1oz topwater rod suggestions

[Vaerion]

I recently got bitten by the bait monkey and got a curado 200hgk. I'm planning to pair it with a primarily topwater (1oz spook) rod. I'm looking at the shimano zodias - anybody have any recommendations if I should go for the 72MH or 72H?

I'll mainly be working from the banks and would appreciate the extra length of the 72 over the 610. I'll also appreciate any other suggestions for rods!

[Bluebasser86]

I'd go with the MH personally. A regular H/F is going to be pretty stout for treble hooked baits.

[FLAGATOR49]

Dobyns 705CB or 764CB with straight 50lb Braid

[5by3]

I throw the 110 and 130 WP and large spooks on a Dobyns 736 cb glass

[Mikeltee]

5 or 6 power for sure. I have a champion 765cb and it is perfect for 3/8 to 1oz treble hook baits. You can throw shallow to deep cranks on it as well as light to heavier jerkbaits. It's a very versatile rod and much more versatile than its glass version. Lately I have been throwing 3/8 and 1/2 chatter baits with 4.6 paddle tails and I am loving it! When I have the need for another mod action rod I will own 2 of these bad boys. You can really chuck those baits out there being 7'6" which you will need on the bank. Its light and perfectly balanced with the curado dc which isnt an easy thing to do with such a long rod. There arent many reviews on it so I rolled the dice and surely didnt crap out. You will be able to find it for around $200 come labor day.

[Matt_3479]

Im looking at the same rod for the same purpose (expride 7’2mh or h/zodias same models) and after handling them a bunch of times I’m pretty set on the mh. 

[Vaerion]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll keep an eye out for any good deals on the dobyns or Zodias mh!

16 hours ago, Mikeltee said:

5 or 6 power for sure. I have a champion 765cb and it is perfect for 3/8 to 1oz treble hook baits. You can throw shallow to deep cranks on it as well as light to heavier jerkbaits. It's a very versatile rod and much more versatile than its glass version. Lately I have been throwing 3/8 and 1/2 chatter baits with 4.6 paddle tails and I am loving it! When I have the need for another mod action rod I will own 2 of these bad boys. You can really chuck those baits out there being 7'6" which you will need on the bank. Its light and perfectly balanced with the curado dc which isnt an easy thing to do with such a long rod. There arent many reviews on it so I rolled the dice and surely didnt crap out. You will be able to find it for around $200 come labor day.

I like the idea of having a longer rod, but do you find it difficult to walk the dog from bank with a 76?

[Mikeltee]

My frog rod is 7'3" and I have no problems. I dont think another 3 would matter. I am 6'2" though so YMMV

[Bassattackr]

Agree with others, you'll lose fish on a heavy power rod on treble hook baits.   I used a 7' MH for years but now I use a 6'10" or 7' medium action with 30 lb SX1 braid and a 25 lb Sunline Armilo leader.   Can throw a popper up to a 1 oz super spook.

[Mikeltee]

Alpha Angler just released a rod for mail list subs called the tophammer just for big topwater. I wouldn't think a medium would cut it but after watching their presentation I have no doubt in my mind it will chuck a 1oz without issues. Google it you might be able to find it or better yet sign up for their mailer. They have some cool stuff only available to the ones in the know.

[Bassattackr]

16 hours ago, Mikeltee said:

Alpha Angler just released a rod for mail list subs called the tophammer just for big topwater. I wouldn't think a medium would cut it but after watching their presentation I have no doubt in my mind it will chuck a 1oz without issues. Google it you might be able to find it or better yet sign up for their mailer. They have some cool stuff only available to the ones in the know.

I have two 6'10" Medium AA Slasher rods that I throw up to a 1oz topwater with no issues.  BMP throws that big arashi 130 (1 oz +/-?) on it as well.  He seems to catch fish.. 

[Mikeltee]

7 hours ago, Bassattackr said:

I have two 6'10" Medium AA Slasher rods that I throw up to a 1oz topwater with no issues.  BMP throws that big arashi 130 (1 oz +/-?) on it as well.  He seems to catch fish.. 

In the presentation they state that it's a Slasher with a little more power and a full handled grip that was made for one of their pros. They liked it so much that they did a small run of them. The Slasher is on the list after the NRX. I dont throw enough topwater to justify the expense of the Tophammer. I just cant get bit. I'd love to see some reviews on here though.

[Bassattackr]

On 8/23/2019 at 7:26 PM, Mikeltee said:

In the presentation they state that it's a Slasher with a little more power and a full handled grip that was made for one of their pros. They liked it so much that they did a small run of them. The Slasher is on the list after the NRX. I dont throw enough topwater to justify the expense of the Tophammer. I just cant get bit. I'd love to see some reviews on here though.

Gotcha, yea I saw that as well.   The 7' M would definitely be the best all around topwater rod IMO, and many prefer a 6'8" - 6'9" jerkbait rod so I think the Slasher was designed to bridge the gap between the two.   

[Bass Rutten]

I use a st croix legend extreme 7’11” heavy/mod-fast (lxc711hmf) to toss 1 oz whopper ploppers a country mile, it’s pricey but quite versatile to boot. I also use it for light swimbaits, carolina rigging, frogging, and heavy jigs.

[Vaerion]

Hey guys, thanks for all the suggestions and comments! I managed to get my hands on a Dobyns XP 685CB at a really great price. Based off your experiences, will this be too short for bank fishing?

 

I'm still within the free-return period, and will appreciate any thoughts!