I'm downsizing my wacky rig for the winter going from the 5" to a 4". I fish open water from the bank with no trees. I fish my 5" on a baitcaster but the smaller one is too light for it.

Would the 6'9" St Croix Avid X ML Extra Fast be a good rod for this?

If not, what would you recommend?

yes, that rod would work perfectly. 

Im still new at this fishing thing, but for the last few months I have been using a TFO Gary Loomis tactical edition 7'3" medium fast and a *** black 2 that is a 7'1" medium fast and they have been great for me throwing wacky rigged senkos. I won a little local kayak tournament last month and that was the only bait I threw. As a matter of fact the bass in my avatar was caught on the black rod with a wacky rigged weightless senko. I am really enjoying those 2 rods. 

I think I would prefer a medium power over med/light, but your proposal will certainly work.

I think you'll like it, I actually prefer the 4" to the 5 all year long.

MLXF for 4"

MXF for 5"

 

I do like that the 6'8MXF can handle both 4's and 5's fine and use it as the dedicated senko rod.

I use a ML for wacky rigs all the time, you'll be fine. 

Thanks everyone. Think I'll go with the ML.

I don´t know in which planet a 4" senko is "too light", I can cast those easily with 12 lb test in my trusty more than a decade old 200B Curado on a CR724/MBR784.    Actually, when I fish a senko 80% of the time it´s going to be a 4"( I do prefer french fry worms more than senkos ).

 

Now if considering them "too light" for a setup is an excuse to get another rod then, as a BaitMonkey acolyte ----> I´m all in !

I throw the 4" and 5"  wacky rigged on an LTB 6'8" M/XF. The ML/XF will work just fine as well, but I usually keep my dropshot rigged up on that one.

I have used hat rod and it would be perfect as iabass8 has already said. I was going to get that rod but I chose the 7' ML-F, it has a little softer tip with less backbone than the 6'9" ML-XF.

tons of good rods on sale now

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/enigma-aaron-s-edge-spinning-rods.html

http://www.***.com/Halo_Fishing_Twilite_Series_Spinning_Rods_Black/descpage-HFSR.html

also st croix's bargain room has avid neo, mojo and rages for $89 shipped