Mr.C in Texas

The last few years ive been using mostly exprides and poison adrenas. I have always wanted to jump into the NRX+ line but couldn't justify the price. Im a kayak tournament guy and only like to cary 8 rods so I have to be a little selective. We have a local store closing and i bought most of the nrx+ they had left. Ive only been on the water a couple hours with these sticks. Open to suggestions. My initial plan ….. 883 bjr- moving baits, larger topwater 894 jwr-mostly jigs, some light frogging 853 jwr-t rigs, small jigs, power shoting 852c jwr-shaky head, tubes, dark sleepers 822 dsr-dropshot 802s senkos and heavy neds on occasion expride xh mainly frogs, some magdrafts eppride medium 6’6 favorite topwater/jerk baits sell the 903 mbr- didnt like the full handle

Thank you for replying. I also picked up a few JWR models and wow, those are fast actions. I was not in love throwing some moving baits with these rods. Still new to the NRX+ family and trying to get these rods dialed in.

Hello everyone, I came across too good of a deal that I could not pass up. I know it’s a great bladed jig rod. I’m thinking about using it for a moving bait rod for 3-4” swimbaits, smaller swim jigs, spinnerbaits, and flat sided cranks. Since I will not be able to get out for a couple weeks, I was just curious what other people are throwing on it?

I travel light since I'm a kayaker 6'10 ml Expride, Shimano Stradic ci4+ 2500, 10lb braid to 8lb fluorocarbon small swimbaits, dropshop, ned 6'6 M Expride, 2020 Metanium, 30lb. braid, 8lb fluorocarbon leader depends on what I'm throwing larger swimbaits, spinner baits, jerk, topwater 7'2 MH Posion Adrena, 2020 Metanium, 30lb. braid, leader depends on what I throwing light frogging, jigs chatter, larger swimbaits (5.8 keitech)

Go short, when possible. I only kayak fish and use the 6'6 medium casting and 6'19 ml spinning (both expride). I also use a 7'2 posion adrena and other longer rods. Maneuverability and overall feel improves when in tight quarters.

Wow, forgot about this post. Bought a 2020 metanium and it’s been great. As long as you take care of your reels magnesium is fine. Several of us use 2020 Mets almost every weekend with no issues.

I’m sorry but some of the advice on this post is way off. I fish inshore almost every weekend and have a lot of first hand experience using my bass equipment in the salt. Do not rinse your reel off with water! It can push the salt into places it shouldn’t be. Use products like reel wash and follow the directions. I’m using metaniums (yes magnesium), stradics and SLX with no issues. I oil the bearings once a month and have full cleaning once a year. I’m using Shimanic Exprides and Dobyns Champion with zero issues. After each trip I take the reel off and spray down the rod with water. Your gear will be fine as long as you take extra care. Your rod preference may change, most of us use med or med light mod/mod fast 6”6 ish even with bull reds. Florida guys are more into the 7”6 ish spinning med medium heavy fast setups. Hope this helps.

I’ve had several of the SLX XT combos and I think these combos value is hard to beat. FYI, the rods actions feel faster then most.

I have both the expride and champion xp's. The expride is a noticeable step up in quality and sensitivity.

Yep, I now transport the same way.

The Fuji hook keeper works perfectly. I just picked up a pair of Exprides and added the fuji hook keepers. I didn't know the hook keeper folds down to hold the line next to your drop shot weight.

Interesting information. I just placed an order for mine. I'll be using it for 1/8 oz. bugs lures and 3" paddle tails on 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jig heads for finesse open water inshore fishing. It will double duty for bass using ned rigs and light drop shots. I like my rods a little softer than most so I hope it works out.

Shamino NASCI 3000 is very popular for Texas inshore.

I fish saltwater almost every weekend and try to sneak in a local pond hop for bass midweek. I’ve have a pair of Shimano SLX XT‘a and a standard SLX and they still work like new. The XT with infinity brakes with external are worth the $30 upgrade over the $99 SLX. ps. I’m selling one of the left handed xt’s since I’m upgrading.

Hi, I’m looking to buy my first “nice” reel. It will be an all purpose bass and inshore reel paired with my Expride 6’6 medium. The Metanium has a magnesium frame that is usually a no go in salt but some say the coating is good enough. The Chronarch G is made for salt but how less refined is it vs the Metanium? I handled both today in the store and both seemed like a nice upgrade from my slx xt’s.

Hi, I'm almost ready to buy my first Expride but I wanted to know others onions since I have never held one. My application is top water/jerkbaits for bass and inshore saltwater close quarter open water fishing mostly with 4" paddle tails on a 1/8oz. jig. Sometimes I will drop down to a 2" soft plastic on a 1/16oz. head or bump up to a 5" paddle tail on a 1/4oz. jig. I also throw spook jrs. and spoons up to 1/2oz. This rod will be mostly used for 1/4oz. to 1/2oz. presentations total weight. I also have a ML custom inshore spinning rod for the light stuff and a Dobyns champion 734 or 735 for the heaver stuff. How does the tip load on 1/4oz total weight? My 734 is rated down to 1/4oz. but feels like a broom stick. I fish reds, specs and flounder and my ML has plenty backbone so I'm not toworried about the Expride. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I was looking at a ML casting but it looks like the Expride doesn't offer it. This new rod will replace a ML 6'2 custom casting rod that is rated for 1/16 to 1/2. It was a little to whippy and it took way to long to load up. I don't have much room on the kayak and a lot of the time I'm fishing in 6' wide drains with tall brush on both sides. I also bass fish and have wanted a Expride since it has so much hype.

Hi, I'm almost ready to buy my first Expride but I wanted to know others onions since I have never held one. My application is inshore saltwater close quarter open water fishing mostly with 4" paddle tails on a 1/8oz. jig. Sometimes I will drop down to a 2" soft plastic on a 1/16oz. head or bump up to a 5" paddle tail on a 1/4oz. jig. I also throw spook jrs. and spoons up to 1/2oz. This rod will be mostly used for 1/4oz. to 1/2oz. presentations total weight. I also have a ML custom inshore spinning rod for the light stuff and a Dobyns champion 734 or 735 for the heaver stuff. How does the tip load on 1/4oz total weight? My 734 is rated down to 1/4oz. but feels like a broom stick. I fish reds, specs and flounder and my ML has plenty backbone so I'm not to worried about the Expride. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Just remember the Ned rig isn't as light as many think. It's pretty easy to reach 1/4oz. on a small Ned. I mostly fish it with a ml spinning setup but I have found my ml casting setup to work well also. Just make sure you have enough load in the tip.

I have a few xt’s. Try two on and two off, external set to six and adjust the tension knob so the side to side play is gone. Keep your thumb on the spool and feather before the bait lands. When casting keep an eye on the spool and if it fluffs up add the third brake. Just a starting point ...

Hi, does anyone know if the US version is different than the JDM? The only difference I could find is the JDM weights 6.9 oz. and the USDM weighs 7.1.

Thanks for all the great info! This is a saltwater marsh setup and most of my casts are under 20 yards in a kayak.

This reel will be on medium light custom rod dedicated for open water swim baits from 1/8 oz. to 1/4 oz. total weight and we often have higher winds. I haven’t owned a MGL or DC. I’m thinking about the Chronarch but may go as high as this Alderbaran. I’m pretty confident in My casting ability but I’m finding it challenging to throw light baits while battling the wind. I also have a spinning setup for this application if I want to get light or if it’s really windy. Would the DC or MGL benefit me the most? Thanks!

Great info on this post. What has worked well for me with fast rods is to use 10ft. of mono as a leader. I can take the leader off when needed.