Need help Selecting a Expride Jig Rod

[gilkeybr]

I know the title of this discussion is a bit vague.  I have been planning to buy a new rod for some time now, but I am starting to get "buyers remorse" before even purchasing.

 

The rod I had my eye on is a Expride 7'6" Heavy.  I'm starting to get worried though that I don't have much need for a H action rod.  Anyone with experience with this stick have some words of wisdom they can share?

 

For reference, I already have a 7' MH/F, and a  7'4 MH/R Zillion.  My plan was this new rod would be a jig rod.  However, from reading some reviews i'm afraid the heavy action would be more suited to punching/flipping, which is something I rarely do (don't fish heavy cover at all really).  

 

Is there something else in the Expride line that would better suit my needs?  I'm looking for something a bit stiffer/faster than my MH/R.  Additionally anyone have some recommendations in this price range of other rod lines to look at, outside of Shimano?

[ResoKP]

I haven't fished Exprides but looking at the 7'6" H lure rating of 7/16 - 1 1/2 oz, looks like a 3/4 oz & bigger jigs if you want to use it for jigs... But the 7'6" MH at 3/8 - 1 oz looks like a nice 1/2 oz jig rod... I'd probably lean towards the 7'6" MH for a jig rod

[gilkeybr]

I am starting to wonder if a MH would be better suited for my type of fishing, like you said.

[Largies4Life]

If you don't fish heavier cover, and if you already have a heavy rod for frogs and such, I would say there is no need for the 7'6" Heavy Expride in that case. You'd be much better off with the 7'6" MH for your jig fishing needs, especially if you aren't fishing any heavy cover. I prefer somewhat of a shorter rod, I have the 7'2" MH Expride and absolutely love it as my main jig fishing rod. I have it paired up with the Chronarch MGL, no complaints on my end!

[CroakHunter]

Although I havent fished the exprides, my non pitching jig rod is a 7'5 medium heavy. I really enjoy it. For pitching jigs I like a more powerful rod. I also use the 7'5 for Carolina rigs. 

[fishballer06]

Get the Heavy, trust me. You'll enjoy having the extra power for whenever you need it. I have the 7'2" H Expride and I absolutely love that rod. That rod handles a 1/4oz Baby 1-, as well as 3/4oz swimbait jigs with a 4.3" Keitech on them. If you like jig fishing, that 7'6" H will allow you to fish 3/8-3/4oz jigs with a trailer on them with no issues at all. I don't see why you would want another MH rod whenever you already have two MH rods that do the same thing. 

[newyorktoiowa57]

Where are you finding them in stock?

[Largies4Life]

1 hour ago, newyorktoiowa57 said:

Where are you finding them in stock?

Your best bet is eBay for the Exprides. I was on the waiting list for 2-3 months on TW, and looked one morning on eBay and there was a new posting for the same rod I wanted and bought it. There were 3 available at the time and the other two were sold within 30 minutes of me getting mine. They are hard to come by, but well worth the wait!!

[newyorktoiowa57]

On 3/14/2019 at 10:26 AM, Largies4Life said:

Your best bet is eBay for the Exprides. I was on the waiting list for 2-3 months on TW, and looked one morning on eBay and there was a new posting for the same rod I wanted and bought it. There were 3 available at the time and the other two were sold within 30 minutes of me getting mine. They are hard to come by, but well worth the wait!!

How can I be sure i am getting an Expride A vs the older model?  So of the listings ship out from japan.

[fishballer06]

On 3/14/2019 at 11:04 AM, newyorktoiowa57 said:

How can I be sure i am getting an Expride A vs the older model?  So of the listings ship out from japan.

The older models were 2 piece rods. The handle section was one piece, and then the main blank was the other part. 

[Largies4Life]

Also, for me personally, I was a bit hesitant ordering from one the Japan sellers. I was lucky enough to get one from a sports store down in Georgia who had 100% positive feedback from buyers. Just have to do your research on the buyer beforehand!

[ResoKP]

Or just get the NRX 894C JWR and call it a day ?

[Diggy]

They do have the 7"2' H Expride A on eBay for $242 shipped from Simmons. I know someone that just bought one, but the haven't fished it yet. At least someone in the thread cosigned this model if you choose to go this route.