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.

The 6'10" is also rated down to 1/4 oz., but being a Medium power one would think it should handle that weight better than a Heavy power rod.  Granted Dobyns are known for fishing lighter than rated.  If you were looking at Abu or St. Croix, I would suggest dropping down a power (to a ML).

 

I recently got a nice used reel that (with its current spool) should do well with lighter baits.  Being my most expensive reel ever (list) I wanted a nicer rod than I currently own.  I was looking at the 7'2" ML Expride (1/8-5/8 oz.).  Exprides are said to fish above their price point....as I'm sure you are already aware of.

 

I don't know if the ML would fit your requirements better.  I have zero experience with the line...being above my normal budget.  I would like another rod or two so will be keeping an eye on this thread.

 

Another rod pointed out to me is the Megabass F4-610K Black Elseil II Orochi XXX as being an extremely versatile rod.  Same lure rating as the Expride.  Price is about $10 less than the Expride.

 

I didn't get the Expride as I found a good deal on a used Helium 3.  So still eyeballing the Expride. 

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.

Casting rods shorter than 6'6" are becoming a rare breed.  Especially when looking at more expensive models (to me $175 and up is expensive).  They just aren't popular anymore.  Sounds to me you could use a pistol grip rod like these.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TWO-WALTON-POWELL-56-Graphite-Casting-Rods-USA-MADE/372633345850?hash=item56c2ad9f3a:g:mTYAAOSwj85YOe~x

 

You have to deliberately search out this type of rod (less than 6'6").  They aren't going to show up on TW or most any other Online big name store.

 

If I remember correctly, St. Croix has a 6' model or two in the Premier line.

 

I can only find the 7'2" ML Expride.  No other length is available in that line in ML.  A 7' or longer rod is going to be a pain to fish under some of the circumstances you fish.

 

Or just buy a short pistol grip rod for those 6' wide drains with over hanging brush.  Never can have too many rods.  Just ask the Bait Monkey. 

 

Phenix and Falcon both fish light.  A lot of the Falcons have a Moderate or Moderate-Fast action.  The one Phenix I have is a 7'1" MLF and is much closer to Moderate than Fast in my opinion.  You might want to take a look at the Hammer 6'9" MH- Mod.Fast (3/16-3/4 oz.)