I'm thinking of building a "switch rod". The idea sounds intreguing. I'd be using it for steelhead/salmon. But I'm also thinking it could work for carp in the bay.
What I need is info about grip setup grip shape. reelseat placement etc. I'm thinking of using the Batson 10'8" 7 or 8 wt blank, Not sure which line wt yet. with Alconite guides.
Any other help or info is appreciated



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2008 12:00PM by gary Marquardt.

If I was in your situation I'd get everything from R. B. Meiser. He gives out copious amounts of information and your line finding chores would be greatly reduced. After fishing a few rods customer or built by him with the correct lines, I can't think of a simpler, better or cheaper way to go. If you look at the shorter grips on the fotos on his site, those are the switch rod length grips.

Gary,

I totally agree with Spencer. Go for the R.B. Meiser switchrod blank or kits and you'll have great value for money! Talk to Bob on the phone or shoot him aan e-mail and he'll be more than willing to help you out with choosing the right setup which is best suited to your fishing style.

Cheers,

Eric

Rod Blank Model # IF1087-4
Butt cap: SWHDCCBC20F
Front Cap:
Rear Grip: SW325S-300
Handle Arbor:
Reel Seat: RYSW-SG
Reel Seat Shim
Foregrip: SW1175S-300
Winding Check: LTCWC365
Hookeeper: FHK-S
Tip Top XTCFTL5.0
1st guide from tip top XTCSNGP2
2nd guide from tip top XTCSNGP2
3rd guide from tip top XTCSNGP2
4th guide from tip top XTCSNGP2
5th guide from tip top: XTCSNGP3
6th guide from tip top: XTCSNGP3
7th guide from tip top: XTCSNGP4
8th guide from tip top: XTCSNGP5
9th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG12
10th guide from tip top: XTCLXNZG16
11th guide from tip top:
12th guide from tip top:
13th guide from tip top:
14th guide from tip top:
15th guide from tip top:
16th guide from tip top:
Guide spacing Specs(inches from tip, center ring over mark) 4-9 3/8-15 1/2-22 3/4-31-40 1/2-51 1/4-63 3/4-78-94 1/4

Karry Batson
Batson Enterprises Inc.
Ph: (877) 875-2381
Fax: (360) 683-3579
karry@batsonenterprises.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

I built on a Batson 8wt blank. I started with Batson's suggestions for spacing, then adjusted a little. I thought that since I would be changing my hand position for different casting styles it might be good to have an untapered foregrip which was about three inches shorter than my spey grips. Works great. I tried
a floating steelhead line, a windcutter spey line and a Rio steelhead and Atlantic salmon line (basically a one handed spey line) all in 8wt. The Rio SAS works best for me. This has become my favorite steelhead rod for the Clearwater and Grande Ronde rivers. A very versatile rod.
Ned

Ned, Did you use the pre-made Batson grip or did you make your own? If you made your own do you have measurements i could borrow?
Thanks

Gary,
Sorry I didn't respond sooner-internet is down at home. I used a premade butt grip, the fore grip I turned. I have that at home and will have to get back to you, but that won't be until Monday.
Ned

That Batson 10'8" 7wt is a sweet stick. I don't usually buy into the switch rod concept but I've got one that I like for tossing a 250gr integrated sinking head, and it also does nicely nymphing with a WF8F Airflo Nymph Taper.
I turned a 8" foregrip and used a preformed 3" rear grip... I don't think I'd go much longer than that on either end. I end up tossing it single-handed about 75% of the time, and a longer grip would be a hindrance there.

Scott Kinney
The Longest Cast Fly Rods
[www.thelongestcast.com]