XF or F for Ned rigs

[PotatoLake]

Just curious what your preference is when throwing a Ned rig? I’ve never owned an XF, just wondering if it suits Ned rig fishing.

[MN Fisher]

I have no issues using a F for Neds - I think a XF would be a little too fast of an action for the single hook.

 

Actually, I don't own any XF rods - F and MF is all I have.

[Jigfishn10]

Fast and extra fast for me is really effective on a hook set with thicker wired hooks. The ned has a thin wire I would use more of a mod-fast. Better for casting as well IMHO.

[Junger]

XF is fine, just set the drag correctly. I use a small 6’3” ML/XF spinning combo and it works great with 15lb braid.

[Team9nine]

I've used them all, but if I could only pick one action, I'd go more mod-fast (neither of your above mentioned options). I like the "slower" actions better, especially since I'm more of a traditionalist and stick to smaller, lighter wire hooks most days.

[DitchPanda]

I actually use both for neds and don't notice much difference honestly. Also don't notice much difference in line type. One setup has copolymer and one has braid...can't say I have a preference. For me the key component is rod power...I prefer a medlight over medium big time.

[FishTank]

Both have worked fine for me but my personal preference is XF.  My favorite spinning rod is an NRX 803s but I have also used casting gear for with a fast taper.

[Bankc]

Fast.  Better distance.  Better at keeping the fish pinned.  And you don't need the control or power of an extra-fast for ned rigs. 

 

[Deephaven]

I'd much rather have the XF for bait control and a lighter power to keep it pinned than a sluggish slower rod.

[ironbjorn]

Moderate fast, actually. Whether the rod says it or behaves like it is all the same.

[fishwizzard]

I think the Loomis MagLight/XFast spinning rods are some of the best ever for traditional MWF fishing with light heads and smaller thin-wire hooks, but with a more powerful rod I would not want as fast a taper.  So I guess for me the choice depends on the power of the rod, the more powerful the slower I want the taper and the lighter the rod the faster I want it.  

[WRB]

I don’t believe that everyone can determine the difference, like power action ii differs between mfr’s and models.

the technical definition is XF 1/8 rod length near tip bends with less force applied then Fast action. The balance of the rod bends with the same force.  The XF having a softer tip allows working semi slack line with less effort, like a drop shot rig.

I don’t have a lot of experience with Ned rigs and tend slow swim them in lieu of bottom work it, therefore prefer fast action with good feedback to detect strikes.

Tom 

[LCG]

I use a medium extra fast rod rated for 1/8-1/2oz mainly for Ned rigs and weightless plastics. But I texas rig the Ned rig with a size 2 EWG and generally fish in moderate cover so I like the extra hook set power and the backbone to control the fight. It's one of my main confidence baits, always have one rigged. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

They both work, but the faster that rod recovers the lighter your drag needs to be with an XF especially XF rods under 7' when your using braid.  I noticed I was losing way to many fish over 4lbs, it was about 1 in 4 average and it would always be at my feet.  When I went to a F my landing ratio improved.  I was using braid-leader so I would think going to FC or Mono would offset a faster rod and minimize tearing. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I use St croix Avid 8' ML Moderate and prefer it to my LTB XF or  LE Fast. I can glide the ned across close to the bottom for some distance by just raising the rod tip up and its quite easy to notice even light pressure takes.

[T-Billy]

I'm in the fast or modfast camp. A soft tip helps keep from tearing the small hook out, and does a better job of keeping them pinned. 7' SLX ML works great for me.

[Bluebasser86]

I use an XF. I can really manipulate the bait with light shakes, and there's not much of a hookset with a Ned rig, so the XF tip allows for a reel or lift set. 

[PotatoLake]

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use an XF. I can really manipulate the bait with light shakes, and there's not much of a hookset with a Ned rig, so the XF tip allows for a reel or lift set. 

I am super happy with the discussion on this topic, and I appreciate everyone's input. Selfishly I was weighing options on a new stick after breaking an old rod that I used for ned rigs. I finally decided on the 6'10" SC Victory MLXF. I think what @Bluebasser86 and @fishwizzard said about using light rods and light lures, just giving a quick reel set with those thin wired hooks is more my style of fishing. I think if I throw a heavier jighead with a trd, etc in deeper water, I have a M/MF rod that I would probably use.

Again, good stuff everyone, that's why I love this site. Everyone trying to help some random dude catch more fish. 
 

[T-Billy]

Glad you got the info you were looking for PotatoLake. That rod should serve you well. There really isn't a right or wrong on this question. Simply a matter of what works best for you.

 

With the little exposed hooks involved, a reel set is all that's needed even with a fairly limber rod and mono. The SLX I use is rated fast but, feels more like a mod/fast. I fish a ned on 6# XT, and just reel into 'em. Not many get away.

 

I'm with ya 100% on this site. Great place to hang out.

[new2BC4bass]

As stated many times here one company's power/action is not necessarily the same as another.  I have an older 6'10" M-EF Fuego and a 6'9" M-XF Smallmouth (both spinning).  Putting the tips to the floor it is obvious the Fuego has a much softer tip.  The Fuego would probably do good with treble hooks.  The Smallmouth not so much.

 

I also agree this is a great site. 

[MickD]

On 7/20/2021 at 12:09 PM, DitchPanda said:

For me the key component is rod power.

Yes!

[Aguilab1]

On 7/20/2021 at 6:10 PM, fishwizzard said:

I think the Loomis MagLight/XFast spinning rods are some of the best ever for traditional MWF fishing with light heads and smaller thin-wire hooks, but with a more powerful rod I would not want as fast a taper.  So I guess for me the choice depends on the power of the rod, the more powerful the slower I want the taper and the lighter the rod the faster I want it.  

I dusted off my E6X DSR mag-light recently for Ned Rigs and I love it! I was set on only using it for drop shot, but the sensitivity seems better than my Expride MF (now broken). Not to mention, paired with a Tatula Lt, it’s super light and I get less fatigued!! 

On 7/21/2021 at 9:13 AM, PotatoLake said:

I am super happy with the discussion on this topic, and I appreciate everyone's input. Selfishly I was weighing options on a new stick after breaking an old rod that I used for ned rigs. I finally decided on the 6'10" SC Victory MLXF. I think what @Bluebasser86 and @fishwizzard said about using light rods and light lures, just giving a quick reel set with those thin wired hooks is more my style of fishing. I think if I throw a heavier jighead with a trd, etc in deeper water, I have a M/MF rod that I would probably use.

Again, good stuff everyone, that's why I love this site. Everyone trying to help some random dude catch more fish. 
 

How’s the victory going? I have a 7’3” Victory MLXF + Fuego LT 2500 that’s my wife’s favorite. I’m surprised they don’t make a 7’1” ML. 

[MickD]

Unless I missed something, this whole string of posts advocates for powers and actions using the subjective descriptors (Power = light, ML, M, MH, etc and Action  = XF, F, MF, M, etc) and not once are any actual objective numbers (CCS) offered.  I respectfully submit that the variance of the subjective descriptors is so high not only between makers but within makers' offerings that there is no way of knowing if all the advocates of the same power/action combination are in fact talking about the same power/action.   It will remain this way until manufacturers start providing the CCS numbers.  I know that at least most blank makers know the numbers for their products, and the number of those that are providing those numbers up front is growing.  Maybe someday . . . 

 

One thing that is possibly as important as action is length.  A 7 1/2 foot XF (~80 degree action angle) is nothing more than a 6 1/2 foot F (~75 degree action angle) on a 1 foot rigid stick. To the fish there will be very little difference.  They will both perform about the same with respect to "keeping the fish pinned."  What I'm saying is that the longer you go, the less important the action descriptor gets when considering "keeping the fish pinned."   Especially since no one really knows how accurate the descriptor is in the first place.