Are switch rod line classes AFTM or "spey"?

[steff_dk]

I'm a little confused here :o

I need a rod for long overhead casts in saltwater (seatrout) and have been looking at the Sage Z-Axis 6110-4.

But is that an AFTM line weight 6?

Reason I'm asking, is that I saw a recommendation for a Rio WC 5/6 spey line on this rod, but that would be around AFTM 10 in line weight wouldn't it? I want to fish a line that's no more than 6 or 7 AFTM.

[fredaevans]

With your short switch rods you (as a norm) use 'regular' one-hander lines across the board. Try lining the rod with a 6 and a 7 to see which you like better.

Fred

[steff_dk]

In that case; Merry X-MAS Steff http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260193321120 :)

I think I'll be matching it with a Waterworks ULA Force 3.3 so if someone has one of those they want to part with I WTB ...

[hendersonbaylocal]

With your short switch rods you (as a norm) use 'regular' one-hander lines across the board. Try lining the rod with a 6 and a 7 to see which you like better.

Fred

Eh, I do agree Fred, but only to the extent that you are using the rod for normal singlehand overhead casts... right? I haven't casted this rod, but I'll bet that a 6 or even a 7 weight line is NOT going to load this rod for two handed overhead casts. It seems like most people overlining a few sizes with shooting head lines for this type of cast.

[Fred Krow]

I have the Sage 5110-4 Z-Axis and it balances nicely for overhead casting with a WF7F Steelhead/Atlantic Salmon Rio line. I tried the 6wt steelhead and it casts O'K but felt rather light.

Your 6110-4 Z-Axis should cast nicely with a 7wt or 8wt steelhead long belly line or the 7wt Rio Outbounder line.

http://www.rioproducts.com/photos/file/2008%20Spey%20line%20recs.pdf

Regards,
FK

[fredaevans]

Eh, I do agree Fred, but only to the extent that you are using the rod for normal doublehanded overhead casts... right? I haven't casted this rod, but I'll bet that a 6 or even a 7 weight line is NOT going to load this rod for two handed overhead casts. It seems like most people overlining a few sizes with shooting head lines for this type of cast.

My 'understanding,' subject to correction is 'on' or even under line by one for over head casting 'on' or up one for regular spey casting. But what the heck do I know; over hand casting a two hander is not one of my 'too do's.';)

[hendersonbaylocal]

My 'understanding,' subject to correction is 'on' or even under line by one for over head casting 'on' or up one for regular spey casting. But what the heck do I know; over hand casting a two hander is not one of my 'too do's.';)

Just edited my post above to clarify that I was talking about lining a 6 wt switch rod with a 6wt WF line being the way to go for singlehand overhead casting... To answer the thread title, I don't think switch rod line classes are either AFTM or spey. They are their own category which is tough to put a specific label on because they can accommodate different casting styles. I fish a 10' 8 wt Dan Craft switch with a couple different lines - either a DT or WF 8 for singlehanding and a RIO WC 789 with the middle tip removed for spey and 2 handed o/h (although I haven't really casted it much 2 handed o/h except a few times on the beach and I do agree that I don't see much use ;)). The Windcutter weighs in at around 360 grains... an eight weight line is somewhere around in the 200s?

[SPEYBUM]

Lines for Switch rods
There is no AFTM standards for Switch rods but then again I have found very few Speyrods that meet what the manufacture recomodations.
My $.02 on that but that is another thread.
The lines used on rods Which Bob Meiser amply named Switch Rods are numerous.
These are my personal observations from the last 6 months of working with the Sage Z-Axis 11 ft rods.
I look at what the Client wants if it for mainly overhead casting I figure about three rod lengths including sink tip but not tippet.
If it is for Speycasting I figure about 3.5 rod lengths not including tippet.
This will vary from client to client but over the years I have found this formal works fine for a start. I built this type while working with the Meiser Switch rods generation on and two.
If you step one weigh for most of the overhead work for those who want a line right out of the box you will do just fine.
If you use a line such as the Rio Outbound you can stay with the same weight.



The first column is of line weights are for a shooting head for Spey work.
The second column is for Skagit line with out sink tip
Standard weigh forward single hand line right out of the box
It is hard to do with out having a table.



Z-Axis 5110-4 320grains 300 grains WF6
Z-Axis 6110-4 340grains 300 grains WF7
Z-Axis 7110-4 420grains 350grains WF8
Z-Axis 8110-4 480grains 400grains Wf10


I hope you can fiigure it out with

[steff_dk]

I'm beginning to lean towards the Rio Outbound 7 wt.
Looks like that's what Rio recommends on their webpage as well (Fred Krow thx for that link :thumb: didn't know they did recommendations on a wide variety of rods).

It's always good to hear what experienced people think of this.
Thanks everyone :beer2:

[sashjo]

I am expecting a ZA 7110-4 soon. I was advised to upline one size with the Rio Windcutter by a caster instructor who has the same rod.

Somebody needs to write an article for lining a switch rod or a book on switch rods with a chapter on lines.