Hi all,
Switch rod is rod that can be casted single or double hand, right?
I am looking to build my first switch rod of #8 wt 10' long.
Do I have to use double hand type grip, ie 5" butt and 12-14" slim fore grip, or can I use 5" butt and normal 7" full well??????
What are the pros and cons of long fore grip?
Any other suggestions?
Remember mine is only 10' long.

Cheers
Martin

With a 10' rod, you probably don't need a full 14" fore grip you find on the longer spey models of 13'-15'. The idea is that you get enough separation between the top and bottom hands to execute the various spey casts.

I would think a fore grip of 10" to 12" would be adequate and not look too out of place for a single handed rod. You can also use one of the fighting butt systems to make an interchangeable two-hand to single hand butt.

Good luck!

Terry

If I remember right R.B. Meiser Rods has some pics of his switch rod grips in his photo gallery. The shorter grips are I believe 10 1/2 and around 4 inches. It's a custom rod, mess around till you find what's comfortable to you. I've also seen photos and posts from people that have built the 7 in. foregrip and 5 inch rear grip. Once youv'e started taping everything on the blank and messing with it, reel and all, I'm sure you'll come up with something that fits you..

Thanks guys,
I will play with 10" foregrip see how it fits.
Cheers
Martin

Martin,

I built my 10' 7wt Dan Craft as a switch rod, using an old REC reel seat with a 4" telescoping fighting butt and a 9.5" fore grip. It's mostly used for central valley and some coastal steelhead and shad. I've found that I rarely use it in the two hand setup, and the longer foregrip has actually made single-handed casting a little uncomfortable. If I were to redo it, I either would have built a shorter grip or maybe put some sort of a swell at around the seven inch mark, sort of a "single-double" grip. Good luck!

Wayne Chubb

Wayne, thanks for your good advice.
I think I will single hand cast most of time.
Taking your advice, I will turn fore grip to suit single handed grip.
Cheers
Martin