Chris Carey

Yes. I’d say the expride is at least as good as the champion extreme if not better.

Beat me to it. Can’t beat expride for the price. I also have a poison Adrena for jigs and t rigs and it’s fantastic.

Looking to pick up a new rod for big crankbaits. Right now the dobyns champ xp 806 is the rod I’m considering. Just looking for some other options to cover my bases.

How did u get ur vanford already? Ordered mine pretty much when they started taking orders and it’s no where in site.

I use sniper, and it’s been really great line. I also use the Palomar with it and haven’t had any issues. I’d did break a couple fish off a few weeks back but then I realized I was using segaur abraizx as leader line. Went back to sniper no issues.

Ya, I have a 7’3” xh for frogging and I can punch and flip with it but I’d rather just have a frog on it all the time. I’m sure the 7’7” H would have got the job done but I pulled the trigger on the xh. It will be here Monday. ?

I’ll add the poison adrena to the list. I have the 7’3” heavy I throw jigs on and it’s fantastic. Ultra sensitive, extremely light weight. It’s a great rod and at $349 it’s certainly not cheap but still punches above it’s weight.

I’ve got my eye on the expride 7’11 xh, for punching and flipping. Torn between that and the 7’7” H.

So to answer the questions above he’s 6 but he’s past using the snoopy/super hero rod. He’s had his own spinning rod since Christmas, his old one was a cheaper lews that I ended up accidentally breaking. the mach smash is brand new and was the replacement. The issue we r having with it is, the line keeps getting under the spool and gets wrapped on the shaft. I originally thought it was user error but after watching him more I realized it wasn’t his fault. Also its getting terrible line twist and loops. To the point it won’t cast. I at first thought it was the line but we changed line and the issues continued. Also we didn’t have the same issues with his other combo.

Odd question but I’m having a bit of an issue getting my son dialed in. Right now he has a Lews Mach smash spinning combo that I thought was gonna be the perfect setup. After a few trips I’ve found it to be a total POS. With that said he’s still small, and I don’t want to spend much more money. What are some good bang for the buck kid friendly setups you guys r using?

In my limited experience I think there is some merit in getting the most bang for you buck in the mid range. The first hand example I’ll use is I have a bantam and a new metanium, IMO the only difference is the weight. The bantam is very smooth, casts a mile and can do everything the metanium can.

FYI tackle warehouse got the expride back in stock today.

I’m looking for the 7’ M expride for the same uses problem is I can’t find one. ?

My vanford should be on the way soon and I’m planning of the same setup as soon as that rod is back in stock. Hopefully this week.

I use the blood knot, strong, easy to tie and pretty small. I don’t think it’s as small as the FG but I works for me.

Dobyns fury 702 or 703 with a shimano nasci. I have this setup and I don’t know if you can beat it for the money.

These sound really good. I’m curious how they would compare to the expride. I’ve got a couple exprides I love and was looking to buy another once they get back in stock but this rod has my interest. The price and promise of performance is very attractive.

I like to use braid to leader because I feel like it gives me versatility. I can always go straight braid if I’m fishing thick cover or top water. My setups are 30lb power pro on my mh casting rod in moss green with a 12 lb sunline sniper leader. my heavier rods I use 50lb power pro and 15-20 lb leader, either sunline or seguar abrazx. On my finesse setups I run 15 lb seguar smack down braid in high vis with a 7lb fc leader.

I’m in need of another spinning reel, I’ve had my eye on the stradic fl as it seems to be well received. I know the difference between the 2 reels has been discussed but my question is, price being basically the same, which reel would you choose.

I fish it on #7 sun line sniper leader and have had a lot of success in very clear water. Never really tried straight braid.

Just got my bantam from Japan and it is money. I got a great deal on it and it showed up surprisingly fast.

Love my curado dc, casts a mile and I don’t thumb it at all.

Just bought a shimano ultegra for $100 new in box. Don’t even have a rod to put it on but I’m a sucker for a good deal. Oh did I mention i bought an expride frog rod on Black Friday and don’t have a reel for it either. ?

Shimano ultegra is $150 and is excellent. A lot of good recommendations above for rods. I’ll add the shimano expride. I have a couple casting expride and I love them. It’s not a cheap rod by any means but I think it provides great performance at its price.

Lots of good info in this thread. I am in a similar situation, I’m looking for a new finesse/ dropshot rod. I have a couple expride casting rods that I like a lot. I guess my question is the GLX 822 Dsr worth the increased price over the Expride. Most people say the expride punches above it’s weight. If they r close or equal in performance I’d just assume save the money.