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

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 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.

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.

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 

9 minutes ago, jonnyblazex said:

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

Same here.

Frog rod is a 7'9" XH  

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

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.

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

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.

26 minutes ago, 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?

depends on what topwater

frogs are a 6'6" mh/f

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

 

17 hours ago, 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.

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.

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

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

 

 

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.

23 hours ago, 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 

On September 24, 2016 at 2:16 PM, 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. 

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".

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.

  GL3 783c mbr - spooks and poppers.

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.

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.

On 9/22/2016 at 8:14 PM, 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.