Topwater rod

[Steve Reed]

Just wondering what some good rods were for throwing topwater. I want to throw spooks, walking baits, and poppers on it. I am going to invest in a frog rod already, but is it bad to double it with these other baits.

Also just wondering, is braid or mono better to throw topwater with.



Thanks

[Ray L.]

For me spook rods are different than popper rods.

[Blue_R70]

My favorite rod for small poppers like Splash-Its and Pop Rs is the Loomis CBR843 (7 foot length, 8 -14 lb line, 1/4 - 5/8 oz lures). I also use an old Shimano Compre (6'6 ML power/moderate fast action) that's as my dedicated popper rod--if you can find one it's a great $80 rod.

For medium topwaters like the Chug Bug, Spook Jr. and up to Sammy 115s I like the CBR845. The MBR843 (a worm/jig rod) works well for the full size 7/8 oz. Super Spook.

[johnbillhemer JR]

If your looking for a good all around topwater rod, the Powell 734c is the way to go. If your going to be throwing bigger baits like frogs you definately want to look at the Powell 735c. You can find both of these rods at Extreme Outdoorsman in Oakley.
John Billheimer Jr

[MrSkeeter]

Like the previous post said, the MBR783 is a good rod for the bigger spooks ... but the MBR782 is good for the smaller stuff. I don't believe you need an IMX rod for this, perhaps a GL3 would be just fine ... if you're not into Loomis, try the new Lamiglas Competitor Series rods. They list for ~$100, but you can buy them for less. They're really for the money, some of the best rods I've tried.

http://lamiglas.com/prod_indiv.php?groupid=19

[TomAtkeson]

For popers and smaller walk the dog baits (as well as rip baits and spinner baits) I use the Lamiglas SR704 Skeet Reese pro model its a pretty awesome rod in that Im happy how it preforms with all those verry diffrent baits. And for spooks I like something in the neighborhood of 7'0 - 7'2 (usualy something built for C Riging like the St.Croix c rig special or the powell thats 7'2 med action fast tip. I dont remember its number.

Tom

[Paul W]

Powell 684CB......the best ripping/cranking/topwater/jerkbait rod I've ever used. Everything about it is top notch. It has the perfect amount of "give" for these baits, but has a suprising backbone...something many of these types of rods lack. It will handle everything from a 2 3/4" Yo Zuri 3D fingerling, up to a Super Spook....but I would say it excels more with average sized baits. For strictly bigger stuff, I would step up to the 686CB.

Paul W

[Bob Simard]

I throw a mix of Loomis and Lamiglass rods - and am sponsored my no one.... just like the product.

These are awesome rods for the money. Great value and they won't empty your wallet. Also check out the Certified Pro series. I throw spooks on their XCF 665 )6 1/2 foot glass crank and blade rod. Lots of give but really imparts great action on the bait when walking them. Also - for a little more, Skeet's signature series are great rods....

What I really like about these guys is their service is top notch. I had a problem with a rod a few years back and sent it to them. Had a new one on my door within a week.

Regards,

Bob Simard

[rmcollins3]

It all depends on how much you want to spend.

My popper/splash-it or spook jr rod is an All Star Zell Rowland Signature Series Topwater Special. It's 6'6" with medium action, rated for 8-15 lb test. This rod is also excellent for smaller jerkbaits like a TD Minnow.

My spook/vixen rod is a Shimano Clarus 7' MH. This rod is also good for bigger jerkbaits like Pointer 100s and up.

Both can be bought for less than $80 if you shop around.

I just recently started throwing topwater on braid, and it works so much better than mono IMO. Never throw topwater on flourocarbon, because it sinks and ruins the action.

If I do use mono, I don't use anything heavier than 15lb. Big Game, as it hurts the action as well.

Right now, I'm throwing both on 30lb Power Pro braid, and it's working great. It floats on top of the water, has zero stretch so I get maximum response and walking action, plus the fish practically hook themselves, which is what you want to do with topwater anyway.

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

hello,

i have two rods for topwater. this does not include frogs. for me frogs stay on a flippen stick backed up with 65lb. braid. i do use a heavy florocarbon leader about 3-4ft. long.

for the heavy lures i use a gl3 843. this rod works extremely well. i like heavy line for both clear water and dirty water. 15lb cxx p-line. for the delta or clear lake this sounds like the norm, but berryessa it can be heavy.i just chose this line because i use to use 12 and the line got trapped with my first treble hooks too often. i like a slower reel. i use a calcutta 100. this set up is pleanty and gets good distance. the rod is also balanced enough to get got cast with great control. this rod runs about 180.

my second rod for lighter lures is a lamiglas 704xc great rod, nice handle, the butt is a little longer too. the line rate is 8-17lb. i have a shimano 50mg, very smooth reel. 8 or 10lb test and your set.
this rod cost me about the same amount for my gl3.

both of these rods are great tools and i never leave without both of them. another great thing about these rods is they are universal. meaning they are not labled, spinnerbait series or cranking series. another bonus and money saving thing.

good luck on your purchase, saLTIE-

[Beach Steve Biechman]

I've got them all beat!!!
Call me

Beach

530-604-5277

[Cooch]

Hey Kid, one thing you'll find as ya venture into the world of topwater baits, certain baits will perform much more differently and more effectively on specific rods. You will also find, that the size of the fish you are targetting, will also determine the type of rod you'll need to consistantly land them.

Most definately, you do not want to double yer froggin rod for other topwater applications. For froggin, you want at least a 7' Heavy action, stiff rod. You need all the power ya can git ta set the hook and drag them fish out of heavy cover. A stiff, heavy action rod does not work well with open water surface baits such as Spooks, chuggers, buzzbaits, Jitterbugs, prop baits and poppers.

Most of these topwater hard baits will require a 6'6" or 7' graphite rod, medium heavy action with a med-fast tapered tip. This will allow for greater distance in casting, the flexability to work those baits appropriately, some give on the strike and hooks set so as not to yank that bait out of the fish's mouth too soon, yet some solid backbone for fighting the fish. I personally prefer a graphite rod here since most of my hard baits I infact will replace the factory hooks with much bigger trebles. Ya need a little tougher rod for good hook penetration.

For Buzzbaits, small poppers and prop baits, yer prolly better off with a 7 foot, 4 power glass rod. With these smaller topwater baits, ya want the give of that glass rod much like what is prefered for crankin applications.

Typically, braid is the line of choice for most topwater applications. Mostly due to the line floats on the surface and does not hinder the action of your bait on the retrieve. Using fluorocarbon can be trouble some with some floating topwater baits as the line will sink and the bait will not work properly. I do like using fluoro on my big chuggers though. With these baits, when the line sinks, it allows me to avoid that walking the dog, side to side motion that we see with spooks. Many times with these giant chuggers, I git more strikes as the bait is moving straight ahead and digging deeper into the water. With braid, I git more side to side action and the strikes are not as frequent. The fluoro works better with the smaller prop baits too. Since the line is much stiffer than braid, it git's fouled up far less in the props than when using braid. When I use braid with the smaller prop baits, I'm having to untangle the line from the props on almost every cast. And if'n a fish strikes my prop bait with the braid tangled in the props, that braid gits cut by the prop blades, which act like scissors on the line, and fish gone!

You've got a lot of choices in rod manufactures ta choose from. Best advice is to go and take a look at the rods available in yer local shop. Keep an open mind and find something comfortably in yer price range. Selecting a 7', Medium heavy graphite rod with a medium fast tip, with no less than 10 guides, this should do the job for you with the topwater baits you mentioned.

[Fishin' Dave]

Graphite? You disapoint me Cooch. Now I know where "the one that got away" stories result from. Actually, whaen do you throw top water anyway??

For a top water rod one word; GLASS! S-glass or e-glass. Guys are going to post after me about the great strides in graphite manufacturing and how they never loose a fish on graphite rods, and so on... The glass/graphite rods are okay, but remember this, it it's trebble hooks, use glass, big hooks (spinner baits, frogs) use graphite.

Hope it helps!