I just got the Zodias 6'9" ML rated 4-8lb line, 1/8-7/16 lures. I have been fishing with it two times, and have caught about 20 bass so far.

This is the first Shimano rod I have used, so I'm not used to the ratings they use. I was expecting the rod to be less stiff than it is.

It's an incredible rod though. I fished 1/8 shaky heads and 3/16 jigs with chunk trailers in a strip pit lake. The lake is deep, and the bass were hanging close to steep bluff walls right on the bottom in about 15-20', and biting lightly. The rod is very sensitive, and feels great.  I used a Stradic FK 1000, 10lb braid to 10lb FC leader, and could feel the lightest bites, and slack line bites too. The taper is slightly slower than what I'm used to (Loomis/St croix/Daiwa), but feels good.

I would not use 4lb line on this rod though, it's too stiff, and doesn't budge once it hits the backbone. I feel like it's ratings should be 6-12lb line, and 1/8-1/2, or maybe 5/8. Compared to my Daiwa Tatula 6'6" M spinning rod, it is slightly stiffer feeling. The Tatula rod is fantastic, it's light, sensitive, balanced, and is very comfortable. This Zodias is really comfortable too. I love the reel seat, and the rear no-grip is great feeling. Overall is an excellent rod.

 

How light is the rod? 

One of my all time favorite spinning rod is Crucial Dropshot gen1 6’8 XF 1/8-3/8oz. It is super lightweight, very well balance and sensitivity is very good. Even it is rated as XF, but not super fast at all, the tip is soft yet can handle Senko very well. I broke the rod, got curado as replacement (shakey head) 6’10 XF 3/16-5/8oz. This rod is also sensitive enough but it is heavier, really fast tip and tip heavy. The backbone is a lot more than crucial and can handle big bass with ease. I caught quite a bit of bass with the rod including 4-5lb bass, but sold the rod after I lost three rigs back to back to back, from line broke after hook set (6lb FC leader).

I came across Daiwa Tatula OG 7’ M/F 1/8-3/4oz and happy with the rod so far. It is what I’m searching for all along after loosing the crucial, Light 118 grams, sensitive and balance is perfect with all my Daiwa LT. The tip is soft and fast enough yet backbone is there when big fish come along (not 3/4 more like 1/2oz). This rod can handle Ned rig all the way to Senko class with ease, I use the rod for mostly 1/16oz Neko rig Finesse worm or 6” fat roboworm. The problem is when I up the weight to 3/32oz with ZinkerZ or Senko the tip now become over load, too soft to get a good action.

 

Now I’m thinking of getting another good rod that can handle a little heavy weight for deeper water. I was plan to go JDM version (majorcraft) since most of the US rods come with those 1/2” thick blank and a bit too heavy. I’m curious to know about this Zodias and might answer my question.

On 9/5/2020 at 5:43 PM, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

How light is the rod? 

One of my all time favorite spinning rod is Crucial Dropshot gen1 6’8 XF 1/8-3/8oz. It is super lightweight, very well balance and sensitivity is very good. Even it is rated as XF, but not super fast at all, the tip is soft yet can handle Senko very well. I broke the rod, got curado as replacement (shakey head) 6’10 XF 3/16-5/8oz. This rod is also sensitive enough but it is heavier, really fast tip and tip heavy. The backbone is a lot more than crucial and can handle big bass with ease. I caught quite a bit of bass with the rod including 4-5lb bass, but sold the rod after I lost three rigs back to back to back, from line broke after hook set (6lb FC leader).

I came across Daiwa Tatula OG 7’ M/F 1/8-3/4oz and happy with the rod so far. It is what I’m searching for all along after loosing the crucial, Light 118 grams, sensitive and balance is perfect with all my Daiwa LT. The tip is soft and fast enough yet backbone is there when big fish come along (not 3/4 more like 1/2oz). This rod can handle Ned rig all the way to Senko class with ease, I use the rod for mostly 1/16oz Neko rig Finesse worm or 6” fat roboworm. The problem is when I up the weight to 3/32oz with ZinkerZ or Senko the tip now become over load, too soft to get a good action.

 

Now I’m thinking of getting another good rod that can handle a little heavy weight for deeper water. I was plan to go JDM version (majorcraft) since most of the US rods come with those 1/2” thick blank and a bit too heavy. I’m curious to know about this Zodias and might answer my question.

I just weighed the rod, it's 3.7oz. I got out today and caught some fish. I brought my Daiwa Tatula 7'1" ML rod, and the Zodias, both were fishing bottom baits. I would say they are both about the same as far as sensitivity goes. The Tatula had a lighter reel on it, is longer by 4", weighs under 3.4oz, and is still less tip heavy than the Zodias. Both are great rods.

51 minutes ago, waymont said:

I just weighed the rod, it's 3.7oz. I got out today and caught some fish. I brought my Daiwa Tatula 7'1" ML rod, and the Zodias, both were fishing bottom baits. I would say they are both about the same as far as sensitivity goes. The Tatula had a lighter reel on it, is longer by 4", weighs under 3.4oz, and is still less tip heavy than the Zodias. Both are great rods.

3.7oz that is pretty light.

 I weight my 1st gen Zodias 6’10 H (casting) which weight more than Tatula 6’10 MH and also Tatula is balance better.

I also compare the Tatula7’0 with My crucial 6’8 ML and it weight about the same despite the fact that crucial got a balancer kit on its butt. I might try to find 6’9 M to compare. All I care is weight and balance on spinning rod.

On 9/6/2020 at 6:36 PM, waymont said:

I just weighed the rod, it's 3.7oz. I got out today and caught some fish. I brought my Daiwa Tatula 7'1" ML rod, and the Zodias, both were fishing bottom baits. I would say they are both about the same as far as sensitivity goes. The Tatula had a lighter reel on it, is longer by 4", weighs under 3.4oz, and is still less tip heavy than the Zodias. Both are great rods.

which version of the the Tatula is yours that weighs 3.4oz?

Is your Zodias a JDM model?  The Shimano US site doesn't show a model that corresponds to the specs that you cited.

 

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-ZODIAS_SPINNING.html

1 hour ago, QED said:

Is your Zodias a JDM model?  The Shimano US site doesn't show a model that corresponds to the specs that you cited.

 

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-ZODIAS_SPINNING.html

My Zodias is a USA version. 6'9" ML.

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-ZODIAS_SPINNING_A.html

 

The problem with having no industry standard is that it's almost impossible to try the product on before you buy it. So much of bass fishing gear is a blind purchase. This is why I stick to primarily Dobyns. I know exactly what I'm getting.

6 hours ago, waymont said:

My Zodias is a USA version. 6'9" ML.

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-ZODIAS_SPINNING_A.html

 

 

Interesting.  Google pointed me to the ZODIAS_SPINNING page rather than the ZODIAS_SPINNING_A page that you cited above.  Wonder why they have these different ZODIAS product pages...

5 minutes ago, QED said:

 

Interesting.  Google pointed me to the ZODIAS_SPINNING page rather than the ZODIAS_SPINNING_A page that you cited above.  Wonder why they have these different ZODIAS product pages...

You have to search 2020 Zodias. The one is your link is older gen.