looking for a big worm rod in the expride line. I’m looking at the 7’6 heavy and the 7’7 heavy mod-fast. The 7’7 is appealing because it could play double duty for paddle tails and big swim jigs. The 7’6 could be used for lighter flipping since I’ll run braid to leader. Any input on the two is welcome. 
 

I had the 77 and sold it. Lost too many fish couldn’t get a good hook set on trigs with the moderate action. 

I haven't really put the 7'7 through its paces at bottom contact, but I haven't lost the 2 i did get on a 3/4 football jig in 17+ fow and I felt the bottom through the entire retrieve.  Large swim jigs (3/4oz) and large paddletails (7" scottborough on a 3/4 recon head) and A rigs on the 7'7" have been flawless so far.  Really really like the rod, but i do prefer the mod/fast action.  Braid to leader says to me you can make either work, you're just gonna have to really be in position with the 7'7" and swing hard.  I'm gonna use the 7'7 for trigs this year, just haven't thrown it much yet this spring.  If your decision doesn't need to be made for awhile I'll do my best to throw it more in the next week or two for more input.  If you're getting it now, I think you just need to weigh your options on what will want to be tied on most frequently.  If it's trigs primarily, I think you should go with the 7'6".  Perfect world? both.

 

scott

Thanks for the comments! Definitely keep me updated on how the 7’7 performs.

On 4/22/2021 at 1:56 PM, Rbunton87 said:

Thanks for the comments! Definitely keep me updated on how the 7’7 performs.

  Dragged a 1/2oz Dirty Jigs Tour level Pitching jig around today on the 7'7", caught 6 on it.  But I lost the best one on a jump about 15yds from the boat after getting her head up and coming toward me.  I also lost another at the boat.  I was throwing 40lb power pro to a 20' 16lb sunline fc leader, water was crystal clear, 18'+, so I had to make long casts into 15 fow.  It casts the jig great, sensitivity is still good, better than the dobyns champion 735 that I use to use, but it just doesn't have it for setting the hook from a distance.  It's not a jig rod.  My 7'6" MH expride is a much better fit for jigs, even a too heavy 1/2oz.  The MH also handles swim jigs and paddle tails well, the 7'6" Heavy I don't have experience with in any capacity.  

 

scott

Yesterday was a tough day fishing.  Got my cousin on the boat for the first time on my lake and was a little too up for a good day and instead we grinded out 10-12 together over 6 hours.  Losing the biggest of the day and the only real quality bite of the day bummed me out.  My 7'7" review is definitely colored by that.  I think a 1/2oz jig on a 35yd cast into 15fow is a tough hookset regardless of the rod.  I probably could have and should have set it better.  I'll come back with one more review if you're still interested.

 

scott

Great updates keep them coming! Sounds like the 7’6 heavy may be my choice for longer cast deep water stuff.

On 4/26/2021 at 1:06 PM, Rbunton87 said:

Great updates keep them coming! Sounds like the 7’6 heavy may be my choice for longer cast deep water stuff.

Good choice!  Here's my 7'7" expride, 2 piece.

 

scott

 

That sucks! Did it snap on a hook set? 

On 5/2/2021 at 4:55 PM, softwateronly said:

Good choice!  Here's my 7'7" expride, 2 piece.

 

scott

 

That’s a weird place to make it a 2 piece.   Aren’t they usually more in the middle or down by the handle??? ? 

18 hours ago, MiceNReets said:

That’s a weird place to make it a 2 piece.   Aren’t they usually more in the middle or down by the handle??? ? 

Sarcasm. 

On 5/15/2021 at 6:49 PM, Rbunton87 said:

That sucks! Did it snap on a hook set? 

It did.  Almost sounded like a .22.  TW took care of me in a week or so, fished the rest of the year with the new one and no problems so far.  

 

scott

 

ps - just saw these responses for some reason.  I wish it was May...