what rod did you end up ordering?

Yes it could be worse. I'm putting my faith in the fact that gamakatsu is a high quality company so their rods are probably no exception. I'm not expecting to be disappointed 

Just now, BassSteve said:

what rod did you end up ordering?

It is a gamakatsu luxxe series rod

[Koz]

I have Expride A's and Expride B's. By far they are the favorite rods in my arsenal. I actually prefer the A's over the B's, but not by a lot.