From a bass fishing standpoint, when is an x-fast blank desirable?

> When you want max 'sensitivity' at the cost of other features   (e.g. finesse lures during non-crank intervals)

> When you want quicker hook-set response at the cost of other features   (e.g. jig fishing)

> When you want quicker access to the blank's backbone            (e.g. hauling bass out of heavy cover)

 

Roger

 

 

 

When you are using a light or medium light rod and need the sensitivity on the rod that does not have a lot of power.  I like a Xfast when i am fishing light flouro and the rod does not need to provide the give because the line is already providing the give.

It is also good for spinnerbaits or other lures like it where you want to snap the lure free from weeds and keep the cast alive. Some claim that XF actions minimize spinnerbait helicoptering during the cast, but I'm not convinced it makes any difference on this. 

one xf may not be all that much different from someone else's F. This is all so subjective don't lose too much sleep over it. What could be considered or labeled as xf make good rods for finesse fishing sluggish light biting fish , reel setting drop shot hooks, or inducing light action to jerkbaits if the tip is also soft. 

X fast action simply means the tip in relation to the power built into the rest of the rod is less than a fast action rod, this allows you to have a broader lure range the rod will throw effectively, but this rating is on the low side of the scale always due to the softer tip. This can make the rod a little bit more sensitive, but whether, or not we as anglers can actually feel the difference is up to each angler to decide.

The rest about getting into the backbone of the blank faster, etc. is counterintuitive isn't it? You have two rods built with identical power characteristics except one has a softer tip, you pull back on the rod which flexes the tip and effectively shortens the distance between the tip and your hand, making the arc the tip travels shorter and less effective at moving the line the distance necessary to pin the hook in the fish's face. In short giving a 6 ft. 8 in. blank the same hook setting power as a stiffer tipped 6 ft. 6 in. rod. Not exactly what I intended to do when I build a longer rod that now has more weight, tip weight, and feels more out of balance due to the longer length.

Building or buying a rod by the characteristics described in publications, isn't as easy as it looks. No ones measures their products by an industry standard, and to tell you the truth the companies have no interest in having one, they want you to buy by company loyalty, price point, etc. It's better for them to have the water a bit muddied as far as the publc's knowledge goes.

Thanks for the replies.