I now believe it takes two different rods to throw poppers and walking baits ... What two rods do you use for throwing top water poppers and walking baits ?

I use more than 2, but the main 2 are;

poppers-6' 2" M/XF

Walkers-6' 8" M/F

 

both with 6 ratio reels and 20lb straight braid. 

You are right, definitely 2 rods.  I am a topwater first fisherman, admittedly fish them more than I should.  My dedicated walking bait rod is a 7’7” MH moderate action with an 7:1 reel.  50 lb PowerPro braid with a short mono leader.  Popper setup is similar- 7’ M moderate with braid to leader.  With either setup, I can bomb a bait out there about 30 yards and when the fish eats it, just sweep-set and reel reel reel!  Keep my hooks changed out and sharp and I lose very few fish.  

Skeet Reese said the farther away from the boat you can get your lure, the more likely a fish is to bite and he is right.  Gotta be able to keep a fish pinned when she’s way out there and thats where the long bendy rod, braid, sharp hooks, and fast reel work their magic.  Good luck man!

Poppers..6ft mh/f 30# braid

Walking..7ft mh/f 50# braid

 

 

 

Mike

Poppers  M/Moderate

Walking  MH/Fast

Surface swimbaits and Big Whopper Ploppers H/Fast

Really?  I never really had any issues or concerns throwing poppers and walkers on the same rigs.  To each, his own...  granted I do throw them on two rods so I can have both rigged concurrently.

I added a light topwater combo for my lighter poppers like Pop R.

I use a M 6-6 Lightning rod with a 7.5:1 Lews LFS MB reel for my standard topwaters. But I've noticed how hard it was to get a good and accurate cast with a standard size Pop R with the heavy mono I like for topwaters. I dug out a very old and cheap Mitchell 6' "100% Graphite Tradition" rod that my cousin and old roomie left with me and paired it with an older BPS Johnny Morris reel that was laying around. This rod has to be from the mid 80's at best. It has a one-hand straight handle. The action is perfect for topwater, but a step lighter than the typical medium bass rods being sold today. I've caught a 6 pounder on it so it's up to the task. I'd rather have a newer faster reel and I'll get around to that someday.

OP here : I should have stated heavier poppers used with bait casting gear - like a River2sea Bubble Popper , Storm Arashi Cover Pop , etc. not the small , light weight 1/8th oz or so finesse poppers ... For walking baits , anything from a Sexy Dawg Jr. up to larger Spooks , One Knockers and such .