What’s the best 1/4-3/4oz topwater treble rod in the NRX+, Steez AGS, and P5 lines? Mainly throwing Pop Xs and Showerblows 105s

 

Reason I’m asking is because I’m thinking of selling my OneTen Stick. I throw topwater a whole lot more than jerkbaits and I have a P5 Windbuster which I’m totally pumped to use for jerkbaits.

What's the topwater king these days?  Is the Otomat is still highly regarded as the best? 

 

https://jdmfishing.com/vault/f4-5-71x-otomat-2019/

33 minutes ago, Bigbox99 said:

What's the topwater king these days?  Is the Otomat is still highly regarded as the best? 

 

https://jdmfishing.com/vault/f4-5-71x-otomat-2019/

Otomat was and still is my favorite topwater rod. Was impressive with all things in its weight range and toss a squarebill reliably. Impossible to find now. I’d strongly recommend spending $50 a whatever brand moderate action 7 foot rod you can find. 
 

Topwater treble baits require almost nothing from the blank except a moderate action. If you want to get really in depth a fast responding tip combined with the moderate blank is best but not needed. Just makes walking or popping easier. 
 

IMO save the money for a stick which actually requires sensitivity. 
 

If you’re absolutely set on spending the cash I’d go 842 Conquest. 

Can I piggyback off of this and ask what line you all use for treble hooked topwaters? Mainly curious whether its braid vs mono.

Never braid for treble hooks.

Topwaters - 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid. It's pretty close to neutrally bouyant, has a bit of stretch and it's tested strength as measured by the IGFA is actually 19.5#

7 hours ago, UmairF said:

What’s the best 1/4-3/4oz topwater treble rod in the NRX+, Steez AGS, and P5 lines?

 

Is this a Ford, Chevy, Dodge question or what ....  

 

I use Kistler rods most of the time.  I have no comment but have two questions:

1. Do you prefer moderate or moderate/fast action for topwater?
2. How important is the rod's 'feel' to you?

 

that one-ten is supposed to work a topwater pretty well isn't it?

3 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Can I piggyback off of this and ask what line you all use for treble hooked topwaters? Mainly curious whether its braid vs mono.

Majority of Medium power rods carry 8# mono or co-polymer.  MH rods carry the same type of line except in 12#.  

6 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

 

Is this a Ford, Chevy, Dodge question or what ....  

 

I use Kistler rods most of the time.  I have no comment but have two questions:

1. Do you prefer moderate or moderate/fast action for topwater?
2. How important is the rod's 'feel' to you?

 

I prefer a Mod fast action. Im actually looking fir a rod that can handle 3/8-1/2oz chatterbaits and topwater trebles in the 1/4-5/8oz range. Mainly the heavier side of this spectrum. Was thinking the P5 Super Destroyer but haven’t used one before. Would be nice to have something versatile enough to go dock fish with which is what I heard this rod is made for.

I think topwater rods are much like jerkbait rods in the sense that' it's the Indian not the arrow.

I have a Loomis TWR 802 which is about all I would spend and still sleep at night. 

I also really like the Witch Doctor Surman 50g and I keep Ol' faithful, an old all star Zell Rowland tws in the boat also.

I personally can see no downside to using braid on all my topwater rods.

 

If you want a short handle killer code is amazing but if you want a 7 foot rod tequila baccarat is solid then you can jump up to the sb 125 or megadog x 

12 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

what line you all use for treble hooked topwaters?

 

Mono or copoly.  10/12# for baitcasters.  8# for spinning.

I've moved to 30-ish lb braid to a short leader for walking baits. 

 

Mono doesn't work for me. 

1 hour ago, PGA Dropout said:

I've moved to 30-ish lb braid to a short leader for walking baits. 

 

How short we talking?

 

Like a foot?

43 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

How short we talking?

 

Like a foot?

 

Yeah pretty much. 3 feet is fine especially if you use like a copoly or nylon. I think I have a couple feet of 16 lb Sniper on there now because that's what I had at hand.

 

I don't notice it pulling down the bait or anything. For clarity, if that rod was topwater only, I would tie 12 or 15 lb CXX. Right now it runs a Popmax in the morning, then maybe a jerkbait, then an Ika, maybe a free rig, etc. 

4 minutes ago, PGA Dropout said:

 

Yeah pretty much. 3 feet is fine especially if you use like a copoly or nylon. I think I have a couple feet of 16 lb Sniper on there now because that's what I had at hand.

 

I don't notice it pulling down the bait or anything. For clarity, if that rod was topwater only, I would tie 12 or 15 lb CXX. Right now it runs a Popmax in the morning, then maybe a jerkbait, then an Ika, maybe a free rig, etc. 

 

Thanks.

 

What's crazy is that I got into green bass because of one thing: Topwater.

 

Now?

 

I rarely throw topwater.

 

Not sure why, it's the most exciting way to fish.

10 hours ago, UmairF said:

I prefer a Mod fast action. Im actually looking fir a rod that can handle 3/8-1/2oz chatterbaits and topwater trebles in the 1/4-5/8oz range. Mainly the heavier side of this spectrum. Was thinking the P5 Super Destroyer but haven’t used one before. Would be nice to have something versatile enough to go dock fish with which is what I heard this rod is made for.

Any input on the P5 Super Destroyer for Popmaxs and showerblows 105s? Basically topwater trebles in the 3/8-5/8oz range

1 minute ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Thanks.

 

What's crazy is that I got into green bass because of one thing: Topwater.

 

Now?

 

I rarely throw topwater.

 

Not sure why, it's the most exciting way to fish.

 

It comes and goes for me.

 

This year I'm back at it. Every sunrise this month has started with a Popmax, frog, and small rat. I'll get the walking baits back out as Fall approaches.

7 minutes ago, UmairF said:

Any input on the P5 Super Destroyer for Popmaxs and showerblows 105s? Basically topwater trebles in the 3/8-5/8oz range

 

Super Destroyer is what I started fishing Popmax on this summer. Way too much rod. I happily use mine as an open water and lily pad frog rod and would frog with it full-time if I didn't have to frog mats.

 

Super Destroyer is also a lovely rod for the Sleeper Gill, 1/2 oz jigs, pitching 5/8 Texas, wobble heads, and a lot more. It is serviceable for the 3/4 oz Duo Pencil but below that doesn't feel great. 

10 minutes ago, PGA Dropout said:

 

Every sunrise this month has started with a Popmax, frog, and small rat.

 

I rarely fish mornings.

 

I'm always a late afternoon/evening guy.

 

Whenever I do get up really early and get on the water it's always great. Need to do it more.

10 hours ago, UmairF said:

I prefer a Mod fast action. Im actually looking fir a rod that can handle 3/8-1/2oz chatterbaits and topwater trebles in the 1/4-5/8oz range. Mainly the heavier side of this spectrum. Was thinking the P5 Super Destroyer but haven’t used one before. Would be nice to have something versatile enough to go dock fish with which is what I heard this rod is made for.

 

if you're open to brands outside of the three you listed, the Falcon Finesse jig/topwater is what you're looking for.  6'10", 1/4-3/4 depending on the lineup (expert is that, Cara is 1/4-5/8 I think).  MH, Fast action listed, but with it being on the lower end of the power range for a MH it fishes a bit softer than the ratings imply.  1/2 oz walking baits are what I bought it for originally but I fished a whole lot of vibrating jigs on it in the 3/8 and 1/2 oz range.  A 1/2 plus a thick trailer like a zako is pushing the upper limits a bit but it will do it still.  I have a zillion with 12 lb on mine right now and it will cast the snot out of a weightless fluke also.  

https://talonrods.com/products/xmw_carbon-casting-8-15lb-7

I might just use my p5 windbuster for lighter topwater trebles and my P5 daemos for the popmaxs and showerblows 105s. The daemos is a stiff rod but it has a good bend to it towards the midsection so it should be find for the heavier stuff right?

On 7/8/2025 at 10:26 AM, UmairF said:

What’s the best 1/4-3/4oz topwater treble rod in the NRX+, Steez AGS, and P5 lines? 

I love my pricey gear as well, but I don’t think I’d ever buy a NRX+ for topwaters.

 

P5?
 

Oh yeah.  

I use a P5 Z Crank Elseil for a Showerblows 105, that is my primary topwater set up and it works to perfection. The distance I get with the 105 on the Elseil is unreal. I also occasionally use my P5 Madbull which is fine for the 105 but handles slightly larger topwaters as well.

 

👍 The Windbuster is a fantastic jerkbait rod! 

52 minutes ago, Swest18x said:

I use a P5 Z Crank Elseil for a Showerblows 105, that is my primary topwater set up and it works to perfection. The distance I get with the 105 on the Elseil is unreal. I also occasionally use my P5 Madbull which is fine for the 105 but handles slightly larger topwaters as well.

 

👍 The Windbuster is a fantastic jerkbait rod! 

 

I will second the Z Crank as a good topwater rod. Although  I use it mainly for jerkbaits and small cranks. The Pop X can be challenging though. I try to throw that one on the Kasumi Six Eleven.