Hi,

I did some searches and it seems like opinion here is split on which speed (Fast or ExFast) is best for a Medium fluke rod.  While the rod's primary role will be to cast flukes, mostly Zoom Supers and GYCB D-Shads, I also will use it for weightless senkos and other weightless plastics.  It will also likely become my tube rod and the occasional small spinnerbaits.

I am leaning towards the ExFast as I already have a ML/F rod that will have some overlapping uses with this new one, so having a rod that is both heavier and stiffer might be nice.  I would love anyone's thoughts on this.  

Go over to Anglers Express. and see either Chris or Eric. They have some cool rod lines you will not see locally anywhere else. They have Irod, Dobyns, Abu, Powell, Duckett, ***, No 8, and some I am forgetting.  They will get you fixed up.  If you go up 83 take the Padonia road exit.  On your left at a light (maybe second light) is an Irish bar turn left there. go one block over to old Padonia rd.  Turn left and go a couple of buildings down. There is a strip of buildings and that is where they are.  The rod I chose for it is a 7ft Loomis Medium extra fast.  Take a look at the Powell Inferno 6103, it is a 6'10 Medium xf.  Might be just the ticket.  I own a Powell Max (an original not 3d) 683 casting rod. That is my go to jig rod. Picture a 7 footer with just a bit of a shorter handle makes throwing jig under and around docks a joy.  Somehow long rod butts and docks spell trouble.

I would go x/f and it will make an awesome top water walking rod, and a great jerkbait rod as well. I have the new version St Croix mojo bass in 6'8" m x/f and it's a sweet rod. St Croix definitely done a good thing when they changed the blanks in these rods, complete night and day difference compared with the older version.

You can get any taper you want for single hook plastics...  As long as it's extra fast.  

From the sounds of what you want it to do, I think a rod in an extra fast action will work well for you. 

Personally I walk flukes better on a Fast.

Would a xf action work well for plastics with braid as a mainline? 

I've always used fast action rods. 

14 minutes ago, I.rar said:

Would a xf action work well for plastics with braid as a mainline? 

I've always used fast action rods. 

Yep they work just fine that way.

Hah, it seems the divided opinion is still going strong.  I think I am going to pull the trigger on the Ex-fast.  I am getting this rod from a custom builder who made me an ML this spring that I am pretty in love with, and he suggests that a M/ExF will be a good complement to it.  I also believe that I want the extra stiffness to help with hooksets.  Thanks for the imput guys.  

Is that Tom's Custom Rods?  If so his work is awesome. I guarantee you will like what he builds you. Did you ever say if this is a spinning or baitcasting rod?  If so I must have mist it. Either way have your builder show you some Winn Grips.  I own several G Loomis rods and broke one, its replacement came with a plastic reel seat and thread assembly that kept loosening up. I loved the old metal setup they used to use before Shimano bought Loomis.  So I had him strip the full cork grip handle and seat.  We chose an American Tackle comfort seat assembly and installed a split grip set up from Winn Grips. If you have not felt them they are amazing.  Check out these pics.  Also they come in the natural that i chose and also in colors for both spinning and baitcasting. 

A faster action doesn't necessarily equal a stiffer tip. I use popping blanks and other fast yet soft tip blanks for top water, jerkbaits and flukes. Weightless worm will fish well enough on either. 

My "rule of thumb"... lighter powers need faster actions.  Light & med. light power rods need extra-fast actions, medium power rods need fast action and med. heavy rods need med. fast action.  This works well for my bass & walleye fishing, your mileage may differ.

 

oe