Spey vs Switch Rods and Spey Casting Advantages

Spey vs Switch Rods and Spey Casting Advantages
Ever wondered why one would Spey Cast in certain situations versus traditional single hand rod techniques? Spey casting offers advantages over a normal fly rod when you are wanting to cover more water whether it be swinging or nymphing. Utilizing two hands on the handle, longer rod lengths, and bigger fly lines, Spey or switch rods have the ability to cast further distances and use heavier rigs with ease. The other great thing about spey is most of the cast is in front of the angler allowing fisherman to cast while tight against brush or trees.
In part one of this video I discuss the differences between Spey and switch rods and the applications they are better suited for. For part two I cover 4 advantages that Spey casting has over traditional single hand methods.
Hope this helps you understand the difference between Spey and switch rods and some of the advantages it can have for you in your fishing arsenal!
Thanks for watching!
Sean
Sean Visintainer
Silver Bow Fly Shop
www.silverbowflyshop.com
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[@waynewilliams3169]

Nice teaching moment Sean! Thank you for the lessons and providing me a couple of great rods. Can't wait to fish next month for the Steelies with you!

[@corbancocanour1229]

This is a super interesting concept. I am going to have to research more about two handed casting an maybe add a new pole to the collection!

[@springteen3743]

I thought the video was about the difference between spey rods and switch rods. But he is making the difference with a single hand rods.

[@jacobbeers1136]

great video- this really cleared things up for me.

[@silverbowflyshop]

Thanks Jacob! Holler anytime you need help Sean

[@FinLineFly]

Nice clean video, I would say though I discourage righthand up over the left shoulder would suggest just learning to cast with left hand up.

[@cbearw1]

Well explained. Effortless casting! 👌 perfect!

[@silverbowflyshop]

Thanks!

[@bigmick812]

Awesome! What would you recommend to go with? Spey or Switch when crossing over from single hand cast rods?

[@silverbowflyshop]

I would start with a switch rod. They are a little easier to manage and less awkward when making the transition. Then you can swing or nymph easier too.

[@quantumaquatic1767]

Would u reccomend the spey rod or switch rod for fishing jetties?

[@silverbowflyshop]

I haven't personally tried one fishing off of jetties. I have heard of anglers doing so though. The extra length could help get some more distance and height over any waves or surf.

[@BDBone7018]

Great looking casts very clean. What rod and line weights are you using here?

[@silverbowflyshop]

Ian Bohon thanks Ian. I had a couple different rods I used that video. The first few shots were with a Winston Biix 6126 and Airflo rage head. The shot with the sink-tip is done with a 7123 Winston BiiMX spey and Airflo Switch Head. Both rods are out of date models now, but still good rods. The newer Biii-TH versions are a little smoother and more powerful.

[@silverbowflyshop]

Ian Bohon the Airflo rage was a 450 grain and the switch was a 540 grain. Sorry forgot that part.

[@ibookje]

What is the lightest trout spey rod one can use on medium size rivers? I'd like to expand my possibilities without having to look for different spieces (salmon and steelhead).

[@silverbowflyshop]

I typically use a 3wt or 4wt on the medium sized rivers like the Spokane. The 3wt does soft hackles well and most average streamers / tips. The 4wt will cast larger streamers better and can handle some nice fish.

[@ibookje]

Thanks! Are there any specifics on a (ultra) light spey rod should considered? Like length, action or physical weight?

[@silverbowflyshop]

Most will fall into the 11' range plus / minus a little and will be pretty versatile in that length. A medium fast will be pretty universal as well. I'd say most of the major ones on the market from Sage, Winston, Echo, Redington fall into this category with slight differences. All of those make some pretty light sticks too. If you are interested in checking out some visit: www.silverbowflyshop.com/rods/two-handed-spey-switch/ I personally fish the Sage ONE 3 and 4wt's a ton as well as the IMX Pro 4wt for Loomis. The Redington Hydrogens and Echo TR2's are very popular as well in the $350 range. All are very universal. The sage being the fastest out of those ones I mentioned.

[@silverbowflyshop]

We did a 3 part series on trout spey if you haven't given it a look it might also help. Holler anytime! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGLLYWR3oKZqiNE

[@ibookje]

Thanks!

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Call me nuts, but I still have an interest in a switch rod design that is a competent single hand caster for lakes / float tubes etc. Thoughts?

[@silverbowflyshop]

You can certainly use one in a float tube / lake situation. My only reservation is that it's a lot of rod to cast with one hand. I would personally rather use a 10' single hander... a little shorter than a switch and a little easier to manage the normal single hand sized grip. I think the two hander would lose some accuracy as well.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Silver Bow Fly Shop that's what I have been thinking as well. Today's switch rods should just be called Spey-light. A ten foot true dual purpose rod with a removable butt extension for double handed casting sounds much more versatile and switch-like to me.

[@VOGTLANDOUTDOORS]

WHY IS IT that all the "Switch Casting" videos NEVER actually SHOW the Switch Rod being cast OVERHEAD ???

[@posterestantejames]

because realistically, the only time I overhead cast with my switch rod is when I’m using a 3-weight microspey…and even then, it’s a rare occurrence. Now that I’ve incorporated fixed-anchor casting techniques with my 2-handed rods, even when I move back to my single handed rod, I’m using those skills far more often. When I use my single handed rod, I’m a hybrid caster, and I work a lot less hard.

[@Machster10]

Apples and oranges. Spey rods are 14 to 18'. Hate double handed nymphing. It's stupid. Just single handed spey cast your 'cator.

[@posterestantejames]

14’ to 18’ feet? What century are you referring to? I’ve got 7 spey rods all the way up to 9-weight (Echo King 9130)….all of them were made in the last 10 years. The longest one I own, a Winston Biix7133, are under 14 feet! My two 3-weight microspey rods (really switch rods, but hey, who cares what one calls it), are super fun and easy to use high-sticking.

[@Machster10]

@@posterestantejames It's not the century as much as the country. Very few American rod companies make or sell spey rods. One reason for this is marketing. It requires too much practice, skill and learning curve for your average angler to master a spey rod with long belly line. They also need to learn how to switch hands when casting, no cack handed casting is possible. So US companies can't sell enough to make a profit to our low attention span populace therefore, they misinform anglers to purchase ever shorter rods that can cast ever shorter lines each year. That's the scam. However, once mastered a real spey rod covers much more water and has much better line control including superior mending capability. Check out Bruce and Walker, Clan, Diawa, CND, Meiser, Burkheimer, Loop, etc.