Thread: Determining Rod Action, power, Cast Weight and Test Curve Ratings

Hi all. I have a number of rods that doesn't have the action, power and cast weights written on the them and I'm interested to know what they are, probably not that important but would be nice to know. Some rods do have writing on them but its all very vague like "F662MC". Is 'F' fast or freshwater? I know what 662 is. Is 'M' moderate action, medium power or both? And what the hell is 'C'?
I have emailed the manufactures for answers and some replies give me exactly what I wanted to know, some no answer at all and the rest left me with more questions than answers. So how would I determine/test this myself? The internet, especially youtube hasn't been much help, most answers I find are to read what's written on the rod.
Testing action seems straight forward but what's the best way to bend the rod and where do you measure the bend o determine the action? Start of the bend? Middle. Youtubers have different techniques with bending rods which gives different results. One youtubers moderate is another's fast
How does one work out a rods power and cast weight rating? There is nothing on the net to show how to work that out without looking at what's written on the rod.
While researching all this I come across "test curve", something the British came up with that no one seems to use. There's ton of websites and youtube videos explaining what it is and how to test for it but don't give any logical reason as to why it matters. Why does it matter how much weight it takes to bend a rod to 90deg?

I think you may be overly complicating it - what does the rod feel like- let say its a free spool boat rod- what does it handle a fish like soft- gutless - stiff tip- no butt power - spin rod what does it cast like- feel with a rod is everything despite what is written on it - dont what ever you do static load a rod to test what it will pull - you can snap them doing that really easily -what I mean is like tie a rod to a car bumper something that will not give like a fish and pull no no non ( hopefully not teaching you to suck eggs ) you either like a rod or dont I have found

Likely a 6 foot 6 inch medium action rod

It’s not a fast or slow action


And it’s Likely a suitable boat rod in the 8-12kg line weight range

If it was a slow action then usually at that length a 6-10 kg line weight range

and with some rods what is written on them does not add up sometimes - I had all my rods and reels flogged at Kaitaia 5-6 reels and 5-6 rods - all my land based game gear - so insurance paid and for snapper boat and Stray lining of the rocks I got a 9 foot Shimano fixed spool rod - labelled 10-15 kg - bull shit more like 8-10 kg - really disappointed with it - casts okay but grunt on a decent fish nah - has since been replaced - one 15 kg kingi the shimano groaned and moaned just no one home in grunt dept - new one is rated 30-80lb looking foward to trying that out

It's a minefield, those numbers often don't mean much, but they are a rough guide. Line rating and casting weight are useful. Although I'm a sucker for a good online deal, I always buy rods in a physical store as I need to hold it before making a decision. I appreciate this isn't very helpful to a new angler.

As for action, checkout this guy, he'll send you to sleep, but he's one of the few people out there who actually know what they are talking about.