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[RG]

Does anybody use a 5wt switch rod?  Trying to decide between a 4switch, 5switch, 6spey.  The plan is to swing for bulls with relatively large heavy flies.  I have on good authority that a switch 4 is too light for the flies I would be using.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[adecadelost]

I have a 6wt switch i bought specifically for bulls and it's a blast to fish and casts some pretty heavy tips and flies.

[bluenoser]

I started using a 5wt switch this year beach fishing and river fishing for pinks....love it. I use the skagit extreme 360 grain with interchangeable tips and it works great.

360 is the high end I also have a 300 grain which works better for single hand casting but the skagit head turns tips and flies over no issue.

You'll love it!


BN

[RalphH]

for bull trout size streamers I think a #6 or even a #7 would be the way to go. #4 & #5 is more the trout range though a #5 should be fine for pinks river or beach.

[clarkii]

friend of mine uses a 6# switch for kootenay bulls.  Lifts large stuff well.

[RG]

Thanks for all the replies, still scratching my head...

[Knnn]

First you need to figure out if you are fishing for 1-5 lbs bulls or 5-15 lbs bulls?

Tossing relatively big and heavy flies, I am thinking the larger bulls in heavier water, therefore you should probably be thinking the 6 wt switch range?

[HOOK]

I use a 4/5wt switch for Bulls myself but I also don't try tossing monster stuff because the rod just can't do it unless I really work hard or do touch and go type casts. I also fish shorter sink tips (6-8ft) because they are also easier to turn over with an 11' switch rod.

If you want to use giant Bull flies or really heavy tips I would look into a 6 or 7 wt like was already suggested. I had a 7wt switch and it tossed 10' of T14 and a decent sized steelhead Intruder pretty well so I'm sure anything you'd use for Bulls it could handle

[RG]

I'm catching bulls in the 3+ consistently, a few in the 8-10lb range but not often.  I throw one fly in the world for them and it's pretty heavy.  My single hand 5wt hates the big flies and my 8wt SH and DH are overkill...

[RG]

ok, so now perhaps the question is 6wt switch or 6wt spey (12.6)?

[nickredway]

5 or 6 weight switch or a 6 or 7 weight single hander would get my vote. If you are fishing in the Lower Mainland or Sea to Sky area there is really no need to toss big heavy flies most of the time.

[RG]

Maybe I used the term "heavy fly" inappropriately, basically it's in the intruder with dumbbell eyes category.  If a 5wt switch can toss that nicely I'll go with that, otherwise a 6 switch or spey I guess.  Thanks for all the help!

[HOOK]

Maybe I used the term "heavy fly" inappropriately, basically it's in the intruder with dumbbell eyes category.  If a 5wt switch can toss that nicely I'll go with that, otherwise a 6 switch or spey I guess.  Thanks for all the help!

you talking barbell eyes or lead dumbells ?

There is a HUGE difference in weight and also what size your using. My 4/5 switch can toss flies with a 1/4" bead no problem and small sized lead eyes is where it starts to struggle a little more depending on materials in the fly as well. If your using a lot of rabbit or marabou they will be harder to pull up out of the water because they suck a lot of it up. Using heavy flies with short light switch rods takes a little practice that's for sure but it sure is fun 

Another way around using heavy barbells is wrapping lead on the shank of your fly underneath all the material. Then you can add any type of lightly weighted, plastic eyes or stick on eyes to make the pattern look alive. Having the lead under the materials actually makes it easier to cast somehow and they drop fast (I do this a lot on my bully flies)

[RG]

you talking barbell eyes or lead dumbells ?

There is a HUGE difference in weight and also what size your using. My 4/5 switch can toss flies with a 1/4" bead no problem and small sized lead eyes is where it starts to struggle a little more depending on materials in the fly as well. If your using a lot of rabbit or marabou they will be harder to pull up out of the water because they suck a lot of it up. Using heavy flies with short light switch rods takes a little practice that's for sure but it sure is fun 

Another way around using heavy barbells is wrapping lead on the shank of your fly underneath all the material. Then you can add any type of lightly weighted, plastic eyes or stick on eyes to make the pattern look alive. Having the lead under the materials actually makes it easier to cast somehow and they drop fast (I do this a lot on my bully flies)

Thanks!  They're brass barbell, not lead.  I'll pull the trigger on something soon.  Thanks for all the help.

[swimmingwiththefishes]

So what did you buy?

I'm having the same dilemma. Thinking of getting one that would work for the squamish, the odd upper skagit trip, maybe the odd lake trip, and summer steelies.

I'm guessing a 5 wt switch would be good no? 

Also anyone have any thoughts on those commando heads from OPST?