Top Water Rod..

[Mccallister25]

I'm in the market for a new rig. Iv decided on a top water rod. For those that have a dedicated top water setup, what are the specs as far as action/power concerned for both single hooked lures and trebles?

I'm also gonna be using braid. Never used the stuff before. What's everyone's opinion on test for this rig?

[iabass8]

68MXF

 

30#

[John G]

My dedicated Topwater Rod is a G-Loomis SMR702C-TW. It is in the Smallmouth Series and it is 5'10" MH-F and has a short rear grip which is what I prefer for walking baits. I have a Curado 50E mounted on it and right now it has 10# Big Game but it I will be switching to 12# Big Game.

[Jrob78]

I use a 6'6" MF with 30 lb braid and a short copoly leader to prevent the hooks from fouling in the braid.

[SirSnookalot]

I use top water lures on every rod I own except offshore rods.  Just about all are fast rods from light power 6'6 rods to 8' mh  inshore rods.  10-15-20# braided lines.

[Mccallister25]

I don't usually fish water with a bunch of stuff I could hang up on. Mostly banks. What's the lowest test braid I could get by with?

[smalljaw67]

Anything topwater with a single hook is handled with a spinnerbait rod, at least for me it is. I'm have rods for smaller topwater and rods for larger ones but if you want a rod that is what I can sider an all around player that can handle the treble and single hooks, an Abu Garcia Vendetta 6'6" M-F. That is the least expensive rod I ever purchased and it fits the bill for what you need,  it is a little stiffer than most medium powers and that lets you fish a bait like a super spook that is 7/8oz but it isn't as powerful as a true MH so it has enough forgiveness for treble hooks but can still drive a single hook hard enough to penetrate. I have a Cabelas XML 6'2" M-F I use for 3/8oz up to 3/4 poppers and walking baits, for smaller poppers in the 1/4oz range I use a Fenwick Aetos 6'6" ML-M, it is too soft for larger topwaters but it really is nice for the smaller stuff as the moderate action helps with fish hooked on those little trebles. That is the reason I have different topwater rods, smaller baits have small trebles and a stiff rod is going to cost fish but if it is too soft you can work the bait, my XML has served me well for a long time but I got the Aetos because I was tired of losing fish on small shallow cranks and topwaters and so far having multiple rods has worked but if you stay away from the smaller baits, most any 6' to 6'10" M-F will work fine.

[Mccallister25]

I know it isn't the most expensive, or best rod out there; but Iv always wanted a mojo bass.

I was thinking about getting the 6'6" MF mojo bass for my top water applications. Mostly just for super spook Jr. And buzzbaits. That's really the only two top water lures I ever use. Sounds like that would be a good rod for the job.

Still up in the air with the braid though.

[WIGuide]

I know it isn't the most expensive, or best rod out there; but Iv always wanted a mojo bass.

I was thinking about getting the 6'6" MF mojo bass for my top water applications. Mostly just for super spook Jr. And buzzbaits. That's really the only two top water lures I ever use. Sounds like that would be a good rod for the job.

Still up in the air with the braid though.

For topwater you really don't need an expensive high end rod. As long as it has the power and action that you're looking for you're set. The 6'6" M/F will work as well as the 6'8" M/XF the choice is really yours. 

[Chris at Tech]

I know it isn't the most expensive, or best rod out there; but Iv always wanted a mojo bass.

I was thinking about getting the 6'6" MF mojo bass for my top water applications. Mostly just for super spook Jr. And buzzbaits. That's really the only two top water lures I ever use. Sounds like that would be a good rod for the job.

Still up in the air with the braid though.

This model in the Avid line is my choice for topwater.  I've never fished the Mojo but if it's similar in action and power to my Avid, it should do great for topwater lures (and really, anything with treble hooks).

[S Hovanec]

6'8" M/XF.

10# mono.

[F14A-B]

7' Avid ML/MF spinning for Pop R's

6'6" MH/F for spooks

6'6" to 7' H/f for cedar ( custom prop baits) for Florida waters.. Co- poly or Yozuri

[Jrob78]

I know it isn't the most expensive, or best rod out there; but Iv always wanted a mojo bass.

I was thinking about getting the 6'6" MF mojo bass for my top water applications. Mostly just for super spook Jr. And buzzbaits. That's really the only two top water lures I ever use. Sounds like that would be a good rod for the job.

Still up in the air with the braid though.

You certainly don't have to use braid.  A good mono will work great.  Most people like to use 30 lb or higher braid just because it works better with a baitcaster, not because of it's strength.  

 

One bad thing about braid and treble hooked, topwater baits is it will sometimes tangle with the hooks.  I like to use a short mono leader to prevent that.  

 

My main topwater rod has braid on it but I have other rods with copoly that will sometimes see topwater baits.

[Mccallister25]

You certainly don't have to use braid. A good mono will work great. Most people like to use 30 lb or higher braid just because it works better with a baitcaster, not because of it's strength.

One bad thing about braid and treble hooked, topwater baits is it will sometimes tangle with the hooks. I like to use a short mono leader to prevent that.

My main topwater rod has braid on it but I have other rods with copoly that will sometimes see topwater baits.

The more Iv been reading, it seems everyone's been saying the same thing. I believe I'll be using mono.

[FishTank]

6'8" M X-Fast St. Croix Avid is my rod of choice for topwater baits.  As everyone else mentioned, mono.

[WPCfishing]

I use a made in the USA Eagle Claw Rod for top water. It's an IM 6 blank. It's a great Rod, very rare. I've used mono with it but I have no issue with 12# Flouro. It's a light enough line for top water.

[iceintheveins]

I use a crankbait type rod, meaning a glass or composite rod with a moderate or moderate fast action for all topwaters except frogs, which call for a heavy, fast action graphite rod for hooksetting and horsing power.

[SirSnookalot]

I use a lot of topwater, I can and have taken the same 7'6 mh spinning rod caught juvenile tarpon and snook, then gone bass fishing with the same rod.  I have no problem working a topwater lure and don't use a different rod for single or treble hooks.  The reason I have no problem is simple, I do so much of it it's become second nature and I don't give it a thought.  I will admit a shorter rod is easier to work, when I target bass most of the time 6'6 -7'.  Just get comfortable with your rods, any lure type can be used with any of them.  I do not own a technique specific rod.

[tomustang]

6'8 MXF with 12lb copoly

[scaleface]

My dedicated Topwater Rod is a G-Loomis SMR702C-TW. It is in the Smallmouth Series and it is 5'10" MH-F and has a short rear grip which is what I prefer for walking baits. I have a Curado 50E mounted on it and right now it has 10# Big Game but it I will be switching to 12# Big Game.

When it comes to walking baits , short rods work better. Ive tried a spook on long rods and short rods. Rods like yours are much easier to impart  the subtle twitches needed to make a Spook work correctly .

[Bassfink86]

6'6" M/F Duckett Micro Magic, Lews Tournament MB w/ 15lb Spiderwire stealth braid

[Drew03cmc]

I have a 5'6" M rod from Academy Sports with 10lb P-Line CX Premium.

[kikstand454]

If you're going for both spooks AND buzzbaits, than a medium rod that is heavier than its rating- like Abu or the mojo you're looking at- would be the ticket.

I think you would be very happy with the mojo rod you were wanting, but I personally would spool it with copoly rather than braid ( or mono) ...... unless you plan on being around dense vegetation all the time- then braid is the ticket.

My (pretty new actually) set up:

6'6" veritas m/f

Pinnacle 7:1 reel

12# yo zuri hybrid