SC Victory Marshal vs Shimano Zodias.

[Randy Price]

I'm going to have a little Christmas money and was thinking of buying another casting rod.  I'm torn between the SC Marshal 73mhf and the Zodias 72mhf.  I'm looking for another "swiss army knife" rod.  for the $$ what is your preference and why?

[MiceNReets]

No brainer…. SC Victory.    I’d also recommend looking at “the Grunt” in the Victory Line.   7’1 MH/F.    I use that rod for everything.  Fav rod I’ve ever had.   I like it better than the Marshall. 

[Randy Price]

9 minutes ago, MiceNReets said:

No brainer…. SC Victory.    I’d also recommend looking at “the Grunt” in the Victory Line.   7’1 MH/F.    I use that rod for everything.  Fav rod I’ve ever had.   I like it better than the Marshall. 

I was looking at the Grunt too.  Just wasn't sure which was more versatile.

[MiceNReets]

18 minutes ago, Randy Price said:

I was looking at the Grunt too.  Just wasn't sure which was more versatile.

The Grunt is something special. It’s always with me.   It just does alot of stuff really good.    I wouldn’t count that one out on your search.   I’ve used the Zodias rods and I prefer the  Victory rods better.  Plus the warranty is a no brainer.   

[Reel]

I would go for the Zodias but would choose the 7'2', heavy, my favorite rod.

[Smirak]

I’ve got the SC Victory Marshal.  I absolutely love it. I upgraded from a broken Mojo Bass on warranty and am really glad I did it!!

[r83srock]

I have several victories and the Marshall is one of the nicest rods I’ve ever used. It’s under 4oz! I think the Victory series is the nicest rods I’ve ever in its price range that I have experience with. The warranty is tough to beat also.

[shackman]

I don’t have any St Croix rods but have several Zodias, old style and new and I like them pretty well 

[Randy Price]

@MiceNReets and @Smirak and @r83srock, between the Grunt and the Marshal which would you choose?

[r83srock]

I cannot comment on the grunt as I haven’t used that model. I’ve used other st croixs at 7’1” and it’s a great all around length. I have a feeling the grunt is a little softer in power compared to mh rods from st croix in the past. I think I saw a posted weight of that rod awhile back at 3.5oz. 

[Smirak]

I haven’t used the grunt either. My local Cabela’s didn’t have one. 

[WRB]

Recommended the Victory rod a few days ago! 
Customer service and not made in China.
Tom

[Randy Price]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Recommended the Victory rod a few days ago! 
Customer service and not made in China.
Tom

@WRB, would you choose the Grunt or the Marshal?

[WRB]

12 minutes ago, Randy Price said:

@WRB, would you choose the Grunt or the Marshal?

7’3” Marshal with  5/16-1 oz lure rating.

Either rod.

Tom

[Randy Price]

15 minutes ago, WRB said:

7’3” Marshal with  5/16-1 oz lure rating.

Either rod.

Tom

Thanks @WRB.

 

Randy

[LonnieP]

I have the Grunt and it’s a good spinnerbait rod.

[NorthernBasser]

On 12/2/2024 at 5:41 PM, Reel said:

I would go for the Zodias but would choose the 7'2', heavy, my favorite rod.

 

I'm not of much help, since I don't have any Victory's. But I do have this same Zodias model and it's great. The Zodias line is so underrated IMO. 

[Craig P]

No experience with the Victory but I use a Zodias 7’-0’ Medium Heavy Fast and love it for 3/8 ounce Texas rigs. It’s one of those things where you find the perfect rod for X bait and there is no reason to use anything else. Sensitivity and accuracy is good and control of bass in vegetation is superior to rods that I’ve paid double for.

 

The handle is what sets it apart IMO from other rods. So much that it propelled me to look at the Poison Adrena, ultimately, I settled on a couple of St Croix Physyx as they introduced a similar handle in that line and have a superior warranty.  At this point, I won’t buy anything if it doesn’t have that style of handle.

[Smirak]

Almost bought a zodias today. Would have been able to compare for you. However, I snagged one of the MB Orochi XX Tour Versatile for $200. 

[rangerjockey]

I would go with the Zodias. I'm probably in the minority but I think the Zodias is a more sensitive rod than the Posion Adrena. The actions are different and I haven't fished the '24 but I wouldn't spend the extra $ if sensitivity was my goal.

The Victory is a nice rod but I only own the crankbait model.

[softwateronly]

23 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I would go with the Zodias. I'm probably in the minority but I think the Zodias is a more sensitive rod than the Posion Adrena. The actions are different and I haven't fished the '24 but I wouldn't spend the extra $ if sensitivity was my goal.

The Victory is a nice rod but I only own the crankbait model.

Interesting.  I don't find the MF adrenas super sensitive, good but not great, but the F models, especially the 6'11M+ ranks really high for me.  Is your comparisons including either of the '18 fast models?

 

scott

[MiceNReets]

On 12/3/2024 at 12:44 PM, Randy Price said:

@MiceNReets and @Smirak and @r83srock, between the Grunt and the Marshal which would you choose?

I’d choose the Grunt over the Marshall but the grunt just works well for me shore fishing and float tube. Either one you wouldn’t be disappointed.   You might enjoy the Marshall more if you’re on a boat.  

2 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Interesting.  I don't find the MF adrenas super sensitive, good but not great, but the F models, especially the 6'11M+ ranks really high for me.  Is your comparisons including either of the '18 fast models?

 

scott

The 6’11M+ PA is the real stand out of any PA rod.   Such and amazing rod for so much. 

[rangerjockey]

55 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

Interesting.  I don't find the MF adrenas super sensitive, good but not great, but the F models, especially the 6'11M+ ranks really high for me.  Is your comparisons including either of the '18 fast models?

 

scott

I had F in casting and I still have the 6 10 UL Xfast . 

[softwateronly]

2 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

The 6’11M+ PA is the real stand out of any PA rod.   Such and amazing rod for so much. 

Really is.  I can throw 10" worms and and certain 1/2 & 5/8oz jerkbaits on the same rod and find it perfect, makes no sense when I think about it.

 

scott

[Brian11719]

Both excellent choices and I can't say that one is necessarily better than the other but each one of them has their strengths:

 

Zodias

Great rod blank...I'd give it an A on this model. 

Better handle and in my opinion this makes it a little more sensitive than the victory. The victory is a standard cork handle and not bad at all but this one is a step up in my opinion.

 

Victory

Exceptional rod blank...St. Croix is definitely a little different when it comes to their blanks and I like them a lot for certain applications...this is one of them and so I'd say the rod blank itself is slightly better here (would give it an A+) but that is completely a personal preference thing and I can't say anything bad about the Zodias rod blank.

One of the best customer support offerings you are going to get (in my opinion) and a better warranty than the Zodias (although Shimano did improve their warranty recently).

If you get the Victory you are supporting a small, American owned business, which I like to try to do when I can.

 

I personally use this rod for underspins, spinnerbaits, jigs and big worms most of the time and sensitivity is not as important for me when I'm throwing one of these as it would be for something like an alive shad on a drop shot. Currently own the Marshall, have it paired with a Lew's Tournament Pro and don't see myself moving away from this setup any time soon.

 

Final verdict for me on this one is too close to call and it would probably come down to which one I could snag on a good sale. I happened to get the Victory when ALF had their St. Croix blowout sale a while back and I'm completely happy with it...but I'd also probably be about as happy with the Zodias...especially if I got a good deal on it. One last note on the warranty...if anything were to happen to the rod it looks like Shimano would replace it once for 50% off vs. if you buy the St. Croix you are covered for 15 years and they also give you some great upgrade options if / when anything does happen.