Rod for small walking topwaters

[Swest18x]

Looking for a casting rod for smaller topwaters, especially walking baits like a Showerblows 77 (about 3/8 ounce).  I shore fish on this particular fishery, all riprap, and I need something accurate for long casts along the bank there. I've been using a P5 Windbuster and I love the action and distance I get on this rod with the smaller bait, but I'm more accurate with a baitcaster. That rod is 7', has a fairly crisp tip, and is rated up to 5/8 ounce so I'm picturing a longer, lighter jerkbait rod in the 3/16 to 5/8 range. Would probably throw some smaller jerks on it too. $300 max, better in the 200 to 250 range. Any ideas?

[WRB]

Shimano ZDS 1610M should work for you.

Tom 

[ironbjorn]

I've been throwing Super Spook Jrs on a 6'10" M/MF (1/4-3/4 oz) Shimano Zodias this season. I really like the rod.

[basser27]

Dobyns 703

[casts_by_fly]

Falcon expert finesse jig/top water. 6’10” 1/4-3/4. MH/F. I use it for the same types of baits you’re talking about and it will cast them a mile on 12-14 mono, further than you’ll want to throw them to ensure good hookups. 

[softwateronly]

I use a Shimano Expride 610M/MF and a Major Craft Days 692M/F.  Really happy with both, but the Days is significantly cheaper.

 

scott

[Boomstick]

I use the 6'8" M/XF St Croix Mojo Bass Topwater. It's the perfect power and action for small topwaters and jerkbaits, extra fast tip but not a whole lot of backbone so it bends all the way through.

 

You're clearly looking a line or two above, so perhaps the same rod in the Victory or Legend Tournament line would be a good choice.

[Scud_Muffin]

Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special or Flatside Special

[Darth-Baiter]

since you have Windbuster budget..i would go with the 110 special, or Jerkbait special, in the Orrochi.

(i sadly use a Fury..hahha)

[ironbjorn]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

since you have Windbuster budget..i would go with the 110 special, or Jerkbait special, in the Orrochi.

(i sadly use a Fury..hahha)

Nothing sad about that rod. A $130 rod for treble hooked top waters is livin' good.

[Darth-Baiter]

5 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

Nothing sad about that rod. A $130 rod for treble hooked top waters is livin' good.

true.  it isnt ideal for treble hooks, but i get by.

[webertime]

68Mxf St Croix 

Levante 110 special (or whatever it's called)

71M Evergreen Combat Stick.  Super impressed with this line of rods.

[ChrisD46]

For your application : 6'6" ~ 6'10" M / MF / F (braid + leader) ; F / XF  (straight mono / co-poly) . *Good suggestions above - might also double as a jerk bait rod as well .

[JediAmoeba]

The Daiwa Seth Feider 6'9" ML or the Megabass Jerkbait Special are my jam.

 

I got the latter after I received the new Daiwa jerkbait rod snapped in half on delivery and they didn't have a replacement but a guy sold me the Megabass for 150. 

[ne_dan]

I'll second the above mentioned Expride 610m. I have the Expride A; use it for poppers, 100 size spooks, 75-90 size choppo's.  It also handles 1/8 -1/4 jigheads with 2.8"-3.75" swimbaits.

[Swest18x]

Just to cap off this thread... I ended up going even lighter. Shimano Zodias 7'2 ML with a Shimano BFS reel, 10lb Sufix 131 to 8lb mono leader. Throwing a 77 Shower blows which is 5/16 ounce I think. I tried it on my Expride medium, maybe it was the reel (Concept C3, did fine for my jerkbaits), but couldn't get the distance I was looking for. The ML /BFS combo really throws it out there, it's been perfect for this application.

[SproDD79]

1 hour ago, Swest18x said:

Just to cap off this thread... I ended up going even lighter. Shimano Zodias 7'2 ML with a Shimano BFS reel, 10lb Sufix 131 to 8lb mono leader. Throwing a 77 Shower blows which is 5/16 ounce I think. I tried it on my Expride medium, maybe it was the reel (Concept C3, did fine for my jerkbaits), but couldn't get the distance I was looking for. The ML /BFS combo really throws it out there, it's been perfect for this application.

That rod is outstanding for 1/2oz or less blade baits on the bottom as well.