Curious as to how you would compare and contrast the extra fast vs. the fast action?
I don't think there are any set industry standards. I would think an XFast would have more tip action than a Fast thus aiding in casting ability (distance and accuracy) especially light stuff. But it would also be more suseptible to tip breakage when casting heavy baits and putting the rod in compromising postions such as "high sticking", swinging a fish in, awkward hook sets, etc.
This is CastAways description, of action/power.
Action and Power
Action and power, when used in connection with fishing rods, are often misused.
Action is simply put, the way a rod or blank bends. This is described by four different terms:
Extra Fast: Flex in the upper 1/4 of the rod blank.
Fast: Flex in the upper 1/3 of the rod blank.
Moderate: Flex in the upper 1/2 of the rod blank.
Slow: Flex is from the lower 1/3 of the rod blank.
Power is best described as the amount of energy or force that is needed to make a rod blank bend. CastAway uses the following power ratings to rate its rods.
Power Rating
Power 1 Ultralight
Power 2 Light
Power 3 Medium Light
Power 4 Medium
Power 5 Medium Heavy
Power 6 Heavy
Power 7 Extra Heavy
