What length action and power do you think is the optimum topwater rod?  

I like a 6'6" M or MH cranking rod for my topwaters.

To me the "ideal" top water rod is one that has a fast action so it does not load up when working baits, but also has a soft power to have some give and not tear treble hooks out. I don't think I have found the perfect rod yet. But I suspect the St Croix Avid or Legend Tournament 6'8" M/XF (labled as top water in the LT series) is close, and thats what I will be buying when I can for top waters.

I bought the St Croix rod ww2farmer is talking about. The St Croix Legend Tournament Bass LTBC68MXF/Top Water. It is a great rod and you will not be disappointed!

I have an older AllStar Zell Rowland Top Water Special that I wouldn't take any money for.  I use it for topwaters, some jerkbaits and an occasional small CB.  It's caught a ton of fish for me.

I have an older AllStar Zell Rowland Top Water Special that I wouldn't take any money for.  I use it for topwaters, some jerkbaits and an occasional small CB.  It's caught a ton of fish for me.

I also have a Zell Rowland, Titanium topwater special.  Perfect action for most topwater presentations.  I also use a pistol grip 6' med older Bionic Blade IM6 rod.  

To me the "ideal" top water rod is one that has a fast action so it does not load up when working baits, but also has a soft power to have some give and not tear treble hooks out. I don't think I have found the perfect rod yet. But I suspect the St Croix Avid or Legend Tournament 6'8" M/XF (labled as top water in the LT series) is close, and thats what I will be buying when I can for top waters.

St Croix AC66MF.  Soft tip, plenty of backbone.  I LOVE this rod for topwaters, especially Spooks.  I have not ripped the hooks out of a fish's mouth yet -- and that's a testiment to the rod and not my fishing skills

seeing mostly topwater people will be responding I will ask here what kind of line do you guys prefer for topwaters. Braid, mono or flouro?

I have an older AllStar Zell Rowland Top Water Special that I wouldn't take any money for. I use it for topwaters, some jerkbaits and an occasional small CB. It's caught a ton of fish for me.

I also have a Zell Rowland, Titanium topwater special. Perfect action for most topwater presentations. I also use a pistol grip 6' med older Bionic Blade IM6 rod.

I have a Berkley Bionix 6' med action that I use if I'm throwing Spooks.

seeing mostly topwater people will be responding I will ask here what kind of line do you guys prefer for topwaters. Braid, mono or flouro?

I use co-polymer for all my fishing.

I like 6'-6'6" medium moderate action.Anything over that i have a hard time working with.I'm short so i like a shorter rod.

Mono for me.

I have the St Croix Legend Tournament 6'6" Med. Fast. But it's my jerkbait rod, and will have fluro spooled with it. It may very well be an excellant topwater rod too, just I have yet to use it..............so I don't know. I"ll try it with a reel spooled with copoly.

A med action pistol grip with a fast tip perfect for topwaters

A 6' 3" medium powered rod, fast tip.  Either co-poly or mono.  For buzzbaits I like a bit longer rod.

Does anyone have experience with the Loomis topwater rod in the bronzeback series?  It's 5'10", MH, F.  Model is SMR702C-TW.

Co-poly for most of my fishing.

I use a medium, 6'6" spinning rod that is made of a fiberglass, graphite mix. In other words, the same rod I toss cranks with is my topwater rod too.

As for line, straight mono all the way, as light as 6 pound test for little poppers where cover is sparse, all the way up to 14 pound mono for bigger lures where there are weeds.

I use an All Star TWS (Topwater Special) 6' 6" it is ML power.  It has a moderate action but not as much bend as a crankbait rod.  It works excellent for poppers and spooks.  I also have used it to throw light crankbaits and jerkbaits.