I've been through quite a few rods trying to find the "right" topwater rod. Since most topwaters I throw have no inherent action on their own and all the action is created by the angler, this is one area where trial and error becomes necessary. I've tried super short and somewhat longer rods to find the sweet spot of where I can work the baits I throw properly. For most of my topwater fishing, a 6'10" mhf crucial gives me the best results of those I've tried so far. I tend to work my rod more to the side than straight down fishing either in a kayak or from the back of a boat, and I find the slightly longer length helps me walk and pop much easier than a rod closer to the 6' mark. You'll just have to give it a try to see if it works for you. If not, you'll still have a nice cranking stick.