What do you want in a topwater rod??

[The Rooster]

In terms of power and action, what do you look for in a topwater rod?? 

Also, would you go with spinning or casting versions of it??  I'm thinking spinning since there are a lot of very light weight topwaters I'd be using.

[BASSclary]

I like a rod 6'- 6'6" and a M/XF Casting.

I feel more comfortable working a bait with the reel on top then underneath. Casting generally isn't a problem.

[jdw174]

I've been using an AllStar Zell Rowland Top Water Special for the last 15+ years.  If it ever breaks, I'll cry :'( .  It's 6'6" and I believe it was originally designed for slinging Pop-R's (which it does beautifully).  I also use it for jerkbaits, walking the dog as well as chuggers, poppers, and it can double for a shallow running cranking stick.  They're no longer made, at least with Zell's name on them, but they do pop up on Ebay from time to time.  I'm with the above poster in that I feel a whole lot more comfortable with the reel on top when working hard baits.

[Chris at Tech]

Get yourself an Avid 66MF casting rod and be done with it

To me, this rod is freakin' fantastic as a topwater rod.  Long enough for long casts, short enough to be able to walk the dog with tip down.  The rod has a fast action with a soft tip so it allows you to work the bait effectively, but the soft tip helps me to not rip the bait out of the fish's mouth.  But when you need to get the fish away from cover, the backbone is there to do just that.

This rod also is tremendous when throwing smaller cranks and hard jerkbaits.

[Goose52]

I also have a 6'6" m-f BC rod that I call my "topwater" rod (although it's also a general purpose rod that can do lots of stuff) and I make a point to always have mono on the reel on this rod.  I also use spinning gear for topwater - depending on the weight of the bait, and the time of day. If I'm fishing after dark, I sometimes switch to spinning gear (usually a 6'8" m-xf) as I'm more comfortable casting "by feel" in the dark with spinning than with BC gear, especially if there's no moon or it's cloudy.

[kikstand454]

yeah... i use my 7' m/f shallow crank rod as my topwater rod. i think personally that the two techniques call for very similar rods.  you want a fast tip so you can walk the dog, and you want a fast tip so you can have a better feel on a crank. you want medium for both rods because of the treble hooks.

[tbird]

I've been using an AllStar Zell Rowland Top Water Special for the last 15+ years. If it ever breaks, I'll cry :'( . It's 6'6" and I believe it was originally designed for slinging Pop-R's (which it does beautifully). I also use it for jerkbaits, walking the dog as well as chuggers, poppers, and it can double for a shallow running cranking stick. They're no longer made, at least with Zell's name on them, but they do pop up on Ebay from time to time. I'm with the above poster in that I feel a whole lot more comfortable with the reel on top when working hard baits.

Go with baitcasting...

This is the rod I use also,it is designated as the TWS (top water special)and was designed by Zell Rowland.It was designed to throw 1/4 oz Pop-R baits but as mentioned it can double as a crankbait rod. The rod is a lighter power than a MF but heavier than a ML.I have tried a MF baitcasting rod for Pop-R's but it does not do it as well as the TWS.Good all around rod you can get pretty reasonable(new $49.99)

T

[baluga]

baitcasting is the way to go.

It should be light weight, Fast action and well balanced rod.

6'3" Heavy/Fast Cumara Reaction. glue a dime and a quarter on the butt end to correct the balance. Total weight w/ a dime and a quarter 4.0oz

6'6" Heavy/Fast Phenix Ultra MBX, this is already well balanced.Total weight 3.4Oz

[repper]

I have the Legend Tournament 'topwater' rod, and love it for throwing the walking type topwaters. it's 6'8" M XF. I've got a core 50 on it right now and that makes for a very fun combo to fish. I also use the Legend tournament 'teaser' rod at times, which is a 7' MF. Both great for chucking topwaters. And with the Core reel I can throw very light baits.

[smallwatermayhem]

for poppers and such i look for something around 6' medium. something with give so i won't rip the treble's out too easy. for buzzbaits i like something around 6'6 or 7' medium with a fast tip so i get a good hookset. a flimsier medium/heavy rod seems to work too. for spooks and other larger topwaters, a 6' to 6'6 medium/heavy rod works fine.

[J Francho]

Short rear grip, 6' to 6'3", medium power, x-fast action.

St. Croix Avid AVC62MXF fits the bill for me.

[fathom]

cr722 glx.

that said, almost any good m/f will do the trick.

[Maxximus Redneckus]

pistolgrip  and 6 ft med-action

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I haven't thrown topwater much the last few years but when I do I either throw a buzzbait or walking bait.  I tend to carry a different selection of rods on each outing when fishing from shore so I don't always use the same rod for each technique.  For buzzbaits I usually use the same as for spinnerbaits, 7'MH-F, usually either St. Croix Avid, Dobyns Savvy, or Damiki Dark Angel.  For walking baits I like usually use my 6'10"MH Carrot Stix Gold or 7'M Daiwa Zillion.