XOS cup-faced poppers like Hammerheads can generate a lot of water resistance in order to create huge amounts of water displacement. You will need a fast action rod to get the most out of these lures. Fast actions can punish an angler physically during a fight but will enable the angler to work these lures with more effect and apply the heat to fish should they be physically capable. You will generally find that you are working against the bend/saturation of a slow action rod in order to get the lure working - this is the disadvantage of slow.
My favorite rod for such application is a Fisherman GT Monster 77 R10. I also agree with some of the other rods already mentioned.