Best Rod and Reel Combo For Top Water

[toddwchandler]

I have always enjoyed fishing top water with poppers and buzzbaits, but never felt like I have had the exact right setup for it.   A couple of days ago, I also decided to jump in on the Whopper Plopper craze and picked up a couple of them at Dick's Sporting Goods.  I've got some spooks in the tackle box that I use on occasion as well.

 

If you were going to purchase a rod and reel combo just for throwing top water, what would you choose.   I'm not really looking for specific brands, but more along the lines of baitcaster vs spinning, rod length/power/action, and reel gear ratio (if baitcaster) or reel size (if spinning).

 

If you have time, I'd also like to know why you would choose what you are suggesting so that I can be better educated.   Finally, from what I've been able to read, most folks prefer mono for top water applications.   Do you all find this to be true for your situation?

[npl_texas]

A MH-H/F with a high speed gear ratio reel, I'd say anything above 7:1 would be fine.

 

For me it's the Dobyns Champ XP 734C with a Shimano Curado K XG (8:1).  I throw it on braid and just reel to set the hook.

[toddwchandler]

6 minutes ago, npl_texas said:

A MH-H/F with a high speed gear ratio reel, I'd say anything above 7:1 would be fine.

 

For me it's the Dobyns Champ XP 734C with a Shimano Curado K XG (8:1).  I throw it on braid and just reel to set the hook.

Thank you!   What about rod length?   6'6 or 7'?

[ratherbfishin1]

14 minutes ago, toddwchandler said:

Thank you!   What about rod length?   6'6 or 7'?

I'm 5'10" so i like a shorter rod so that i can hold the rod tip down to walk the bait and not bang my rod tip so i would say 6'6" unless you are like really tall.  That's what I think i don't know if everyone agrees though because you lose casting distance with shorter rods.

[new2BC4bass]

Casting all the way because I love casting reels. 

 

You said no specific brands, but I would get the Hammer 6'9" MH and H.  Why?  Because smalljaw 67 says they are the best he has used (if I remember correctly) and he has never steered me wrong.  I have several rods he has suggested.

 

I like high ratio...a 7 or better.

 

I prefer mono or Co-Polymer....Siege and AN40 being favorites.

[npl_texas]

7'3" is what I have.  I want something 7' or longer for longer casts.

[junyer357]

Med or med hvy casting rod around 7' for me. Depends on what im throwing. A mh that throws my ploppers well, is hard to use for a small pop-r, and vice versa. I prefer mono still for most topwater, but i usually throw my ploppers on my mh buzzbait rod and it has braid. 

[ratherbfishin1]

41 minutes ago, junyer357 said:

Med or med hvy casting rod around 7' for me. Depends on what im throwing. A mh that throws my ploppers well, is hard to use for a small pop-r, and vice versa. I prefer mono still for most topwater, but i usually throw my ploppers on my mh buzzbait rod and it has braid. 

I think he's saying to give into the bait monkey and buy two.

[J Francho]

I have no clue what the "best" is, but I use a Avid AVC62MXF with an OG purple Alphas and 30# Tuf-Line Supercaster.

[Junger]

For poppers, I like a soft tip to get some more slack in the line between pops, but I like higher reel ratios to keep control of the slack line (wind, current, etc) if that makes sense. I also like a 6'6 rod as it doesn't pick up too much line and I can work it slow or fast without wrist fatigue.

[LAO162]

Before rushing out to feed the bait monkey, you may want to consider the technique you use for topwater.  For instance, if you use a tip down approach for walk the dog baits, you may want (or need) a shorter rod.  On the other hand, if you are tall or can get the "proper" action using a tip up approach, then you can use a longer rod that may get you greater casting distance.

 

For me, I use a short rod to walk the dog.  For poppers I use a longer rod so I get more casting distance.