I guess it is tough question no one wants to tackle?  Either that or its a no brain 'er and I missed it.

35 read the thread and no response, come on guys, someone.  Thanks  >:(Peewee

6'6-7' M/F rod, high speed Revo, 14-17# Trilene XL. All you need, partner!

Powell 683c.  Good for top water and everything else.

7' MH/F BPS Crankin' Stick with a BPS Tournament 6:3:1 reel and 14lb Stren mono

My dedicated topwater rig:

St. Croix Avid AVC66MF

Shimano Core

Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12

8-)

    6'6" M Quantum rod with a 6.3:1 Quantum baitcasting reel spooled with 14 lb. Sufix Elite.

My topwater setup. H&H HXS(out of Houston) 7' M/F. Daiwa Exceler 6:1, 12# Sufix Siege Camo line. No problems yet.

I like a 7' M F rod with a high speed reel, and 14 to 17lb. Stren Original

I use the the Powell 684cb for my shallow running cranks and treble hook topwaters.  I like to throw the PopR and the smaller spooks with this rod.  I use a citica 200E reel spooled with 12lb suffix siege or berkley big game.  

I like a short, fast rod with a short handle that won't get in the way.  I'm using a St. Croix Avid AVC62MXF with a Daiwa Alphas and 10# CXX.

same as for hard jerkbaits.

mbr782

50mg

#12 yozuri hybrid

For topwaters especially walk the dog types, I like a heavier, stiffer rod with braid.  For me, this translates into better control of the lure.  You don't have to jerk as hard to get the desired action.  You can be precise with less movement.  Harder hooksets too, i think.

I forgot to mention reel type.  I like the calcutta baitcasters, the 200b is my favorite.

Good Deal, Thanks

Avid 6' 6" M/F

Shimano 51MG

Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft in 12lbs test

Later,

No need to get fancy with a topwater rod, I use a 6'6" MH Fenwick HMX, an Abu Garcia Revo S-L, and 15lb Trilene Big Game, to toss spooks, poppers, and most all my hard top water baits with trebels. This combo also works great for crashing shallow square billed cranks into cover,baby1- and other subsurface cranks, buzzbaits, 1/4+3/8 oz spinnerbaits. This is my go to rod/reel combo for most any shallow water reaction baits in some what thick cover.

For topwaters especially walk the dog types, I like a heavier, stiffer rod with braid. For me, this translates into better control of the lure. You don't have to jerk as hard to get the desired action. You can be precise with less movement. Harder hooksets too, i think.

I personally like a little stretch in my line and a fast tip for  my topwaters. I mostly fish hard topwaters with multiple trebles. I am not a fan of ripping the bait out of the fishes mouth. It seems like that would happen with braid and a stiff rod. With frogs being the exception, but I do not frog fish so I can not say.

i have a powell max 7' mh...a kistler carbon steel 7'3h....a falcon bucoo 7'mh and a bps crankin stick that i all use for topwater stuff..the reels i use are a revo sx,pflueger summit,shimano citica 200e and a daiwa tierra. 2 have yozuri on the other 2 have 100% fluro from trilene

i have a powell max 7' mh...a kistler carbon steel 7'3h....a falcon bucoo 7'mh and a bps crankin stick that i all use for topwater stuff..the reels i use are a revo sx,pflueger summit,shimano citica 200e and a daiwa tierra. 2 have yozuri on the other 2 have 100% fluro from trilene

Does using fluoro for topwaters make you baits sink? Like poppers or spooks?

I wouldn't use flouro. Depending on the lure it could sink a little and ruin the action. It has happened to me in the past with the LC G-Splash.

I use my GLoomis MossyBack BCR803 and Curado 200DHSV, 50lb PowerPro braid, the extra fast provides a no feel hit for bass and the stopping power of the MH & braid combined is enough to turn them.

For topwaters especially walk the dog types, I like a heavier, stiffer rod with braid. For me, this translates into better control of the lure. You don't have to jerk as hard to get the desired action. You can be precise with less movement. Harder hooksets too, i think.

FINALLY!!! someone else who fishes topwater like I do.

I use a "modified" 6'2" shimano convergence mh/f however, being that its modified, its become more of a heavy/ extra fast. by modified,I mean the first four inches were broken off by the tailgate of the truck, however it performs worlds better now, because the slightest twitch gets an awesome walk the dog motion. I know a lot of people worry about give in the rod with treble hooks, but I've never had a problem with this. I've got an old green curado Bantam, with 30lb power pro on this setup, and it is a dream come true for all the topwater fishing I do.

GTIMFISH..............no frogs???you poor poor man :'(

For topwaters especially walk the dog types, I like a heavier, stiffer rod with braid. For me, this translates into better control of the lure. You don't have to jerk as hard to get the desired action. You can be precise with less movement. Harder hooksets too, i think.

I personally like a little stretch in my line and a fast tip for my topwaters. I mostly fish hard topwaters with multiple trebles. I am not a fan of ripping the bait out of the fishes mouth. It seems like that would happen with braid and a stiff rod. With frogs being the exception, but I do not frog fish so I can not say.

With the stiffer rod/braid setup I set the hook with more of a twitch and reel method rather than a sweep back set.  Also, I will set the drag looser when topwater fishing with trebles for the reason you mentioned.

For topwaters especially walk the dog types, I like a heavier, stiffer rod with braid. For me, this translates into better control of the lure. You don't have to jerk as hard to get the desired action. You can be precise with less movement. Harder hooksets too, i think.

FINALLY!!! someone else who fishes topwater like I do.

I use a "modified" 6'2" shimano convergence mh/f however, being that its modified, its become more of a heavy/ extra fast. by modified,I mean the first four inches were broken off by the tailgate of the truck, however it performs worlds better now, because the slightest twitch gets an awesome walk the dog motion. I know a lot of people worry about give in the rod with treble hooks, but I've never had a problem with this. I've got an old green curado Bantam, with 30lb power pro on this setup, and it is a dream come true for all the topwater fishing I do.

Dude!  My favorite topwater rod is a 7' chopped down to the third eye in a car door accident.  Funny..