I want to build a switch rod 5 weight .looked at the Batson If108 . Would appreciate input abt this rod . Looking for some thing that will have a fast,or fast moderate tip,light in weight , powerful butt section and can throw and pick up some line. Im not impressed with fancy names or high end blanks that cost you more because of their logo. Want best bang for your buck. All suggestions are appreciated



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2012 09:58PM by Maryann Cohen.

I built and use the If 1087 7 wt switch rod. It is a beast!!! Absolute best Bang for the Buck out there...!

I've found switch rod blanks work better than long fly blanks. I fished the Batson 5 wt switch blank and it was very nice as built. Good things have been said about the Angler's Roost switch blanks. I've really enjoyed the Behlah line of switch rods along with the phenominal R.B. Meiser blanks.

I have built a few switch rods on the Batson blanks, including the "5wt" blank. I have also built on both CTS and Beulah switch blanks. The Batson "5wt" is a very powerful and fast tipped rod compared to my Beulah "4/5wt". With my casting style I found the Batson needed a 7wt Bass Taper line to load for over head casting and long line indicator nymph fishing. They are awesome in my opinion for heavy nymph rods due to the fact of the longer length makes for easy mending in heavy currents. They also excel for swinging wets due to the same reason when compared to a standard 9ft fly rod. If your going to spey cast the rod, I found that short belly spey lines worked well along with the switch lines being offered now, and you can easily match the rating on the spey or switch line to the blank rating.

Now I know I am going to open a can of worms here, switch rods have no business being rated for line weights that are comparable to standard single hand fly rods. It does nothing but confuse people. They should only rate these sticks on the grain window that is needed to load them. Yes, there is a pretty wide grain window for these blanks, but it does give you a better idea of what type and weight of line you need to start with depending on the cast style and type of fishing you are going to use the rod for. Just my 2 cents.

I don't think you will be unhappy with the Batson blank, you'll just need to play around with a few different lines to find the ones that will suit your casting style and fishing needs.

I like my 5 WT Batson a lot..... The grain window is 140 to 280 I like a 240 for it myself..

This just in:A famous,well respected,un-named rod builder claims that many of the off shore builders are using UV glue.
This is fast,ultimately resulting in more profitsbut is not wthout it`s problems,apparently.
UV can`t take the rigors/demands of heavy pressure a will fail over time.
Anyone notice this..especially Beulah owners>
I don`t mean to start a rumor,but I want to know the limitations of this stuff.I ve been using it for
line construction,fly tying,other things...

Also,I have built Batson,Meiser and ACR.
ISince the warrantees are virtually identical,I won`t be buying any more Batson blanks.
compared to the world class performa nce of both Meiser and ACR don`t really cost too
much more,I don` think yhey are worth it...too flimsy feeling,"noodley"