radray,

Here's how I see rod action for the hudd...

For the ROF12 and 16 with the top hook I don't need a supremely stiff rod. My hookset is more straight up with those top hook baits, trying to get that top hook in to the roof of the bass' mouth. Hence I go with the 7'6" Okuma Heavy action. That rod is a powerful rod but it has flex in the tip section. I can get a quick strong hookset but I have some flex during the fight to avoid bending hooks and whatnot.

For the ROF5 with hanging trebles, I want a very stiff rod. With the ROF5, you inevitably get slack in your line and when a large fish compresses your bait on a semi slack line, it can be very hard to get a hook in to them. You may not experience this phenomenon for a long time but when it happens to you, you will say a lot of swear words :) The biggest hudd fish that ever hit my bait did this to me on the ROF5 on a rod that was too soft and I lost it. 15lbers hurt when they get away. For that reason I go with the 7'11" XH Okuma for the ROF5. You can really unload on them with that rod. You might lose a few more fish during the fight but at least you'll hook them.

Hope that helps with your thought process some. Swimbait rods are like any class of rods, there is no one perfect rod. Just like a good DD22 crankbait rod is not good for casting 1/4oz Speed Traps a good Hudd or Stocker Trout rod is not good for casting MS Slammers. I talk more about rod selection in one of my articles here:

http://www.calfishing.com/freshwater/holistic_swimbaits/Swimbait_Rods.html