I'm buying a Shimano Cumara baitcaster this week 6' 8" M basically for use with soft plastics (Senkos & Tubes).  I'm going to put my Shimano Chronarch on it.  I can get one with a Fast or X Fast Tip.

Can someone explain to me when you need a fast tip vs. an X Fast Tip?

Thanks in Advance.

I have several Shimano Compre rods with xfast tip. I find that they cast lite plastics very well. You also have a quicker hook set with xfast, the bend is all at the top. For plastics fished on bottom you can't go wrong with xfast. Remember though, this is just my opinion.

action is very the rod bends the most...fast action bends mainly at the tip....extra fast action bends at the tip a little more.

for plastics you should get the extra fast.

I have several Shimano Compre rods with xfast tip. I find that they cast lite plastics very well. You also have a quicker hook set with xfast, the bend is all at the top. For plastics fished on bottom you can't go wrong with xfast. Remember though, this is just my opinion.

Agree , you should go for the xfast 8-)

x-fast gets my vote.

There can't be too much difference between a x-fast and fast tip can it?

I own a lot of Fast action rods and one X-Fast.  With the X-Fast rod every bite I get feels like the bass is hammering he heck out of the bait.  In my oppinnion you get a lot more sensitivity out of the X-Fast which could be key to detectin lite bites.  

There can't be too much difference between a x-fast and fast tip can it?

Yes there is, specially when you are fishing with light ( 6-8 lb ) line, it 's the difference between hooking the fish and not hooking it.