So to preface this, I’ve been a Dobyn’s guy for a while and I like longer rods. Particularly 7’3-7’4ish. This is because I place casting distance high on my list of priorities.
 

I see the Expride B recommended a lot and would like to try one or two but what I’ve noticed is there aren’t many models that fit my preferences.

 

One thing is that I’ve heard the Expride are a little stiff for their rating. For instance, for a weightless 5” senko rod, it seems a medium heavy would be too stiff based on what I’ve read. However, if I look for mediums they only have short rods or rods with a moderate action. Obviously I don’t want a moderate action for senkos and I also don’t want to sacrifice casting distance with a shorter rod.
 

Am I overthinking the casting distance “issue”? Does the rods action matter more than length?

 

With all that said, what would you recommend for a 5” weightless senko rod? Also what would be a good choice for 3/8-1/2oz chatterbaits and spinnerbaits? 

Thanks!

 

7’2 MHMF St Croix Victory, The Cranker, is a great rod for chatterbaits from what I’ve heard/read. That said, I have a MB Orochi XX Diablo Spec-R that ALWAYS has a 1/2 oz bladed jig on it. That’s the only one-trick pony rod I have, but I absolutely love it for JHs. It’s probably not even the right rod for a bladed jig, but I use it and find it wonderful. 
 

I fish my senkos on whatever happens to be free at the time…usually, it’s on a 6’9 arid-x spinning rod. 

@woolleyfooley I know nothing about the Exprides. That said, my dedicated Senko rod is a Kistler Helium weightless Senko/Fluke rod. Rated as a light MH- fast. Paired with a Dream bfs reel+15lb braid, Owner 4/0 Tournament MUTU light circle hook. It's a big hook and gives a bit more action to the Senko.

Rod is very light and super sensitive, and loads very well. Great casting distance because of of that reel. I use Senkos, Wave Tiki sticks, Bamboo sticks and Gambler Ace, 5" and 6". Hope this helps!

 

Are you asking for Expride recommendations or any brand?

  I have the A models, and the 7'6MH/MF, 7'7H/MF, and the 7'2ML/F are the models I'd be looking with what you said.  Coming from Dobyns, the 7'6MH/MF will feel like a powerful fast action rod and the 7'7H/MF will still feel "crisper" than a DC735.   

  I have never thrown a stickbait since I got exprides, personal thing, so my guess is the 7'2ML is in general the best 5" senko rod, but maybe underpowered for dealing with heavy cover.  But the 7'6MH should have enough tip and length to get you your distance, enough sensitivity to know you're bit, and the power to set the hook at distance.  Don't let the MF label fool you into thinking it's a soft rod.  It will crush on bladed jigs and spinnerbaits too.

 

scott

I launch baits with my Loomis  Imx Pro MBR 903C. The 7'6 length combined with the MH power and MBR taper is really an awesome combo. 

 

It might be a rod to consider for your needs. 

 

On the spinning side I use the imx pro SJR 901S another 7'6 rod. 

 

These rods have been real rocket launcher casters. I too like long rods. My shortest rod these days is a 6'7 spinning rod lol

I do weightless t-rig senkos on my 6-10 MH Expride B.  I'm not bomb casting these, mostly skipping around docks and cover.  I would feel comfortable using the 7-2 MH as well.  I love the Exprides and have a bunch.  I'll go ahead and list them all and what I use them for:

Casting:

6-10M - jerkbait/poppers

6-10MH - weightless texas rig

7-2ML - underspins/small swimbaits

7-2MH - weighted texas rig/free rig - creature/craw/worm - have used for spinnerbaits

7-3XH - Frog/larger single hook swimbaits

7-6MH - swim jigs/swimbaits - I would use this for chatterbaits

7-7H - a-rig/magdraft/glide baits

Braid to leader on all except 77H is straight 20lb fluoro

Spinning:

6-8M - minnow

7-2ML - dropshot

 

I'm probably going to pick up the 7-6 MH Glass for mid/deep crankbaits and imagine it would work well for chatterbaits, I already have the Champ XP 736CB Glass that is a great bladed jig rod. 

 

Hope this helps, exprides are awesome.  If I was telling someone the first one to get it would be the 7-2 MH, setting the hook with that rod just feels special.

17 hours ago, little giant said:

@woolleyfooley I know nothing about the Exprides. That said, my dedicated Senko rod is a Kistler Helium weightless Senko/Fluke rod. Rated as a light MH- fast. Paired with a Dream bfs reel+15lb braid, Owner 4/0 Tournament MUTU light circle hook. It's a big hook and gives a bit more action to the Senko.

Rod is very light and super sensitive, and loads very well. Great casting distance because of of that reel. I use Senkos, Wave Tiki sticks, Bamboo sticks and Gambler Ace, 5" and 6". Hope this helps!

 

Yea it’s a big hook, I use 7/0 and 8/0 in the Gulf.. ringed MUTU heavy. They are stout believe me. Owner makes great stuff, I use the Mosquito lights also, rarely miss hook-ups with either hook type..

21 hours ago, jbrew73 said:

Are you asking for Expride recommendations or any brand?

Expride recommendations.

Subjective power labels won’t help when comes to assessing a rods casting performance. Look at the lure weight range. The sweet spot will be near the midrange in most cases. Then look at power in the mid and butt and apply to cover. 

I have the both the Expride A and B in 7'2" MHF and they are great all purpose rods.  I use them mainly for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits, but I've also thrown Senkos and small A-rigs on them.

 

As mentioned above, for your weightless of light weighted soft plastics you really should consider the Kistler Helium rods (full disclosure - I do have an association with Kistler). The rod is amazingly light, well balances, and will have the action that you are looking for. It has become my primary rod for Senkos and similar soft plastics.

 

Suggest considering a spinning rod for unweighted 5” Senko’s. 7’2” EXS72MLB 10% Memorial Day sale @ TW

Tom

On 5/19/2025 at 7:30 PM, Smirak said:

7’2 MHMF St Croix Victory, The Cranker, is a great rod for chatterbaits from what I’ve heard/read. That said, I have a MB Orochi XX Diablo Spec-R that ALWAYS has a 1/2 oz bladed jig on it. That’s the only one-trick pony rod I have, but I absolutely love it for JHs. It’s probably not even the right rod for a bladed jig, but I use it and find it wonderful. 
 

I fish my senkos on whatever happens to be free at the time…usually, it’s on a 6’9 arid-x spinning rod. 

I too use the diablo spec-r for bladed jigs. spinner baits, top water, just to name a few. in fact, I like this one rod so much, I have two. thinking about getting another if I can find one. Discontinued. 

On 5/21/2025 at 6:23 PM, WRB said:

Suggest considering a spinning rod for unweighted 5” Senko’s. 7’2” EXS72MLB 10% Memorial Day sale @ TW

Tom

I’m not a big fan of spinning rods and I also worry a spinning rod won’t have enough power to pull a big south Florida bass from the grass. 
 

To everyone saying the 7’2mh might be a good choice for weightless senkos/flukes, have you fished lightweight baits on them? I have no experience with the Expride B but from what I’ve read it seems they’re a bit heavier than what their rating says, so I’m worried a MH would be too stiff to cast weightless plastics.

Xtreme 743C.   A 5 inch Senko weighs about 3/8 of an ounce.

21 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Xtreme 743C.   A 5 inch Senko weighs about 3/8 of an ounce.

Yeah that’s what I was thinking as well but I’m really curious about the Expride B. I’d like to know if it’s more sensitive than the champ extreme in general.

21 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Xtreme 743C.   A 5 inch Senko weighs about 3/8 of an ounce.

Yup a 5” senko and hook are well within bait casting range.  M or Mh spinning rod is plenty powerful too though

On 6/7/2025 at 4:26 PM, woolleyfooley said:

I’m not a big fan of spinning rods and I also worry a spinning rod won’t have enough power to pull a big south Florida bass from the grass. 
 

To everyone saying the 7’2mh might be a good choice for weightless senkos/flukes, have you fished lightweight baits on them? I have no experience with the Expride B but from what I’ve read it seems they’re a bit heavier than what their rating says, so I’m worried a MH would be too stiff to cast weightless plastics.

 

This spinning rod/combo below should have enough power and backbone for most weightless stuff. It's my go to rig when I don't feel like use casting setup.

 

Expride B 72MH.

 

 

Just came across this thread while searching for info on the 7’2ML Expride spinning. Is anyone actually throwing a weightless Senko on this rod? Enough power to drive a 4/0 hook home? I have numerous other rods I could throw senkos on, just want to try something different and this rod has always intrigued me for some reason. I always see everyone saying it’s a little stiffer than its rating.