WI_Angler1989

Hey, me too! I'm waiting for the right deal to pull the trigger on an Expride too. Spinning model for me though...

I'm itching to get my hands on one finally. It's hard to stay patient for a sale! I'm in Eau Claire, Wi, so not terribly far depending on the quality of the deal.

I'm still in the process of talking myself into it. I'm both frugal and a gear junkie ?? it's a tough combo

That makes sense. Wishful thinking on my part considering how often they're out of stock. I feel like I need a 7' medium, ya know? Bait Monkey reasons.

Anybody know if Shimano Exprides ever go on sale? I'm in the market for a new spinning rod...

It doesn't differ for me at all anymore. I used to get my gear for just fishing in general: Largemouth, pike, smallies. I progressively started "downsizing" lures and rods (i.e. medium heavy fast, to medium light extra fast) to better suit ligjter aized baits and, let's be honest, light power is a fun with big smallies.

Oh yeah, I'm sure I'd be plenty happy with my choice if/when I pull the trigger on an Expride! There's just still a part of me that's stuck in frugal/broke/cheap mode lol. "Do l reeaally need it now?" I really like my Tatula. I got a sweet deal on my dropshot model and used it a ton for Ned rigs and grubs last season. Ironically, I rarely dropshotted with it. It's super responsive, but has a good backbone, very sensitive and casts light lures really well. The river smallies i chase are awesome to catch on the lighter power too. Monsters! I do have a 66mf Avid that I use a lot, but that's the one I want to replace with an Expride. I want a longer model and figured it'd be fun to branch out for a change. If I can sell the Avid, I'll order the Expride instantly lol

Thanks for the input @Matt_3479! I can totally understand the balance being a big factor. I have a Daiwa Tatula Elite as well, and the balance alone makes it feel lighter and more sensitive. I wish I could handle an Expride in a store to help me decide if I want to pick one up. I'm wary of their warranty too. Especially compared to St Croix.

Every tube is different. I'm partial to Cabin Creek, River Rock and Get Bit Baits, personally.

Bizz Baits is doing a custom color run right now called South African Special (black with red, gold and purple flakes). I just ordered 5 packs of baits: 2 Baby Bizz Bugs and 3 Dizzy Diamonds. Should be money!

Thanks for the responses, everyone! I feel like if I get the chance to handle an Expride, or other higher end models of theirs (or Dobyns, Falcon, etc) i may be more inclined to get one. I have such faith and familiarity in St Croix that's trust isn't an issue. Still want me an Elite...

Let's hope the comments pour in soon! I was anxiously awaiting 15 replies when I woke up.... everyone must have been asleep lol

It's all in the title, Folks! I'm curious how the two rods compare to each other in the spinning models. I have a 6'10" MLXF St Croix LTB rod now and have heard all about how much people love the Expride line. I'm very much a St Croix lover, but have been wanting to branch out a bit since I can't afford an Elite or Xtreme. I do love my LTB, but as many know, they're a bit tip heavy and it can be noticeable on a long day. How is the sensitivity, balance, aesthetics, backbone, etc in the Expride? Unfortunately I don't have any stores around me that I can go get hands on one. Maaaybe in the spring, but the only option is a fairly limited Scheels.

Probably just a Whopper Plopper for me too. I do have a couple of Vision 110 jerkbaits and the smaller size as well (78?), but all of those were winter time sales at a local sporting goods store. Probably paid half price!

I have a couple of Avids that I bought before the X line came out and I love them! They've proven to be durable, versatile and sensitive to me and my limited experience. That being said, if I was in the market now without any Avid.... I would get the X. The grips on the classic is a bit cumbersome (yes, I could stand them to my liking, but I haven't tried yet). I love the micro guides on my LTB even though I use braid to leader with it. So if I ran braid it wouldn't be any issue for me. I do really like the feel, balance and look of split grips. The Avid x sort of disappears in my hand, where the Avid has sort of a bulbous grip compared to my LTB (which is very minimal).

I love reading all of your stories! Such a wealth of knowledge and experience we share here on BR. Thanks everyone, and a Happy 2020 to each of you!

What presentations, lures, stages, etc did you have the most success with for Smallies last season? What was your most fun day? I had a couple sequential days that were a blast! The rivers were completely swelled with rains, which is a notoriously hard time on my river. I got on a pattern walking the shore with a Green Pumpkin Blue Baby Bizz Bug, rigged on a Cadman's Smallie Crawlin jig, and casting the grassy flooded edges on one of my rivers. It was like clock work! Cast in the grassy shore and wait for a hit darn near every cast! There were a few prime spots that would hold 5 or 6 tanks, all stacked up, fighting for the best spot.

Same! Hey, there's always next year. Orrrr Fish Year's Eve.... ?

Assuming Santa were real: - Wilderness Systems ATAK 120 - Bending Branches Carbon Pro paddle (Preferably in a subtle color) - Shimano Stradic FL 3000 - St Croix Legend Elite 7MF - a Partridge in a Pear tree (obvs) Sadly, Santa either isn't real.... or has a budget that's more suited to socks and coffee mugs ???? A guy can dream though....

I have NEVER fished with a baitcaster. I'm not opposed to it, but I love spinning gear. Tools for a job, yadda yadda, but why force it when I have no need?

My biggest river Smallie was 23 1/4!! I didn't own a scale at that point, so I have no idea the weight of her. For what it's worth t hpugh, the fishes proportions were perfect. Chunky AND long! I caught her in a West-central WI river on a little green pumpkin blue Cabin Creek Salty Critter Jr tube rigged on a Cadman's Smallie Crawlin jig (my Go-To). Funny thing is that she didn't really fight very hard. Hit was normal, only one jump (which was enough to see how big the fish was and stop the heart lol) the most impressive thing was how hard she dead stopped me... in the fastest current... with drag singing... so much fun! Definitely trophy worthy!

A Cabin Creek Salty Critter Jr tube in Green Pumpkin Blue flake, rigged on a 1/4 oz Cadman's Smallie Crawlin jig. Never fails me! It's a small 2.5", extremely soft, finesse tube. The smallmouth absolutely cannot pass it up here!

Bizz Baits Black Friday for the win!!! Killer Kraws, Baby Bizz Bugs and a couple packs of Dizzy Diamonds and Sassy Sticks to try for the first time next season. The Baby Bizz Bugs made a bit of a comeback for me last year. I've used them heavily as jig trailers for years now, but I had some insane action rigging them alone on a Cadman's Smallie Crawlin jig in high river water. I do really well with the Killer Kraws, but they were hitting a jig or Kraw 1:2 compared to the Baby Bizz. Needless to say, I burned through my stores and needed this stick up bad! With this order I'm pretty well stocked up on plastic, Siebert jigs, Cadman's Smallie Crawlin jigs, hard baits.... Any extra gear bought would be purely Bait Monkey fodder at this point ????

Looks awesome, Mike! I caught an insane amount of river Smallies and Pike last season on my Sniper jigs. Pretty sure I only lost 6 or so to snags or teeth. Not too shabby!

Siebert Sniper Jig with a Bizz Baits Baby Bizz Bug. Color matches the conditions.