I'm looking for an affordable topwater rod do you guys have any ideas? and do rod lengths matter?

Go grab a 7 foot Berkley cherrywood rod. They used to be around $25. I was 16 when I got my first boat and had one of these in a medium action and caught a bunch of fish on it.

Is that rod also a very versatile rod? Like what else could you fish on it other than topwaters?

My first rod was a Cherrywood with a Shimano Sienna spinning reel. Never had a single issue. I threw plastics, poppers, buzz baits, little cranks, just about everything. 6'6 Medium.

What is your price range?? What do you fish the most?  Do you want a Spinning or Casting rod? Do you have a reel? You may be better off buying a combo depending on how much you have to spend

What is your price range?? What do you fish the most?  Do you want a Spinning or Casting rod? Do you have a reel? You may be better off buying a combo depending on how much you have to spend

 

I think you probably want an "all-around" rod that you can use for a lot of

things including topwater, not just a technique specific stick. Answer Christian's

questions and we'll give you some suggestions.

Shimano Convergence 6'6" med Fast 

I have a flippin stick that's 7'6 and I have a pinnacle matrix on it. I use it for flipping and heavy texas rigs! Then I have a silvermax combo that I use for my texas rig and casting jig! And my rod and reel budget is $100

Powell diesel Cranking rod. An excellent top water stick. On sale too.

I've got 6 of the Powell diesels I love them. The fish ranger website has them for 50

Is that rod also a very versatile rod? Like what else could you fish on it other than topwaters?

I used to throw a buzzbait,chug bug, weightless soft plastic or even a deep diving crankbait. I want to say it was a medium action. I had that rod for years and when I upgraded to better rods and reels I don't really know what happened to it but it was well worth the money and you can get one most anywhere.

I use a Shimano Selus as a top water rod. Not a lot of money and does the job.

+1 Powell diesel rods.   Great budget rods.

I use a Shimano Selus as a top water rod. Not a lot of money and does the job.

I use the. 6'8 and live it mhxf

Cherry woods are great,  Light weight, well balanced and the M power can handle treble hooked bait all day long.  In a pinch it makes a decent crankbait stick.

 

 

Another rod to consider if you want something nicer, is the BPS crankin stick.  Those rods are surprisingly light weight and decently balanced. 

if you are throwing TW baits that walk the dog, then get a rod that wont slap the water while working the rod. I use a 6.6 mh st. Croix premier mhfa that could also be used for worms if needed..but got plenty of those so no need to change

What about the Berkeley lightning rods? Does anybody use them? And will they be good as a versatile rod?

What about the Berkeley lightning rods? Does anybody use them? And will they be good as a versatile rod?

There great rods for the money but a little to stiff for a top water rod for me. Great for plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs though.

Lightning rods are great for the money.

 

As for TW get a 7 foot medium rod in your price range.  Spool it with a 12 lb mono of your choice ( I like Berkeley big game), get some 30# snaps and use it for anything with treble hooks.  TW and Crankbaits/jerk baits

I just upgraded to a LEWS spinning rods. Go to fish and save to check them out.

If I wanna get the cherry wood what size and power do I wanna get?

Definitely agree with the cherry wood rods. I still have 2 myself (7' M). I had a few more before and when they broke (due to operator error) I went and got me a few more. another decent rod for the price is the Diawa Leguna. For $30 you really can't beat that and I have never had any issues with mine. good luck.

What about the Berkeley lightning rods? Does anybody use them? And will they be good as a versatile rod?

 

The Lightning Rods are heavier, clumsy and stiff compared to the Cherry Wood.  I'm assume topwater means poppers, spooks ect.  Floating things with treble hooks dangling off of them, right?

 

You definitely want a crankbait like rod for those baits but you will also need something that is light weight and well balanced so your arm doesn't fall off. 

 

A medium Cherry Wood, BPS Cranking stick, medium Abu Vengeance, medium BPS Graphite Series are just a few I can name off the top of my head.

I use the. 6'8 and live it mhxf

I own the shimano sellus 7' Med Crankbait rod and the 7'2 MH XF worm rods. Very good poles for less than 60 bucks. Some you can get on walmart.com for 40 or 45 bucks.