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Switch rods fill the void between two-handed spey rods and single-handed rods. They’re generally shorter than traditional spey rods, somewhere between 10 and 12 feet in length, which means they can be light enough to cast single-handed (sometimes). Switch rods also tend to have a faster action blank that lends itself to more technical fishing situations and improved casting accuracy. Their uses are virtually endless and include everything from spey casting long Scandi heads with dry flies to single-hand casting buggers in large lakes. Because of their versatility, it can be hard to determine which switch rod is the best choice for your fishing, and that’s precisely why we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll discuss some of our favorite switch rods of 2024, why we like them, and what they’re designed to do. As you’ll see, some switch rods are better at spey casting, some are better at single hand casting, and others are decent at both but masters of none. Hopefully, by reading this post you’ll have a better understanding of switch rods, and which one fits your fishing needs the best. Read on to learn all about our favorite switch fly rods of 2024.

Hardy Ultralite NSX DH (Spey) 11’6” 6/7wt

Although some switch rods are essentially just lighter and shorter spey rods, the Hardy Ultralite NSX is so much more. As its name suggests, it boasts an incredibly light swing weight, allowing anglers to single-hand cast this 11’6” rod as if it were a foot shorter. Additionally, the NSX’s tip-flex taper means it mends like a champ for nymphing or swinging complex currents. And for stillwater anglers who need the extra power of a switch rod to bomb leeches and scuds into the wind, the NSX switch makes it easy. Combine these fantastic performance features with premium componentry and build quality and you’ve got one of the best switch rods available, and it’s priced accordingly. For anglers who don’t mind dishing out over $1,000 for a versatile, lightweight switch rod, the Hardy Ultralite NSX DH is hard to beat.

Price: $1,095.00

Pros

• Extremely versatile: great for stillwater, nymphing, and light spey work.
• Premium componentry and build quality
• Incredibly lightweight

Cons

• Expensive
• Less beginner-friendly for spey casting
  

Echo SR Switch 10’10” 7wt

Versatility on a budget: Those four words sum up the Echo SR Switch. Tim Rajeff of Echo Rods designed the SR to be fun to overhead cast while still offering enough flex into the blank to be a pleasure to spey cast in tight quarters. Its medium-fast action blank truly offers the best of both worlds for anglers who fish a variety of different water types and rigs. In true switch fashion, the SR is shorter than many switch rods available today, which makes it light, accurate and nimble. Need to mend a nymph rig around a boulder? No problem. Need to drop an intruder in the far seam? Check. Need to huck a leech for giant Cutthroats in Pyramid Lake? It can do that, too. And it does all this for under $350.

By now, you might be wondering what the downsides are to the Echo SR. Although we think this is one of the best value switch rods on the market, its versatility means it may not excel in any one area. If you find yourself mostly spey casting or mostly single-handed casting, you may not need the versatility of the Echo SR (Or any switch rod, for that matter). Also, the Echo SR won’t be winning any beauty contests with its fairly standard overseas componentry and build quality. It's a fine looking rod with a standard appearance, typical of Echo models.

Overall, the Echo SR is easily the best value switch rod on the market today. Although it's not the prettiest rod, it’s a perfect choice for budget-minded anglers who do a little bit of everything.

Price: $329.99

Pros 

• The most affordable rod on the list - huge value here!
• Extremely versatile

Cons 

• Doesn’t excel at any one discipline
• Standard overseas build quality/componentry

Douglas DXF Switch 10’6” 6wt

One of the design elements that makes a versatile and lightweight switch rod is length - or a shorter length to be exact, and the Douglas DXF Switch is one of our absolute favorites among the shorter switch rods. If you’ve been following the trends of switch rods over the last few years, you’ve noticed that there aren’t many sub-11 foot rods available in the US market. Many are pushing the 12-foot mark and, quite frankly, aren’t designed for single-handed casting whatsoever. The DXF goes against the grain and delivers a short, lightweight switch rod that’s as fun to cast single-handed as it is using spey techniques. This is a very versatile rod that can be used for everything from indicator nymphing to dry flies to swinging heavy intruders - but it especially excels at distance casting. It’s a great tool for stillwater fishing or taking on larger rivers with very minimal backcast room. In addition to its great performance, the DXF is more attainably-priced than the Hardy’s and Sages of the world at under $600. For mid-range budget anglers who need plenty of distance capability in a shorter, lightweight package, the Douglas DXF Switch is a clear winner.

Price: $579.00

Pros

• Lightweight! Can be cast single-handed for maximum versatility
• A distance champ - great for larger rivers or stillwater fishing

Cons

• Less feel/feedback for beginner spey casters
• Not the most ergonomic cork

Sage Spey R8 11’6” 7wt

Sage launched the new Spey R8 rod family in January, and it’s quickly become one of the most popular 2-handed rods on the market. The slogan of the Spey R8, “Lift, Load & Deliver,” alludes to the rod’s power and accuracy across the board. While it's true that the Spey R8 features plenty of power, we think the 11’6” 7wt model offers a great mix of speed and finesse. Die hard two-handed anglers will appreciate the deeper-loading spey feel of the R8, while anglers who do more nymphing, lake fishing, or occaisional single-handed casting will also find the R8 to be quite capable and snappy. Cosmetically, the rod’s appearance harkens back to older Sage rods, featuring an amber “ale” colored blank and a handsome walnut wood insert on the reel seat. The componentry of the Spey R8 is top notch as we’ve come to expect with premium Sage rods. Overall, the Sage Spey R8 switch is a sophisticated rod that can handle anything from swinging Scandi heads to bombing Skagits and even nymphing on small to medium-sized rivers. For anglers willing to drop some serious coin on the latest premium switch rod, the Sage Spey R8 is an excellent choice.

Price: $1,300.00

Pros

• Lightweight across the board
• Soulful and accurate
• Classic appearance

Cons

• Pricey!
• A little too long for prolonged single-handed casting.

Gaelforce Equalizer 11’3” 7/8wt

Gaelforce rods are a bit of a sleeper here in the United States, but we hope to change that. Designed in Scotland, Gaelforce specializes in premium two-handed rods that can throw Scandi and long-belly lines with ease. The Equalizer switch model stays true to form, offering tons of power for longer casts, and enough feel to make two-handed casting a joy, even in tight quarters. The main drawback of the Equalizer switch is its weight, which is too heavy for single-handed use, questioning its classification as a true switch rod. However, the rod does feature a downlocking reel seat to help balance the blank more comfortably. Cosmetically, the rod is more utilitarian and features standard componentry that gets the job done. One of our favorite features of the Equalizer is its ergonomics. The cork handles are fine-tuned for spey casting comfortably all day, and compared to other premium rods, the Equalizer prioritizes functionality over weight and aesthetics. For the die-hard spey angler looking for versatile two-handed performance over bling, the Gaelforce Equalizer switch rod is one of our favorites.

Price: $859.99

Pros

• Thoughtful ergonomics
• Powerful
• Great for spey casting in tight quarters

Cons

• It's certainly a shorter spey rod, but is it really a switch rod?
• Heavier than most switch rods, therefore very difficult to fish single-handed
• High price tag

TFO Axiom II Switch 11’ 6-8wt

We always like to include a couple value rods on our ‘best of’ lists, and TFO is known for producing some of the highest quality value fly rods on the market. The Axiom II Switch rod solidifies this reputation, bringing great two-handed performance in switch sizes to budget-minded anglers. Offered in 11’ 6 through 8 weights, the Axiom II features a medium-action blank that offers beginner spey casters tons of feel and forgiveness. Paired with the proper skagit head, this is arguably one of the best beginner switch rods available in 2024. The tradeoff, of course, is the Axiom II won’t be as adept at fishing longer scandi heads, or say, mending indicator rigs - you’ll want a faster action rod for those situations. That being said, the world of switch rods doesn’t offer many mid-flex options that are appropriate for beginners. The Axiom II provides the forgiving action of a spey rod in a shorter, more lightweight switch package - something kids or elderly anglers will also appreciate. All in all, we applaud TFO for filling a gap in the market with their 11’ rods. Although they may not exactly fit the mold of a modern switch rod, they’ll help many new anglers learn how to spey cast for an affordable price.

Price: $449.95

Pros 

• Beginner-friendly! A great rod for learning how to spey cast
• Excellent value
• Casts Skagit heads and heavy flies with ease

Cons

• Not ideal for long Scandi heads or mending
• Single-handed casting feels awkward

FAQ

What species can be targeted with a switch rod?

Switch rods can be used to target many different species including Trout, Salmon, Smallmouth bass, Striped Bass, and more. One of the greatest aspects of switch rods is their versatility!

What’s the difference between a Spey rod and a Switch rod?

The difference between Spey and Switch rods lies in their uses. Spey rods are designed for two-handed spey casting, and will not overhead cast well. Switch rods, however, are designed to “switch” between both casting styles. Which rod you should choose depends on your fishing situation. If you’ll be fishing larger rivers where you’ll only be spey casting, you should choose a spey rod. If you’re on smaller water and enjoy doing some single-handed casting intermixed with spey casting, a switch rod is the best choice. Check out this video on our YouTube channel, which explains the difference between spey and switch rods in greater detail.

Is a Switch rod difficult to cast?

Like any casting method, practice makes perfect. Fortunately, there are many educational videos, books, and classes available to learn the ins and outs of two-handed casting techniques. The best option is to hire a professional casting instructor. Often, a couple of hours with an instructor will expedite the process tremendously.

What line should I choose for my switch rod?

Selecting lines, heads, and tips for two-handed rods can be confusing. Ultimately, the correct selection depends on variables such as the fly, the fishery, your target species, and the season. Do a little homework by watching this YouTube video, and consulting our team of experts to pick the right setup.

What are the key differences between premium and budget-friendly switch fly rods?

We are very lucky these days to have many budget-friendly fly rods which still perform quite well. That being said, there are some distinct differences between premium rods and their economic counterparts. Primarily, the materials used in premium rods will be of higher quality than those found in budget rods. Some of these materials, like the graphite used in the blank, can greatly affect the performance of the rod. Other materials, like the reel seat insert and the paint finish, are more cosmetic and subjective. Additionally, warranties may differ between premium and budget switch fly rods. Premium rods tend to have a more substantial warranty, but you should check with the manufacturer for each specific model’s warranty.

Questions?

We're happy to help! Give us a call at 888-413-5211, or shoot us an email at [email protected]