I.F. Wrote "Well then, by who's rating can you justify any materials used in
any rod. To me the IM rating indicates how much more Graphite being used in
the blank. The IM6 material has less graphite and is more flexible, softer
and more forgiving, than an IM8 material. The IM6 Rating to me means that it
will not break as easily as the IM8"

You missed the point, and your statements above are not true. A lower
modulus rating does not make a blank softer, more flexible or forgiving. To
keep it simple, the higher the modulus rating the less material is needed to
achieve the same stiffness per weight, thus meaning the blank is lighter and
that is all. The action and power are determined by the design of the taper
and wrap. A rod made with graphite rated at 54-million modulus can be just
as flexible or more so than a rod made from graphite rated at 33-million
modulus.

In addition, a rod builder can enhance or dampen a blank's natural action
and power by the number, and method they use to wrap guides onto the blank.

Look I.F., I'm not picking on you, or even trying to persuade you to buy a
high end rod. I just want you and others to know the facts about modulus
ratings and manufacturers identifiers and not to put too much weigh on them
when deciding what rod you are going to buy. Nothing beats handling each
rod you want to consider for purchase and putting them through a series of
tests that includes making a cast or two with each before buying. I cannot
stress enough the importance of making a cast with the lure weigh or weighs
you intend to use with that rod, because a graphite rod will appear to be
much stiffer alone than it really is in use with a weighted lure, and no two
rods manufacturers design their rods the same. Thus, a MH, fast action to
one company may be a M, extra fast to another. Sorry, there are no set of
industrial standards, guidelines or fixed rules that govern how a rod is
rated or built.

Cool?
--
Craig Baugher
Be Confident, Focused, but most of all Have FUN!