Save Money On A Topwater Rod?

[Trailer]

I see a lot of guys talk about high dollar rods and sensitivity and feeling the baits. My question is can you sacrifice most of that on a cheaper rod for topwater use? You are relying on your eyes to see the strike. Probably a dumb question, but I'm a big dummy.

[Jrob78]

In my opinion, any soft plastics (casting and spinning) and jigs are the techniques where having the best rod you can afford is really beneficial for sensitivity.  Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater, jerkbaits, chatterbaits...etc, don't require the sensitivity that plastics and jigs do.  That said, balance, weight and the proper power and action are important for any technique, how important is up to you.

[Gone_Phishin]

Sensitivity definitely is not paramount on a topwater stick.  I tend to splurge here though, as a lighter rod is easier on the body at the end of the day.

[Trailer]

Do you guys go shorter too? Seems to me a 6 footer might be easier to work.

[J Francho]

Just find a rod a that feels good, and balances well with your reel.  Walking baits can be fatiguing to your wrists, so balance is important.  I use an Avid AVC62MXF that I bought used for around $80.

[Jrob78]

If you work your rod tip down toward the water, a shorter rod is probably better.  I use 6'10" rods for a lot of my topwater and jerkbait fishing. 

[Trailer]

Just find a rod a that feels good, and balances well with your reel.  Walking baits can be fatiguing to your wrists, so balance is important.  I use an Avid AVC62MXF that I bought used for around $80.

I know what you mean. I walked a Zara Spook all day one time last summer and it about wore me out. I'm trying figure out what a good topwater rod would be.

[rockchalk06]

I know what you mean. I walked a Zara Spook all day one time last summer and it about wore me out. I'm trying figure out what a good topwater rod would be.

A good start would be to set a budget first.

I have a Shimano Crucial 6'8" top water specific rod that should be here in a couple of days. The reviews on it were really good. It ran 160. Before that I was using a 7' micro Veritas. It runs 70-100

[tbone1993]

I know what you mean. I walked a Zara Spook all day one time last summer and it about wore me out. I'm trying figure out what a good topwater rod would be.

FIshing wears you out in general. I need to get back in shape before tournament season starts back up. Spending hours on a boat making repetitive casts really tears you up. Fenwick hmg 6'6 M casting is great for topwater lures. 

[LgMouthGambler]

A rod with the right action and a comfortable feel is the most important, No matter what, walking the dog is tiresome after a while, but it helps to have a better feeling setup.

[SirSnookalot]

FIshing wears you out in general. I need to get back in shape before tournament season starts back up. Spending hours on a boat making repetitive casts really tears you up. Fenwick hmg 6'6 M casting is great for topwater lures. 

I very much agree with this.  I fish 7 days a week, my fishing muscles are in shape, even at 67 yo I don't get tired or sore.

I use a 7' inshore spinning rod for my 90% of my freshwater fishing.

[Fishes in trees]

Last season I used a 5'9" medium power rod for most of the top water fishing I did.  It worked ok.  I liked how I could make downward snaps with the rod and not slap the gunnel of the boat or the water.

[0119]

Its refreshingly comfortable to use a 5'6" pistol grip rod for walking spooks.  You just wont look fashionable or get alot of attaboy posts for selecting one.

[J Francho]

I'll give you an attaboy. I'd like to see a 5-9 to 5-11 top water specific rod. Pistol grip isn't 100% necessary, but a butt that length would be fine. I used to have a 6, pistol grip Bionic Blade that the top couple of inches snapped off. New tip too, and a great spook rod was born.

[Hanover_Yakker]

If you are budget conscious, then BPS has the Berkley Lightning Rod (not the Shock series) at $35 in a 6'0" M/F size that has about an 8" butt section behind the pistol grip that might work for you. It also comes in a 5'6" length, but that may be too short depending on what you are throwing. They are both rated at 1/4-5/8oz.

They also have their own branded rods like JF mentioned. Right now they have their Tourney Special rods in the same specs I mentioned already @ $49 in a 6' rod length.

Do some hunting around and you'll find one that appeals to you. Just make sure you take your reel with you and pair the two up so you can feel what the balance and weight will be.

[Maico1]

I'll give you an attaboy. I'd like to see a 5-9 to 5-11 top water specific rod. Pistol grip isn't 100% necessary, but a butt that length would be fine. I used to have a 6, pistol grip Bionic Blade that the top couple of inches snapped off. New tip too, and a great spook rod was born

Here it is the SMR 702C TW.....This little sucker has a ton of backbone too. ......http://www.gloomis.com/publish/content/gloomis_2010/us/en/conventional/rods/smallmouth_rods/bronzeback_series.html

[flyfisher]

I had a 6'6" MHF mojo bass casting rod that i broke about 8" off and it works great for topwater.  I may even cut the butt down to make it a touch shorter to help when working walk the dog style baits.

[J Francho]

I wouldn't be caught dead with a loomis rod in my hand, Maico!

[Christian M]

If you are budget conscious, then BPS has the Berkley Lightning Rod (not the Shock series) at $35 in a 6'0" M/F size that has about an 8" butt section behind the pistol grip that might work for you. It also comes in a 5'6" length, but that may be too short depending on what you are throwing. They are both rated at 1/4-5/8oz.

They also have their own branded rods like JF mentioned. Right now they have their Tourney Special rods in the same specs I mentioned already @ $49 in a 6' rod length.

Do some hunting around and you'll find one that appeals to you. Just make sure you take your reel with you and pair the two up so you can feel what the balance and weight will be.

X2...I use the $40 7'M casting Lightning rod for walking spooks & sammys. It wont last too long though, as the cork tends to crack on the reel seat. Its designed so that instead of screwing the reel downwards to secure it onto the rod, its the opposite, you twist the cork handle upwards. I have no idea why they designed it like this, otherwise it would be a great topwater rod for the price.

[thehooligan]

I dont like anything longer than 6'6 for walking the dog or poppers. My 6'3 fenwick smallmouth rod, and 6'5 cumulus have been great for topwater.

[Maico1]

I wouldn't be caught dead with a loomis rod in my hand, Maico!

Oh you poor thing......

[craww]

Tons of light,balanced rods under $100 these days. I have an old 6'6" MH Fenwick HMG that I've used for 6 years or so. The rod just fits me for whatever reason, I can take a 3/8-5/8 bait and cast more accurately than any other rod I own. Just a perfect Sammy rod.

[Diggy]

I have a 6ft 6 field and stream tec spec m/f that works well for this and jerkbaits

 

II also have 7ft rods that I use, including a cranking rod

 

 

I really feel no difference in any other than the length difference between the 6ft6 and 7 in touching the water at times

 

 

they are all light and all work

[smalljaw67]

6'3" to 6'10" is the range for me when it comes to topwaters with treble hooks and jerkbaits because I tend to slap the water or side of the boat with a 7' rod. I also feel like I can control the bait better using the shorter rod but one thing is I tend to use a medium power if the rod is a fast action, and the reason is flex. A medium rod is more forgiving so it will help you out fighting a fish hooked on trebles, you can always go with a moderare rod but too much flex and you lose control of the bait so I like to stay with a fast action. A moderate fast action rod that is close to fast is a rod that I would use in a medium heavy just because you get the added flex along with the added strength so it works out but I think you can get a good performing rod for topwaters in the $100 to 150 range and if you aren't finicky you can get some decent rods less than a hundered. I have a medium 6'6" 1st generation Vendetta and it is awesome for topwaters, I use it as an all purpose set up in the jon boat were I can't take 6 or 7 rods so I use 3 rods and the vendetta is one of them and I don't worry about it breaking, that is the best part!

[Jigfishn10]

I guess I'm in the minority as well 5'6 min - 6'0 max. I just finish building my jerkbait/topwater rod: 5'9, MH, MF. Anything bigger than 6'0 and I'm slapping water or breaking tip-tops.