Mainly throwing Strike King Sexy Dawg(7/8 oz) Sexy Dawg Jr(1/2 oz) and Storm Cover Pops (1/2 oz). Looking to spend somewhere around $100. Mainly a Dobyns and Daiwa rod guy, but willing to give other companies a try. Any input is appreciated.

You a braid or mono man for topwaters?

Just now, BoatSquirrel said:

You a braid or mono man for topwaters?

30lb braid

Oh yeah.  I just love throwing spooks.  The ol moderate action is key for me on keeping fish pinned with treble hook baits on braid.

I just broke one of my old Daiwa Lexa spook rods aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh! so I am interested to hear what everyone else suggests.  

Right now I throw them on a Dobyns Fury 705CB. Walking is fine, but casting accuracy leaves a little to be desired.

6’9” Hammer heavy 

It's over budget but the Witch Doctor Surman 50G is about as good as it gets for walking baits and 1/2 oz poppers like the Yellow Magic.

 The beauty of the rod is it works for most any moving bait, spinnerbaits ,buzzbaits stickbaits ect. super versatile and great craftsmanship. I have the 6ft 10 MH.

 

At $100, Diawa Tatula XT 7' Medium (fast).  1/4-3/4oz.

If I was concerned about big dawg 7/8 oz on that rod (which I'm really not), I'd just throw that one lure on a heavier rod (jig).  I wouldn't want to fish 1/2 ounce topwater all day on a MH or H personally, it feels like overkill. sitivity, super strength, etc.).

 

I personally haven't had issues with trebles on fast taper.  And if I ever do for topwater, I will consider a switch to mono to remedy since you use braid.  I was personally unable to fish a soft top rod with WTD, and I didn't like the casting difference to stiffer tips.

I purchased a Dobyn's 705CB for topwater and replaced it with a M/xfast I Mojo I believe.

 

 

I don't usually throw topwater plugs on straight braid.  About every 3-4 casts, I end up with braid looped around the front treble when I've tried, worse with walking baits than torpeedo baits.  So you might want a slower taper than I use.  I don't think you need crazy sensitivity, and I tend to end up with my rod tip in the water if I go with a longer rod (I'm 6', fishing standing up in a kayak), so my rod is a St. Croix Premier 6'6 M/F.

I think that throwing top water baits is one place where you don't really need to go top end.  I found my current favorite for for throwing spooks & poppers at Academy Sports for $25 on close out.   It is a 6' All Star Top Water Special.  Previously my favorite was a 6' Mitchell Fulcrum rod, purchased on close out 15 years or so ago at Walmart.  I got a 5'9" version of this rod at the same time.   Things I look for in a top water rod - (a)  shorter is better for me, 6'6" max.  I don't like slapping the water with the rod tip and I don't like slapping the side of the boat with the rod.  (b) I like a kinda medium/ heavy action.  I want it to have some back bone, but enough tip that I get good distance easily.   I've found that many cheaper rods are labeled MH, but are really more Med and that's what works for me.  (c). Handle has to be long enough that I can cast two handed easily, but not too long.  The previously mentioned All Star Top Water Special is nearly perfect for me.

 

Back in my collection of retired rods there is an All Star Top Water Special, from back in the days when they were made in Texas, and the action is nearly identical, the newer rod is 3" shorter, and it seems it was all taken from the handle.

 

I have a fishing buddy who prefers 7' rods for top water, but when  he is using a walking bait, he jerks to the side, me I tend to jerk more in a downward motion.  There is lots of other gear minutia that we disagree on, but we can still fish together.

 

Good luck finding a top water rod that works for you.   I think that if you spend $100 for a top water rod you've overspent, but then I purchase most of my rods in the winter, when the close out bins are full.  I guess if you have to upgrade in season, $100 probably ain't out of line.

 

6 hours ago, FishingGeekTX said:

At $100, Diawa Tatula XT 7' Medium (fast).  1/4-3/4oz.

If I was concerned about big dawg 7/8 oz on that rod (which I'm really not), I'd just throw that one lure on a heavier rod (jig).  I wouldn't want to fish 1/2 ounce topwater all day on a MH or H personally, it feels like overkill. sitivity, super strength, etc.).

 

I personally haven't had issues with trebles on fast taper.  And if I ever do for topwater, I will consider a switch to mono to remedy since you use braid.  I was personally unable to fish a soft top rod with WTD, and I didn't like the casting difference to stiffer tips.

I purchased a Dobyn's 705CB for topwater and replaced it with a M/xfast I Mojo I believe.

 

 

Yes most topwater specific rods I’ve seen are rated at about 3/4 oz so I guess I’m looking for a stick that will handle that 7/8 oz sexy dawg as well as the cover pops. The 705 CB is rated to an ounce so that’s not an issue it just seems a little too moderate for that larger sexy dawg.

28 minutes ago, BassKicker42 said:

Yes most topwater specific rods I’ve seen are rated at about 3/4 oz so I guess I’m looking for a stick that will handle that 7/8 oz sexy dawg as well as the cover pops. The 705 CB is rated to an ounce so that’s not an issue it just seems a little too moderate for that larger sexy dawg.

I hear ya.  Hard to find I know.  Plenty of MHs in that range though, opens the field up.

Here's a M though, that meets your need:

http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/rods/tatula/index.html

 

TAT610MXB M, XF, 6'10, 5-16lbs line, 3/32-1oz

Not sure who carries it or if the XF is an issue.  I fish a Mojo M, XF on most topwater personally.

 

A Megabass Destroyer Daemos fits those specs too, but $400

Good luck with the hunt.

Anyone fished a 13 fishing defy black? 6’7 MH seems to suit my needs and it’s cheap.

IMO you aint doin topwater right especially spooks unless your using a pistol grip rod about 6ft long..its all i use for topwaters in freshwater ...

How about a Dobyns Fury 734? I've got Champion 734's but have been thinking about a Fury for just spook type baits. My Champions are on swim jig duty most of the time.

 

I'm also a tackle ho' but that's a different story.....

I have a 734 been thinking about growing spooks on it although I don’t know how it would do with the cover pop. Also Gary Dobyns recommends a 733 for spooks.

On 6/25/2019 at 7:28 PM, BassKicker42 said:

Right now I throw them on a Dobyns Fury 705CB. Walking is fine, but casting accuracy leaves a little to be desired.

Funny that would have been my suggestion! I own that rod as well as the Champ 705CB graphite. Unfortunately, the Fury sits in my garage now. I bought it for my dad but he's scared of treble hooks now after having one surgically removed from his knuckle.

 

How are you casting that you're having accuracy difficulties? Are you bombing them over flats or trying to hit closer targets? I toss those types of baits on MH cranking sticks with a sidearm roll-cast and drop them right where I need to.

 

I don't think going with a stiffer fast-action rod is going to make all that much of a difference. However, if you do, grab a 734 over a 733; it's much more versatile. It's a little long for downward snaps though.

 

Give that Fury 705CB a whirl with bladed jigs. Leave the braid on. You might like it.

You can save some money on a topwater rod. The sensitivity of an expensive graphite rod is not necessary and can be counterproductive. It just needs to have the right action and be durable-weight is a consideration as well. I do understand the desire for quality though.

 

Just my $0.02. 

i just got the Daiwa Tatula 7 foot medium reaction rod for my top-water spooks and it is by far my favorite rod i have ever used. light sensitive and strong. 

On 6/28/2019 at 11:38 AM, SBFISHING said:

i just got the Daiwa Tatula 7 foot medium reaction rod for my top-water spooks and it is by far my favorite rod i have ever used. light sensitive and strong. 

What size spooks 

Unless you are in the NBA, a tip down walking bait will best be worked with a 6'6'-6'10" rod, and braid for top water is almost as silly as, well.... braid for top water....

A lot of guys walk the dog with their rod tip to the side though which makes sense with trebles and setting the hook with a sweeping hookset instead of a over your head jack em hookset. Most pros use braid to mono leader for topwater fishing.

On 6/28/2019 at 11:38 AM, SBFISHING said:

i just got the Daiwa Tatula 7 foot medium reaction rod for my top-water spooks and it is by far my favorite rod i have ever used. light sensitive and strong. 

Is this the new Tatula rod? TTU701MRB?

Randy Howell Big TOPWATER rod. 7’4 MH but wouldn’t that be pretty long ??? Most people use shorter rods but I’m interested in this rod.