need info.
What is a im/6 or im/8 rod blank

Bill,
I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong but I believe IM6 & IM8 are the graphite composites for the rod blank. IM6 is generally a more moderate action rod, and IM8 will usually be a faster action rod. That is about the extent of my knowledge.

No, the material has nothing to do with the action of the rod. You can make fast action blanks from bamboo and slow action blanks from the highest modulus graphites.

IM6 is a trade name for a specific carbon fiber. IM8 would be a trade name for another specific carbon fiber. Generally the higher the number within the same company's classification the higher modulus of the fiber.

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If I understand it correctly, IM6 is an entry/low level modulus were where as IM8 is a higher priced blank.

Here's a very good thread on the different IMs.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

I think most fishermen and even many rod builders mistake the terms action and speed. While material has nothing to do with rod action it would have a good deal to do with rod speed.

That's very true - action is where the blank initially flexes. Speed is the rate of reaction and recovery and that is definitely affected by the modulus of the material used to make the rod.

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Here is some very good info on the subject:

[www.rodbuildingtutorials.com]