Hi all.

I was wondering if anyone has used a switch rod blank for a single hand rod? I realize that switch rods are technically designed to be cast with both or a single hand, but they are usually build in a two hand style - and I guess with single handed casting only done occasionally.

I have a 10'8" blank I was going to use for steelhead. At this point 90% of my fishing is with an nymph/indicator + nymph set-up in faster water. My other switch rod is build in a two handed configuration but I find the longer butt section a bit of a pain when manipulating the drift. Especially since there are lots of quick, repetitive short casts. Since I'm not doing any two handed casts - just a single hand roll cast - I don't see the advantage of a two hand set-up.

I thought to build this rod as a single handed rod to see if it was easier to fish with but wanted to see if anyone has tried it first.

thanks
Tom.

YES, I have built a number of switch rod blanks in a single hand configuration. In almost all cases they are for nymph fishing. The longer rod is great for mending.

I've done it too and a switch blank can work well as a single hand nymphing rod, I find it helps if it's a slower action blank.

Thanks guys. I'm happy to hear of your experiences. I was worried the longer blank would be a bit cumbersome but hoped that balancing it correctly with the right reel would help.

Also, the blank I have is a medium fast action so it should fit the bill well.

A switch rod is not designed to be casted T/H or S/H. It is designed to be casted Overhead or Anchor Point (Spey).
A "proper" switch blank has a much more powerful tip than a blank designed for S/H casting. The S/H blank is much faster. The switch blank feels softer because the powerful tip loads the mid section.
A blank designed as a nymphing rod should be relatively stiff - like a very fast actioned blank. IMO a switch blank is not suitable as a nymphing rod.
Herb

I'm in need of a little clarification here. I was under the impression that the reason for the "switch" designation was because you could use either T/H or S/H?

Is it a case of technically you could cast with S/H but in no way does it match a proper S/H rod?

Tom,
As I said - a switch rod was designed to cast either "overhead" with two hands - or anchor point with two hands. An overhead cast is very similar to the SH cast - but done with an upper hand and lower hand on the upper grip and lower grip respectively. I have seen people casting SH with a switch rod and, to me, it looks ridiculous. But - hey - to each his own. But it is not how nor why the rod was designed. Think about it - why build a rod to be single handed with a 4-5" rear grip. What would be the purpose to "switch" back and forth between SH and TH? If you want a 10' or 10'6" or 11'0" rod to be casted SH - then build it without the lower grip.

Besides a lot of 11'0" switch rods, I have built 12'0" and 13'6" rods on switch blanks. Try to cast those as a SH rod.
It's a lot like language - the proper term for a ship, company, etc in trouble is "founder". How many times do you hear "flounder". After a while the term sticks. It is probably in dictionaries now.

A switch rod has a particular and specialized action. i.e. a powerful tip and a firm butt. It will load into the mid-section easily to perform both OH and Spey casts.

YES to your last question
Herb



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2016 06:04PM by Herb Ladenheim.

Technically Herb may be correct, but I and many others are building them with a single hand setup (no rear grip) for clients who wish to use them for nymph fishing. For my clients they must be working out OK, as I have repeat orders for other weights and orders from friends who have tried their rods and now want one. There is a trend of going to longer rods for nymph fishing, both due to mending enhancement as well as Czech style. The Switch rod blank may be a compromise............................but it works !!

Best to remember that a blank has no idea what is is built for, example many builders using fly rod blanks to build spinning outfits.

There is no need to compromise when wanting a longer rod.
The CTS Affinity-X, which is perfect for nymphing, can be had in up to 12'0". It's light an very fast - which is a requirement for successful nymphing.
Herb

Herb and Phil, thanks for the additional comments.

For me, the compromise is my wallet - a CTS blank sounds nice but the budget doesn't allow it.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Tom.

Tom,
What length butt grip are using? Mine is 3 1/2 inches long, and the foregrip is 10 1/2" long, haven't had interference issues with them on my switch rods.

Hi Spencer

The butt grip is just over 4" but the reel seat threads add another inch or so. I found the butt section would always catch on my wading jacket pockets when moving the rod from a lower position to high sticking.

Maybe I'm keeping my arms too close to my sides while fishing - but so much of my casting is short distances and essentially lobbing the rig for short drifts I wanted to try something different to see if it made a difference.