THE Perfect Finesse Rod - Expride 610ML Review + PB Smallmouth Bass

Shimano did not disappoint with the new Expride EXS610MLB.
Private lessons - [e-mail] or DM @cookingandfishing
Rod - ebay.us/7SjESr
Reel - ebay.us/Yu28kI
#bassfishing #kayakfishing #shimanoexpride above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links above may contain affiliate links

[@paulreal5698]

Nice video bro. I appreciate you showing these rods in action. Just ordered the Expride B 7’ L for finesse applications.

[@drfish4117]

Another keeper video, Roger. As usual, detailed and beautifully produced.

[@CookingandFishing]

Thanks Mike!

[@hwanchoi4117]

Thanks for your videos, Roger Happy New Year, and hope all is well with you man

[@CookingandFishing]

Thanks Hwan Choi!!! Hope all is well - Happy new year we're gonna slay fluke in 2023 haha

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

I love this rod. Great for tiny swim baits, and tiny cranks and jerks. It’s also decent to drop shot with.

[@timmyallen5655]

Nice informative video . It's nice to see your freshwater catches ,and I love the fluid videos .

[@CookingandFishing]

thank you!!

[@victorsimonsen921]

thanks for your videos on the search for the best finesse rod loved them learned alot from them i to chase the smallies and am looking for the perfect rods for the way i fish will keep this in mind. keep the freshwater content coming

[@CookingandFishing]

Thank you!!

[@garylake998]

Love your videos. One question are you fishing in NY, NJ or PA. The areas seem clear and deep. Thanks

[@davidohlert4754]

I'm new to your channel but I have really enjoyed watching your videos. The way you beak everything down in relevance is helpful...thank you sir

[@CookingandFishing]

ty!!

[@lexm0]

I picked up this same model with the Excense 3000 for smallmouth in the Mississippi here in Minnesota. It rivals my Megabass Addermine which was my favorite finesse rod before I got the Expride. It really is perfect for neds, dropshots, small swimbaits, ect.

[@CookingandFishing]

The new Addermine will be very interesting to test out - I wasn't really a fan of the older one mainly bc it felt heavy...but the action is definitely on point

[@lexm0]

@CookingandFishing yeah now that own the Expride, the Addermine feels heavy for sure. I'm not a huge fan of the P5s spinning model reel seat/handle. Buddy has a Windbuster and he likes my Expride better lol

[@jonc.5310]

Nice catches. Very interested in this rod, so your review is really helpful. What state are you fishing in? That's a nice variety of fish!

[@Toe_Knee_69]

I had the chance to compare the 6’10 ML with my 7’2 ML and the differences are interesting. The 6’10 ML has a much softer tip and a more “moderate” action. Whereas, the 7’2 ML has a stiffer tip and “fast” action. This is why many of us who have the 7’2 ML agree that it fishes like a medium power. Haven’t had the opportunity to play with the 7’ light unfortunately.

[@CookingandFishing]

That makes sense since the 610ML is a vertical DS rod. How does the 72ML load up on fish? Are you comfortable fishing 6lb fluoro/leader on that rod?

[@Toe_Knee_69]

@@CookingandFishing I’ve only caught several 1-2lb white bass and a few 4-5lb hybrid striped bass on it so far, but the rod does not bend that deep into the blank. I’m actually using 8lb flouro and I feel completely comfortable with it. I do think the lure rating is off. I wouldn’t throw anything lighter than 1/4oz with it. 3/8 seems to be the sweet spot.

[@CookingandFishing]

@@Toe_Knee_69 Very interesting - maybe a ML+ lol

[@jsenglee3]

My buddy has the expride B 7’2 ML and I have a expride B 7’ L. The 7’2 ML feels like a M and my L feels like a ML imo.

[@channelnamehere4065]

Thanks for this info - I picked up the exact model with a Vanford and love it! The setup is light, almost as light as my Poison Adrena 610 UL/M + Exsense 3000. I cudda felt perfectly fine just using EXS610MLB and not spend extra money on the latter setup.

[@CookingandFishing]

Excellent, though I've always been intrigued by that Adrena UL/M

[@channelnamehere4065]

@@CookingandFishing From my limited experience (not a pro like yourself), it's such a cool taper that I had to just get it. It's very light at the tip but the action stays at the tip. The mid-section remains pretty solid and sharp in my usage. I have used it on trout, largemouth, and whitebass, and I have yet to get a walleye, but I'm sure it'll handle it well. I hope you can review it and let us know your thoughts!

[@CookingandFishing]

@@channelnamehere4065 Sounds like something I need to check out, it's possible I'll pick one up when the PA gets refreshed, they also offer it in the glorious/ultima lines so...we'll see :)

[@coltrain_fishin3162]

Awesome video! What line/leader combo do you use for finesse fishing smallies like this? Have you tried any of the Loomis NRX rods by chance?

[@CookingandFishing]

Thanks! PE 0.8 (YGK Upgrade x8 in 16lb) to 5lb sunline sniper leader, I run about 8-10ft of leader mostly. And yes I've tried NRXs and NRX+s, they are great rods but the only one I would buy is either the 901 or 902S, and I already have 2 Steez AGS rods for those roles.

[@loganswhites5817]

Just got this rod because in the tackle shop I picked the 7 ft medium and it felt like a medium heavy so I got the 6’10 med light and it loads nice think I can throw drop shots, wacky, Neko rigs, small jerkbaits, and even poppers great finnese rod I believe

[@CookingandFishing]

Yup all those techniques would be perfect on this rod!

[@maziyauskas90]

Nice review. Expride 2610ML or Adrena 267ML? I have the chance to get both at the same price so what should I go for?

[@saleen12]

What all bait wise does this rod excell at? Can I throw a wacky senko on it? How about tiny baits?

[@maleysrkyrocky]

Hey man @CookingandFishing, could you compare this rod to the Poison adrena 276m2 in terms of sensitivity? I own the aforementioned adrena rod, but I use it mainly for targetting of the european zander and the pike, hence I am looking for a rod to use for fishing from my kayak with more sensitive tip for rather finesse type of fishing. Thank you in advance for your answer. Andrew

[@spinningrodfisherman]

also those smallmouths are beasts!

[@walterkonopacki5860]

Hey Roger, guess I was asleep at the switch, just seen you posted a few new videos. As you know fluke guy in NJ and fresh water guy in Canada on annual stay at blueberry Island, crotch lake, ont. Looking forward to the jersey fluke, vids, hope you have been well.... Walt

[@CookingandFishing]

Hey Walter!! Hope all is well - and that you're slamming them up in Canada! I have a feeling we're going to have great fluke season this year :)

[@davidohlert4754]

The Gloomis trout series spinning rods are really awesome too. I have the 6'8L and the 5'9ul and they're probably my favorite spinning rods. They're so comfortable to hold super sensitive and have beautiful tappers. I just with they had a ML because the light power doesn't have a ton of backbone.

[@CookingandFishing]

Usually trout rod tapers are quite different to bass rod tapers. A ML trout rod might not translate well into bass fishing...that's certainly the case with trout BFS vs bass BFS rods in my experience.

[@davidohlert4754]

Yea for sure I have some bfs trout rods like the shimano cardiff ax and the daiwa wise stream and they're both really nice trout rods but lack stiffness in the tip needed to set the hook on a bass.

[@CookingandFishing]

@@davidohlert4754 yup!

[@davidleong]

You mentioned that the expride b was much lighter than the expride. A. Do you know the exact weight of that 6'10" medium light expride b?

[@timothythompson6549]

Forefrip on the B is sooooo comfortable. What hook keeper are you using?

[@CookingandFishing]

It really is, Shimano finally saw the light on that one. That hook keeper came off the Steez AGS...I normally use the Fuji EZ Keepers they work well.

[@DavidPhamChannel]

Hey great video! Do you happen to know if the JDM version 2610ML-2 would be similar to your EXS610MLB, of course the JDM one would be a two piece vs your one?

[@CookingandFishing]

I'm not sure but I would guess almost identical in action - 2 piece rods have come a long way in the last decade.

[@DavidPhamChannel]

@@CookingandFishing thanks for taking the time to reply.

[@ericskmsn]

Do you think this would be a good dropshot rod? I'm looking at throwing 1/4 oz. Also i would be going for the jdm 2 piece version of this, should be somewhat similar to this. I have the 6.6 light power of the previous model but i feel like it's not long enough for longer DS casting from the bank. I also have a 7.4 daiwa rebellion in medium light, how do you this this compares to the daiwa?

[@CookingandFishing]

It's a perfect 1/4oz DS rod, if you're getting the grip join 2pc I'd say it's exactly the same, the center cut 2pc should be very similar but that always changes the action a tiny bit. I don't have that 7'4ML Rebellion but in general the Rebellions are more aligned with the Zodias - the Expride is definitely a step up in sensitivity.

[@gleamtarrest6310]

Those are some beautiful smallmouth, I have never caught one we don't have them in the South.

[@CookingandFishing]

They are amazing fish indeed!

[@Shawn_Lai]

How do you compare the 6'10" ML Expride B v. NRX+ 822S DSR if you have tried one?

[@CookingandFishing]

I've fished the old NRX DSR, and played around with the NRX+ in store - both NRXs are more sensitive than the Expride, that much is clear. I would put the taper on the Expride closer to the previous NRX; the NRX+ seems a bit stiffer through the mid section to me. Even though they are all DS rods...I don't really DS all that much, and I care a lot more about the taper/action than sensitivity, and the Expride is plenty sensitive for the techniques I use it for - so for me it's not quite worth it to spend NRX/Steez/Glorious money for this particular rod.

[@jordanramirez4185]

Any plans on getting the 7 foot light? I’m very curious on everyone’s review of it

[@CookingandFishing]

No but from what I hear it's a faster action than the 610ML - the 610ML is a DS rod and designed to load deep, exactly what I want. I would imagine the 7L is more versatile

[@tommotyka5487]

Roger what do you think about this rod for shore fluking?

[@CookingandFishing]

Too soft - you want the 7'2ML or the 7'M - this is a dropshot rod through and through.

[@fishingbear69]

Has anyone tried out the expride b 6'10 MH spinning model , any feedbacks , would be welcomed.

[@fishingbear69]

The spinning model

[@Rayman616]

What sort of cast weights do you think this rod is best at? Thanks for the vid

[@CookingandFishing]

I'd say 3/8oz total payload is probably the top end if you're actually casting, maybe 3/8 + a DS plastic if you're just pitching it out there. Sweet spot 1/4 - 5/16oz imo.

[@OffTxueFishing]

I can' decide whether to get the ML or M. Have you fished the Med and how does it handle ?

[@CookingandFishing]

This is the only new Expride in spinning I've played with so far, and it's a true dropshot ML - but reports on the other spinning models are saying the 7ML is more of a Medium, and the M is more of a M+. I guess it depends on what you want to do with the rod.

[@OffTxueFishing]

@@CookingandFishing yeah that's what I've heard also ,and same thing with the zodias . I bought the 6'9 med light and it felt stiff ,like a medium

[@jeremyerdman491]

I'm looking for ML rod for 5g finesse jigs and 5g ball head jigs with 3" paddletails. Would you recommend this rod as I don't often do ANY dropshot fishing.

[@CookingandFishing]

It would work fine as you saw in the video, those were mostly 5g jigs + 3" shads but if I never used tiny hooks or tiny trebles I would probably opt for the 7L or 72ML - from what I hear they are both a bit stiffer than the 610ML, which makes sense since the 610ML is designed as a DS rod.

[@jeremyerdman491]

@@CookingandFishing Right on. I'm partial to shorter rods. Thanks for the response.

[@CookingandFishing]

@@jeremyerdman491 Yeah it will handle your jig/swimbaits perfectly, and if you're using braid to leader the softer rod will help your landing % too. Good luck!

[@miketorre16]

how do u like this over the poison adrena? im looking at this rod and the adrena.... i will be using it on my 22 Stella FK 4000 with 15lb line

[@CookingandFishing]

4000 is wayyy too big for any of these rods...but for an Adrena comparison, the closest in power/action is the 67ML, and I have its review here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZbKo5R3ncylrdk

[@miketorre16]

@@CookingandFishing I know the 4000 is a bit large. But it's what I have. I will order the Expride in the Medium/Heavy action. Thanks 👍

[@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186]

What knob is that you have on the Certate? Been thinking about replacing the stock one and that looks like a good one to replace it with.

[@CookingandFishing]

It's an excellent knob indeed - www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/4347

[@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186]

@CookingandFishing Thank you for the reply and link sir 🙏

[@CookingandFishing]

@@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186 np, I wish I can put that knob on every reel...too bad it won't fit Shimanos!

[@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186]

​@CookingandFishing Actually one more question man lol but do I need to order a special tool in order to replace these knobs?

[@CookingandFishing]

@@anthonypacion-chanthabouas8186 Good question - you do! Here it is - www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/product/1837

[@miketorre16]

So I did purchase the Expride in the medium heavy action. How do u like using expride? I do see the difference in the grip on the Expride vs the Adrena. It looks the the Expride has more of an ergonomic reel seat, would you say?

[@CookingandFishing]

I haven't used the new Expride 72MH, the previous version was a good fluke jigger, not much application for me in freshwater. It all depends on what you plan on doing with it - probably a good 1/4 - 5/16oz + 3-4" swimbait rod, wacky senkos, neko rig, that sort of thing.

[@miketorre16]

@Cooking and Fishing Yes, I do jerkbaits, crankbaits, rubber worms, spinning lures.. I go from light to heavy, depending where I am. I use 1 rod and reel. I loves the Stella's. I have the 4000 fk with 15 lb line which pairs good with the medium heavy rod. I was using a jigging rod for a few yrs. An ocea quick jerk rod. Wrong application but, it worked. I used it today and I like it. I have to get use to the bass rods which the reel sits lower down on the rod then my other rod which was a bit higher and it was balanced....

[@CookingandFishing]

@@miketorre16 That's a lot of techniques and lures for one rod to carry - it all boils down to how precise you want to be and if you care that much about hookup/landing ratios. Good luck with it!

[@miketorre16]

@Cooking and Fishing yes but it beats bringing 5 different rods and reels. Especially on a Kayak. It gets the job done.... 👍

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

And congrats on those 2 smallie PBs. 🤣👍🏻

[@CookingandFishing]

ty!

[@lilcholo951]

i have the 7'2 ML but chossing between St croix 7'1 M and abu garcia veratas PLX Tournament edition 7 M

[@CookingandFishing]

Well Hairy Gooch - I would get another Expride if you want to stay in that price range.

[@lilcholo951]

@@CookingandFishingyooo what do you think the new Tatula 2500 or the new Stradic that just came out??

[@fishingbear69]

Has anyone tried the expride B 6'10 MH model ? Feedback would be highly appreciated, thanks..

[@fishingbear69]

The spinning model

[@raymondjohnson6496]

What size reel is on your rod

[@CookingandFishing]

2500 Airity

[@willehagstrom5528]

How would you describe the casting weight of the rod? Is the 4-12gram rating accurate? I would like to use the rod for 6-9cm swimbaits on 5-10gram jigheads if possible as well as 3-5gram ned rigs, thank you in beforehand😅. Great video showcasing the rod man 😄👍

[@CookingandFishing]

Thanks! I'd say so, total weight around 12g is very doable. Probably happiest at 10g.

[@willehagstrom5528]

One more question, there’s lots of pike where i fish and quite often i hook into (11lb)5kg+ ones. Will the rod handle it do you think? 😅

[@CookingandFishing]

That would depend on your line size/reel's drag/open water or cover and frankly, your skill level as an angler. Personally I do not go over 10lb fluoro leader with this rod, most of the time I'm using 5-6lb leader so yeah, the line will break long before the rod runs out of lifting power. That lake trout was probably close to if not over 10lbs, but I was in 30ft of open water so it took 5 minutes but I was able to land it on 5lb leader. My drag is also super smooth on all my reels, I change out factory drag washers and grease every season to make sure it is buttery smooth@@willehagstrom5528

[@willehagstrom5528]

⁠@@CookingandFishing i’ll probably use 0.10mm braid to a 0.35-0.45mm leader to increase my chance of landing a potentially big pike. I understand that it takes skill, but i was wondering if it would be possible to land such a fish quickly enough and do a graceful C&R. Had to fight a 23lb pike this summer on a ML rod. She was chewing on the leader troughout the entire fight. I had to stay safe and let her run and not put to mich pressure on her. That took like 30min. I ended up having to kill that fish 😢

[@CookingandFishing]

@@willehagstrom5528 Personally, I match my tackle to my target species, and I don't worry about by-catch. There are big pike and musky and catfish and all kinds of non-targeted species in my lakes; I don't use wire leaders and I don't worry about my rod ratings bc I want the perfect setup to catch the fish I aim to catch, with hook gauge/lure weight/line/reel/rod matching and having everything optimized for the technique at hand. Remember, you do not have to land a 20lb pike - you have the option of breaking them off. In saltwater if I worried about by-catch I would have to use 50lb+ leader and 8k sized reels to fish for 3lb flounder lol.

[@syi2049]

What’s the name of that net?

[@CookingandFishing]

amzn.to/3AEWfrJ

[@CheHansaa]

Hi! Would this rod for be okay traditional ligth jigfishing after perch?

[@CookingandFishing]

Depends on the size of the perch, if you're in europe and get into 4lb+ fish...then yeah. Otherwise it's not really a panfish rod, it's a bass rod.

[@CheHansaa]

I fish in norway, and typical perch is around 500 gram and sometimes rare 1 kilos. And use jig heads 5-10g and small swimbait.. but the rod is fast action rigth ?

[@CookingandFishing]

I think it should work with those lure weights, if you're staying at 5g+swimbait maybe look at a lighter model @@CheHansaa

[@CheHansaa]

Thx for reply:) i use mostly 7-10g and 7 cm swimbait. I read alot of people say this modem is more moderate fast? Sadly we dont have alot of options when it comes to quality rods from shimano so I needed to order from Sweden. Hopefully it will be okay for my ligther type jigfishing

[@CookingandFishing]

It might be considered mod-fast in the mid section, but the tip is plenty fast. You can see the action in the video. I think I even land a big (by American standard lol) perch on it.@@CheHansaa

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

I was looking at the Expride 6’10 ML to throw light rapala’s 3/16 up to 5/16. Do you think the Expride can load the light lure to get a good cast in? Thanks! Have the 7’2 ML B but to fast to load light lures

[@CookingandFishing]

Yeah it's perfect for 05 Shad Raps - it's a pure dropshot rod taper so the tip will load more than the 72ML for sure.

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

@@CookingandFishing Thanks!

[@miketorre16]

What kind of hook keeper is that?

[@CookingandFishing]

It came on my Steez rod, normally I just use the Fuji Ez Keeper

[@miketorre16]

@Cooking and Fishing might get 1. The ez keeper... I don't like the hook keeper under the reel on the Expride. It's kind of odd, right? Thanks man!!

[@spinningrodfisherman]

this looks softer than the 7L i think. havent tried it yet

[@jerrytube13]

the 610ML is much softer than the 7L, 7L is more of a medium and much more backbone

[@CookingandFishing]

It's not that I don't believe you guys but...I do find it hard to fathom how Shimano could f up that badly lol. That 7L is supposed to be their hairjig UL finesse rod! Now I need to get one just to see wtf is going on lol

[@mouaem1]

I have the 7' light expride a and there is more backbone than the 6'10 med light expride a. It is a great rod but is definitely not a medium. I also own the 7'2" med light expride b which some claim to be a medium power, I also disagree. Both of these rods do have much more back bone but the tips are still very soft.

[@CookingandFishing]

@@mouaem1 I'm not surprised the 610ML is more of a noodle than the 7L - it was designed as more of a vertical DS rod after all. But yeah...I can see the actions being a little faster through the mid/backbone for the other models, but I suspect the people who are saying the 7L fishes like a "medium" never loaded them up properly on fish.

[@spinningrodfisherman]

therxpride B 7L for me is almost exsctly the same as my steez 7 ML compilex ags. i need to pick up the 610 to try for sure

[@letskillnaj]

line??

[@CookingandFishing]

PE0.6 to 5 or 6lb fluoro leader (YGK and Sunline Sniper).

[@jasonjenkyns5083]

I'm no expert but that beast looked like more than 6lbs to me.

[@CookingandFishing]

I think so too...but thank you for saying it out loud :)