Best Rod/Reel/Line Combo For Walking Top Water Lures

[toddwchandler]

I wanted to get some opinions on the best rod/reel/line combo for walking top water lures like the Zara Spook and the Bill Lewis Stutter Step.  

 

I am looking to know rod length and strength, reel gear ratio (and spinning vs bait caster), and type and weight of line. 

 

I know this is a lot for one post but I really am trying to learn the whats and whys.   If you have time to kind of explain why you answered like you did on these, I sure would appreciate it so that I can learn.  

[DaveT63]

I use a 6'8" Medium Extra Fast spinning rod with a 2500 size reel, spooled with 10lb Sunline Supernatural Mono.  Not really sure what the gear ration is on the reel.

[hunterPRO1]

6'6" medium/fast casting rod.

7 speed reel

15 - 17 lb monofilament 

 

6'6 medium/fast spinning rod.

2500 size reel

10lb mono or a 15-20lb braid to a 10/12lb mono leader.

[Jar11591]

6'6" Medium power, fast action casting rod 

 

7:1 casting reel 

 

12lb monofilament 

 

 

[WI_Angler1989]

I can't speak on the "best," but I use....

 

- 6' 6" St Croix Avid mf spinning rod

- Pfleuger President 2500 spinning reel

- 10# Yo-Zuri hybrid

 

I only use spinning gear, so take it with a grain of salt. Also, I prefer the "shorter" length rod because it's easier to get the tip down without catching my canoe or the shore and water when I'm wading. This is all pretty personalized for my situation.

[swandog]

I also like using braid for walking lures. Just seems like you don't have to work as hard to get the correct 'walk' action going. The only down side is the occasional trebile hook entanglements. Braid is less forgiving in that department. 

[Bluebasser86]

Rod and reel is personal preference, I use several different rods for different walking baits, but they're all fished on braid. 

[TheRodFather]

6'9" -ish rod  (I can walk better with the tip down, long rods are slapping the water/boat.

 

M or M/H power with fast action, for me, I feel the bait and the slack line a little better when working it back.

 

Baitcaster, 6.3:1 is what I use, but it's all about getting the cadence down, so any ratio could work, with practice.  I'd say pick a ratio that doesn't limit the other baits/techniques that can be thrown with that rod/line/reel combo.  (I personally am not all that interested in having a ton of combos, but thats me :)).

 

15lb mono (you want it to float, and a little stretch helps absorb the shock of the MH rod on hookset).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 23, 2017 by TheRodFather
clerify

[Crankin4Bass]

6'6" M/F Spinning Rod

2500 Spinning Reel

10 LB Mono

[BronzeChaser]

I throw walking baits on a 7' medium mod. fast rod with a 7:1 reel and 12-15lb mono or 30-40lb braid. I use braid in grassy bodies of water, but I mostly fish clear/rocky rivers and lakes for smallmouth. I almost never lose a hooked fish with this setup

 

[FishOnLMB]

I have a 6'6 medium heavy moderate action rod with a 7:1:1 gear ratio bait casting reel, and a 15lb mono because it floats. 

[Yudo1]

I use a 6'8" medium/moderate fast with a 7.1 gear ratio casting reel and 30lb braid/copoly leader.  I use the shorter rod so I can't walk the bait without hitting the water.  The moderate/fast action gives so I can keep the fish pinned.  The fast gear ratio helps me take up the slack.  I prefer braid and the leader helps keep from getting the hooks fouled in the line.

[Angry John]

What size spook?  I work ones less than an ounce on my croix avid c66mf.  I am very tall but i am low to the water in my yak so that length works well for me.  I run 14lb BerkeleyXL on a daiwa alphas.  I have a deep spool from a zonda that lets me have the reserve line capacity to use the smaller reel.  I also use this setups for sammys and a bunch of other top-waters to include poppers.