WI_Angler1989 Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 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. Quote
Super User islandbass Posted January 30, 2020 Super User Posted January 30, 2020 Sorry I can’t help out, but I have to say, I also would love to get the scoop on this too. I might actually pop some popcorn on the stove for this. ? 1 Quote
WI_Angler1989 Posted January 30, 2020 Author Posted January 30, 2020 9 hours ago, islandbass said: Sorry I can’t help out, but I have to say, I also would love to get the scoop on this too. I might actually pop some popcorn on the stove for this. ? Let's hope the comments pour in soon! I was anxiously awaiting 15 replies when I woke up.... everyone must have been asleep lol 1 Quote
thunderblack Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 Alright, I have owned both and if I had to pick between the two it would be expride. I don't think its leaps and bounds better but it seemed lighter and more balanced to me. The handle on the expride is smaller and less comfortable to me but wasn't a deal breaker. Both are good choices but exprides are hard to beat for the money. Quote
bwjay Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 I haven't owned any LTB rods, but the Exprides tend to be pretty well-balanced, which is something SC rods are generally well-known for not being. Exprides are also very sensitive, a characteristic most people generally don't seem to use as the first or second descriptor for SC rods. I enjoyed my 6'8MXF spinning (before a Ned head shattered it) and I got my 7'3XHF casting over Black Friday, which is ironically my most balanced rod, despite being the longest and heaviest power rod I own. In April, there's a big expo in Minneapolis with lots of vendors including Shimano. I bought my first Expride there for something like a 20-25% discount. It's a little bit of a drive for you (from Eau Claire) but I highly recommend coming to the show. It's a blast! https://www.northwestsportshow.com/ Quote
browne762 Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 I have a couple Exprides and a Legend Tournament Walleye rod that I use for bass. My two I could compare would be the Expride 6'10" MLF and the St Croix 7'6" MLXF. Each has a Ci4+ Stradic on them. I don't really use them for the same thing, but I like them both. I use the St Croix mostly as a Ned Rig rod and I really love it for that application. Expride I have used mostly for small swinbaits, underspins and shakeyheads. I like the Expride reel seat better, but only by a minor amount as I also like the St Croix reel seat as well. One thing I absolutely hate about the Exprides (and Zodias) are that they don't have a hook keeper on them. The add on ones are just not the best. Other then that, to be totally honest, I would take either and feel like they are very close to each other. Exprides can be hard to find or find in stock whereas lots of places carry and stock St Croix. Exprides can be found "on sale" at places and generally St Croix will not be on sale. If they were both in front of me I would probably go with the St Croix. I also think that if you were to ask me again tomorrow/next week/next month, I might choose the Expride.... probably not helpful, sorry. I guess I just feel I would be happy with either. Quote
TBAG Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 I'm spoiled I guess but I refuse to buy a rod that doesn't have a factory hook keeper. Sucks because I'm a Loomis/Shimano fanboi. Quote
bwjay Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 1 hour ago, TBAG said: I'm spoiled I guess but I refuse to buy a rod that doesn't have a factory hook keeper. Sucks because I'm a Loomis/Shimano fanboi. That's such a minor hangup, it prevents you from owning some excellent rods. Get a Fuji hook keeper or *gasp* hang the hook on the lowest guide. The Fuji keepers are cheap and easy to use. Sure it would look a little better if a keeper was integrated, but that's like saying you won't buy a hamburger that doesn't have cheese on it when you can just add cheese yourself. I was going to use ketchup as an example, but you don't put ketchup on a good burger, you just don't. 1 Quote
TBAG Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 34 minutes ago, bwjay said: That's such a minor hangup, it prevents you from owning some excellent rods. Get a Fuji hook keeper or *gasp* hang the hook on the lowest guide. The Fuji keepers are cheap and easy to use. Sure it would look a little better if a keeper was integrated, but that's like saying you won't buy a hamburger that doesn't have cheese on it when you can just add cheese yourself. I was going to use ketchup as an example, but you don't put ketchup on a good burger, you just don't. I get your point(s) but I've tried the add on hook keepers to rods back in the day and it's just not the same. It's ok, I chose to upgrade some IMX pros and looked at the Shimano Exprides but decided to go on up to some amazing rods with factory hook keepers. Quote
Randy Price Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 It's funny how differently rods are loved/hated where you live geographically. I live in the upper midwest (right near the IL/WI) border and of course most guys love St. Croix. I had not even heard of a Dobyn's until recently. The other premium rod is G. Loomis that is well thought of......but not as much as SC. Quote
bwjay Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 8 minutes ago, Randy Price said: It's funny how differently rods are loved/hated where you live geographically. I live in the upper midwest (right near the IL/WI) border and of course most guys love St. Croix. I had not even heard of a Dobyn's until recently. The other premium rod is G. Loomis that is well thought of......but not as much as SC. They just don't sell Dobyns up here... St. Croix is in Wisconsin and they are everywhere in the midwest. I think people like SC because it's what's available and they have a decent warranty. Fenwick has similar brand recognition but not the same loyalty I see to SC. I don't dislike SC and I find the Premier rods a fairly dependable line, but they get tip heavy real quick. My 7'MHF was quite heavy, heavier than my Expride 7'3XHF, and the Expride is far better balanced as well. The first time I went frogging with the 7'MHF I was working frogs for about 3 hours and had a really sore wrist the next day. I am looking forward to giving the Expride a proper workout this summer. 1 Quote
Randy Price Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 44 minutes ago, bwjay said: They just don't sell Dobyns up here... St. Croix is in Wisconsin and they are everywhere in the midwest. I think people like SC because it's what's available and they have a decent warranty. Fenwick has similar brand recognition but not the same loyalty I see to SC. I don't dislike SC and I find the Premier rods a fairly dependable line, but they get tip heavy real quick. My 7'MHF was quite heavy, heavier than my Expride 7'3XHF, and the Expride is far better balanced as well. The first time I went frogging with the 7'MHF I was working frogs for about 3 hours and had a really sore wrist the next day. I am looking forward to giving the Expride a proper workout this summer. Hi Jay. I've been happy with my SC rods but part of that is because I visit the factory once a year and get to meet the folks building the rods. I like the fact they're American made. Funny I'm hard core about that but think nothing about putting on my Malaysian made Shimano Stradic Ci4+?????? 2 Quote
Mjmj Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 5 hours ago, TBAG said: I'm spoiled I guess but I refuse to buy a rod that doesn't have a factory hook keeper. I have 3 rods that did not have hook keepers. A local rod builder can put a hook keeper on, for about 8 to 15$ Quote
WI_Angler1989 Posted January 31, 2020 Author Posted January 31, 2020 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... Quote
Vilas15 Posted January 31, 2020 Posted January 31, 2020 6 hours ago, WI_Angler1989 said: Still want me an Elite... Go to the factory and see if theyve got any B-stocks for 30% off... or maybe call ahead so you dont waste your time driving to find out they dont have any. Warranty is only 1 year if that factors into the decision. Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted January 31, 2020 Super User Posted January 31, 2020 I own both, but in casting models. I'd give the Expride blank the edge in terms of sensitivity. But like mentioned above, no bait keeper hook Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 5, 2020 Posted February 5, 2020 Ive fished the lbt and own an expride. Ive fished 3 different models and owned 2 models from st. Croix (Avid x and mojo bass) and I find the expride much better balanced, lighter, and more sensitive then the avid x and lbt, but could be due to balance! The hook keeper does bother me but not enough to shy away from them. I’ll be looking to add another one for sure this season maybe 2! I prefer them to my imx pro’s as well! I love the reel seat 1 Quote
WI_Angler1989 Posted February 5, 2020 Author Posted February 5, 2020 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. Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 5, 2020 Posted February 5, 2020 5 hours ago, WI_Angler1989 said: 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. It is tough to purchase something before handling it but with the expride I’m sure you will love it. The warranty from st. Croix is awesome but in 8 years for fishing and 3-4 years of fishing hard I haven’t had to use warranty once so it’s not something that overly worry’s me. ive been meaning to try the tatula elites as I hear good things but right now I’m loving my glx’s and nrx’s for majority and the middle of the road I’m starting to replace everything with exprides. I’m hoping to offload a few roads and pick up 2-3 exprides this season. If not I will be adding the 7’2” medium heavy for sure. Hoping to get the 7’6 heavy and the 6’10” medium Quote
WI_Angler1989 Posted February 5, 2020 Author Posted February 5, 2020 5 hours ago, Matt_3479 said: It is tough to purchase something before handling it but with the expride I’m sure you will love it. The warranty from st. Croix is awesome but in 8 years for fishing and 3-4 years of fishing hard I haven’t had to use warranty once so it’s not something that overly worry’s me. ive been meaning to try the tatula elites as I hear good things but right now I’m loving my glx’s and nrx’s for majority and the middle of the road I’m starting to replace everything with exprides. I’m hoping to offload a few roads and pick up 2-3 exprides this season. If not I will be adding the 7’2” medium heavy for sure. Hoping to get the 7’6 heavy and the 6’10” medium 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 1 Quote
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