Recently I had a visitor to my blog site asking about the TFO Deer Creek #4 switch rod. That got me thinking...why have I not done a review on this rod. I had this rod for the longest time and was my favorite workhorse before my Sage ONE switch #4 came along. I bought this rod because I like how soft it is..thinking that it would be perfect for the 1-2 lb Peacock bass in our reservoir. Back in 2009, there were no switch rod quite as limber as the DC#4. I paired this rod with a 235 grain Ambush line and was very happy with it. It cast really sweet and easy, flexing low into the butt and I was catching lots of fish with it.
After a while, I realized that this rod has great potential. TFO made this rod with Kevlar in its matrix and it is an extremely strong and tough rod. Sure, it is not as light as the Sage ONE, neither does it have the fast high modulus graphite response, but it is a very very good rod for the money. I have since landed many big fish with this rod and I have no hesitation using this rod on 20+ lb fish. I also like how versatile this rod is in terms of grain window. It can handle a very wide grain window of 200 - 400 grain. When I know I am fishing for smaller fish with small flies, I will use my 235 grain Ambush. When I have to cast bigger flies to target bigger fish, I will pair it with my 350 grain Ambush. I have a fishing buddy who even tried 450 grain on this rod and he says it still cast good.
I like it that this rod never fails me. It is a tough workhorse. Fish big or small, it will handle. Nowadays, I often bring it along on my trip to back up my Sage ONE 4116. This rod is a lot more limber than the ONE 4116 and will give a healthy bend when into one to two pounders. In comparison ONE 4116 feels a bit over kill for fishes that size.
Although limber, this rod is no push-over. There are plenty of reserve deep down in the blank. When into big fish, you won't feel the need to baby the rod because it is very tough at the butt. I think that is where all the Kevlar fiber is.
So for those considering a 4wt switch, and if the budget is right, this is the rod I would recommend. I feel that it is a better rod than the more recent Echo and Redington offering of the same price range. It has a lighter swing weight, very sweet casting and tough.
What kind of distance can you get using small flies and the 235 grain ambush line?
ReplyDeleteHi Brian, I use the TFO DC#4 pond fishing quite often casting size 6-8 bead head stonefly nymph for Pacu (15ft clear versileader / 235gr Ambush line). If D-loop space is unrestricted, I can easily cover 80-90 ft with a poke.
Deletehello,
ReplyDeletei"m also interested in switch rod for fishing in saltwater, i'm targetting seabass with flies such as clouser, candu, EP flies or shrimps tied on hooks size 2 up to 1/0.
I would like to know if you could help me choosing the right rod?
i usually fish seabass from 1lb up to 10 and i was thinking of a number 4 or 5 switch rod such as beulah, TFO or Mystic (mystic seems to be a great rod).
Hope you could help me,
by the way, i really like your blog ; )
Hi Eric, glad you find my blog enjoyable.
DeleteFor saltwater, wind is the main factor. I find ~400 grain Skagit line about right. This means that you should choose either TFO Deer Creek 6wt or Beulah Platinum Switch 6wt. I don't recommend the Beulah Classic series because it is not regressive enough for Skagit cast.
I have no experience with Mystic. They don't have a 6wt switch. If you are interested in their 5wt, write to them to find out the grain window for Skagit line.
4wt will be a bit light for saltwater (unless it is a Sage ONE). If you would like to go lighter than 6wt, go with 5wt but learn how to handle 350 grain line in the wind.
thank you for your help, the sage one seems to be THE rod i would need but it's expensive, i've found the mystic to be a great rod, quality building and componants, great review.
Deletenow if i have the chance to put my hand on a sage one...
Hey, do you think the #5 deer creek switch will handle grilse and salmon up to 3-4kg in a small river? And how much distance should i expect to get from this rod using an ambush line?
ReplyDeleteI think #5 Deer Creek is plenty strong to handle the fish you are after. Grain window for #5 is 250-450 grain. If you use 400 - 450 grain Ambush to cast sink tips, it will not be difficult to get 70-80 ft. That should be plenty for small river. 100 ft cast is also possible if your D-loop is unrestricted and the cast well executed.
DeleteWhich weight would you think is best for use with 10' polyleaders? 350, 400 or 450 grains?
ReplyDeleteHi. 10ft polyleaders can work with any grain wt. line since they are lightest among all sink tips. Typically polyleaders or versileaders are designed for lighter grain weight line e.g.200-350 grain line. Whereas heavier sink tips like T11 or T14 will need heavier grain line to turn them over.
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