Concerning Xf Rod

[Mccallister25]

Ok guys, a while back I posted about taking a Sellus off one of my buddies hands. I stated I was gonna use it as my go to jig rod, and it is a 7'-2'' MH-XF. All of my other current, and past jig rods are MH-F. I didnt know what to expect going into fishing an XF tip, but have since caught plenty of fish with it since first posting about it. For the most part, Id say about 90% of the time, I fish with smaller jigs. 5/16 oz. Just in case that may play a role in whats going on in my dillema.

 

Heres my problem: It seems since Iv made the switch to the XF tip, every now and again, in the midst of playing a fish.. Gone. The fish will just dissapear off the hook. Under the water, not even after breaking the surface. Iv also noticed, that sometimes after lipping a landed fish the hook is very simple to remove. It just slides out, and Iv even lipped a fish and had the hook fall out without me touching it. This seeemed to never happen with my other jig/plastics rods.

Im starting to wonder if Im setting the hook too hard on the fish. Maybe harder than is needed for that particular rod? I dont cross the fishes eyes on a hookset, but I do snap firmly to ensure a good hookup. Can a rod enthusiast steer me in the right direction?

 

 

[RippinLips4]

what line are you using?

[BASSclary]

You are playing the fish to hard/fighting him too aggresively. Your ripping a bigger hole in the basses mouth with the stiffer rod when fighting the fish, and the hook is coming out easier.

 

With play the fish a little softer, especially after a hard hookset

[Mccallister25]

You are playing the fish to hard/fighting him too aggresively. Your ripping a bigger hole in the basses mouth with the stiffer rod when fighting the fish, and the hook is coming out easier.

 

With play the fish a little softer, especially after a hard hookset

 

 

I usually keep my drag pretty tight on my plastics/jig setups.. Would it help to back the drag off a bit?

[BASSclary]

All you pretty much ever need is about 1/3 of the lines rated strength (except braid, the equation would be off). Remember is a chemically/surgically sharpened hook depending on the brand. Locking the drag down isn't really necessary unless your flipping it pitching into nasty stuff and you "have" to do it to actually get the fish out. I would say backing off would make a bit if difference. If you feel it's not tight enough to set the hook, put your thumb on the spool (assuming it's casting gear)

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A faster action isn't necessarily stiffer. I'd look at line, bait, hooks and see if you can identify anything that would cause the poor hook sets you're getting. The faster action should be driving the hook home better if anything. I'm pretty sure the issue popping up at the time of a new rod is coincidence in this case.

[Mccallister25]

A faster action isn't necessarily stiffer. I'd look at line, bait, hooks and see if you can identify anything that would cause the poor hook sets you're getting. The faster action should be driving the hook home better if anything. I'm pretty sure the issue popping up at the time of a new rod is coincidence in this case.

I was really hoping you would chime in. Like I said, its a MH-XF rod, and Im no rod or reel enthusiast, so I didnt know what to expect going into it. I have it paired up with a 7.1 geared Pro Qualifier. The majority of the time, almost 100% of the time actually, Im throwing a 5/16 oz jig on it. As stated in my previous post, the drag is set pretty tight. Maybe just shy of locked down. Imma just try backing it off and see if it helps.

Could be my drag set too tight, and when Im reeling em in, Im giving em no room to work with and its ripping a hole in their cheek.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Ripping holes is one thing, barely skin hooked in the roof of the mouth is another. Be sure your hooks are sharp. If you have new jigs check that the weed guard isn't a lot longer/stiffer/thicker than you were using. They can be trimmed in length and/or thinned out if need be.

[WIGuide]

An XF action rod should be driving a hook home quicker than a fast action. I'd check your hook first. Make sure it's sharp and do the fingernail test to check. You will also want to check the barb of the hook. If it's been worn down possibly inadvertently crimped down, you will be having a harder time sticking a fish. If that all checks out, look to your hookset next. Experiment with it either harder or softer. You should know either way within a few fish if it's working. Look at your line too. Is it the same type and lb test as you have been using on your other rods? Lastly, if all that checks out, you might want to consider that the fish might not be eating the bait as well as you think they are. Maybe try switching colors to make them commit better and/or adding scent to help with that too. Give those a shot and come back with the results if you're stumped again.    

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Annndddddd this thread is why I don't like XF action.

[Mccallister25]

I havent taken into consideration Im now using FC as apposed to monofilament. Maybe the stretch factor being less is a contributing factor?

[Mr. BattleArmor]

You could be bringing in the fish too hard but for me, I just couldn't get used to the XF tip. I use a fast tip now for worms and senkos etc. and barely ever lose fish. I was done with XF after losing fish an entire day while kayak fishing, it got so annoying. That's not to say  that it isn't good for other people, or that I might've jumped the gun by switching. But I didn't see the advantage of trying to get used to the XF tip when the fast tip worked fine for me, and I didn't see the disadvantage for using the fast tip vs the XF. Again, all subjective, but that's just how it was for me. 

[Mccallister25]

I could be in the same boat.. Who knows. Ill just have to continue to fish with it for a while, and see how it pans out. If I dont like it in the end, Ill swap it out for something else. I appreciate all the responses and help guys.

[Hi Salenity]

You are playing the fish to hard/fighting him too aggresively. Your ripping a bigger hole in the basses mouth with the stiffer rod when fighting the fish, and the hook is coming out easier.

With play the fish a little softer, especially after a hard hookset

I use a 8' heavy rod with 20# FC and my drag is locked down?

[Fish_Whisperer]

You could be bringing in the fish too hard but for me, I just couldn't get used to the XF tip. I use a fast tip now for worms and senkos etc. and barely ever lose fish. I was done with XF after losing fish an entire day while kayak fishing, it got so annoying. That's not to say  that it isn't good for other people, or that I might've jumped the gun by switching. But I didn't see the advantage of trying to get used to the XF tip when the fast tip worked fine for me, and I didn't see the disadvantage for using the fast tip vs the XF. Again, all subjective, but that's just how it was for me.

OP, you've been given good advice in this thread, and Mr. BattleArmor brings up a good point.

 

Xf may not be the best for the application of which you are using it for, AKA different strokes for different folks.... 

 

Kinda like how some rods have technique specific applications written on them, yet you find that they work for something other than advertised.