Still can't seem to find the ideal wtd rod for some reason

What have you tried?

I use my heavier rated crankbait rod for small to medium sized baits. 

It's a Levante Flatside Special.

I like a MH 6'6" with a short butt that fishes Mod Fast. Be aware that the label will probably read Fast.

 

For me, an XF rod  is ideal, but I found that if you use a split ring/small snap, you can walk almost any lure with almost any rod once you get the basic mechanics down.

MXF here as well.  XF is great for action and the M soft enough to stay hooked up with trebles.

13 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

For me, an XF rod  is ideal, but I found that if you use a split ring/small snap, you can walk almost any lure with almost any rod once you get the basic mechanics down.

I've read that too fast a rod will keep one from catching 4 lbers...

Smaller poppers, and walking baits I like a medium extra fast. The medium is soft enough to keep them pinned. A larger top water I prefer a medium heavy fast or mod-fast

I fish mostly full size walking baits (3/4 oz at least) and have decent success with 

Medium Fast spinning gear & braid.

I need long bomb casts & solid hookset, and this covers all of that for me. 

A-Jay

I havent bought a rod for this technique yet, looking for input from others on a fast action or something slower.

I want the power in the butt section for fighting fish and I want a softer tip to allow the fish to take it underwater. 

 

You can really feel the rod load up. Once you have that feeling, he's hook....with a little sweep of the rod that is. ?

 

Rod I loved that broke was like 5'9, medium power moderate to fast action.

 

I know the 5'9 is an odd ball, I custom built this. My newer one is a 6'0er

36 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I fish mostly full size walking baits (3/4 oz at least) and have decent success with 

Medium Fast spinning gear & braid.

I need long bomb casts & solid hookset, and this covers all of that for me. 

A-Jay

That's the same fish you always post with a different title...?

I'm just kidding buddy, that's a sweet brownie you got there...I'll bet that took some life out of your ticker when that hit. ?

I currently use a 7'6" medium fast bc. with 12 Ultra Green line. for bass.  9' medium fast bc with 50 lbs. braid for inshore use.  Sometimes use the salt water rod for bass. Casts a 3/4 0r 1/2 0z walking bait a mile, and is soft enough tip to walk the dog easily.

1 hour ago, BassWhole! said:

I like a MH 6'6" with a short butt that fishes Mod Fast. Be aware that the label will probably read Fast.

 

Forget what I said, I'm taking it all the way old school (I should have cleaned up the garage sooner)...  

44 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

 that's a sweet brownie you got there...I'll bet that took some life out of your ticker when that hit. ?

I am hoping it adds some life.

A-Jay

I use a 7' H Fast G. Loomis 844C IMX.

9 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

I've read that too fast a rod will keep one from catching 4 lbers...

Fortunately I rarely encounter bass that big, so it not much of an issue.  

 

 

I have done well with medium heavy rods for this type of fishing and other topwaters.

22 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

I like a MH 6'6" with a short butt that fishes Mod Fast. Be aware that the label will probably read Fast.

 

*What rod make & series are you specifically talking about for top water walk - the - dog here ?

I like the St. Croix Bass-X 6'8" Medium Action, Extra Fast tip (although it feels more like fast). Works great for jerk plugs and most any top water.

I've tried Medium and Medium Heavy with a Moderate Fast tip and its just too whippy to get consistent action and requires too much rod movement.

 

For top water, I dont buy or use expensive rods as everything is visual.

 

The Bass-X line is a great value for reaction baits and they are not heavy (as in weight). 

 

A-Jay brings up a great point about using a spinning rod. I started using a spinning rod for jerk plugs and flukes about a year ago. We have a few clear lakes around me and the only way to get the bite, is to stand off and cast 100'. That extra distance makes a huge difference in clear water with spooky fish. 

 

I can only cast a jerk plug 60-70' on a baitcaster, but can get 100' with a 6'9" Medium action spinning rod.

 

 

On 3/12/2021 at 12:58 AM, johnsmith said:

Still can't seem to find the ideal wtd rod for some reason

 

That’s because not unlike drop shotting, WTD type baits work about equally well with most rod actions. There are subtler benefits with certain actions over others as outlined in the comments above, but it really comes down to personal preference in the end.