Extra fast action casting rod question..

[TNcreekfishing]

So basically I’ve used spinning rods and reels my whole life (currently 34 years old) because that’s just what I grew up using and all I knew. I have an absolute arsenal of different powers and actions and have really used them for everything even though I know a casting setup would do it better. With that being said here lately I’ve been kind of consumed with getting into casting to become a more well rounded angler and to grow my knowledge. So I bought myself a new model st croix mojo bass trigon in 6’8 medium power extra fast action. What I’m wondering is, after searching extensively and to no avail, is what lures and applications will the extra fast action best be suited for? I know in general extra fast action helps you set the hook faster and with more power. I have a st croix panfish spinning rod in extra fast action that I love to use with bottom bumping small plastics and small finesse fishing and I’ve read that extra fast action is great for jigging and worming so I feel like I apply that.. but I’m really wondering what else is a extra fast action best used for? Topwater? Swim baits? Any areas where it shines other than finesse? Because I cover a lot of my finesse stuff with my spinning gear just because I feel like it’s probably better suited for it and all that’s what I’ve read. And with all that being said is it beneficial in any aspect to fish the bottom or finesse with a casting setup? I wade fish primarily in small rivers and creeks that are about 30 yards wide with pretty quick current in a lot of places and slow downs between and primarily target smallmouth. That’s why I chose the shorter rod with a medium power. Thanks for the input y’all to someone who is fairly new to this topic. ? 

[FrnkNsteen]

I don't use a lot of extra fast rods to be honest. I use some for jigs and worms as you mentioned, but not a lot else. I will expand the worms to include all texas rigged setups, such as tubes, senkos, flukes. Etc.

 

I definitely don't like them for anything with trebles. I dont really like them reaction baits like paddletail swimmers spinnerbaits or swim jigs either. I like a slower "Fast" or maybe even a moderate fast for those.

 

For creek fishing. I think I would use that XF for texas rigged tubes or maybe floating a weightless worm down the current or pitching it into current eddies

[Boomstick]

This particular rod will work well for small topwaters like poppers and makes a fantastic jerkbait rod as well. You can also use it for finesse jigs, crankbaits, weightless soft plastics and tubes as well.

 

It doesn't have a lot of tip, but it does have a lot of bend throughout as it's a medium power that does not run on the heavier side.

[Darth-Baiter]

to me extra fast, does a few things.  theoretically it will transmit a bite to your hand quicker, so it is sensitive.  okay..one thing.  so basically bottom contact for me.

 

i am not the best caster right off the bat, when i use an extra fast.  as a righty, everything casts left of the target.  sometimes, by a mile. 

 

i need a softer tip for topwater, so i can walk the dog if need be.  i also like a softer tip for longer casting and accuracy.   i like a softer rod for treble hooks stuff.  as well.  i feel i like the advantage it gives me to pin the fish, and absorb some of the exciting stuff.  

 

i dont think i have XF rods any more.  actually.  

[FryDog62]

The times when I use XF are:

• Football jigs/bottom contact (Perfect Pitch Heavy-XF) helps to feel the rocks/structure.
• Free-Rig - to feel the sinker hitting bottom and/or make contact with the lure (Phenix Feather MHXF)
• Texas rig - you want to be in contact with the weeds/cover but not stuck in the middle of them. XF helps you know the difference.  
• Dock skipping weightless/light lures (Tatula Elite Ehrler M-MH XF, or NRX 852c). Feel the fish inhale the plastic. 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Extra Fast actions are good for twitching, weightless plastics and bottom contact.  They recover fast and transmit vibration immediately and will load with a slightly lighter bait then if the blank was a fast action.  The difference can be vast when you go from a ML or M to a MH X F, as the power of the rod increases the deflection can greatly decrease.  ML and M XF are fairly versatile, once you get to a MH the amount of baits the rod handles well can be limited.  Some brands do X fast much better then others, one may be a well balanced sensitive blank, where another is a tip heavy pool cue.

[webertime]

That model/taper/power...  Boomstick nailed it. 

[TNcreekfishing]

Thank you guys all so much for you input ?. I honestly love to fish the bottom in all ways especially casting out and drifting my bait with the current. I feel like I really have my best luck when I fish the bottom as well. Maybe it’s because the water that I fish is only 2-8 foot deep so the smallies just naturally stay low beings it never really gets drastically deeper. I throw mainly small plastics on my light powered rod with xfast action and have a lot of success with it so I have no problem devoting this rod to a bottom setup for jigs and plastics.  I was just wondering if it would work in any other area. Thanks again for the input guys!

[TNcreekfishing]

So it would be good for jerkbaits as well? Smaller topwaters? Smaller cranks? I also have 2 daiwa tatulas with one being normal and one high speed and was wondering which would pair better and what line would be best. I know fluro is best for finesse but mono is just a better all arounder?? But I mean I guess that’s only if this rod is good for any of those other things.

[webertime]

Moving baits... a high quality mono doesn't give up much to fluorocarbon. 

I'd go higher ratio to take up slack better.

[Darth-Baiter]

I can’t walk the dog with an XF.  Ever.  

[JackstrawIII]

I bought the same rod in BassX form and... never use it. Couldn't find a good use. I've moved away from all my XF rods.

 

With that said, the M/XF rod would be good for light bottom baits. Wouldn't use it for any moving baits personally, but stuff like small jigs and stuff would work well. 

[Darth-Baiter]

19 minutes ago, JackstrawIII said:

I bought the same rod in BassX form and... never use it. Couldn't find a good use. I've moved away from all my XF rods.

 

With that said, the M/XF rod would be good for light bottom baits. Wouldn't use it for any moving baits personally, but stuff like small jigs and stuff would work well. 

right!!

 

 

 

 

[Catt]

I might have one or two rods that are not X-Fast, I use those for treble hook lures.