Looking for some opinions. Getting into Sea Run Cutthroat fly fishing and want a better rod for more casting distance. I have been a few times the last month with no luck yet. I fish with a Sage 590 Graphite III which works great for lakes and small streams but am disappointed with it on the beach. I borrowed my buddies 10' Sage 5100 RPL and loved it. My question: Would / could a 5-6wt switch rod in 11 or 12 ft length be even better than the 10 footer? I know nothing about switch rods and haven't bought a fly rod in years, but do like casting the longer rods. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Whew, well I’m not the best beach based fly flicker out there, like Mr. Stonefish, and a few others here on the site so take my put w a grain of salt.

I’m a 9 ft 5 wt kinda guy, and do most south sound beach fly fishing drifting quietly off the beach with my bay boat and a bow mount electric. This last summer season, I did switch over to a 7.5 ft 3 wt for a couple daze until the Humpys decided to get aggressive.

That was the end of my 3 wt in the salt experience!

Better feed back here.
PNWflyfishing forum.

Not too familiar with big water fishing but it seems that you would want the heavier line for whatever wind there is. A while back I was in Wyoming chasing the Cutt-slam. The Colorado River's were is a small creek, maybe 6' wide. My 3 wt was fine, although a tad undergunned for larger fish but for Bonnevilles I used my 5 as it was windier (not bad, but breezy) and the 3 wouldn't have covered the width.

Bummer
You still have the 3 wt I sold you?

As far as rods go, a salty 9’ to 9’6” 6wt is my favorite rod for chasing beach cutts. A 6wt is nice for when wind is present which is often plus it will handle coho and pinks should you encounter them. I see folks using two handers off the beaches in the salt but really don’t see the advantage unless you have shoulder issues. I do see some disadvantages.
With the right integrated head line, you can be fishing with a maximum of two false casts. I’ve never found not being able to cast super far limiting my success src fishing. Fishing water with good tidal movement is more important in my opinion.
SF