Looking for some input on a rod to cover my inshore saltwater needs (slot reds and sea trout). Historically I’ve always used a 7’-7’4” M/F with light braid and throw (think, 3/0 Gama SuperLine) to a spook jr or Rapala skitterwalk. 
 

Tried a shimano Zodias but found it to be very fast and the guides were tiny and not great for braid to leader. Never really thought about it before, but the Victory line from st croix sounds like a good fit. I think the “slower” action, while still labeled fast or XF, will give the rod some versatility. 
 

my issue is that a lot of my research has found people throwing neds and drop shot on them and make me think they’re lighter power rods for their ratings? 
 

I’m wondering if the 73MXF or the 71MHF would be the choice? Hoping those with these rods may be able to chime in. 

My lightest saltwater setup is a Tidewater that I like, it’s paired with an old Diawa Capricorn that’s built like a tank. 

The difference between the SC inshore lines and FW lines are that the FW lines follow the new power ratings for SC.  The inshore blank M F are rated 3/8-3/4, about the range of the FW MH.  Rapala has a similar system with its baits.  The Rapala SW designated baits can run heavier than the same size bait in a FW model.  For example the standard 3.5" subwalk weighs 5/8, but the 3.5" SW subwalk weighs 3/4 and comes stock with single inlines instead of trebles.  The weight of the bait would dictate the power of the rod.

If you were going to throw 7/16 or 1/2 skitterwalks and mirrodines, then the 6'8 would be ideal.  The problem with an XF is the sweet spot of the weight range is smaller than a F and once you overload the tip you lose that crisp action.  The longer the blank and tip section the more suspectable the tip is to overload.  Thats why the 7'3 has a lower top end than the 6'8.  If I kept my 7'3 I would have used it for leadheads and bucktails up 1/2oz.  With the 6'8 M XF being the twitch/JB model and the 7'3 M XF being power finesse, the 7'1 M F is like the do it all model.  If you want to throw baits 5/8 to 3/4 and still have some backbone left over to punch the plug into the wind or set a hook at distance, then the MH would be the way to go IMO.

 As far as using the Victory in SW, it should be fine.  You might be some corrosion at the guides feet if the aren't epoxied evenly, but it shouldn't hurt anything.