Hi All,

 

     Does anyone have experience handling the 6'10 vs 7'2  Expride B ML spinning rods?  I read reviews saying the 7'2 is closer to M action. Looking to see if there are any significant differences  between the two rods other than length, I'm leaning towards the 6'10, I am looking to use it for drop shot, neko, ned and other finesse presentations. Any info on the difference between these two rods is appreciated. 

I have neither, but I have two close ones.  I have the 6’9” ML Zodias and the 7’2” ML Poison adrena.  The specs across the shimano lineups are pretty similar.  I have also fished my dad’s 7’0’ medium zodias for comparison.  My thoughts:

 

Among the two I have and the other I know, the ML range is what you want.  The 7’ medium zodias and the 6’9” ML have similar power down low (the PA is also similar).  The biggest difference between the three are the tips.  The medium takes just a bit more to load it up properly.  With a 1/4 oz total bait weight (1/8 oz Texas rig with a light worm) you need to give it a good flick to load up the tip whereas the ML (and especially the Poison adrena) have lighter tips that a 1/4 or even a bit less will load up the tip plenty enough to really cast it.  The poison adrena will load with a 6” trick worm and a 1/16 oz weight or even unweighted.  The medium has a little more power down low, but not so much that it makes a huge difference.

 

Between the two ML, the PA has a lighter tip.  It is like they took the zodias and stretched the top 6” to be 11”.  The 7’2” has a really light sensitive tip that loads up on a cast quickly but also shows every little tickle on a bait. The zodias is great and is my primary Ned or light spinning Texas rig but the tip is a little stiffer.  I use the PA for a neko since it can handle a 1/16 or a 3/8 weight on the same trick worm.  The zodias stays as either a lighter Texas rig (1/32 plus small worm) or a Ned rig.  Both would be great with a 1/10 oz head plus TRD and if I was only carrying one I would be happy to fish the Ned on the PA.  It’s probably the better rod for that honestly.  But since I have the zodias that’s where I leave the Ned head (or a jig head minnow).

i have no experience with the 610. i own the 72.to me its not a medium. it has a pretty soft tip but it transitions pretty quickly to a stout back bone.its a great rod for ned drop shot light neko etc.

I got the 610M Expride B, it also has a very soft tip. I own a Expride A 610ML and it has the same tip with a little more backbone. 

@Don Preller- that sounds just like the 7’2” poison adrena with the same spec. That’s what I’d expect from them,

so that’s good to hear. I am considering a medium for the spring and I love being able to extrapolate between lines. 

13 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

@Don Preller- that sounds just like the 7’2” poison adrena with the same spec. That’s what I’d expect from them,

so that’s good to hear. I am considering a medium for the spring and I love being able to extrapolate between lines. 

i have the actual 7ft medium expride also .That is a more traditional medium, stiffer tip and a powerful back bone. Iprefer it for senkos in laydowns and grass, shakey head small texas rig etc.

@Don Preller- Thanks!  That sounds like the zodias 7' medium that my dad has and not what I was looking for.  With the 7'2" ML PA and especially with the 6'10" UL/M PA I've grown accustomed to the very light tips that load up like nobody's business with no effort or weight.  Throwing a trick worm with 1/16oz neko or a 1/16 head on a smaller plastic is effortless and it just flings it.  With his medium and a little with my ML zodias you have to load the tip a little more (and then it still flings it).  I want that same light tip, extra fast type action but with a bit more power, largely for throwing jighead minnow type presentations.  I might have to consider the solid tip rods.

4 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

@Don Preller- Thanks!  That sounds like the zodias 7' medium that my dad has and not what I was looking for.  With the 7'2" ML PA and especially with the 6'10" UL/M PA I've grown accustomed to the very light tips that load up like nobody's business with no effort or weight.  Throwing a trick worm with 1/16oz neko or a 1/16 head on a smaller plastic is effortless and it just flings it.  With his medium and a little with my ML zodias you have to load the tip a little more (and then it still flings it).  I want that same light tip, extra fast type action but with a bit more power, largely for throwing jighead minnow type presentations.  I might have to consider the solid tip rods.

yes if thats what your looking for the 72 ml is what you want. cant comment on the solid tips . never used one.

@Don Preller- Yeha, I have the 7'2" and it's the right action.  I just want a little more stout for bigger baits like a 3/8 head plus 5" shad.  I have one rigged on my 7'2" right now and it is pushing the upper end of it.

 

P.S. - what part of PA are you in?  I'm western PA originally but NJ now.

I have both, the 6' 10'' and the 7' 2'', I use the six foot ten for dropshotting and the seven foot two for ned rigs.  The six footer has a faster , softer tip.  I think the 7' 2'' would be ideal for jighead minnows.

The rear grip length is the same, so the difference in length will be all blank.

Both will be great finesse rods, so you really can't lose.

The decision comes down to personal preference in action and what techniques you use most.

The 6'10 would be really good for little JBs and pretty much everything finesse.  

I generally like a longer ML for bottom contact and covering water.  The 7'2 would give you good depth control and allow you to move more line quickly vs the 6'10, which is a good attribute for strolling.  When it comes to actually getting a minnow jig to roll, I would think the 6'10 would be the better choice.  Just my opinion.   

  

 

 

On 10/31/2025 at 2:51 PM, casts_by_fly said:

@Don Preller- Yeha, I have the 7'2" and it's the right action.  I just want a little more stout for bigger baits like a 3/8 head plus 5" shad.  I have one rigged on my 7'2" right now and it is pushing the upper end of it.

 

P.S. - what part of PA are you in?  I'm western PA originally but NJ now.

im in south eastern pa .right near the MD line. about an hour from the susquehanna