Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    145

    NRR Advice: Shimano Expride 7’2” ML vs St Croix Victory 7’3” M

    I’ve narrowed my choices to these 2 options for a Ned Rig rod. Most of the time I’m using 3/16 - 1/4 oz weight. Let’s assume the warranty on these rods is the same (even tho the St Croix is much better).

    For those that have used these rods what would you pick? I may also use the rod as backup dropshot, swimbait or tubes. Thx

  2. Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Redding, CT
    Posts
    74
    #2
    Have you thought about the new st. Croix legend tournament line at all?

  3. Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Posts
    1,399
    #3
    Why such heavy weight for the ned rigs

  4. Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    145
    #4
    Austin - I see the previous post on the Legend Tournament so maybe I’ll consider that one and Expride instead of the Victory.

    QuakenShake - it’s very common to use 1/4oz ned rig weights to reach deeper smallies.

  5. Member BigBrownBass's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Buffalo, MN
    Posts
    2,155
    #5
    Expride will be more sensitive than victory.

  6. Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    386
    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by BigBrownBass View Post
    Expride will be more sensitive than victory.
    The Curado is a better rod with better components than the Victory - the Zodias blows it out of the water - the Expride is in a different universe.

  7. Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Edmonds, WA
    Posts
    8,561
    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Mackl View Post
    Austin - I see the previous post on the Legend Tournament so maybe I’ll consider that one and Expride instead of the Victory.

    QuakenShake - it’s very common to use 1/4oz ned rig weights to reach deeper smallies.
    I always thought it was impossible to fish a ned for deep smallies, hearing the advice of "light as possible always". Then I noticed the pros that tend to do well in smallie derbies are using 1/4-3/8 ounce neds regularly. So much easier to get deep.
    2020 Nitro Z20 Pro Package

  8. Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    On, Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,688
    #8
    ...Victory typically gets compared to NRX.

  9. Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    145
    #9
    Well I ended up picking up the Expride 7'2 ML. I compared it a couple of my true Medium action spinning rods, and feel it is definitely closer to a Medium than ML. But thanks for the advice on here and feel its important to have a more sensitive rod for ned rigs. I already have a couple St. Croix rods so figured I would mix it up and try something different.

    McJenson - I used to also think it was not possible to get deep smallies on a ned. But over the past 5 years (on the right type of day with light winds) I catch them often on St. Clair in 17-20FOW and Erie up to 25'. The key for me to get them in this deeper water is it has to be pretty calm out, or I just can't feel the bait...

  10. Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Wellsboro,PA
    Posts
    10,502
    #10
    The victory is a fine rod...but the expride is very fine...i use an LTB for thr ned with a vanford 2500..love it
    2020 Skeeter ZX150