Advice from Expride users appreciated

[michael1]

Took some stimulus money and treated myself to (at least for me) 2 expensive rods. Both 7'2" Shimano Exprides one being the MH and the other the H. When I bought them I envisioned using the MH and an all around and soft plastic bottom contact rod. While I don't do much frog fishing I will use the H for that but it's primary use will be as my jig rod. Mostly I will use 3/8 or 1/2 with a trailer on it. I read a lot on here about guys talking about how great the MH was for this and now I am worrying I may have made a mistake in which I bought for this. I am going to take both out tomorrow and see what I think but unless I catch a lot of them I don't think I will be able to come up with much of an opinion. It looks like a 3/8 is a bit below the recommended weight of the H model so I am a bit concerned. For those of you who are more of an experienced jig fisherman than I what would I notice about fishing the H that would be telling me the MH is a better option? Does it have to do with casting? Rod bend while working the jig? A certain characteristic when setting the hook or retrieving a fish?

[jbsoonerfan]

I have both models. I use the MH for 1/4 oz texas rigs and the H for 3/8 oz texas rigs. Here is where I guess I differ from a lot of guys. Anytime I am throwing a 3/8+, it is usually in and around weeds, wood, brush etc. I need the rod to move the fish more than I care about what size weight is at the end of the rod. I am mostly pitching these baits so I don't need to worry about the rod loading and casting well. Heck, I have the 7'3 XH model and have been known to throw a 1/2 oz on it when the cover calls for it. I usually fish my rods on the heavier side because I fish a lot of heavy cover (where the fish are LOL).

[michael1]

2 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I have both models. I use the MH for 1/4 oz texas rigs and the H for 3/8 oz texas rigs. Here is where I guess I differ from a lot of guys. Anytime I am throwing a 3/8+, it is usually in and around weeds, wood, brush etc. I need the rod to move the fish more than I care about what size weight is at the end of the rod. I am mostly pitching these baits so I don't need to worry about the rod loading and casting well. Heck, I have the 7'3 XH model and have been known to throw a 1/2 oz on it when the cover calls for it. I usually fish my rods on the heavier side because I fish a lot of heavy cover (where the fish are LOL).

That is an interesting way to look at it, choosing the MH or H based upon the amount/type of obstruction around. I agree with this type of presentation casting distance is not normally a real concern. Will I notice much of a difference in "feel" or how I should approach the hook set based on which rod I were to use?

[jbsoonerfan]

They are both really sensitive. As far as hook sets go, I am ZERO help in that dept. I try to cross their eyes on every hook set. LOL

[NorthernBasser]

I have the 7'2" med-heavy. Initially I planned on throwing 3/8 oz jigs on it, but found it does better with soft plastics/Texas rigs. For me at least. 

 

So I think your idea of using the med-heavy for soft plastics/all-around and the heavy for jigs is a good call. 

[Fastbee]

I have the MH.  It's a really good swim jig rod or smaller bottom contact bait rod.  I haven't used it for shakey heads or smaller t-rigs yet but plan to as the situation arises.  I'm sure the rod can drive heavier hooks but so far I haven't tried it for that, only thinner diameter hooks on the jigs I've used (mainly open water so far).  It's quite sensitive and very light.  I actually picked it over a couple of much more expensive rods because it felt so good for the money.

[5by3]

I own the 7’2 MH and just bought the 7’2 H a few weeks ago. I haven’t fished the 7’2 H yet, but ive caught quite a few on the MH. 
 

I like 1/4-3/8 oz jigs on the medium heavy rod.  I actually fished a 1/2 oz football jig on it the other day in a pinch and it felt good too. I don’t think you’ll regret either rod... very hard to beat for the money.

[TxRaider]

5 hours ago, 5by3 said:

I own the 7’2 MH and just bought the 7’2 H a few weeks ago. I haven’t fished the 7’2 H yet, but ive caught quite a few on the MH. 
 

I like 1/4-3/8 oz jigs on the medium heavy rod.  I actually fished a 1/2 oz football jig on it the other day in a pinch and it felt good too. I don’t think you’ll regret either rod... very hard to beat for the money.

I saw a post that you were selling ALX rods, by chance, is the Expride replacing them? 
I was planning to dabble in some of ALX, even looked at Cashion just to support the US-based companies. What’s been your experience?

[5by3]

I have a mix of alx zolo/enox and exprides. I can say that the exprides are more sensitive than both models of alx in my hands, although the enox and expride are close.

 

The exprides have more of your traditional “fast” taper whereas the alx rods are on the slower side of fast (like a loomis mag bass taper). I mostly use the zolos for moving baits now. Still keep a few enox for pitching and swim jigs.

 

The guides are different on each brand. Alx uses mid-micro guides and the expride uses traditional size guides. I fish a lot in near freezing temps and the larger guides play more nicely with ice, but the alx guides worked OK.

 

I haven’t had to deal with shimano’s customer service yet, but I’m willing to bet ALX is much more personable and a better overall experience. I wish the expride was made in the U.S., but it is what it is. I use to think the alx rods were the best bang for the buck, but the exprides are quickly changing my mind.