Not sure if this is a dumb question, but do different Legend Tournament bass rods with the same action and power have different tip softness?

 

For example, the TBC68MF is labeled as a jerkbait rod, and the TBC71MF is labeled as a plastics rod. Both are medium power/fast action rods. But does the jerkbait rod have a softer tip than the plastics rod? I can see why it might.

 

More generally, is there any way to know what to expect for a rod's tip when you can't actually hold the rod? I buy all of my rods online, so that's not really an option for me.

Your question makes perfect sense, as there are no standards. I don't know the answer in this particular case. Best you can do is ask here for first hand accounts for the same reason. 

Some of them are similar. For example, the reason why the two rods you listed are reccomended for different techniques probably has to do more with the length of the rod (you'd probably slap the water when using jerkbaits with the 7'1). Other comparisons, however, have very different softness. The 6'9 MH Mod-Fast's lure rating is 1/4-5/8oz, whereas the 7'6 MH Mod-Fast is rated 3/8-1 1/4. That said, even though they're the same power and action, the tip on the 7'6 will be much more stiff (i.e. not able to throw as light of baits).

 

It's difficult to know for sure without bending the rods yourself, though. Even if you buy your rods online, you should be able to find these rods in stores just to look at, since you live in WI. Come to the fishing expo in Madison tomorrow and you can feel every rod they carry. Or go to Cabela's or a tackle store near you, and they might have what you're interested in.