Looking to get either the 7'ML avid x or the expride 7 Light+.. Want it predominantly for the okashira screw head with small swim bait.. Possibly a light ned setup as well.. What are your thoughts on which would be better? Will throw the 1/8oz screw head with 3" spark shad .. Help me out

Well first I would look at the new Victory series from St. Croix which essentially replaces the Avid X. I hear they're pretty good.

But if you can afford an Expride, by all means do it. The Expride is a line above the Avid X/Victory for one, and they fish more inline with rods that are a step above.

 

That said, I have a 6'9" Avid X ML/XF and it's a great rod.

I might be biased but I think the expride line is the best rods for the money period. I have several of them. 

They are both great rods.. I have the 7'M in both the expride and avid x.. Just trying to figure out which one would be better for a light swimbait set up used on lake champlain for smallmouth.. 

I have fished both series. The expride light plus and Daiwa BLX light are both killer rods. You probably could do smalller swimbaits but for me they were a light drop shot rod , very small jig heads, mirco cranks ect...I like SC but these are lighter rods than their ML. Expride is hard to beat at its price pt. 

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone fished the expride 6’10 ML spinning vs the 7’0 L+ ? Was curious how they stack up in terms of the backbone.

I have the 7'ML avid x and use it almost exclusively for throwing the 1/8 screw head with a 3” Spark Shad most of last season from my kayak. 
 

I absolutely love this set up and it resulted in some of my biggest smallies last year.  It is my preferred finesse set up. I keep meaning to try fishing a Ned rig on it, but I had far too much fun and success to make a change.  Clearly need to buy another combo (stop it bait monkey). 
 

I have held the Expride 7’ light plus in stores and it feels great, but haven’t fished it myself. 

I've never handled an Epride, but everyone says they fish above price point.  More like a $400 rod.  In my opinion there is no question which rod is better.

   I have the 7' ML/F Avid-X, and it's my favorite rod for lighter stuff. As far as I'm concerned, it wants for nothing. Is the Expride better? I don't know. I've never used one. Maybe it is. But is a Ferrari faster than an Aston-Martin? Moot point; try using either one to take the kids to school.

  

 

   Good luck fishing!   ?        jj

Haha.. I broke down and got the expride.. I'll wait until the victory comes out in a 7'ML I think.. Why have one when you can play with both!?!

15 minutes ago, Adam.love05 said:

Haha.. I broke down and got the expride.. I'll wait until the victory comes out in a 7'ML I think.. Why have one when you can play with both!?!

 

   That's the way we learn. Expensive education, isn't it?  ?                jj

7 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

   That's the way we learn. Expensive education, isn't it?  ?                jj

Wouldn't have it any other way!! 

20 hours ago, 5by3 said:

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone fished the expride 6’10 ML spinning vs the 7’0 L+ ? Was curious how they stack up in terms of the backbone.

I have both rods. The actions are different on the rods.

The 6'10 is a faster action while the 7' light is more moderate. I would probably have to say the 6'10" has slightly more backbone to it. The blank on the 7' light bends a little further down.

The 6'10 is a more versatile rod. I have several that I use for shakey heads, neds, drop shots, smaller jerkbaits, blade baits, smaller topwaters.

I primarily use the 7' light for smaller shad raps and other small crankbaits due to the moderate action.

22 minutes ago, BaitFinesse said:

Just look at them.  One looks like a high end car and the other looks like a 2004 Caravan.  The Avid better have the fishing rod equivalent of a great personality.

Hahaha.. Quote of the day!! 

Too funny, but true

17 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

The Avid X looks a little more modern then the Avids.  The SC that would compare to the Expride would probably be the legend.  You getting more with the Expride for the money, never dealt with Shimano as far warranties go, but SCs has great warranties especially for the upper end rods.