Topwater rod choice ?

[Viper0463]

Between these rods, what would you all recommend for a topwater rod, spooks and poppers. I'm only going to list power, action and, material. No brands and I would really appreciate it if we could stay away from any brand specific comments. If you have another set of specs you think I should think about list them. These are casting rods. Thanks everyone.

6'10" medium 1/4-3/4oz, mod-fast, glass composite

7' medium heavy 3/8-1oz, mod fast, glass composite

6'8" medium heavy 1/4-3/4 oz, extra fast, graphite

7' medium heavy 1/4-3/4oz, extra fast, graphite

[bigfruits]

if you havent tried a glass rod i would recommend doing so before purchasing one. they are definitely not for me.

graphite - 6'8" for short accurate casts and if you will fish with the tip down. 7' for long casts, deep water, moving more line.

[Bluebasser86]

Of that list, I'd choose the 6' 8" MH/XF for what you're using it for. 

[ChrisD46]

Having success going the other direction : 6' MF bait cast rod with 30lb. braid + 4' mono leader ... Really crisp for walk-the-dog type lures while shorter rod keeps the lure in the strike zone longer while providing an additional advantage of not over powering the braid or fish on the hook set.

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, ChrisD46 said:

Having success going the other direction : 6' MF bait cast rod with 30lb. braid + 4' mono leader ... Really crisp for walk-the-dog type lures while shorter rod keeps the lure in the strike zone longer while providing an additional advantage of not over powering the braid or fish on the hook set.

I have also become a fan of braid for WTD topwaters and poppers. It doesn't tangle like I thought it would, and really allows me to just reel into a strike. I don't use a leader however. Horrible for double prop baits though. 

[Yudo1]

I'd go with the 6'8" mh/xf.  I use a 6'8" mh/moderate fast.

[onetime]

In my mind, a spook rod and a popper rods are two different rods, for me anyways. I use a Dobyns 684cb for quarter ounce Yellow Magics, and a Dobyns 705cb for spooks. If I had to chose one for both applications it would be the 705cb.

[Viper0463]

2 hours ago, onetime said:

In my mind, a spook rod and a popper rods are two different rods, for me anyways. I use a Dobyns 684cb for quarter ounce Yellow Magics, and a Dobyns 705cb for spooks. If I had to chose one for both applications it would be the 705cb.

I agree that it could be 2 different rods however I'm already spending a lot and need 1 rod to do both with, at least for now. Also I'm mostly shore bound so in till I get a boat in the next few years I'll have to find more of a universal  setup of rods. 2 or 3 to cover the tackle I'll carry with me that day.

[Viper0463]

Another thing I forgot to mention, the reason for the list above is because I'm trying to keep all my bass rods within 1 specific rod manufacturer. Even though I may have to jump between their different series of rods the actions and powers should be a noticeable difference up or down. 

[Angry John]

Hands down my favorite topwater  rod is a 6'6".  I like a fast rod but i have used a moderate both in graphite.  I like the fast better for control but the slower rod is easier to work the bait for me.  I would stay short and look medium or medium heavy to match the bait weight and fast action for me.  My friend likes a 6' rod but i am a lot taller so i have more room to work the rod down and not hit the water.

[Western-Mass-Bass]

19 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Of that list, I'd choose the 6' 8" MH/XF for what you're using it for. 

What him said

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

I love my Cabela's Tournament ZX Casting rod 7' Medium Mod, it casts far and is good with trebles. optimal for walking baits.

[Western-Mass-Bass]

9 minutes ago, You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing said:

I love my Cabela's Tournament ZX Casting rod 7' Medium Mod, it casts far and is good with trebles. optimal for walking baits.

That zx series doesnt get enough credit. I have the frog rod. Its incredible!  Diggin the winn grips too.

[You_Only_Live_Once_Fishing]

11 minutes ago, Western-Mass-Bass said:

That zx series doesnt get enough credit. I have the frog rod. Its incredible!  Diggin the winn grips too.

Yeah and people from westfield are good at fishing, my cousin went to school there and he is good at fishing!

[Attila]

If I had a choice I'd use the 6'8" medium heavy 1/4-3/4 oz, extra fast, graphite option; the one I'm currently using is a 6'6" graphite medium action rod as I fish mostly open water topwater baits including walk the dog style baits and poppers as well for smallmouth. 

As to line, I've gone with straight braid for walk the dog baits and use a 4ft fluro leader for poppers and haven't broken a fish off yet. I like straight braid with topwater reaction baits as the fish aren't usually line shy when striking a moving walking bait.

Cheers, enjoy whatever you end up getting!

[papajoe222]

A lot depends on how you fish.  From shore? In a boat? Standing? Sitting?  How tall are you?  

[punch]

I fish a TON of topwater with walking baits and poppers, and my sweet spot for a perfect rod for these baits is a 6'8"-6'9" Medium with a fast tip. This is what i've dialed in on and what I'll use for the foreseeable future. 

I also use 15# copoly line. 

[Viper0463]

Thanks everyone for your opinions,  I've made a decision and will be ordering my rod soon. 

[j bab]

5 hours ago, Viper0463 said:

Thanks everyone for your opinions,  I've made a decision and will be ordering my rod soon. 

What did you decide on?  

[Viper0463]

7 hours ago, j bab said:

What did you decide on?  

I'm going with the 6'8"  also I figure it might make a good weightless senko rod in a pinch. 

[j bab]

14 minutes ago, Viper0463 said:

I'm going with the 6'8"  also I figure it might make a good weightless senko rod in a pinch. 

Medium or Medium Heavy?

[Viper0463]

Just now, j bab said:

Medium or Medium Heavy?

It's says medium heavy. I thought it was 1/4oz - 3/4oz but, it's 3/16 oz - 5/8oz extra fast. 

[j bab]

7 minutes ago, Viper0463 said:

It's says medium heavy. I thought it was 1/4oz - 3/4oz but, it's 3/16 oz - 5/8oz extra fast. 

That oughta work! Good choice

[Viper0463]

5 minutes ago, j bab said:

That oughta work! Good choice

I think it should work out great. Thanks