Good Topwater Walking Bait bait Cast Rod (under 7') ?

[ChrisD46]

Any suggestions for a good topwater bait cast  rod under 7' in length in MF (i use braid) ? ... My current top water rod for Sexy Dawgs , Spooks, One Knockers, etc.  is a Dobyns 734C  7'3"  and as a back seater I tend to hit the water too much with the rod tip  on walking baits - I also believe a shorter than normal rod  (i.e. 6'4" - 6'10") would help with cadence as well as tire less with the shorter rod . Your thoughts and suggestions ? ... If no suggestions I may check out the Daiwa Aird - X 6'6" MF or MH as an experiment . I don't know if the rod action would work for walking baits but the short split grip is a definitely a plus for walking baits !

[DubyaDee]

You don't need to spend much for this rod, action is more important than anything. I use an old Zell Rowland All star top water special. You can pick these up used every now and then. It has a perfect mod/fast tip, and regular size guides so a leader knot is never an issue. 

 

If you're a Dobyn's guy, the DC 685CB would be a good option. 

[Junger]

I like shorter handles for walking baits and poppers. Lew's has the Custom Plus Speed Stick's with shorter grips around 10". 6'7 M/ModFast and a 6'8 ML/F. I have the 6'8 and it's a great topwater rod for 1/8-1/2oz lures. It's true to the lower end of the rating too. It sorta has a MBR rod taper and I've hauled 8lb snakeheads out of thick hydrilla on 12lb mono with it.

[ChrisD46]

*I certainly appreciate the replies ! ... I remembered I have a All Star Nano bait cast rod from a few years back that is 6' , short split grip and rated up to 1/2 oz. It's good for poppers and the junior size Sexy Dawg , Sammy 100 , twin treble hook walking baits . I suppose my true need is a top water rod under 7' to handle the larger three treble hook walking baits from the 110 to 120 size which are approaching the 3/4th oz. weight range . I agree you don't need to spend much on this type of rod as action , proper rod bend profile , light weight  and ability to handle the correct walking bait  weight range are what's important  .

[Bassattackr]

The Alpha Angler Slasher (6'-10", Med Pwr, Fast Action) is a great rod for what you describe.   I own two of them, throw walking baits on 30 lb Sunline SX1 Braid with 25 lb Sunline Armilo leader.  Split grip, makes a great jerkbait rod as well.  Good luck!

[rangerjockey]

I agree with the old All Star TWS. They bring 100 bucks or more on the used market but they are really good.. 

Not a bad squarebill rod either . You want the Houston made model.

[Deleted account]

Most any 6'6"-6'9" MH rod should fit the bill. It need not be anything to high end. Make sure you are happy with the grip, nothing more annoying than an ill fitting grip on a walking bait, JB or popper rod.

[NHBull]

I love my Zell Rowland for these types of baits and run straight braid ?

[WRB]

If use Iovino Splash-It Major Craft rod for top water lures 1/4-1/2 oz, 6'8" MF.

Tom

[sll]

Personally I use Falcon Medium-Light pistol grip rods for my topwaters when using Spooks and Pop-R's (I fish a Pop-R like a walker and not a chugger). I am mainly making short casts under overhanging trees and docks for the most part and a shorter, slower action rod allows me to make more accurate roll casts...... #17 pound test mono.

[LegendaryBassin]

Megabass Jerkbait Special or Flatside Special would be awesome plus a G Loomis MBR 843 is hard to beat as well because it is extremely versatile

[ohboyitsrobby]

I have an okuma evx 6'8" mf topwater jerkbait rod that's really good. Think it runs $100ish

[johnD.]

Falcon makes some good one between 6'6 and 7'.

[zell_pop1]

I like short rod/short handle for walking baits too. I use an old Team Daiwa S 6'3" topwater/twitching rod and it is perfect for this.

[frogflogger]

For walking baits with braid I love my old 5'8"fenwick glass rod - easy accurate casting and you can make a spook dance the tango.

[fvogel67]

FFO has the older Abu 6’4” Ike Delay for 65.00.  

[smalljaw67]

I purchased a 6'9" Heavy power Hammer rod 3 years ago for larger topwaters. What I soon discovered is the rod is a killer for spinnerbaits and chatterbaits in the 3/8oz to 1oz range. I have also used it with every walking bait I own from 3/8oz and up and I'm super impressed. What I like is the rod is a heavy power but has a moderate fast action and Hammer rods fish about 1/2 power under the rating so it is like a heavier MH rod. Being it is a little heavier than a mod fast MH rod makes the tip section a little more stout so I don't get the tip lag so I can work a bait fast but that mod fast action really helps keep the fish buttoned up and prevents me from pulling the hooks out. In 3 years I have not lost a single chatterbait or spinnerbait fish with it, if it is hooked I land it. Now I have lost a couple topwater fish but far fewer than I have when using a regular fast action rod and I can work baits better than I can with a full blown cranking rod. 

[ChrisD46]

Seems that whether you like braid or mono for topwater can have an impact as to whether you like a M/MH Fast graphite rod or a composite M/MH Moderate action rod . It also seems that with a composite rod you have don't work a walking bait as quickly as graphite but you keep the bass buttoned up better with treble hooks . You are either in the graphite , fast rod camp or the composite delay rod camp for topwater walking baits . Some guys can use a M/MH Fast graphite rod with braid and never have trouble keeping a bass buttoned up (go figure ?) which should run counter intuitively to those that use a delay type rod with mono ... Perhaps best to say : I want to save my wrist ,  so I'll choose braid mainline then chose a rod to go with it that will work the walking bait with ease then adjust drag and technique accordingly to keep a bass buttoned up .

[Mobasser]

I fish spooks a fair amount. I have the best results with a 51/2 to 6ft rod. Short pistol or straight grip, and 12 to 15lb mono line. I like a rod with a little flex in the tip also.