Looking to get my self an 8wt switch rod to tackle salmon just wondering if this is a good idea or would I be better with a Spey rod?

DB I use a 'switch rod' all the time for Pacific run Salmon. The shorter rod length (imho) gives you better 'lifting power' when you've got a heavy fish on the business end of your fly line.

fae

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The logic behind the longer spey, or traditional salmon rods aint in the power ratio.
Is to command more of the water once cast is made.
I often use #8 weight 9' rods for salmon on medium rivers, but on the big rivers, the longer rod and heavier lines are a must, 1 to get the fly into the "spot", and 2 to let me drift it through the spot with ease, a situation which can be difficult, if not impossible with the shorter rod.
Therefore base your decision on where and when.
Would disagree with fred re lifting power, as longer rod in heavier weight is obviously a better lever!, but each to his own.
regards
bert

Bert may have a point here: "Would disagree with fred re lifting power, as longer rod in heavier weight is obviously a better lever!, but each to his own.
regards
bert"

The key term here is "heavier weight." Save for the winter/spring run off flows it's a bit unusual to see most of us using anything above a 9wt 2-hander. But back to the point I was (trying) making: 'Leverage is a two way street.' It can help you or it can bite you on the bum.

fae

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"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a
living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living." -- Anonymous

Made me smile there fred.
over here we dont lift on "take", we let it run then just tighten into fish.
Then the lever is needed sometimes, to stop fish exiting pool.
regards
bert

Aye it is - but when you're playing a fish it's a lever that's the wrong way round! That's why all the big fish rods are short (typically 8.5 ft for a tarpon fly rod) - with a fighting handle up the rod. For the really big fish, like tuna or swordfish, the boat rods are even shorter.

Demon Boy – I use a switch rod ( 11ft / 8wt ) for atlantic salmon. I use almost exclusively a floating line with this rod however so cannot comment as to using heavier sinking lines but for floating line work it is great. I can cast a bit further with a say 14 foot rod so I do keep that in mind as to when to pull it out. If I can cover the water I need to with the switch rod then I will pick that up before I pick up my longer more traditional length spey rod in the ( at least for mine ) 14 ft range. I think a lot would depend on how common your factors are of size of water, size and weight of flies, fly line weights than anything else. If you are fishing a very wide range of the above then the switch rod may at times fall short. If you fish a lot of floating lines on medium size rivers then I think you should definitely consider it.
I agree with Fred and Endrick as to the shorter rods giving you more beef and control when fighting large and powerful fish but I don’t think you could compare a 100 pound tarpon or 60 lb yellowfin with say a 10 lb salmon. The principle however is correct. If you asked me to fight a large tuna with a 14 foot 12 wt spey rod or a 9 foot 12wt, I’d take the 9 foot every time. You are fighting fish like this from the butt of the rod – short pumps etc which with a 14 foot rod for example, would take a much wider arc to get there and likely less compact and energy efficient. The long rod I think would probably strain a few of my body parts starting with my back and then maybe my wrists and then ...... Again, if you are fishing for salmon then the usual and expected fight would not be of the extreme of larger saltwater gamefish. You also have to factor in for example that a tuna say hooked in 1000 feet of water for example is going straight down so the fight is vertical as opposed to say a salmon that would likely run in the relative shallow waters of rivers or say a tarpon on the flats, both of which don’t have the ability to sound great distances so the fight is at a much flatter/ shallower angle. That’s all getting away from the point anyway. I say go for it !!!

You want to try them on 15' double hander.
is awesome!
regards
bert

Exactamond!

Fishing for King Salmon (this time of the year) the longest rod (one exception and it's a damned "broom stick") is 12.5 foot. Well, and a reel that really does have a darned effective drag system. If you can't 'turn the fish' you're toast in seconds. Long/limber rod? Isn't going to happen.

Well a few "I did it's" aside; person was darned lucky.
fae

__________________
"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a
living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living." -- Anonymous

Bottom line!
good reel on a bamboo cane is better than a sturdy rod with free running centre pin reel!
regards
bert