7’ light expride/ Ned rod suggestions

[BassBlowup354]

I’m looking for a new ned rod and the 7’ light seems like the rod for the job. I used to own a NRX+ 821 NRR but I sold it. I thought it was overkill. Never was a great caster. My friends Landsat always outcasted me. Sensitivity was great, but that was expected. I also am looking for more length in a Ned rig rod. Besides that I also got a killer deal on a 822 DSR. I’m looking for a Ned rod around 7’ and 7’3, which is where the expride lies. I’m also very open to suggestions on ned rods aswell.

[thunderblack]

Not a fun suggestion for a tackle junky site but use the 822DSR. I don't think the 7' light is going to bomb cast it more than a 6'-10 and the 822 would work fine as ned rod. I did own the old 7' expride Light + and its a nice rod. The previous gen was very light power .

[casts_by_fly]

I just picked up a Zodias which is similar spec'd to the expride across most of the models.  I went with the 6'9" ML.  I've had it on the water once and oogled it in the house while staring at snow a bunch of times.  Mine is 1/8-7/16 rated.  Throwing a 1/20 oz head and a finesse TRD you could cast it a LONG way on 10 lb 131 braid.  That's more than enough for what I wanted the rod for.  The tip is very light but it gets into power reasonably quickly.

 

My dad has the 7' medium zodias (3/16-1/2) which I handled before I bought mine.  It has more power down low but not quite as fast of an action to get there.  My 6'9" feels like they took the light tip and heavier butt on his and compressed the rod down by 3" to make it faster yet.  I didn't prefer his, but I really like mine.  

 

All that's to say that I don't think the light power would be enough for me for throwing neds and other spinning rod duty.  I would look at the 7'2" Expride ML if you want a longer rod for neds.

[FishTank]

I have the NRX+ 821S and have no issues with casting a long way but I was kind of "not feeling" this rod when I got it. In order to see what would work best, I tried a couple of different reels with it, a previous generation 3000 Vanquish,  an older Stradic 2500, a buddy's 2500S Stella,  a 2500 Daiwa Emeraldas Air and finally the new Vanquish C2500S.

 

The new Vanquish was the ticket. It was then I realized, for whatever reason,  that this rod needs a smaller, lighter reel to load correctly.  I now love this rod. It will cast a light weight Ned into oblivion with just flick but I also attribute this to the high specific gravity braided line I have on there, YGK OHDRAGON.

 

 

[waymont]

The new version of the Expride light has the power of a medium light rod. If you can find the old version of the Expride light it's a perfect ned rod. Or at least my favorite ned spinning rod.

I wouldn't recommend the new Expride light for Neds, I have it and use it for shaky head and grubs, it has too much power for 1/16oz Neds IMHO.

I've fished the Loomis NRR, never noticed any casting issues with it at all. I thought is was a really great rod for Neds.

Both the new and old Expride 7' light are excellent rods, I have and use both.

[Bass Rutten]

I love my 7ft Kistler Helium ML for ned rigs and flick shakin'. It feels slightly softer in the tip than your typical medium lights, casts well down to 1/8oz, plenty sensitive and light (3.5oz) for the 2 techniques I use it for. Mine's a casting rod paired with a bfs reel. Great value if you catch them on sale, which they are on half the time. They're not as sensitive as nrx but imo they're on par with the exprides, both of which I've owned before and frankly I don't miss them.

[BassBlowup354]

4 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

I just picked up a Zodias which is similar spec'd to the expride across most of the models.  I went with the 6'9" ML.  I've had it on the water once and oogled it in the house while staring at snow a bunch of times.  Mine is 1/8-7/16 rated.  Throwing a 1/20 oz head and a finesse TRD you could cast it a LONG way on 10 lb 131 braid.  That's more than enough for what I wanted the rod for.  The tip is very light but it gets into power reasonably quickly.

 

My dad has the 7' medium zodias (3/16-1/2) which I handled before I bought mine.  It has more power down low but not quite as fast of an action to get there.  My 6'9" feels like they took the light tip and heavier butt on his and compressed the rod down by 3" to make it faster yet.  I didn't prefer his, but I really like mine.  

 

All that's to say that I don't think the light power would be enough for me for throwing neds and other spinning rod duty.  I would look at the 7'2" Expride ML if you want a longer rod for neds.

See, that’s what I what I was going for at first but so many people said it feels like medium. I’m looking for more of a ml but I’d really like to feel one in person.

3 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have the NRX+ 821S and have no issues with casting a long way but I was kind of "not feeling" this rod when I got it. In order to see what would work best, I tried a couple of different reels with it, a previous generation 3000 Vanquish,  an older Stradic 2500, a buddy's 2500S Stella,  a 2500 Daiwa Emeraldas Air and finally the new Vanquish C2500S.

 

The new Vanquish was the ticket. It was then I realized, for whatever reason,  that this rod needs a smaller, lighter reel to load correctly.  I now love this rod. It will cast a light weight Ned into oblivion with just flick but I also attribute this to the high specific gravity braided line I have on there, YGK OHDRAGON.

 

 

I also think the braid I was using slightly hindered distance. I just overall would like a longer rod.

[casts_by_fly]

21 minutes ago, BassBlowup354 said:

See, that’s what I what I was going for at first but so many people said it feels like medium. I’m looking for more of a ml but I’d really like to feel one in person.

 

I also think the braid I was using slightly hindered distance. I just overall would like a longer rod.

 

Ideally you'd find one in person.  That wasn't an option for me, so I ordered from TW who has free returns.  In case I was wrong on my impression (I wasn't in this case) I could return it for the other one.  Alternatively, you could order both, feel them, and ship one back.

 

Braid will break in a little if it was new braid you were using.  Once its broken in light braid should help with casting distance.

[FishTank]

25 minutes ago, BassBlowup354 said:

I also think the braid I was using slightly hindered distance. I just overall would like a longer rod.

 

I fish braid to leader and that particular braid is really smooth and thin but the big thing for me was the 2000 sized reel, which is what a Shimano C2500S is (2000 reel with a 2500 spool). I have longer rods and like the light tip stiff middle the 821S has. The length, in this case, didn't really make any difference to me when it came to distance.  Casting accuracy was the only factor to me and the shorter length in the 821S helps. 

 

As far as a longer alternative, the NRX+ 901S will cast a mile but is more for hair jigs. I looked at Megabass Landsat and reached out to the guys at the Hook Up Tackle.  They basically talked me out of it for Neds. You might give them a call or email them. They are pretty straight forward about stuff.

[BassBlowup354]

6 minutes ago, FishTank said:

 

I fish braid to leader and that particular braid is really smooth and thin but the big thing for me was the 2000 sized reel, which is what a Shimano C2500S is (2000 reel with a 2500 spool). I have longer rods and like the light tip stiff middle the 821S has. The length, in this case, didn't really make any difference to me when it came to distance.  Casting accuracy was the only factor to me and the shorter length in the 821S helps. 

 

As far as a longer alternative, the NRX+ 901S will cast a mile but is more for hair jigs. I looked at Megabass Landsat and reached out to the guys at the Hook Up Tackle.  They basically talked me out of it for Neds. You might give them a call or email them. They are pretty straight forward about stuff.

I’ll have to try. If I can’t find anything I’m willing to get a rod custom built.

[Reel]

I've got two suggestions. Still Shimano but lower priced.  I have the two rods and use both of them for NED.  Fishing Ned from shore I like the Curado 7' 6'' L spinning rod.  Not too expensive but really sensitive and a gets you the distance you need.  For NED on the boat, I use a Zodias 7,2'' ML +.  Great tip action but with more beef down below.  

[casts_by_fly]

1 minute ago, Reel said:

I've got two suggestions. Still Shimano but lower priced.  I have the two rods and use both of them for NED.  Fishing Ned from shore I like the Curado 7' 6'' L spinning rod.  Not too expensive but really sensitive and a gets you the distance you need.  For NED on the boat, I use a Zodias 7,2'' ML +.  Great tip action but with more beef down below.  

 

That sounds like the description of the 6'9" ML zodias I have as well.  

[waymont]

8 hours ago, BassBlowup354 said:

I’m looking for more of a ml but I’d really like to feel one in person.

That's the new Expride light right there.

[rangerjockey]

Any spinning rod that you would use for a drop shot is fine. Personally any St. Croix in the MLXF in your budget is all you would ever need.

At least around here ,feel like it's a bait that's in decline plus it gets bit on the drop so much that sensitivity isn't a factor . 

[BassBlowup354]

On 2/14/2024 at 1:31 AM, BassBlowup354 said:

I’m looking for a new ned rod and the 7’ light seems like the rod for the job. I used to own a NRX+ 821 NRR but I sold it. I thought it was overkill. Never was a great caster. My friends Landsat always outcasted me. Sensitivity was great, but that was expected. I also am looking for more length in a Ned rig rod. Besides that I also got a killer deal on a 822 DSR. I’m looking for a Ned rod around 7’ and 7’3, which is where the expride lies. I’m also very open to suggestions on ned rods aswell.

I’m just going to keep it real, I’m lowkey starting to regret selling it. It def probably was the braid looking into it. Imma probably just buy another. I can get a new one for 437.

[Gera]

I use Expride 6'10" ML spinning. It works great on need rigs at a decent price. 

[rangerjockey]

Since your ok with the money, I have the Poison Adrena 6ft 10 UL. Just a  fantastic little rod. Shimano rates it up to a 1/2 oz. I wouldn't go that heavy but if you like 1/16-1/8 oz heads or swimming 2.8 keitechs it's perfect. I like it better than any NRX spinning rod I've ever owned. 

[casts_by_fly]

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

Since your ok with the money, I have the Poison Adrena 6ft 10 UL. Just a  fantastic little rod. Shimano rates it up to a 1/2 oz. I wouldn't go that heavy but if you like 1/16-1/8 oz heads or swimming 2.8 keitechs it's perfect. I like it better than any NRX spinning rod I've ever owned. 

 

Its a good thing you didn't post this 2 months ago when I was considering models.  I ended up with the Zodias 6'9" ML (1/8-7/16) and I'm very happy with it.  But man, with that blurb above I'd have bought the PA for the extra money.  That's exactly what I want to do with it.

[rangerjockey]

59 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Its a good thing you didn't post this 2 months ago when I was considering models.  I ended up with the Zodias 6'9" ML (1/8-7/16) and I'm very happy with it.  But man, with that blurb above I'd have bought the PA for the extra money.  That's exactly what I want to do with it.

You wouldn't be sorry.  It's one of those models that has the wow factor.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, rangerjockey said:

You wouldn't be sorry.  It's one of those models that has the wow factor.

oh well.  Maybe if something ever happens to the zodias I'll get that one.  I haven't carried a spinning rod in the past at all, so having more than one isn't happening any time soon.