13 hours ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

Off the top of my head Im fairly certain its rated 1/8-1/2 which is pretty accurate.  You can cast baits 3/8-1/2 without problems, setting the hook can be an issue.  Setting the hook at the end of a bomb cast with larger profile weightless T rigged plastics has given me the most trouble.  The resistance of bigger baits at a distance can load the blank to the point where there isn't much power left for a hookset.  If you use a real thin super line with a thin dia. low stretch FC leader material (blue label, premier, shinsei) or higher quality FC mainline and a thin wire hook you can get away with it. 

You can get a similar underpowered feeling with bigger profile cranks but unlike t rigged plastics there isn't any plastic you have to get through on the hookset so it hasn't been an problem.  If the bait has thicker wire trebles its a good idea to replace them with a thinner wire especially in the winter when the flesh inside the mouth hardens a bit. 

When I had first got the rod I noticed the hit to land ratio was near 100% with wacky rigs but was about 60-70% at best for ned rigs.  It took me a few days but I figured out it was the hook dia. that made the difference.  I was using mosquito lights for the wacky rigs and Zman ned heads made by TT lures.  The TT lures uses a thicker wire that doesn't flex.  Instead of flexing like thinner wire rigid wire causes cavitation of the hook hold, couple that with less penetration and the hookup to land ratio will plummet. 

The lightest bait Ive thrown on that rod was a 3/64 zappu with a 3" bubbling shaker, which it struggled to throw any distance.  I throw a 1/16 owner darter head #1 hook with a 3" EasyShiner just about all winter.  That's about the lightest you can go and still get reasonable distance.  It will bomb a 1/2oz kastmaster, but any heavier and the blank is overloaded.  I would have to say the sweet spot is roughly 3-5/16. 

Longer blanks tend to have a slower action then shorter rods with the same speed.  I would highly recommend an XF if you want a sensitive and responsive rod.  The extra 6" may slow the action down to where its closer to a F.  Don't worry about loss of sensitivity, Ive got 9'-12' fly and surf rods that sensitivity wise blow mid range (2-300$) 6'6-7'6 Loomis and Croixs away. 

Keep in mind that the longer the rod is the heavier the reel will need to be to counter the balance.  As with any lighter finesse gear a smooth drag will help tremendously.  FLs, Procyon AL, Certate LT etc are great choices, though keep in mind that felt drag washers tend to be smoother at lower pressures then carbontex and other synthetic washers.  

As a disclaimer of sorts, the previous info is what I have found to work best for me.  In no way is this the end all be all explanation as I am prone to faults and bias like any one else, this is simply my opinion on the matter.  If you have any other questions that you think I may be able to help with don't hesitate to ask. Good luck...Tight Lines.

 

Thank you, Rusty!  Very informative and detailed information.  I appreciate all your time!  Being able to throw a 1/16 shows its range.  The main reason I want this rod is to be able to throw 1/8-1/4oz's as far as I can.  This is so I can finesse on the toughest days.  I have a new Shimano Vanford 4000 with 10lb Daiwa J-Braid to pair with it.

5 hours ago, Kong said:

Thank you, Rusty! 

No problem, happy to do it anytime...That's pretty much the perfect rod for covering lots of water with finesse baits.  If I can get the rest of my Xmas shopping done in 2 weeks I might have to order one for myself lol.

Looks like I procrastinated too long, since they stopped selling those blanks