I ordered a Patriarch spinning reel (last years model) from Cabelas on sale. Looking for a good MF rod to put it on. I throw a lot of top water poppers and buzz baits. I really liked the St.Croix Avid and Premier rods when I was at BPS last night. I never used a high priced rod before, but they feel amazing. Any thoughts would be appreciated. The Rod trade in starts on 02/23/17 so I can save money towards a really nice rod.

The Avid will be a great fit with your Patriarch. I've also used a Mojo for topwaters and it did great.  The Avid however will be better in terms of responsiveiness, lighter weight, etc . (mine is ).

I use an avid 7 mf as my top water rod.  I've tried a bunch of different rods, but the avid has been my favorite for top water  

i personally go cheep on a topwater rod sensitivity isn't something that is really required so i would say pickup anything you like in the $100 range i use a bps graphite series and i've never had an issue with it

I personally wouldn't sacrifice sensitivity in a topwater stick. Along with my bottom contact/plastics rods, they are the most important in my arsenal as they are also my jerkbait rods and see the most action during the season. When trying to discern a sluggish take on slack to semi-slack line in cold/windy conditions, a sensitive rod definitely helps. You'll be using it ice out/pre-spawn for jerkbaits, post-spawn for topwater, summer mornings/evening for topwater, and fall/winter for jerkbaits. You wont regret getting the best you can afford.

3 hours ago, fluna said:

I ordered a Patriarch spinning reel (last years model) from Cabelas on sale. Looking for a good MF rod to put it on. I throw a lot of top water poppers and buzz baits. I really liked the St.Croix Avid and Premier rods when I was at BPS last night. I never used a high priced rod before, but they feel amazing. Any thoughts would be appreciated. The Rod trade in starts on 02/23/17 so I can save money towards a really nice rod.

 

I used to have an Avid spinning rod and though it was

very sensitive, I was not happy with the tip-heaviness

when paired with a Stradic 1000. The Avid was a 6'3"

MXF model. A 2500 size would have balanced better.

 

Now with the BPS trade-in coming up, I would strongly

recommend you look at the BPS Carbonlite models. 

Lighter than the Avid, and equally as sensitive by my 

sense of feel. I've got 3 Carbonlites now. I still like 

St. Croix, but I upgraded from Avid to a Legend Tourn

rod which is super sweet.

 

But honestly, you do not need to spend the money on a

high-end rod thinking it will make you a better fisherman.

Plenty of the $100 range rods (like the Carbonlite) are 

equally as sensitive.

Thank you

I have a 6'8" Medium Fast St. Croix Rage that I use for topwater. I love it for my walking baits because I can walk it without it hitting the water. I don't think they make the Rage anymore, but you can still get it online. I have a Premier for my Crankbait rod and that's a great rod too.