I'm considering buying cabelas 4-piece H casting rod online but I am hesitating because I have no way to feel the rod before buying it. And started to think about action rating of the rods.

 

Is the rating based on amount of  weight it can take before it breaks, or something else?

 

Is there some sort of industry standard or guideline for rating?

 

My MH Shimano casting rod is softer than my M Daiwa casting rod. My MH Shimano spining rod is much softer than MH Shimano casting rod.

where do you plan on taking the rod? if you can get away with a 2 piece that would be a lot better.

and yes, your right, the power rating of the rod Ml, M, MH, H, XH, etc.. each rod can cast and effectively fish a certain range of weight, exampleooof a standard medium light rod is 1/8-3'8oz   MH rod is 3/8-1oz  and an extra heavy can range from 1oz all the way to ive seen 6oz or more

 

example, you cant fish a hard body 12" swimbait on a medium light rod.

and you cant fish a 1/8 oz dropshot on a heavy action rod. you can but you wont feel anything i bet  ... you get the idea.

 

and spinning rods are generally softer than a comparable casting rod, simple because casting rods are meant for heaver LB line and baits.

where do you plan on taking the rod? if you can get away with a 2 piece that would be a lot better.

and yes, your right, the power rating of the rod Ml, M, MH, H, XH, etc.. each rod can cast and effectively fish a certain range of weight, exampleooof a standard medium light rod is 1/8-3'8oz   MH rod is 3/8-1oz  and an extra heavy can range from 1oz all the way to ive seen 6oz or more

 

example, you cant fish a hard body 12" swimbait on a medium light rod.

and you cant fish a 1/8 oz dropshot on a heavy action rod. you can but you wont feel anything i bet  ... you get the idea.

 

and spinning rods are generally softer than a comparable casting rod, simple because casting rods are meant for heaver LB line and baits.

 

Thanks for the reply. But maybe I didn't ask it right. Let me re-phrase my question....

 

Is the rating based on... 1) the lure weight it can cast and work, or 2) the load (or fish) the rod can take before it breaks, or 3) something else?

 

And I know the spinning gear are more towards lighter side in general, but that's not what I was asking...If a rod is softer than other, it should have lighter rating, no matter what kind of rod it is. Yet my MH Shimano spinning feels a lot wimpier than my MH Shimano casting rod.

 

Oh and the reason for considering 4-piece is I am planning on hiking up to the ponds on the hills.

http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Fishing-Rods-Power.htm

Thanks Ben. This is very helpful.

 

"Power ratings vary by the type of rod described; a heavy bass rod and a heavy offshore rod will definitely not feel the same."

Thanks Ben. This is very helpful.

 

"Power ratings vary by the type of rod described; a heavy bass rod and a heavy offshore rod will definitely not feel the same."

That's true, bear in mind an offshore rod is not designed for casting, not that people don't do it.  Some offshore rods may have a line weight but do not state a min-max lure weight.  Inshore rods will all the information printed on the rod, I don't think there is too much difference between them and a heavy bass rod.  My heavy inshore spinning rod is 12/25 lb, 1/2- 21/2 oz lure weight.