Expride 7'7 Heavy

[MattVT18]

Has anyone ever used this rod? My local shop got a couple in last week. It's listed as mod. fast and the guys at the shop said the Shimano rep said it was more of a swimbait rod. Just curious as this is the first one I've seen...

[Nick D]

I had one about 2 years ago. I used it for pitching/punching (1/2-1oz) and as an A-rig rod when I wasn't fishing grass. It performed well for both of those techniques.

[MattVT18]

Nick D - those techniques were exactly what I thought it might be good for. The action was very similar to my Powell Endurance 795 (I use it for A-rigs and punching) but it seemed to weigh less. I was considering another 795 but might get the Expride instead.

[Nick D]

Nick D - those techniques were exactly what I thought it might be good for. The action was very similar to my Powell Endurance 795 (I use it for A-rigs and punching) but it seemed to weigh less. I was considering another 795 but might get the Expride instead.

It was a great rod and super light weight. I regret selling it. It could easily do other things (deep water bottom contact / larger swimbaits / big top water).

[River-Bandit]

Not 100% sure if I have this right ,, but it seems like I remember the guys from Tactical Bassing were using this rod for big worms at one time

[jiggerjake]

My buddy recently brought one specifically for smaller glide baits. Said it was a big mistake as its too soft/underpowered for this application.

[MattVT18]

My buddy recently brought one specifically for smaller glide baits. Said it was a big mistake as its too soft/underpowered for this application.

Really? I've used my Endurance 795 to throw around an S-Waver 168 and it did fine. I know the two rods are different (Endurance and Expride) but they felt very similar. I suppose that's how I always end up selling mulitple rods each year...until you put a reel and lures on there you can't really tell how it would behave.

[jiggerjake]

Really? I've used my Endurance 795 to throw around an S-Waver 168 and it did fine. I know the two rods are different (Endurance and Expride) but they felt very similar. I suppose that's how I always end up selling mulitple rods each year...until you put a reel and lures on there you can't really tell how it would behave.

I should clarify, when I say smaller glides I’m talking 7-8” in the 2-3oz range. It may handle the 168 just fine.Again,I personally have no experience with the rod. Just going by what he told me