Walking Baits Rod : Composite or Graphite ?

[chrisD46]

For Spooks , Vixens ,  "woops"y Dawgs, etc. what topwater rod do you use or recommend under 7' ? Are you in the composite / M - MH  action / parabolic  rod camp or the graphite M - MH  fast rod camp ? ... Then there is the wild card - line choice : Are you a braid main line guy or a mono mainline guy ? Tell me about your set up as I am in need of a 6'3" to 6'9" top water rod for walking baits ... Thanks in advance !

[loomisguy]

I use a Witch Doctor Surman 50G. Glass/Graphite blend. 6ft 10 MH. Great rod for 3 hook walking baits and a lot of other stuff.. I use 50lb. Sunline Siglon braid.
Also a old ALL Star Zell Rowland TWS . Both are capable rods.
When it comes to good topwater fisherman you will see different rods, reels and lines.
It's the Indian not the arrow.

[coldfront]

It's the Indian not the arrow.

to that end, I've always been a fan of xfast actions, most sensitive rods I can get.  I rely on my hands to be soft enough, strong enough to provide the 'give' in the system.

I don't 'swing' on topwater fish like I do my flipping fish.  techniques vary.

now, a lot of guys will talk about different rods so they don't have to worry so much about their technique.

it's a choice.

[Smallie_Stalker]

I like a rod with some give in the tip. It doesn't necessarily have to be a composite  but that is what I prefer.

I do have an Abu Garcia Villan rod that is 6'9" and ML power with what Abu calls a moderate fast action. But their actions and powers are usually about 1 heavier than other brands so it isn't quite as soft as it sounds. I throw lots of different topwaters on it and it is full graphite. It won't handle full sized spooks and the like though.

And I'm a braid guy. For just about every situation including topwater.


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[Nutoy]

For top water walking and popper style baits, my go to is a old All Star 6'-10" MH with a moderate tip. I also use it for Jerk baits and Buzz baits.
I like the slower tip to help avoid setting the hook too soon. I also try not to watch the bait and set up on tension, especially with braided lines.
Just about any decent MH-Moderate in the length you're looking for will work.

[chrisD46]

Thanks for the replies - depending on the rod it looks like a M to MH  F 6'6" to 6'10" rod could work with a short butt split grip . To start , I looked at a Abu Garcia rod rack at BPS : First a Ike Delay topwater / jerk in 6'4" (way too soft and whippy tip) next , a Veristas 6'6" M/F with a short grip that felt real good - except it had micro guides which may be a problem with braid + leader . Quality reports are mixed on the Veritas ,  however Justin Lucas uses this rod in 7' for three treble hook spooks with success . I imagine the Veritas fishes more like a "heavy medium" and I may try to find one with standard guides . I'm trying to stay around $100 or so for top water as I care less about sensitivity and more about weight , grip and rod action for a pretty specific purpose here . So far , the current version of the Veritas in 6'6" M/F is light , has a short grip and the rod action seems to be right for three treble spooks on braid + leader . If Veritas are absolute junk then talk me off the ledge with something comparable to what I'm looking at . P.S. Charlie Campbell STILL throws spooks on a 5'6" pistol grip ML rod ... The guy is unbelievable !