Please vote and let me know what you think as far as recommendations, ive always used spinning tackle for my topwater but would like to get a new baitcaster and have it be my main topwater rod, i mostly throw skitterpops/chugbugs/spook jrs. Just want to be able to cast the lighter poppers without struggle.

Also, if you maybe recommend a different rod or different size in these 3, feel free to speak out and would really love all input.

The Kovert is very nice but it would be a shot in the dark cause there is no where near me that has these for me to look at.

Thanks for the help in advance and if this helps, i will be putting a lews reel on this, either MG, Tournament or TP.

I might look into a 6'7" MF *** Black for your intended purposes. I have a 7'1" MHF that sees 1/2 oz walking bait duty from time to time and it handles it very well. I would imagine that the M could handle a 1/4 oz popper with the right reel and still be able to work a 1/2 oz bait. The M *** would double as a great jerkbait rod and it could do other things as well. Plus it would look sharp with a Lews reel.

 

I've never used a Denali rod, but I pulled up the Kovert that you mentioned and the specs look about right so it has my vote if you're not going to go ***.

Its funny that you mention the *** because that was one of my other choices but forgot to put that in the poll lol! My cousin has a 7'1" M F *** and it is definitely a sweet rod, feels nice in the hands.

I use a 6'6" MF IMX (old style), and it performs perfectly for 1/4 poppers up to 1/2 walking baits.  I think the Daiwa could be similar.  

Longer with medium/moderate action. I throw 1/4 skitterpops with 10 pound mono on a 200 CuradoE5 with a 7' BPS M Crankin' Stick.

I have the 7' M Crankin stick, definitely a great rod, throughs my light crankbaits nice, but i use fluoro on that, i guess i could technically put mono on it and make it double use for crank and top

What do others think?

 

One thing that scares me about the BuCoo is that video of the guy when his snapped fighting a fish, i know any rod can do that but that still scares me.

Of those listed, I would go with the Daiwa simply because of its action.  That is the action I was using last year and thought it did a good job with the surface lures I was using.  A friend also prefers XF for the quick rod tip recovery.  Makes it easier to work jerkbaits and for walking the dog.

Of those listed, I would go with the Daiwa simply because of its action.  That is the action I was using last year and thought it did a good job with the surface lures I was using.  A friend also prefers XF for the quick rod tip recovery.  Makes it easier to work jerkbaits and for walking the dog.

Yea that was one of the reasons why i was looking at that rod because it seemed to be perfect, just not sure if its too stiff or not cause i know some rods are more stiff that what they specify or less?

Does it make a big difference if I get a 7' compared to a 6'6"?

Shorter rod for jerking downward, Fast or extra fast for more tip action

What do you guys think of the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth casting rod in 6'10" M F?