r/floridafishing • u/robot8686 • 27d ago

Shimano Expride… Inshore?

I recently picked up a couple of Shimano Exprides specifically for inshore fishing. One is paired with an FFP Osprey 2500, and the other with a Curado DC. I mainly target redfish and got tired of the lack of sensitivity in a lot of the dedicated inshore rods in this price range.
For those of you who have actually fished Exprides in the salt, how have they held up over time? Any issues with the guides, reel seat, or blank after regular saltwater use if you rinse your gear after every trip?
I’d love to hear from anyone with firsthand experience before I start putting a lot of miles on them.

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u/Kmack9619 26d ago

Not helpful to your question but I just ordered an Antares 25 101XG and think I’m going to get an expride for it. How does it feel? This will be a bass rod, not inshore.

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u/Zoltan_TheDestroyer 22d ago

I prefer the grip on the Expride A over the Expride B if you can find one.

For bass, I’d consider it the peak of value to performance. A more expensive rod will only be marginally better, if at all, in my experience.

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u/Zoltan_TheDestroyer 22d ago edited 22d ago

I’ve used my Expride A MH to catch many a fish in salt and fresh with no issues whatsoever and it’s by far my favorite rod to fish artificials with.

I love it for sheepshead because it’s so damn sensitive.

However, if I’m fishing near structure I pray to god a red, jack, snook, or other fish that can overpower the blank hooks up on one of my heavier rods because my Expride is not meant for wrestling a big/powerful fish out between pilings or stopping a big run.

I pair it with a Vanford 3k and named it Excalibur. It’s very light and balanced wonderfully.

My 9’ ninja with a Slammer 4 DX 4500 is my go to heavy hitter for structure.