I have that rod in an 8' 6" and like my other Winston IM6 rods it would be classified as a mid-flex, medium action rod. I tend to like the slower loading rods as they fit my casting stroke and are a good choice on the waters I fish, medium to small streams. I've taken some very large trout in fast water with these rods and never felt that I didn't have "enough" rod for the task.