Medium/Fast or ExFast for fluke/weightless plastic rod?

[fishwizzard]

Hi,

I did some searches and it seems like opinion here is split on which speed (Fast or ExFast) is best for a Medium fluke rod.  While the rod's primary role will be to cast flukes, mostly Zoom Supers and GYCB D-Shads, I also will use it for weightless senkos and other weightless plastics.  It will also likely become my tube rod and the occasional small spinnerbaits.

I am leaning towards the ExFast as I already have a ML/F rod that will have some overlapping uses with this new one, so having a rod that is both heavier and stiffer might be nice.  I would love anyone's thoughts on this.  

[fishnkamp]

Go over to Anglers Express. and see either Chris or Eric. They have some cool rod lines you will not see locally anywhere else. They have Irod, Dobyns, Abu, Powell, Duckett, ***, No 8, and some I am forgetting.  They will get you fixed up.  If you go up 83 take the Padonia road exit.  On your left at a light (maybe second light) is an Irish bar turn left there. go one block over to old Padonia rd.  Turn left and go a couple of buildings down. There is a strip of buildings and that is where they are.  The rod I chose for it is a 7ft Loomis Medium extra fast.  Take a look at the Powell Inferno 6103, it is a 6'10 Medium xf.  Might be just the ticket.  I own a Powell Max (an original not 3d) 683 casting rod. That is my go to jig rod. Picture a 7 footer with just a bit of a shorter handle makes throwing jig under and around docks a joy.  Somehow long rod butts and docks spell trouble.

[MDBowHunter]

I would go x/f and it will make an awesome top water walking rod, and a great jerkbait rod as well. I have the new version St Croix mojo bass in 6'8" m x/f and it's a sweet rod. St Croix definitely done a good thing when they changed the blanks in these rods, complete night and day difference compared with the older version.

[Master Bait'r]

You can get any taper you want for single hook plastics...  As long as it's extra fast.  

[WIGuide]

From the sounds of what you want it to do, I think a rod in an extra fast action will work well for you. 

[Cgrinder]

Personally I walk flukes better on a Fast.

[I.rar]

Would a xf action work well for plastics with braid as a mainline? 

I've always used fast action rods. 

[WIGuide]

14 minutes ago, I.rar said:

Would a xf action work well for plastics with braid as a mainline? 

I've always used fast action rods. 

Yep they work just fine that way.

[fishwizzard]

Hah, it seems the divided opinion is still going strong.  I think I am going to pull the trigger on the Ex-fast.  I am getting this rod from a custom builder who made me an ML this spring that I am pretty in love with, and he suggests that a M/ExF will be a good complement to it.  I also believe that I want the extra stiffness to help with hooksets.  Thanks for the imput guys.  

[fishnkamp]

Is that Tom's Custom Rods?  If so his work is awesome. I guarantee you will like what he builds you. Did you ever say if this is a spinning or baitcasting rod?  If so I must have mist it. Either way have your builder show you some Winn Grips.  I own several G Loomis rods and broke one, its replacement came with a plastic reel seat and thread assembly that kept loosening up. I loved the old metal setup they used to use before Shimano bought Loomis.  So I had him strip the full cork grip handle and seat.  We chose an American Tackle comfort seat assembly and installed a split grip set up from Winn Grips. If you have not felt them they are amazing.  Check out these pics.  Also they come in the natural that i chose and also in colors for both spinning and baitcasting. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A faster action doesn't necessarily equal a stiffer tip. I use popping blanks and other fast yet soft tip blanks for top water, jerkbaits and flukes. Weightless worm will fish well enough on either. 

[OkobojiEagle]

My "rule of thumb"... lighter powers need faster actions.  Light & med. light power rods need extra-fast actions, medium power rods need fast action and med. heavy rods need med. fast action.  This works well for my bass & walleye fishing, your mileage may differ.

 

oe