I see that the St Croix 6'8 M XF rods are labeled as topwater rods. I'm a little surprised by that, since spooks and poppers have treble hooks. I would expect an x fast rod to rip the small trebles out. Does this rod (in any of St Croix's lines) actually work well for treble hook baits such as spooks? If so, I think it would work well for jerkbaits too. Any opinions on this? 

 

I know they make a 6'8 fast jerkbait rod, but I'm curious to hear how well the x fast tip works. 

Works very well. It's not what you think, go shake one and you'll buy it!

I use fast St Croix rods, braid, and jerkbaits and don't rip treble hooks out. You just have to adjust your technique to the gear you use. 

IMO the line and rod work together to keep a fish pinned.  You want some give its just where it comes from is up to you.  I don't fish x fast rods with braid in most cases because there is very little give.  This rod mixed with a line with a little give is sweet.  I use the spinning rod for my son because he has a 8 year old Hooksett and I try and help him out. 

I use mine with #8 yo-Zuri Hybrid and it's been excellent for both jerkbaits and topwater. My hook-up ratio has gone way up as compared to a med-fast crankbait rod. The rod also keeps them pinned. 

It sounds like it would work well with hybrid line or maybe abrazX, since it's got a bit of stretch. Thanks everyone!

It will work for treble hooks, u have to adjust your hooksets to the gear that you are using.

I use XF for jerkbaits and topwaters, and for other baits in which I want a twitching, popping, jerking, or walking retrieve, most of the time. The theory is that the fast tip recovery makes it easier to work these kinds of retrieves (that's true for me, but not everybody feels the same way). As long as you're not using a really hard or exaggerated hookset, and the rod is not overpowered, it shouldn't be a problem. I also use mono, for what it's worth.

For topwater on this rod I use a sweep set.  No reason to go wild.

Extra fast rods are funny, the reason is the extra fast part only tells you how quick the rod gets to the backbone, it doesn't really tell you if the tip section is stiff or soft. Drop shot specific rods are usually extra fast but the tip is really soft and so it is with the St. Croix topwater and jerkbait specific rods. If you see a jig and worm or all purpose rod rated extra fast chances are it will be way to stiff for anything with a treble hook.

I use the ltb drop shot rod for jerkbaits.works well.

FWIW I have a 6'8 Medium power fast action St Croix LTB (Jerkbait rod) and it is absolutely perfect for both topwater and jerk baits.

16 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

Drop shot specific rods are usually extra fast but the tip is really soft and so it is with the St. Croix topwater and jerkbait specific rods. If you see a jig and worm or all purpose rod rated extra fast chances are it will be way to stiff for anything with a treble hook.

Would the 6'8 M XF avid X, which is not technique specific, have a soft enough tip, or does that line of rods act more like jig/worm rods? 

It is not only soft enough, it's ideal! I have a pair of the 6'2" M/XF which is same just shorter and my choice (because I prefer shorter) but the 6'8" is a real gem!