I just received some new rods. They ratings are medium/heavy action. What does this rating mean?

I notice the lower section has a lot of backbone while the upper section has way less. How do they rate these rods?

Does the M/H rating mean the lower section is a heavy action while the upper section is a medium action?

I just don't understand these ratings.

medium heavy is the power. not the action. simply put, the power is the amount of backbone. heavier power rods = more weight that can be handled by the blank. just be aware, this is often different from one rod builder to the next.

 

action is often referred to as the "tip." it is essentially how much the rod will bend. a faster action does not flex as much as a slower action.

this is a general illustration of different rod actions. like power, not all rod actions will be the same from company to company.

http://www.great-lakes.org/graphics-2/Shakespeare/All%20Star/rod_speed.gif

Nice explanation Arv. Simple, easy, and to the point.

Here ya go:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/35514-rods-power-and-action-%C2%A0defined/

Thanks for the info. I just never understood it till now.

RW That explanation is awesome that clears it up for me. Thanks again guys