Topwater Rod Preference 2025

SCkayakfisher reply :

I'm curious about topwater rods, like what length, action, and taper do most people use? Thanks

scaleface reply :

I cant stand a long handle when working a top water . My top water rods are old pistol grip Lightning rods 5'6" and 6 ' .

tcbass reply :

I like to use a Cabelas Tournament ZX casting Frog rod. It's 7'3", heavy, and fast tip. What's nice is it's also usually on sale for some time for $69.

papajoe222 reply :

Generally speaking, I like a rod under 7ft. Med. Mod.Fast. with a shorter handle. If I know I'll be sitting, I'll go longer as I'll be working it with the rod tip up.

jonnyblazex reply :

It depends what kind of top water you are talking. A slop frog rod is a lot different than one you would use for treble hook baits, like average sized walk baits or poppers. For the later mentioned I use a 6'8 medium fast or even 7' medium moderate. For a slop frog it's usually a MH, fast or extra fast in 7 to 7'6 flipping stick range. You will be a lot better off with a stiffer rod for frogs, and a little softer rod for trebles

j bab reply :

On 9/23/2016 at 8:58 AM, jonnyblazex said:

I use a 6'8 medium fast or even 7' medium moderate

Same here.

Frog rod is a 7'9" XH

SCkayakfisher reply :

Sorry I should have specified I was talking about walking baits like spooks and what not. Thanks for the input.

J Francho reply :

Saint Croix Avid AVC62MXF. It's about as long as a 6-6, but with a shorter handle. Very fast taper that recovers quickly after twitching for better control.

"hamma" reply :

My topwater rod is a 25 year old beat up berkley AIR 5' 10" med action spinning rod with a much newer shimano saros 2500 reel spooled with 10 green stren mono. I use this as I love topwater fishing, and its light, allows the proper room for walking baits, casts a country mile. And I cant imagine how many big bass Ive caught on it. If ever loose it, or even worse break it, I will hold a heartfelt ceremony, followed by many days of grief.

I do also have a old lews 6'6" speedstick with a curado and said 10# mono that I sometimes use for a full sized spook, devils horse, etc:

For frogs? a 7' heavy action cheapo 29 dollar shimano convergence with a curado and 12 test mono. Love this setup too. Ive hauled alot of nice females out of thick lilies with this rig

the reel ess reply :

I use an old 6-6 med, mod Lightning Rod for topwaters with trebles most of the time, but I'll also rig up a MH of the same size when I want multiple topwater rods or I have a buzzbait on too. This is not a presentation that requires a lot of sensitivity.

And I use Big Game 15 lb. mono on both.

J Francho reply :

On 9/24/2016 at 3:58 AM, the reel ess said:

This is not a presentation that requires a lot of sensitivity.

True, but light, balanced tackle is easier on the hands and writs. Ever get the "claw" from walking the dog all day?

Scarborough817 reply :

depends on what topwater

frogs are a 6'6" mh/f

spooks and others are on a 7'0" mh/mf

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 9/23/2016 at 8:25 PM, J Francho said:

Saint Croix Avid AVC62MXF. It's about as long as a 6-6, but with a shorter handle. Very fast taper that recovers quickly after twitching for better control.

I use this same rod for smaller spooks. Larger WTD baits I use either a 6' 8" M/F or a 7' M/F.

timsford reply :

I use a 6'3" rod for spooks, poppers, and jerkbaits so I can get the rod movement I like without worrying about slapping the rod into something and breaking the tip. The power depends on the bait size as I own a ml, med, and mh fast. I prefer a fast action and mono line.

thebillsman reply :

I use a 7'3" MH/F for my topwater stuff.

roadwarrior reply :

G. Loomis PR844C/ Core 100Mg/ #12 Sunline Armilo

The rod is Heavy Power with a soft tip. Casting distance is remarkable and working a lure is a breeze. The rod was specifically designed for fishing poppers in saltwater.

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-popping-fishing-rod-pr844c-glx.html

smalljaw67 reply :

Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth 6'3" M-MF. It has the same size blank as my 6'6" rods but like others have said, the handle is short. Ever since I got that rod it has been just a pure joy to fish, it handles up to its rated 5/8oz no problem so fishing Super Spook Jr. and similar baits is fantastic.

WRB reply :

On 9/25/2016 at 2:16 AM, roadwarrior said:

G. Loomis PR844C/ Core 100Mg/ #12 Sunline Armilo

The rod is Heavy Power with a soft tip. Casting distance is remarkable and working a lure is a breeze. The rod was specifically designed for fishing poppers in saltwater.

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-popping-fishing-rod-pr844c-glx.html

I use same rod except PR845C for some top water like poppers, sammy's, chug bugs and it's my go to smaller 3/8-5/8 crank baits and my structure spoon rod and that bite is just getting underway.

Tom

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

On 9/25/2016 at 2:16 AM, roadwarrior said:

G. Loomis PR844C/ Core 100Mg/ #12 Sunline Armilo

The rod is Heavy Power with a soft tip. Casting distance is remarkable and working a lure is a breeze. The rod was specifically designed for fishing poppers in saltwater.

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/g-loomis-popping-fishing-rod-pr844c-glx.html

Good choice. This is an example of a fast yet soft tip that casts well and allows for subtle action to the bait. Rods or blanks marked as "popping" rods often fit the bill.

Mosster47 reply :

7'3" MH/F for frogs, spooks, and small ploppers.

805 punch rod for rats, slammers, and 190 ploppers.

Short handles on both, no more than 14".

Bankbeater reply :

It depends on the topwater bait. For poppers, I like a 6'6" m/f spinning rig. For frogs, buzzbaits, and jitterbugs I like a 7'0" mh/f with a baitcaster.

johnD. reply :

GL3 783c mbr - spooks and poppers.

kstephes033 reply :

Megabass Destroyer Hein 6'10" Medium XF w/ Shimano Metanium 7:1 (core body style) 15lb Shooter Defier usually is my popper/prop setup, then Megabass X4 Super Mirage 7' M Fast w/ Daiwa Tatula CT 8:1 30lb power pro for walk the dog.

WPCfishing reply :

I'll use a 6'6" medium action with braid and a mono leader or a

6'6" or 6'0" medium heavy with mono.

i have 4 other completely different rods for Frogs and Toads.

Ray K reply :

On 9/23/2016 at 8:14 AM, scaleface said:

I cant stand a long handle when working a top water . My top water rods are old pistol grip Lightning rods 5'6" and 6 ' .

I'm with ya 100%. My favorites for top water also lightning rods with Ryobi 4000 (the original Lew's BB1) and Daiwa PL100. So easy to twitch top water with a pistol grip.

Ayo8 reply :

i agree, it depends on the size of the top water and terrain. Typically, i use over 7' MH - H. My weapons of choice:

Megabass Destroyer:

F7-71X7 Aaron Martens

Evoluzion Super Diablo C40

Evoluzion White Python C40

Jeff H reply :

I use 6' M/F or 6'6" M/F St. Croix Premier most of the time. Depending on lure weight I might reach for a MH if needed. I just don't fish topwater baits very much. I have a pair of the Avid 6'2" M/XF that JFrancho mentioned but use them strictly for jerkbaits, never considered them for anything else but I suppose they'd do real well with Pop R or other smaller lightweight topwaters.

Robert Riley reply :

I like to use a fast action rod, I've got a Savvy 703c, I could do with a bit of a lighter rod, but I already spend too much on fishing. I know that some people like the mod-fast actions, I tried it and I don't really like it that much. It's just not as crisp of a walking action.

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Topwater Rod Preference 2025

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