What's everyone's favorite rod for hard topwater lures such as spooks, sallys, poppers, etc????

I like my MegaBass Orochi Swingfire

I'm using the Daiwa Tatula Elite Randy Howell "Universal Rod" 7'2" MH Regular action. This is my second season with it, and so far I have no complaints with it for my top water lures.

Team Daiwa S 6'3" Topwater Twitchin rod.

3 minutes ago, walleyecrazy said:

I'm using the Daiwa Tatula Elite Randy Howell "Universal Rod" 7'2" MH Regular action. This is my second season with it, and so far I have no complaints with it for my top water lures.

Regular action??  Is that like a moderate fast?

 

I got the 7'1" elite skipping jig rod last week and really like it.  I like it so much I am probably going to grab the 6'9" version also.

 

<- Low budget guy here

 

Dobyns Fury 705CB MH/M

 

Except poppers - those go on my Fury 703SF.

5 hours ago, David Austin said:

Regular action??  Is that like a moderate fast?

 

I got the 7'1" elite skipping jig rod last week and really like it.  I like it so much I am probably going to grab the 6'9" version also.

 

 

Yeah, that is about what I would call it. It's fast enough to walk a spook without issue, but bends deep enough to not unload and lose treble hooked fish.

I have 2 different rods that I use for throwing spooks or other walking baits.  Both are 6' long with a short straight handle - enough of a handle that I can throw 2 handed if I want to.   They have enough flex that I can throw a long ways ( for me) without exerting my self alot.   One is a very old Mitchell Fulcrum - the other is an All Star that I pulled out of a bargain bin.    The Fulcrum is a bluish silver - I think I paid $40 or %0 when I bought it ( early to mid 90's).  The All Star I pulled out of a bargain bin in 2019 - I think it was in the $30 range.    Whenever I believe it is spook time, which isn't very often, I rig up the rod that I didn't use last time.   The reason that I use the 6' rod is so that I'm not smacking the rod tip on the side of the boat while I'm trying to walk the bait.

Dobyns Sierra 703C- at least for topwaters up to 1/2 oz.

6-6 and 7 ft ugly stick carbon medium fast.

6'6 M/F St. Croix Premier.  Honestly, it's a bit fast for my taste.  I had a Falcon 6'8 MH/MF (honestly about the same power, just softer tip) Lowrider 20 called "Angler of the Year".  It was just what I liked, but after years, it became a spaghetti noodle.  Hard to find US made MF actions these days.  The St, Croix is fine, but a few fish have shaken off that I wish hadn't.

It depends on the size of the bait.  When I'm fishing with small topwater baits around 1/4 oz. then I like use a 6'6" m/f carbonlite spinning rod.  If I'm fishing topwater baits 1/2 oz. and up I'll use my old 7'0" mh/f BPS bionic blade

Is Sally Sammies cousin or something? 

I'm in the 2 different rods boat also. Poppers I use a short 6' Falcon that long discontinued. WTD baits I use a 7' M/F Ethos Micro and 20lb straight braid. I'll reach out and touch a fish with that setup. 

Jerkbait and this sort of topwater are thrown with the only BC I want under 7'.  SC 6'8" MXF blank is what I had built for it.  Not a better rod or action for them on the market IMO.  The lighter action rod and super fast tip is critical for being able to dial in the action exactly as you want 

On 6/19/2021 at 7:45 PM, David Austin said:

What's everyone's favorite rod for hard topwater lures such as spooks, sallys, poppers, etc????

Virtually ALL of my hard bait topwater applications for brown bass up this way

are done in open water and Super long casts rule the day.

Accordingly, my walking baits & poppers are presented with spinning gear & a braid mainline.

I use a couple of different sticks;

My favorite is a old 7 ft Med fast Quantum 'Tour PT' blank that I've had to 'refurbish' at least once (re-do the guides) to keep it operational.  Has just the right amount to tip, bend & handle length to make walking & popping topwater baits a pleasure. 

 The other is a 7'4" Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth rod that I use for MAX distance.

I'll use a little lighter mainline on this one. 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

St. Croix Legend Glass spinner has just the right action for my dog-walking plugs and wakebaits.  

 

On 6/19/2021 at 8:18 PM, walleyecrazy said:

I'm using the Daiwa Tatula Elite Randy Howell "Universal Rod" 7'2" MH Regular action. This is my second season with it, and so far I have no complaints with it for my top water lures.

I’d love to know who carries those Randy Howell rods I’m trying to find the Big TOPWATER / Spinnerbait model 7’4 which may be too long…..

57 minutes ago, JSP28 said:

I’d love to know who carries those Randy Howell rods I’m trying to find the Big TOPWATER / Spinnerbait model 7’4 which may be too long…..

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_2091_2418&products_id=10718