Rod length for topwater fishing 2025
Mobasser reply :
What is your favorite length for topwaters? I've tried different ones through the years, and have settled on 6ft. Many guys use longer rods, and do fine. At 6ft, this forces me not to jerk the bait away from the fish too soon , a common mistake. I hook far more fish this way. What do you guys like to use when topwater fishing?
optimator reply :
Usually I use my 7' M/F PR 844c. I'm interested in seeing the replies in this thread.
Loomis13 reply :
I use a 6'4" rod because Im short and I dont smack the water when fishing tip down this way. Thats the only reason for me.
Dtrombly reply :
I use a 7'. Haven't tried any shorter
Big Mike in Fl reply :
I use a 6’4” for topwater walking baits, it was previously a 6’9” that busted off, which means it has a much stiffer tip, many people tell you to use a softer tip for treble baits, however I find it so much easier to get a good quick walk the dog type action with this rod. I just have to baby the fish once it’s on, however I’ve adapted well.
grub_man reply :
I use 6'10" just because my drop shot and shaky head rods are just so darn versatile that they fish topwaters really well. It's incredible how subtly you can work a topwater with those rods. The only problem is that the backbone locks up really quickly and I need to be much more careful playing the fish than I am with my glass cranking rods.
Bankbeater reply :
It depends on the weight of the topwater. I’ll use a 6’6” for something light like a pop-r. I’ll use a 7’0” for heavier topwaters like a jitterbug, or a hollow body frog.
Graham reply :
I use a 7’ mh/f, but I’m thinking about going a little shorter. Depends on the lure tho, something like a frog I like having the 7’, but for poppers or walking baits I could see myself going shorter.
Jaderose reply :
Mine is an old 5'6" pistol grip Abu that was given to me and topped with a Quantum reel that was also given to me. Works like a champ. and the best part was the price.
BassWhole! reply :
It's not about topwater, its about the mechanics of working the lure, and the cover I'm fishing. For tip down, I like a 6' med rod for poppers, 6'6" MH for walking baits, (both with short butts). For buzzbaits and wake baits I like a 7' MH rod with a standard butt, and a faster taper. Frogs and toads I'll go with a 7 MH to something a bit stouter, with some tip and a tad longer depending on the cover.
rangerjockey reply :
Personally I would never fish one over 7 ft. My favorite walking bait rod is a Witch Doctor Surman 50G.
It's 6ft 10 and fits me just about right.
For the yellow magic and smaller 2 hook baits I have a old All Star Zell Rowland TWS that's 6ft 8.
Mobasser reply :
Jaderose, that's a good setup. Many older Ozark bass fisherman use a rod like yours. Example: Charlie Cambell the king of the Sara spook.These days those rods are hard to find
J Francho reply :
I use a SC Avid 6'2" MXF. It's roughly an inch or two shorter from the reel seat to the tip than a 6'6" rod, but has a shorter rear grip. Makes easy to walk the dog.
zell_pop1 reply :
6'3" Team Daiwa S Mh F with copolyfor poppers/walkers and 6'10' St Croix Premier H mf with braid for Frogs.
Log Catcher reply :
I usually use a 6ft for any topwater baits and have used 5'6" before for them.
WRB reply :
7'10" for big top water lures like 8" Lunker Punkers and 9" Pupfish.
6'8" for all ther standard size top water lures.
Tom
Jaderose reply :
On 4/23/2018 at 9:17 PM, Mobasser said:Jaderose, that's a good setup. Many older Ozark bass fisherman use a rod like yours. Example: Charlie Cambell the king of the Sara spook.These days those rods are hard to find
It is and I like it. I can walk a spook like a champ and I am deadly accurate with my casts. I don't do a TON of top water but when I do, it fits the bill very nicely. I should say, although it should be obvious, that this is NOT used for Whopper Ploppers or froggin. Those techniques get their own, VEEEEEERY different, rod.
optimator reply :
On 4/24/2018 at 2:25 AM, Jaderose said:It is and I like it. I can walk a spook like a champ and I am deadly accurate with my casts. I don't do a TON of top water but when I do, it fits the bill very nicely. I should say, although it should be obvious, that this is NOT used for Whopper Ploppers or froggin. Those techniques get their own, VEEEEEERY different, rod.
That's what I was curious about with this thread. If people differentiated between a "topwater" rod & a "frog" rod.
basscatcher8 reply :
On 4/23/2018 at 9:31 PM, J Francho said:I use a SC Avid 6'2" MXF. It's roughly an inch or two shorter from the reel seat to the tip than a 6'6" rod, but has a shorter rear grip. Makes easy to walk the dog.
I've been getting into using the extra fast tip rods for these presentations this year. Trying to break my mindset of the moderate action for a treble hook lure. They sure seem to work better for working the bait.
Jaderose reply :
On 4/24/2018 at 3:09 AM, optimator said:That's what I was curious about with this thread. If people differentiated between a "topwater" rod & a "frog" rod.
I do. In my world they are COMPLETELY different things.
optimator reply :
On 4/24/2018 at 3:12 AM, Jaderose said:I do. In my world they are COMPLETELY different things.
Same here 
Mobasser reply :
They are different for sure. My "topwater" rod has a moderate tip, and works well for spooks, poppers etc.Frog rods are different for fishing over and in thick cover
fishwizzard reply :
On 4/23/2018 at 9:31 PM, J Francho said:I use a SC Avid 6'2" MXF. It's roughly an inch or two shorter from the reel seat to the tip than a 6'6" rod, but has a shorter rear grip. Makes easy to walk the dog.
I bought one of these after reading your posts about it over the years, it is an outstanding popper/walking rod, great for jerks, for flukes, or really anything that wants a sharp, short twitch. If it were just a tiny bit lighter it would be my ideal tube rod too. If I had a boat I would buy three of them, might even buy a second for my kayak if I do well enough with topwaters this year.
J Francho reply :
Mine is demo from 2000. Has hand written specs on it!
Mobasser reply :
WRB, would these big topwater fall under muskie baits? I've been wanting to try some BIG topwater. What do they weigh? I can throw a muskie jitterbug on an older heavy action casting rod I've got. Would this work? Have you had good success on these baits?
Loomis13 reply :
On 4/23/2018 at 9:31 PM, J Francho said:I use a SC Avid 6'2" MXF. It's roughly an inch or two shorter from the reel seat to the tip than a 6'6" rod, but has a shorter rear grip. Makes easy to walk the dog.
I use to use this exact rod until I broke it. DOH!! worked really well. I prefer the reel seat on the avid x though.
J Francho reply :
On 4/24/2018 at 8:59 AM, Loomis13 said:I use to use this exact rod until I broke it. DOH!! worked really well. I prefer the reel seat on the avid x though.
DVT Mike can make you one for a reasonable price.
Mobasser reply :
J Franco, that sounds like a great topwater rod. Part of it for me is the shorter handle grip. It really does make it easier to walk spooks and similar baits, and Im sure would work great for other baits as well
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