Building a 12 ft switch rod It would save me some time if someone has guide spacing recommendations just as a starting spot. Tom mentioned the distances of the stripping guides from the butt . Ive misplaced that info it would be helpful thankyou

A good starting point would be about 26 to 27 inches from the center of the reel foot, depending on the reel you are using. Tape the guides on and test cast until you get the right distance for the stripping guide.

Bill,
You really have to do it from scratch (static load) especially with a switch rod. They can be all over the place.
Herb

I agree with you Herb and intend on doing so plus test casting just wanted a starting point . For a 7 wt line I was thinking of the guide closest to the reel being a 16 or do you think 20 ?

A 16 or 20 either one would work just fine. I just finished an 11' switch rod for my self and the 16 works great. I am now working on 2 14' spey rods, again for myself and am starting with 20's for the stripper.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2014 05:54PM by Randolph Ruwe.

I don't know if this will help you, but on the 14' rods I am building the stripper guide is 133" from the tip.

The stripping guide is more variable, depending on the angler. I usually hold the rod as I normally would for fishing, and reach forward to touch the blank. I'll locate the stripper at least 2 inches ahead of that mark. The idea is that you don't want the stripper to be too close so you run into it reaching for the line. This distance is around 30" for me. If I need to adjust spacing, I just don't go any closer to the reel seat than that mark, but a little longer is okay.

For a 12' switch rod, you'll probably use 12 guides. Switch and spey rods are designed for more torque and stress so there tend to be fewer guides than the "1 per foot plus 1" rule of thumb. To give you a place to start, put the first guide around 4" from the tip and increase by 1/2" for the first 5 guides or so, then spread out the remainder of the guides to the stripper, which you already have marked. Run a line through the guides and put a load on the blank to see how the line follows and adjust as needed.

Switch and spey rods have very different tapers. Some are mid flex, some are tip flex, some are very progressive all the way to the bottom. As Randy said, they are quite variable so you'll just have to figure it out if you don't have recommendations from the supplier.

Terry

I am making a 14' Meiser 7-9 wt. and an ARE 14' 7-8 wt. On the Meiser blank I am using Struble red/orange agate guides with black nickel frames and black snake guides and tip/top. Going to use black frame SIC striper guides on the ARE and black snakes as well but with an SIC tip/top.

Bill,
It sounds as though you are under the impression that you will be using a #7 line. TH'd rods mostly use grains to describe line weights. So if this is a #7 switch it most likely not load with a #7 line. You will probably need a line of 350gr-400gr. That is equivalent to a #12 line.
Herb

Bill,
It sounds as though you are under the impression that you will be using a #7 line. TH'd rods mostly use grains to describe line weights. So if this is a #7 switch it most likely not load with a #7 line. You will probably need a line of 350gr-400gr. That is equivalent to a #12 line.
Herb

Which manufacturer's 12' blank are you building?