Expride B or Expride A?

[BassBlowup354]

I was looking at a new frog rod and the Expride 7’3 XH was what I was looking at. Only issue is the Expride B is a moderate-fast. I want a fast for frogs but I’m also not sure if they really even changed the action on the B. I’m also using this rod for some flipping so there’s that. It’s hard to get opinions on this considering barely anyone has the Expride B. I don’t know if I should just get the A or wait for the B.

[mrpao]

According to tactical bassin the rod action is the same on the new model. Shimano just listed it as it should had been.

[softwateronly]

2 hours ago, BassBlowup354 said:

I was looking at a new frog rod and the Expride 7’3 XH was what I was looking at. Only issue is the Expride B is a moderate-fast. I want a fast for frogs but I’m also not sure if they really even changed the action on the B. I’m also using this rod for some flipping so there’s that. It’s hard to get opinions on this considering barely anyone has the Expride B. I don’t know if I should just get the A or wait for the B.

I saw the same thing as @mrpao  Shimano itself has always rated it this way.

 

https://fish.shimano.com/content/fish/northamerica/us/en/homepage/Shimano_Product_Page.P-EXPRIDE_CASTING_17.html

 

If you get the B, it'll be tradeable for an A with me

 

scott

[BassBlowup354]

54 minutes ago, mrpao said:

According to tactical bassin the rod action is the same on the new model. Shimano just listed it as it should had been.

So what you are saying is on Shimano it says moderate fast on their website but when you have the rod it will be listed as fast on the rod?

[Skippy]

Actually the Expride I have does not show the action on the rod.  It is the only rod that I own that does show the action directly on the rod.  I have the A 7’2” MHG mainly for chatterbaits and love it.

[IneedAnewScreenName-98161861]

I just picked up the Expride B, 7'3 XH for exactly the same reason as you want one. I had the 7'2H in my hand as well. The tip of the H was much softer but I went for the XH almost purely based on the recommendation of Matt and Tim from Tacticalbassin. I can't comment on what the A's were like but I can tell you the B's are absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to use it!

 

Not sure where you'd even be able to find the A's anymore. They were basically sold.out everywhere and no longer in production. 

[BassBlowup354]

1 hour ago, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

I just picked up the Expride B, 7'3 XH for exactly the same reason as you want one. I had the 7'2H in my hand as well. The tip of the H was much softer but I went for the XH almost purely based on the recommendation of Matt and Tim from Tacticalbassin. I can't comment on what the A's were like but I can tell you the B's are absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to use it!

 

Not sure where you'd even be able to find the A's anymore. They were basically sold.out everywhere and no longer in production. 

Tackle Warehouse still has some 7’3 and 7’11 XH’s in stock in the A. Does the rod even feel like a moderate fast?

[softwateronly]

56 minutes ago, BassBlowup354 said:

Tackle Warehouse still has some 7’3 and 7’11 XH’s in stock in the A. Does the rod even feel like a moderate fast?

 

To me it doesn't really feel that way because it's such a powerful stick, but when you really push it, it becomes more obvious that a mod-fast rating is appropriate.  IMHO the mod-fast is what gives the XH backbone the ability to be so versatile and helps keep fish pinned when hooked.  I'm a fan of the rod.

 

scott

[jbsoonerfan]

Blindfolded, just casting/catching a few bass, most (99%) of guys couldn't tell the difference in a fast vs mod fast. But whatever it says in the description will "sell" them on it. Especially since every manufacturer uses different criteria. 

[BassBlowup354]

1 hour ago, softwateronly said:

 

To me it doesn't really feel that way because it's such a powerful stick, but when you really push it, it becomes more obvious that a mod-fast rating is appropriate.  IMHO the mod-fast is what gives the XH backbone the ability to be so versatile and helps keep fish pinned when hooked.  I'm a fan of the rod.

 

scott

So if it does feel like a moderate fast, what about the 6’10 medium jerkbait stick? Would that feel like a mod fast? Just wondering because that’s one of the best rods in the lineup and I would be shocked if a mod-fast was that good of a jerkbait stick.

[softwateronly]

13 minutes ago, BassBlowup354 said:

So if it does feel like a moderate fast, what about the 6’10 medium jerkbait stick? Would that feel like a mod fast? Just wondering because that’s one of the best rods in the lineup and I would be shocked if a mod-fast was that good of a jerkbait stick.

 

I don't know what to tell you.  Shimano themselves calls it a mod/fast.  I agree with them.  I think this is the truth down below from @jbsoonerfan

46 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Blindfolded, just casting/catching a few bass, most (99%) of guys couldn't tell the difference in a fast vs mod fast. But whatever it says in the description will "sell" them on it. Especially since every manufacturer uses different criteria. 

 

I have 3 exprides that say mod/fast according to the Shimano site; 7'6MH, 7'7H, and 7'3XH.  The 7'6 and 7'3 feel crisp yet soft tip.  The 7'7 is definitely slower than those other two.  I crank, open hook swimbait and scrounger with the 7'7.  My guess is the 6'10M falls in line with the mod/fast that is the 7'6MH and 7'3XH.

 

scott

[Derek1]

I don’t have those rods, but I have a falcon expert that’s labeled as a heavy mod fast. It’s so crisp and sensitive you wouldn’t know it’s a mod fast until you put it under load. I also saw where matt Allen said that rod was always labeled as a mod fast on shimanos site. I’ve seen quite a few rods labeled as different actions from one tackle shop to the next. It’s a nightmare. In my opinion the combination of sensitivity, backbone and a little more bend to it, is pretty sweet. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

I have both the A & B model 73XH now and they are identical. The A was always rated a mod fast by Shimano. Other vendors for whatever reason had it labeled as a fast. 

Not sure who in there right mind would think it is a mod fast though! The thing is a pool cue. It shuts off almost immediately a few guides down. Even under a really heavy load, it's not budging. 

[Koz]

On 3/6/2022 at 8:21 PM, IneedAnewScreenName-98161861 said:

Not sure where you'd even be able to find the A's anymore. They were basically sold.out everywhere and no longer in production. 

 

Just Google 'Shimano Expride" and a lot of the first page results still have the A models.