When choosing a rod

[zero limit]

I have heard/read that different rod companies have different ways of rating a rods power, example st. croixs ratings for med. might be mh for another company, true?

if so do you pay more attn. to the line or lure rating?

any examples?

thanks

[Hammer 4]

I pay more attention to the lure rated weight. Although these are just recomendations..i.e. I have a rod rated for 1 oz max..yet I can easily toss 2 oz lures with it.

Some manufacture are under, some are over rated.

I find that Shimano are underrated. Teamdiawa is very slightly underrated too.

[Cavfirst]

I just try to put my hands on one of the makers rods before I buy to really get a good determination of what is what and then stick with the same rod company for all my rods that way I kinda have a Ideal if a MH is more Medium or Heavy of course sometimes when they come out with new models they will throw you a curve so you have to do this with different models even from the same company. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

It's true that there is no written standard for rod power or action. I'd look more at the designated lure rating and as stated, you can experiment on either end of the weight range with good results. You can check the action or "speed" by flexing the tip. A fast action will bend into the first 1/4 of the rod, a med about 1/2 way.