Yesterday during my lunch break at applebees, my co-workers and I had a big discussion about extra fast or fast tip for a worm rod. I don't think anyone won the battle on that one.

With extra fast tip, there is more sensitivity and quicker response when setting the hook. But the extra fast tip makes it harder to fight the fight. With fast tip, it is less sensitive than an extra fast but it has a better backbone power.

So, what do you guys think? Extra fast or fast for a worm rod?

For starters, the action listed on a rod is subjective, so what the maker considers fast or x-fast can vary. Also, the the fast and extra fast could have similar backbone. Each design has its time and place. If you're fishing small weightless worms, a faster tip might be an advantage. You typically see the XF tips on Drop-Shot and other finesse applications. For everyday T-rig worm fishing a MH/fast action rod is fine. This is largely another case of preference, so there really can't be a winner in this argument.

Yesterday during my lunch break at applebees, my co-workers and I had a big discussion about extra fast or fast tip for a worm rod. I don't think anyone won the battle on that one.

With extra fast tip, there is more sensitivity and quicker response when setting the hook. But the extra fast tip makes it harder to fight the fight. With fast tip, it is less sensitive than an extra fast but it has a better backbone power.

So, what do you guys think? Extra fast or fast for a worm rod?

You are mixing or trying to mix different parameters sensitivity, response, backbone and power throwing them into the pot, stirring and trying to get a result to prove a point when they should be analized independently.

Sensitivity has nothing to do with tip speed, sensitivity depends on density of the blank material and the line material.

Here it 's a matter of response, for worming you get speedier hooksets with an extra fast rod

Backbone is obtained by how the blank was built and from where along it 's length the blank bends.

How easy or hard it is to fight the fish doesn 't depend on the tip speed, it depnds on the power of the rod.

You can have a multitude of variable in a blank reason why different rods behave differently. There is no winner in the discusiion.

For starters, the action listed on a rod is subjective, so what the maker considers fast or x-fast can vary.

And to the point that some company's fast is actually faster than another company's Xfast.

Bottom line is that it's personal preference. You can make intelligent arguments for either one... and there are subtle advantages and disadvantages to both. The reason that there is a debate is that both are good choices in this application.

Yesterday during my lunch break at applebees, my co-workers and I had a big discussion about extra fast or fast tip for a worm rod. I don't think anyone won the battle on that one.

With extra fast tip, there is more sensitivity and quicker response when setting the hook. But the extra fast tip makes it harder to fight the fight. With fast tip, it is less sensitive than an extra fast but it has a better backbone power.

So, what do you guys think? Extra fast or fast for a worm rod?

You are mixing or trying to mix different parameters sensitivity, response, backbone and power throwing them into the pot, stirring and trying to get a result to prove a point when they should be analized independently.

Sensitivity has nothing to do with tip speed, sensitivity depends on density of the blank material and the line material.

Here it 's a matter of response, for worming you get speedier hooksets with an extra fast rod

Backbone is obtained by how the blank was built and from where along it 's length the blank bends.

How easy or hard it is to fight the fish doesn 't depend on the tip speed, it depnds on the power of the rod.

You can have a multitude of variable in a blank reason why different rods behave differently. There is no winner in the discusiion.

thanks for the info

Red flags go off in my mind when someone says that a rod is more sensitive because is has a softer tip.  These are guys that tip watch.  I see it all the time in my kayak fishing classes.  They get a bite, and instead of setting the hook, they look at the tip to see if its "alive."  By the time they get around to setting the hook, half the time the fish is gone.

Red flags go off in my mind when someone says that a rod is more sensitive because is has a softer tip. These are guys that tip watch. I see it all the time in my kayak fishing classes. They get a bite, and instead of setting the hook, they look at the tip to see if its "alive." By the time they get around to setting the hook, half the time the fish is gone.

LOL, OMG. That's so me...Maybe, I need to take one of your classes..haha

Just loosen your grip when fishing contact or drop baits - jigs, plastics.  Watch your line, not the tip.  Trust your senses - hooksets are free.

Red flags go off in my mind when someone says that a rod is more sensitive because is has a softer tip. These are guys that tip watch. I see it all the time in my kayak fishing classes. They get a bite, and instead of setting the hook, they look at the tip to see if its "alive." By the time they get around to setting the hook, half the time the fish is gone.

Then you have those that don't watch the tip or the line and try to do everything by feel. You'll miss bites this way too, no matter what rod you're using.

I disagree, anything that moves the tip, and you can't feel it -- something's not normal there. The person has a sensory issue, or the rod is really crappy. At least with typical bass gear, anyway. I know I've caught and lost more than a few trout on the pin that I would have never known bit, even if the rod was bent over. That has more to do with the cold, LOL.

Extra fast medium spinning = drop shot, 1/8oz tube, wacky rig

Fast Spinning = light weight t-rig, light weight jig, hard jerkbait, fluke(skipping)

I use extra-fast with small wire hooks.

I disagree, anything that moves the tip, and you can't feel it -- something's not normal there.

Yup, I usually have a finger on the blank, doesn't matter if I'm using casting or spinning.

Red flags go off in my mind when someone says that a rod is more sensitive because is has a softer tip. These are guys that tip watch. I see it all the time in my kayak fishing classes. They get a bite, and instead of setting the hook, they look at the tip to see if its "alive." By the time they get around to setting the hook, half the time the fish is gone.

So an XF would be stiffer tip, and a F would be a softer tip?

Red flags go off in my mind when someone says that a rod is more sensitive because is has a softer tip. These are guys that tip watch. I see it all the time in my kayak fishing classes. They get a bite, and instead of setting the hook, they look at the tip to see if its "alive." By the time they get around to setting the hook, half the time the fish is gone.

So an XF would be stiffer tip, and a F would be a softer tip?

I guess so, depending on your terminology. Like Flechero said, it's going to depend on the company.

Using the same company in the same line of rods, typically XF bends closer to the tip, F further down the blank....all the way down to Mod (like a crankbait rod).

So an XF would be stiffer tip, and a F would be a softer tip?

No, the XF has the"shorter" and lighter tip, but the backbone comes up further in the blank. 

Who has the action diagram to post here? 

So an XF would be stiffer tip, and a F would be a softer tip?

No, the XF has the"shorter" and lighter tip, but the backbone comes up further in the blank.

Who has the action diagram to post here?

here it is...

Oh, I see how it is.  You custom rod guys think you're so cool...apparently mine was not good enough.    ;D

But which tip is softer, like easier to bend.

I already knew where rods bent per action

But which tip is softer, like easier to bend.

I already knew where rods bent per action

BC, it sounds like you are looking more at "power" than "action" maybe? A ML power rod will be easier to bend than a H action rod.

If not, I dont know that you will find a "softer" tip definition.  The Moderate rod shown above will likely bend easier than the XF.

Why are you looking for a "soft" tip?  Benefits you have read or experiences?

But which tip is softer, like easier to bend.

I already knew where rods bent per action

hmm..what's action got to do with bending?

I thought that if you had two, say, 7' M power rods, with different actions, that one tip would bend easier? :-?

And its not that I read of magical powers in soft tips, Its just I've never really understood if tips can be softer.

I thought that if you had two, say, 7' M power rods, with different actions, that one tip would bend easier? :-?

And its not that I read of magical powers in soft tips, Its just I've never really understood if tips can be softer.

I guess one may feel like it bends easier, but it may be that you are feeling the different points through the blank where they bend.

To bend a XF tip to a certain point and a Mod tip to that exact point would seem easier I suppose...

I'm friggin' lost.   ;D

I disagree, anything that moves the tip, and you can't feel it -- something's not normal there. The person has a sensory issue, or the rod is really crappy. At least with typical bass gear, anyway. I know I've caught and lost more than a few trout on the pin that I would have never known bit, even if the rod was bent over. That has more to do with the cold, LOL.

He did say "Then you have those that don't watch the tip or the line and try to do everything by feel." If the tip moves I agree that you should feel it, but I have seen the line move without any vibration reaching the tip so line movement is another matter. In that case, you should be a line watcher or you will miss fish.

That was my point. You need to watch what's going on, not at the tip, but at the line.

I disagree, anything that moves the tip, and you can't feel it -- something's not normal there. The person has a sensory issue, or the rod is really crappy. At least with typical bass gear, anyway. I know I've caught and lost more than a few trout on the pin that I would have never known bit, even if the rod was bent over. That has more to do with the cold, LOL.

He did say "Then you have those that don't watch the tip or the line and try to do everything by feel." If the tip moves I agree that you should feel it, but I have seen the line move without any vibration reaching the tip so line movement is another matter. In that case, you should be a line watcher or you will miss fish.

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Just loosen your grip when fishing contact or drop baits - jigs, plastics.  Watch your line, not the tip.  Trust your senses - hooksets are free.