I only cast and the fast tip is needed to get them out of the grass bed and keep them hooked.  I fish with the barbs crunched down and have for years.  Never had a problem with them tasting the Senko on those rods.LOL

I have the st croix 6'8"med in an avid casting, with a lews speed spool and 15# flouro. I found it to be a good tex rig rod, but hard to control at times with a weightless senko. I ended up going to a 683 dobyns champion spinning rod for that and its amazing. I actually have better control with it when casting. I paired it with a pflueger supreme and 15# slick8. I even use it for ned rigs down to 1/15oz some.