Fly Lines for Switch rods ?
- Thread starter skyrise
- Start date
The Scientific Angler Spey Lite series are my favorite, they have both heads and integrated lines for both Skagit and Scandi up to 420gr. Also the Airflo Scout series are really good for switch rods.
Years ago I built a Rainshadow 6wt / 10'8" that cast wonderfully with an 8 weight Rio Oubound. I took it out on a lark not expecting it to work but it was just bombing the line out there. (I believe it was the older 37' OB not the OBS.)
With that set up I was able to teach myself to do all the off hand / left hand spey casts that up to that point I hadn't been able to master with my full size spey rods.
With that set up I was able to teach myself to do all the off hand / left hand spey casts that up to that point I hadn't been able to master with my full size spey rods.
downriver79
Steelhead
I recently picked up a RIO Scandi short versitip kit for my switch rod. Sierra had them on sale for $70. That gets you a scandi head and 4 10' tips and a tip wallet. Just got it the other day so I have yet to try it out.
The SSVT is a nice casting line, 23’ plus 10’ tips, versatile for small/medium sized flies. Don’t ignore your S3 tip.
Thats a great buy at $70
The old Nextcast WA and FF35 is so sick for 10’6”-11’6” rods….I have it on an Echo Glass 6110-4 and it’s my favorite rod for skating summers.
I think they remodeled that line and call it the Undertaker? Idk what changed, I hope nothing bc I’m going to need a new one soon. Lots of cracks Ive repaired, but it’s had 7-8 years of hard use.
I think they remodeled that line and call it the Undertaker? Idk what changed, I hope nothing bc I’m going to need a new one soon. Lots of cracks Ive repaired, but it’s had 7-8 years of hard use.
The SSVT lines are substantially lighter than what I consider standard or typical. Example, my 11’7” Meiser is rated as a 5-6-7 and Bob and Steve recommend a 425 gr Scandi, the Rio SS recommended 6 weight is 305 gr. Is it due to being shorter at 23’ vs 28-30’ typical for Steve’s lines? Different casting stroke?
The SSVT requires a tip to complete them.
305 + 65 for the six weight gets you to 365 gr and 33’. The 7 body at 350 plus the 7 tips 75 gets you spot on 425 and 33’
Yes but that is still substantially light, most Scandi lines for six weight are 390-425 and allow for a tip on top of that. The lines shown below are for the same rod, a 5-6-7 Meiser. At 407 and 434 grains both allow for a 70 grain tip.
Bob’s rods typically have a 3 size grain window but he recommends the middle size, I.e. the 6 for this rod. I have a 12’6” 3-4-5 by Bob that has a 300-425 gr window. Recommended line was 350 gr. +/-.
Bob Rankin
Wandering the country with rifle and spey rod.
I’m personally a huge fan of Gaelforce lines from long belly , mid belly and The ESSS lines are nice for trout Spey.
I find Bob’s rods to be truer to the upper weight rating listed on the rod. 350 is solid 5wt territory I love a 440 scandi on my 7130, I go 390 for my 6128, personal preferences of course. I do tend to run the scandi bodies 1 size larger than my rod, so a 7 on my 6…
Uncle Stu
Steelhead
Got a question about best tips to use with a Commando Smooth 300g on a Beulah Opal Surf 5/6, casting overhead. I'm a bit different from most of yall speychuckers, since I fish my two handers in the salty surf for surf perch, striper, and coho. Usually I use home made tips with Skagit heads on my other 2-handers, but I want to try the Smooth just so I can strip more of the line into the rod tip easily. Does anyone here have a similar setup? Any feedback on tips? I'm gonna need a floating tip and one that sinks 3-4 IPS.
I liked a versitip on mine for modest sized flies. 15’ gets you to 30’ or so head length, the versitip has a little taper and presents better than a straight T tip.
downriver79
Steelhead
I fish a 300g Commando on my 11' 6wt. It pairs well with the 10' 80g OPST tips and the 10' light MOW tips. I use the OPST 10' 80g 'Bucket' for a sink 4. For surf though, you might want to go with a longer tip? I don't know. OPST makes a 12' 96 g dual density that might work better for you if that's the case. If they made the Commando Groove as an integrated line, that would be great for what you want. Unfortunately, they don't.