Fast or Ultra-Fast Action on a Light Power panfishing rod?

[Geoffrey]

Looking to buy an ultra-light to light power rod for panfishing. I use a combination of small spoons, spinners, and jerkbaits ranging from 1/16oz to 1/4oz max with 4lb floro fishing line. I'm used to a 7ft rod, and prefer a longer rod for the casting abilities. Based off of what I've said I'm finding it difficult to decide between these two rod models in the St. Croix Trout Series range...

 

-6'4" L Power, F Action

-7'0" L Power, XF Action

 

Given the lure setup that I mentioned I'll be using for panfishing, I don't know whether a XF Action is too high... and given I want decent casting distance from the docks I don't know if a 6'4" rod is too short... If anyone has any experience with such rod specs if not similar any advice would be highly appropriated. 

[slimjim1135]

Personally I'd go with the 6'4" fast action. Most the the baits you listed you'll be using are small moving treble hook baits, so you may find the added give useful. I also found faster action, lighter longer rods to be a little brittle for my taste. Unless you're vertical jigging or something similar, I'd stick with the shorter, fast action option. 

[islandbass]

I’m the opposite in my approach but that is primarily because I am a bank angler and I’m influenced by my neck of the woods. Unless brush is a serious obstacle, longer is better for casting with less effort and line control. I would also prefer the fast over extra fast given the two as choices. 

 

With that said, I wouldn’t hesitate to use a shorter rod if my environment dictated it.

 

It might be more accurate for me to see use the longest rod you can get away with. 

[Smallieseeker]

I have never used St. Croix trout series rods but do have a couple of their panfish series rods. One of them is the 7 foot light xfast and it’s a great rod and the one I would recommend I use it to throw micro cranks and 1/16th oz jigs. There is nothing extra fast about this rod. It has a great parabolic bend to it and I get great hook sets with it. But I really wouldn’t recommend throwing a 1/4 oz on it. I’m sure it could be done but there are better options out there for that weight.

[SJex]

For sunfish you want a fast action or even moderate rod. For bass you want a faster action. A longer rod will give you better casting distance, but you should still get decent distance from the shorter rod. I fish a Loomis Trout series UL that is 6'7" and distance is almost the same as my 7' rods. A tip regarding line, use a small diameter braid to get better casting distance, it really does help.