Topwater Rod Preference

[SCkayakfisher]

I'm curious about topwater rods, like what length, action, and taper do most people use? Thanks

[scaleface]

I cant  stand a long handle when working a top water . My top water rods are old pistol grip Lightning rods 5'6" and 6 ' .

[tcbass]

I like to use a Cabelas Tournament ZX casting Frog rod. It's 7'3", heavy, and fast tip.  What's nice is it's also usually on sale for some time for $69.

[papajoe222]

Generally speaking, I like a rod under 7ft. Med. Mod.Fast. with a shorter handle.  If I know I'll be sitting, I'll go longer as I'll be working it with the rod tip up.

[jonnyblazex]

It depends what kind of top water you are talking.  A slop frog rod is a lot different than one you would use for treble hook baits, like average sized walk baits or poppers.  For the later mentioned I use a 6'8 medium fast or even 7' medium moderate.    For a slop frog it's usually a MH, fast or extra fast in 7 to 7'6 flipping stick range.  You will be a lot better off with a stiffer rod for frogs, and a little softer rod for trebles 

[j bab]

9 minutes ago, jonnyblazex said:

I use a 6'8 medium fast or even 7' medium moderate

Same here.

Frog rod is a 7'9" XH  

[SCkayakfisher]

Sorry I should have specified I was talking about walking baits like spooks and what not. Thanks for the input.

[J Francho]

Saint Croix Avid AVC62MXF.  It's about as long as a 6-6, but with a shorter handle.  Very fast taper that recovers quickly after twitching for better control.

["hamma"]

My topwater rod is a 25 year old beat up berkley AIR 5' 10" med action spinning rod with a much newer shimano saros 2500 reel spooled with 10 green stren mono. I use this as I love topwater fishing, and its light, allows the proper room for walking baits, casts a country mile. And I cant imagine how many big bass Ive caught on it. If ever loose it, or even worse break it, I will hold a heartfelt ceremony, followed by many days of grief.

  I do also have a old lews 6'6" speedstick with a curado and said 10# mono that I sometimes use for a full sized spook, devils horse, etc:

 For frogs? a 7' heavy action cheapo 29 dollar shimano convergence with a curado and 12 test mono. Love this setup too. Ive hauled alot of nice females out of thick lilies with this rig

[the reel ess]

I use an old 6-6 med, mod Lightning Rod for topwaters with trebles most of the time, but I'll also rig up a MH of the same size when I want multiple topwater rods or I have a buzzbait on too. This is not a presentation that requires a lot of sensitivity. 

And I use Big Game 15 lb. mono on both.

[J Francho]

26 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

This is not a presentation that requires a lot of sensitivity.

True, but light, balanced tackle is easier on the hands and writs.  Ever get the "claw" from walking the dog all day?

[Scarborough817]

depends on what topwater

frogs are a 6'6" mh/f

spooks and others are on a 7'0" mh/mf 

 

[Bluebasser86]

17 hours ago, J Francho said:

Saint Croix Avid AVC62MXF.  It's about as long as a 6-6, but with a shorter handle.  Very fast taper that recovers quickly after twitching for better control.

I use this same rod for smaller spooks. Larger WTD baits I use either a 6' 8" M/F or a 7' M/F.

[timsford]

I use a 6'3" rod for spooks, poppers, and jerkbaits so I can get the rod movement I like without worrying about slapping the rod into something and breaking the tip. The power depends on the bait size as I own a ml, med, and mh fast. I prefer a fast action and mono line.

[thebillsman]

I use a 7'3" MH/F for my topwater stuff.

[roadwarrior]

G. Loomis PR844C/ Core 100Mg/ #12 Sunline Armilo

The rod is Heavy Power with a soft tip. Casting distance is remarkable and working a lure is a breeze. The rod was specifically designed for fishing poppers in saltwater. 

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-popping-fishing-rod-pr844c-glx.html

 

 

[smalljaw67]

Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'3" M-MF. It has the same size blank as my 6'6" rods but like others have said, the handle is short. Ever since I got that rod it has been just a pure joy to fish, it handles up to its rated 5/8oz no problem so fishing Super Spook Jr. and similar baits is fantastic.

[WRB]

23 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

G. Loomis PR844C/ Core 100Mg/ #12 Sunline Armilo

The rod is Heavy Power with a soft tip. Casting distance is remarkable and working a lure is a breeze. The rod was specifically designed for fishing poppers in saltwater. 

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-popping-fishing-rod-pr844c-glx.html

 

 

I use same rod except PR845C for some top water like poppers, sammy's, chug bugs and it's my go to smaller 3/8-5/8  crank baits and my structure spoon rod and that bite is just getting underway.

Tom 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

On September 24, 2016 at 2:16 PM, roadwarrior said:

G. Loomis PR844C/ Core 100Mg/ #12 Sunline Armilo

The rod is Heavy Power with a soft tip. Casting distance is remarkable and working a lure is a breeze. The rod was specifically designed for fishing poppers in saltwater. 

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-popping-fishing-rod-pr844c-glx.html

 

 

Good choice. This is an example of a fast yet soft tip that casts well and allows for subtle action to the bait. Rods or blanks marked as "popping" rods often fit the bill. 

[Airman4754]

7'3" MH/F for frogs, spooks, and small ploppers. 

805 punch rod for rats, slammers, and 190 ploppers. 

Short handles on both, no more than 14".

[Bankbeater]

It depends on the topwater bait.  For poppers, I like a 6'6" m/f spinning rig.  For frogs, buzzbaits, and jitterbugs I like a 7'0" mh/f with a baitcaster.

[johnD.]

  GL3 783c mbr - spooks and poppers.

[kstephes033]

Megabass Destroyer Hein 6'10" Medium XF w/ Shimano Metanium 7:1 (core body style) 15lb Shooter Defier usually is my popper/prop setup, then Megabass X4 Super Mirage 7' M Fast w/ Daiwa Tatula CT 8:1 30lb power pro for walk the dog.

[WPCfishing]

I'll use a 6'6" medium action with braid and a mono leader or a

6'6" or 6'0" medium heavy with mono.

i have 4 other completely different rods for Frogs and Toads.

[Ray K]

On 9/22/2016 at 8:14 PM, scaleface said:

I cant  stand a long handle when working a top water . My top water rods are old pistol grip Lightning rods 5'6" and 6 ' .

I'm with ya 100%.   My favorites for top water also lightning rods with Ryobi 4000 (the original Lew's BB1) and Daiwa PL100.  So easy to twitch top water with a pistol grip.