Rod Ratings 101 - A Crash Course in Fishing Rod Specification Nomenclature

I am a fishing information slut.  I absolutely love to go online and to learn as much as I can about the sport I love.  I visit message boards; read articles; blog.  I can't get enough.

Why don't you just get out there and fish if you love it that much?

Good question.  The problem is, I live in Canada.  And as many know, Canada is a land of 4 seasons, and those 4 seasons are not equal.  We are known as the great white north for a reason - winter.  For those who do not partake in ice fishing (which although scratching that itch to a degree, it just isn't as satisfyingto me), that leaves us with April -November/December/January dependingo n when the ice begins forming.  For all but the most hardy or hardcore, this range is more along the lines of May - September.  Alas, here in Ontario, we have fishing seasons,which, depending on the species, can limit your window even further.

You are just making up excuses!

Yes!  Because in the end, I am simply a fishing knowledge slut.  I love to learn about fishing.  I love to read about new techniques; new gear; new lures.  I got into rod building, reel modding and luremaking because of this desire.  Knowledge is power, as they say.  For me, it is not power I crave (nor adventure, for a Jedi am I), it is just the ability to become a better (read: more flexible) angler.

Adventure, excitement, a Jedi craves not these things...

So, in my reading, I have come across one thing in particular which frustrates me to no end - misinterpretation of fishing rod ratings.  You know: medium power, fast action etc.  Well, I am here to provide a little clarification for you.

Rod ratings are generally described by 3 items:

1. Rod Length
2. Rod Power
3. Rod Action

Rod Length
Rod length is probably the most self explanatory of the three items.  It literally is the length of the rod.  Now, some builders will list the rod length in feet and inches in the model number, where others will list the rod length strictly in inches.  Sight unseen, it is important to know which convention is used by the manufacturer.

example:

MBR782
This is a G. Loomis rod who identify the length in inches.  Therefore, this rod is 78", or 6' 6" long.

PC70MHM
Conversely, this is a St. Croix rod, who identify the length in feet and inches.  This rod is 7'0" long.

Rod Power
Rod power refers to the stoutness of a rod.  Or, in other words, it is the ability of the rod to resist bending.  The heavier the power, the more resistant (or stiff) the rod is.  The following are the typical power ratings for fishing rods:

• ultra-light
• light
• medium-light
• medium
• medium-heavy
• heavy
• extra-heavy

This rating is usually proportional to the weight range of the lures that the rod is intended to be used with.  The heavier the rod's power, the heavier the lures it is intended to use.  It is also related to the size of fish that will be targetted, and the cover that will be fished.  The larger the target species, the heavier the rod power.  Likewise for cover; the heavier the cover being fished, the heavier the rod power.

When selecting the power, the species, cover fished  and lure weight range should all be considered.

Some manufacturers will identify the power with a number code, whereas others may identify the power using an acronym or actual terminology.  One should identify what nomenclature is used, and what, if codes are used, the code translates to.

example:

MBR782
This is a G. Loomis rod who identify the power using a number code. In G. Loomis nomenclature for this series of rods, the 2 refers to a medium power.  A 4 would identify a heavy powered rod.

PC70MHM
Conversely, this is a St. Croix rod, who identify the power using acronyms. The MH identifies Medium Heavy.  L would identify Light action, etc.

Rod Action
Rod action is by far, the most confusing rod characteristic.  Often, consumers become confused with the action of a rod, often using power to describe action.  Action is defined in the following terms:

• Parabolic/Slow
• Moderate/Medium
• Moderate-Fast
• Fast
• Extra-Fast

Where the confusion often arises is from the use of the term medium.  I only added the term to this list because it is so often used.  Action describes the type of bend in the rod.  The terms parabolic describes the shape of the rod when bent, and is very straightforward.  In a parabolic rod, the rod will bend all of the way into the handle.  See the image below for an example oif a parabolic action rod.

It is the use of the terms slow, moderate, fast etc. that cause the confusion.  To be precise, these terms refer to the taper of the rod.  The speed of the taper describes the angle of the taper, or, in other words, how quickly the rod diameter increases from tip to butt.  The speed of the taper relates to how far down from the tip of the rod that the rod bends.  And extra-fast rod's bend is closest to the tip and a slow rod's bend is furthest.  If desired, you can look at it this way: When you set the hook, how quickly before you get into the hooksetting power of the rod?  Because a fast rod bends more closely to the tip than a moderate rod, when setting a hook with a fast rod, you will get to the power (to the point where the rod does not bend easily anymore) more quickly or faster than a moderate rod.  Moderate rods have the same relationship to Slow or parabolic rods, and so forth.

Certain rods are more suited to specific lures and/or techniques for various reasons.  I will provide a few examples of general action types for some techniques/baits:

Moderate:

• crankbaits
• treble hook equipped baits

Fast:

• spinnerbaits
• jigs
• soft plastics
• bottom contact baits

Moderate action rods are good for treble hook equipped baits because the flex helps to keep the fish from throwing the baits by providing some shock absorbance from the fish's headshakes, and by allowing the angler to maintain pressure on the fish without worry of the fish utilizing any slackin the line to throw the small treble hooks.

Fast rods are typically more sensitive than moderate rods due to less energy (transferred through the line)being converted into movement.  Further, these are often favoured for heavier gauge, single hooked baits because the faster action allows the angler to get to the power more quickly in order to drive the thicker hooks through the fish's mouth.

When selecting the technique, and lure should all be considered.  However, angler preference will trump any of these.


Some manufacturers will identify the action with an acronym or actual terminology.  Others choose to imply the action by identifying the preferred technique.  One may always put a flex in the rod to identify this where action is in doubt.  To test the action, lay the tip of the rod on the floor,increasing pressure on the rod in order to fully flex the rod easily.  Do not put too much pressure on the rod for fear of damaging the rod.

example:

MBR782
This is a G. Loomis rod who identify the action in the technique/application. This mag bass blank is a fast action rod series.

PC70MHM
Conversely, this is a St. Croix rod, who identify the action by an acronym. This rod is rated M for Moderate.

Well, that sums it up.  If you got to the end, I hope you found this read educational.  I cannot be entertaining all of the time.