Fast or extra fast?

[Ksam1234]

Does anyone think extra fast is to fast! I'm getting a G loomis e6x M extra fast for senkos and other soft plastics. I usually only go up to fast action but they don't make those .. they only have a 6 ft 6 inch in that, I prefer something little longer. Anyone think that's ok

[Sword of the Lord]

I suggest never settling for what you don't really want. 

 

 

[Catt]

My personal preference is Medium Heavy Extra Fast ?

[OkobojiEagle]

Fast...

 

oe

[Ksam1234]

If I can't get it in extra fast, does anyone have any suggestions for rods just as good and sensitive as the g loomis e6x ? Most I'll pay is 250$ For rod @OkobojiEagle @Catt  @Sword of the Lord

[Choporoz]

It depends.   

 

Never knew I needed XF ....until I had one.  Setting hooks at a distance with slighty slack line presentations became a whole different (better) ballgame with XF. 

[NHBull]

One companies fast is another's Xf fast.  No standard way of measuring...

[BigAngus752]

Have you actually tried out what you are looking at?  Or do you have other Loomis rods?  Your perception of "fast" and "extra fast" can only be based on what you have felt yourself.  If you don't know how Loomis rods feel in comparison to what you are currently using it might be best to find a shop that has some in stock and go try them.  I bought an Abu Garcia rod and a Fenwick rod together on the same day that were allegedly identical actions (and in the same price range) and they fish very differently.  That's fine because I knew that when I bought them.  I bought them in a shop about an hour away and I got to handle them first.  Had I ordered them online thinking they would be close to identical I may have been disappointed.  

[Ksam1234]

Well as sword of the lord said, don't settle.  I was looking st other rods. Has anyone ever used the ALX ZOLO series ? Looking st the 7 ft medium.. I thought I saw a post by @WRB but can't find it now. Reviews seem good? And it's in the 250$ price range

[Steveo-1969]

Can you explain one more time EXACTLY what you are looking for?  What I gather from above posts is you want a spinning rod, longer than 6'6", Medium power, extra-fast action, price of $250 or less, to fish Senkos and other soft plastic baits.

 

Is that close?

[Ksam1234]

3 minutes ago, Steveo-1969 said:

Can you explain one more time EXACTLY what you are looking for?  What I gather from above posts is you want a spinning rod, longer than 6'6", Medium power, extra-fast action, price of $250 or less, to fish Senkos and other soft plastic baits.

 

Is that close?

I'm looking for a baitcaster, I currently have 2 for certain setups but I want one more and I want it to be s very quality rod.  Willing to spend little more than usual. I like 7 ft up to 7-3 inches. And I prefer a medium/fast action. And yes it will be for senkos and soft

plasrics. G loomis has a decent rod but not exactly what I want. So I was looking at two others. Either the ALX ZOLO series or maybe a St Croix avid X ... 

[jmcarriere]

8 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

I'm looking for a baitcaster, I currently have 2 for certain setups but I want one more and I want it to be s very quality rod.  Willing to spend little more than usual. I like 7 ft up to 7-3 inches. And I prefer a medium/fast action. And yes it will be for senkos and soft

plasrics. G loomis has a decent rod but not exactly what I want. So I was looking at two others. Either the ALX ZOLO series or maybe a St Croix avid X ... 

I would call ALX and talk to Alex about it. From the Zolo series i would recommend the Dream

[WRB]

29 minutes ago, Ksam1234 said:

Well as sword of the lord said, don't settle.  I was looking st other rods. Has anyone ever used the ALX ZOLO series ? Looking st the 7 ft medium.. I thought I saw a post by @WRB but can't find it now. Reviews seem good? And it's in the 250$ price range

You may be referring to the most sensitive rod thread? Dream is a medium or 3 power and Deputy is medium heavy or 4 power 7'1". Calling ALX and talking to Alex is a good idea, he knows his rods better than anyone else. Standard price is listed at $219, ask Alex what he can do for you.

Tom

[Catt]

1 hour ago, Ksam1234 said:

If I can't get it in extra fast, does anyone have any suggestions for rods just as good and sensitive as the g loomis e6x ? Most I'll pay is 250$ For rod @OkobojiEagle @Catt  @Sword of the Lord

Powell Max 3D 7' 2" MH Extra Fast $135

Powell Inferno 7' MH Extra Fast $110

[Steveo-1969]

1 hour ago, Ksam1234 said:

I'm looking for a baitcaster, I currently have 2 for certain setups but I want one more and I want it to be s very quality rod.  Willing to spend little more than usual. I like 7 ft up to 7-3 inches. And I prefer a medium/fast action. And yes it will be for senkos and soft

plasrics. G loomis has a decent rod but not exactly what I want. So I was looking at two others. Either the ALX ZOLO series or maybe a St Croix avid X ... 

Thanks for the clarification Ksam, not sure why I thought you were looking for a spinning rod! I would say with your $250 budget you can't go wrong no matter what you pick. Good luck in your search! Just to muddle the water further the St. Croix Legend Tournament is about $260...

[Ksam1234]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

You may be referring to the most sensitive rod thread? Dream is a medium or 3 power and Deputy is medium heavy or 4 power 7'1". Calling ALX and talking to Alex is a good idea, he knows his rods better than anyone else. Standard price is listed at $219, ask Alex what he can do for you.

Tom

219$ isn't bad... would you say this rod is better than the G loomis or the avid x? If you had one choice.  

2 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

I would call ALX and talk to Alex about it. From the Zolo series i would recommend the Dream

Have you used it yourself? How is it as get as sensitivity. I currently use a st croix mojo bass and a fenwick HMG .. I'm looking for something more sensitive yet sturdy

[HookRz]

I'm a "good enough" rod type of guy that likes XF for most of the presentations I use regularly. I prefer Loomis IMX in casting and St. Croix AvidX in spinning. 

 

Both are made in the USA, that seals the deal. 

[Turkey sandwich]

Handle the rods you can.  As mentioned above, every manufacturer (and even lines within each manufacturer) will be different in power and action.  For example, generally, St. Croix is known for having a slightly heavier and faster build than say, Fenwick.  Fenwick, however, also produces the Aetos line which tends to run much faster than most lines from most manufacturers.  Ultimately, it comes down to the type of feel YOU like while fishing Senkos.  Should I assume you're also looking to fish other finesse soft plastics on it as well, I would suggest something on the faster side because you aren't going to have a lot of weight dragging the bottom, and being able to drive a hook set at distance is much much easier with the stiffer/faster rod.  

 

What gets sacrificed?  Maybe some casting distance and faster rods tend to be a bit more brittle at the tip and have narrower lure weight ratings.  If you're responsible, and buy from a company that offers a strong warranty, this isn't a problem, but broken tips are the biggest complaint I've heard regarding X-Fast tips from fishermen in general, and it's 95% user error. 

 

For that price range, Avid/Avid-X, LTB, and possibly used Legend Elites are available from St. Croix.  If you ask enough people on here, you'll get answers ranging from Shimano to Powell, Dobyns, Daiwa, etc.  Figure out how fast an action you like, and then go from there. 

[Scrapiron]

56 minutes ago, HookRz said:

I'm a "good enough" rod type of guy that likes XF for most of the presentations I use regularly. I prefer Loomis IMX in casting and St. Croix AvidX in spinning. 

 

Both are made in the USA, that seals the deal. 

I'm in total agreement with that... IMX casting and Avid X spinning is how I'm setup.

[Ksam1234]

58 minutes ago, Scrapiron said:

I'm in total agreement with that... IMX casting and Avid X spinning is how I'm setup.

Yeah the problem is my cabelas and field and stream I don't think carry those.. so I can't physically handle them to tell how they feel.. @Turkey sandwich

[Turkey sandwich]

Most Cabela's stores will carry Avid X and E6x lines.

[Angry John]

The line makes a huge diffrence to me.  I like x fast on rods with copolymer or flouro and fast for those using braid as a main line.  I use the standard avid or le line in casting and I just got my son a avidx which I have yet to put any real miles on.  The rod blank and guides on an avidx casting are good but I hate split handles in most cases.  If your good with the handle I would grab the avid x 

[MickD]

There is an objective action measurement process, but manufacturers don't publish the data since builders misuse it, hassle the manufacturers.  But it exists, called CCS, and I've tested many blanks of all types with it.  Yes, some manufacturers specs overlap, but I've never found an XF that wasn't faster than the same manufacturer's Fast.  And most XF's are in fact faster than most Fasts.  One thing to consider is the line.  If you are going to use mono or FC I would not be afraid of XF being too fast.  With braid, maybe an XF could be too fast depending on your preferences and techniques.

[bigfruits]

for a dedicated plastics rod id do XF, no doubt.

 

i like Med for senkos if not in cover. MH/XF for an all around plastics rod would be my choice. sensitive and well balanced. with loomis you have the expeditor service so buy what you can afford and treat it like a $100 rod. GLX and NRX are great for bottom contact and slack line presentations.

[Ksam1234]

19 minutes ago, bigfruits said:

for a dedicated plastics rod id do XF, no doubt.

 

i like Med for senkos if not in cover. MH/XF for an all around plastics rod would be my choice. sensitive and well balanced. with loomis you have the expeditor service so buy what you can afford and treat it like a $100 rod. GLX and NRX are great for bottom contact and slack line presentations.

I don't want to spend 490$ on a rod