In the market for a new jig rod. Going to be used for 1/4-3/8 finesse jigs mainly, around light cover. Wanting to spend around 200. I’ve seen praise on the zodias, Levante, the victory, and dobyns  champ xp. I’ve fished with dobyns and like them but wouldn’t mind branching out. Open to other suggestions as well. 

zodias 72 medium heavy .

I only have experience with the Zodias and the Expride. The Expride is worth the $60 more. I would love to try the Levante though.

Same fishing scenario here, and I had also tried to branch out to other brands. Yet at the end, I still pick up Dobyns more often than others.

The Irod Gneiss III series are really nice, and well under $200.00

The bad news, last time I checked TW, most all models were sold out, what's that tell ya..?

It’s hard to beat a Champion 734C.

Diawia Tatula ?

 

Ark Tharp "Money Maker", Invoker Pro, or Essence 7'3" Mag MH. Whichever trips your trigger. Same great 40T Torray blank with different guides, seats, and handles, priced from $129 to $179. 

4 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

It’s hard to beat a Champion 734C.

It really is. They are some nice rods. 

5 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

The Irod Gneiss III series are really nice, and well under $200.00

The bad news, last time I checked TW, most all models were sold out, what's that tell ya..?

I’ve read some reviews about them and they have all been positive. I wouldn’t mind picking up one to try. 

6 hours ago, newapti5 said:

Same fishing scenario here, and I had also tried to branch out to other brands. Yet at the end, I still pick up Dobyns more often than others.

I feel like that’s what’s going to happen if I branch out haha. I’m considering a champ 744c with some of these sales going on, or possibly even a dx 744c

7 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I only have experience with the Zodias and the Expride. The Expride is worth the $60 more. I would love to try the Levante though.

I’ve had my hands on one zodias and it felt really good. Never got to handle an expride, the levante seems nice and has pretty solid reviews. 

7 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I only have experience with the Zodias and the Expride. The Expride is worth the $60 more. I would love to try the Levante though.

i have a levante whipsnake. nice rod very unique action but i still think the zodias is the better rod at$200. your right about the expride too. the extra $60 goes a long way.

If you’re willing to go to the champion extreme I’d recommend the dx743c for finesse jigs over the dx744c. The dx743c be a little quicker and better on the hook set. The Dc744c will be good if around heavier cover. Exprides are light and great rods and so are the Irods. For your application I’d go with the extremes even if they weren’t on sale. 

I kind of thought the 744c may be a tad to stout for 1/4-3/8, I've read that the dx743 is a good finesse jig rod but I've never had one in my hands. 

ive been tempted to get a 704 dc while their on sale. i dont really want a heavy but ive heard with dobyns to go 1 size up from what you like in some other rods.

Just now, padon said:

ive been tempted to get a 704 dc while their on sale. i dont really want a heavy but ive heard with dobyns to go 1 size up from what you like in some other rods.

I have a dc704c, its a sweet rod. its more of a medium heavy though imo. can't go wrong with it!

Just now, Jonnyb41 said:

I have a dc704c, its a sweet rod. its more of a medium heavy though imo. can't go wrong with it!

yeah thats what ive heard and what i want. it would be a general purpose rod. mid weight jigs worms paddletail swimbaits etc.