What's up, i'm going to be replacing my top water spinning rod this weekend and was wondernig what the best length would be. I'm fishing out of a 10 - 12 foot jon boat so room is not abundant (probably the reason i still throw a spinning reel for top water). Gander Mt. has their Elite series rods on sale for $40 and they have a Med. Heavy 7 foot spinning rod there but I was thinking 6'6'' would do me better for top water.

just thought i would get some opinions

AnglerMangler

I use a 6'6" spinning rod for topwaters and jerkbaits.  I can't get good action on a longer rod.

My personal preference is 6' rods for topwaters and jerkbaits.

awesome, thanks guys that was my thought process as well.

I have heard of people buying a 7' rod and cutting it to 6'2'' or 6'6'' to have a little stiffer tip for top water, what do you guys think about going that route?

AnglerMangler

I prefer a 6'6" medium action rod with a fast tip for topwater and jerkbaits.

Although I generally prefer 7' rods, working topwater and jerkbaits

is much easier with 6 1/2' gear. I fish a St. Croix Avid AC66MF with

a soft tip. I consider this an "all-around" rod for treble hook lures.

8-)

i like a short, 6-footer with medium-heavy action for exposed treble hook lures and a mimimum 7 feet medium-heavy to heavy for single hook lures like ragetail shads.

as for cutting a rod down, i have found that it is harder to walk-the-dog if the tip is too stiff. if you do want a retipped rod, there are tons of them on ebay cheap...you could get a much nicer rod (but retipped) for the same or just a little more money.

awesome, thanks guys that was my thought process as well.

I have heard of people buying a 7' rod and cutting it to 6'2'' or 6'6'' to have a little stiffer tip for top water, what do you guys think about going that route?

AnglerMangler