Jig Rod? Expride A, Dobyns Champion?

[willt]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm looking to get a nice jig rod for this season, pretty much exclusively for 3/8-1/2oz jigs around docks, shallow brush, etc. Obviously sensitivity and backbone are huge. I'm also looking for it to make a good skipping setup. (Fast Tip? Extra fast?) In the past I've only skipped with spinning rods, so I'm open to any feedback on that part itself, too.

 

I've read a lot about the Expride A's sensitivity and rod weight, but that's about all people have to say about it continuously. In anyone's experience, is this a good option for what I'm looking for? I've been looking at the Zodias, Champion XP, Sierra, and Fitzgerald Stunner HD as options as well. I've never fished Shimano, Dobyns or Fitzgerald rods, and with this stay at home order in Michigan for COVID, I can't get my hands on any to test their feel in person. I'm obviously far from brand exclusive so let me know what you've found to be successful setups for this scenario!

 

 

[Tywithay]

For that money, I'd look at the Expride, or even a KLX. Both are noticeably more sensitive than the dobyns, in my opinion. For skipping, I'd look at shorter rods in the 6'10" range. You can do ot with a longer rod, but it makes it less precise. 

[waymont]

I have fished the Champion 704c, but never an Expride A. The Champion would be great for your needs, I know some people say the Expride is more sensitive tho.

Dobyns rods feel great, are well balanced, and well made. You wont be disappointed in it.

Others will chime in soon. My favorite rod for what you are describing would be a Loomis IMX-Pro 853c, but it's more expensive.

The 803c would be better for skipping. Shorter version of the IMX-Pro

 

[WRB]

I would consider ALX Zolo Skipper for your presentations.

Skipping is a learned skill unrelated to jig fishing other then you are casting a jig. When the cast is completed you are jig fishing no different then making a short cast to any other structure or cover. 

Tom

[jbsoonerfan]

I have Zodias and Expride rods and the Exprides are better than the Zodias line, no doubt about it. That being said, as long as you stay at about 1/2 oz or under the 6'8 MH Expride is worth looking at. I have this rod and it is very nice to use for short casts, pitching, or in your case skipping. It has more backbone than my 6'10 MH Zodias rods as well. I have no experience with Dobyn's just giving you what information I can.

[Stephen B]

Expride

[willt]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I have Zodias and Expride rods and the Exprides are better than the Zodias line, no doubt about it. That being said, as long as you stay at about 1/2 oz or under the 6'8 MH Expride is worth looking at. I have this rod and it is very nice to use for short casts, pitching, or in your case skipping. It has more backbone than my 6'10 MH Zodias rods as well. I have no experience with Dobyn's just giving you what information I can.

Do Shimano rods run a bit lighter than they're rated then? I noticed that 6'8MH is rated 3/8-1oz which made me a little nervous about stiffness. That's a lot of power for a short rod

[jbsoonerfan]

2 minutes ago, willtomlinson said:

Do Shimano rods run a bit lighter than they're rated then? I noticed that 6'8MH is rated 3/8-1oz which made me a little nervous about stiffness. That's a lot of power for a short rod

You are asking the wrong guy, lol. I have been a Shimano fan from the earliest full cork Crucials to the eva ones, the red Cumaras to the black/gray ones, Cumulus, then on to the Zodias, Expride and Poison Adrenas

[willt]

1 minute ago, jbsoonerfan said:

You are asking the wrong guy, lol. I have been a Shimano fan from the earliest full cork Crucials to the eva ones, the red Cumaras to the black/gray ones, Cumulus, then on to the Zodias, Expride and Poison Adrenas

The Poison Adrenas are beautiful. That's more than I can justify spending though. One day maybe

[WRB]

Dobyns rods you can talk to Gary, ALX rods you can talk to Alex and questions them about their rods. Who owns Shimano that you can talk to?

Tom

[Pogues2300]

38 minutes ago, willtomlinson said:

The Poison Adrenas are beautiful. That's more than I can justify spending though. One day maybe

Bought one and it is indeed awesome. Also I'm aware ill be in the minority but i feel expride is overrated in its sensitivity. Every other thread people rave about it and i bought one for cheap. Selling it for a profit. 

[STBen1215]

39 minutes ago, WRB said:

Dobyns rods you can talk to Gary, ALX rods you can talk to Alex and questions them about their rods. Who owns Shimano that you can talk to?

Tom

And... The Expride is superior than both ALX and Dobyns offerings at the same price range. The Exprides fish well above there price ranges. 

[Cgrinder]

I have the 72 H Expride and just got the ALX Enox BMJ in. The Expride is a very good rod, well worth the money over the Zodias. However the Zodias is also a good, solid rod line; I have that 72 H as well. The Expride may have more power. The Expride is also appropriately sensitive for its price, though I personally would like a little more help discerning bites from grass. I have pretty high expectations for the Enox and I plan to use it for pretty much exactly what you describe with 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigs. The Expride is probably going to frog full-time.

[FrogMann]

29 minutes ago, Cgrinder said:

I have the 72 H Expride and just got the ALX Enox BMJ in. The Expride is a very good rod, well worth the money over the Zodias. However the Zodias is also a good, solid rod line; I have that 72 H as well. The Expride may have more power. The Expride is also appropriately sensitive for its price, though I personally would like a little more help discerning bites from grass. I have pretty high expectations for the Enox and I plan to use it for pretty much exactly what you describe with 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigs. The Expride is probably going to frog full-time.

I sold my Enox the same day after fishing my buddies Megabass Orochi and Megabass Destroyers. But could have been the model. Hopefully yours is well suited for your application

34 minutes ago, STBen1215 said:

And... The Expride is superior than both ALX and Dobyns offerings at the same price range. The Exprides fish well above there price ranges. 

I think the Exprides and Poison Adrenas are excellent choices as well

[jbsoonerfan]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Dobyns rods you can talk to Gary, ALX rods you can talk to Alex and questions them about their rods. Who owns Shimano that you can talk to?

Tom

And you can be a part of Gary's ultra secret super duper facebook group where he will really hook you up with good deals where he undercuts his retailers and then graciously allows them to sell the rods for the same price. Also, you can be a one of a kind ultra important rod test subject on a limited edition run of rods where your feedback will determine if he even brings the rods to production (aside from the ones already produced). I would go with the Dobyn's for those reasons. I mean, does Shimano offer those perks?

[Cgrinder]

42 minutes ago, FrogMann said:

I sold my Enox the same day after fishing my buddies Megabass Orochi and Megabass Destroyers. But could have been the model. Hopefully yours is well suited for your application

Did you have the 2020 Enox? Apparently it's a huge bump from the previous generation. I have a couple MB rods and may get more in the future, but the American made ALX was a big plus given our current global situation. Paying $500 for a Made in China rod feelsbadman.

[STBen1215]

39 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

And you can be a part of Gary's ultra secret super duper facebook group where he will really hook you up with good deals where he undercuts his retailers and then graciously allows them to sell the rods for the same price. Also, you can be a one of a kind ultra important rod test subject on a limited edition run of rods where your feedback will determine if he even brings the rods to production (aside from the ones already produced). I would go with the Dobyn's for those reasons. I mean, does Shimano offer those perks?

It truly is sad that he does it but very true. No shops near me will carry Dobyns because of that. They all dropped them

 

Alx still hasn't learned you can't compete against your dealers. My local dealer won't pick alx up due to that.. 

[Bandersnatch]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Dobyns rods you can talk to Gary, ALX rods you can talk to Alex and questions them about their rods. Who owns Shimano that you can talk to?

Tom

I own a fury, Sierra, champion and extreme. I wouldn't take the the extreme over an expride. Personally my adrena feels nicer than my nrx. All of my Dobyns feels heavy and fairly lifeless when compared to others. It's just my opinion. 

[willt]

4 minutes ago, Chief250 said:

I own a fury, Sierra, champion and extreme. I wouldn't take the the extreme over an expride. Personally my adrena feels nicer than my nrx. All of my Dobyns feels heavy and fairly lifeless when compared to others. It's just my opinion. 

That's pretty much the exact review I hear on Dobyn's if it's not the A+ review everyone else is giving. There's not much middle ground it seems 

[STBen1215]

3 minutes ago, willtomlinson said:

That's pretty much the exact review I hear on Dobyn's if it's not the A+ review everyone else is giving. There's not much middle ground it seems 

I think there pro staff floods the internet with positive feedback. The tapers, build quality and balance are nice. The sensitivity is just underwhelming. I would suggest Dobyns to use a higher end blank.

[willt]

1 minute ago, STBen1215 said:

I think there pro staff floods the internet with positive feedback. There tapers and balance are amazing. The sensitivity is just underwhelming 

I wondered if that's what was going on in the review section for the Stunner HD on TW. Has basically perfect reviews, half of which say it's a perfect jig skipping rod, but when I looked closer about 80% of those reviews were in 2015-2017. I know Fitzgerald isn't the most popular, but if the rod is as good as they say why'd it fall off for reviews 

[STBen1215]

1 minute ago, willtomlinson said:

I wondered if that's what was going on in the review section for the Stunner HD on TW. Has basically perfect reviews, half of which say it's a perfect jig skipping rod, but when I looked closer about 80% of those reviews were in 2015-2017. I know Fitzgerald isn't the most popular, but if the rod is as good as they say why'd it fall off for reviews 

I think it happens a ton. Could be a possibility for sure

[willt]

1 hour ago, Cgrinder said:

I have the 72 H Expride and just got the ALX Enox BMJ in. The Expride is a very good rod, well worth the money over the Zodias. However the Zodias is also a good, solid rod line; I have that 72 H as well. The Expride may have more power. The Expride is also appropriately sensitive for its price, though I personally would like a little more help discerning bites from grass. I have pretty high expectations for the Enox and I plan to use it for pretty much exactly what you describe with 3/8 to 1/2 oz jigs. The Expride is probably going to frog full-time.

Have you found Shimanos in general, or the Exprides at least, to be true to their power rating? From what you've seen would you go with the 6'8"MH (3/8-1oz) or the 6'10"M (1/4-3/4oz) for what I'm looking for? Considering a M action rod for a jig rod seems crazy lol, but that's a strong rated medium

[STBen1215]

11 minutes ago, willtomlinson said:

Have you found Shimanos in general, or the Exprides at least, to be true to their power rating? From what you've seen would you go with the 6'8"MH (3/8-1oz) or the 6'10"M (1/4-3/4oz) for what I'm looking for? Considering a M action rod for a jig rod seems crazy lol, but that's a strong rated medium

Yes sir! True to power IMO 

[WRB]

56 minutes ago, Chief250 said:

I own a fury, Sierra, champion and extreme. I wouldn't take the the extreme over an expride. Personally my adrena feels nicer than my nrx. All of my Dobyns feels heavy and fairly lifeless when compared to others. It's just my opinion. 

Be specific, what models. The op already said he can't afford the Adrena. Expride A makes a MH in 6'8". To me Expride is slow to load up resulting in inaccurate casts.

Dobyns may add handle butt weight to balance them, weight doesn't deaden the DC rod blank. Not sure the DC684C is good skipping rod?

My ALX rods are 7 years old now custom made for me and everyone who has ever used them prefer it over NRX. Lighter weight (3.8 oz), perfect balance optimized guide locations and equal blank feel. I only suggested to look at the new Skipper because it's designed do exactly what the op wants, optimized tip for accurate casting and backbone to set jigs. Alex makes superb quality rods and has great customer service. 

Tom