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Topwater rods have always been an excitement for both professional and recreational anglers. Everybody – once in a while – would want to feel that encaptivating sensation of the spinning rod and the flutter of walking baits on the water’s surface. However, not all rods are applicable for topwater fishing!
In this article, we’ll elaborate on the various rods for topwater fishing in different weather and water conditions and how they apply to the fishing of multiple species.
I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
Top 3 Rods for Topwater
Best Topwater Rod Overall
Daiwa Tatula TXT701MFB
- Highly durable
- Composite quality materials
- Effective casting system
- Great for experienced bass anglers
Best Topwater Rod for Inshore Fishing
St. Croix Mojo Inshore
- High-quality rod
- Perfect for inshore casting
- Great with topwater walking baits
- Sensitive backbone
Best All-Around Topwater Rod
Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod
- Multiple dimensions
- Premium quality graphite materials
- Extremely light
- Great for bass fishing
Table of Contents
- The 6 Best Topwater Rods
- Daiwa Tatula TXT701MFB Topwater Rod
- St. Croix Mojo Inshore Topwater Rod
- Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod for Topwater
- 13 FISHING - Fate Black Rod
- Abu Garcia IKE Signature Delay Casting Topwater Rod
- St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rods
- How to Select Topwater Rod?
- Rod Length
- Can you use a medium-heavy rod for topwater?
The 6 Best Topwater Rods
- Daiwa Tatula TXT701MFB – Best Overall Topwater Rod
- St. Croix Mojo Inshore – Best For Inshore Fishing Topwater Rod
- Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod – Best All-Around Topwater Rod
- 13 FISHING – Fate Black – Best for Freshwater Topwater Rod
- Abu Garcia IKE Signature Delay Casting Fishing Rod – Best for Bass Topwater Rod
- St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rods – Best Premium Topwater Rod
#1
Best Topwater Rod Overall
Daiwa Tatula TXT701MFB Topwater Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Daiwa Tatula TXT701MFB is made from premium quality materials. The high-modulus graphite fibers and the Fuji Aluminium Oxide guides make the Tatula a durable and lightweight rod for all fishing conditions. Plus, it’s highly sensitive, therefore this is one of the best topwater rods overall.
- Color: Black
- Materials: Composite (High Volume Fiber (HVF) high modulus carbon graphite rod with aluminum oxide guides and)
- Item Dimensions: 86 x 5 x 5 inches
Pros
- Highly durable
- Composite quality materials
- Effective casting system
- Great for experienced bass anglers
Cons
- It's a bit on the stiff side
- Single size and coloring
- High price
OVERVIEW: The Daiwa Tatula TXT701MFB’s Fuji guides, custom Diawa reel seat, well-designed quality blank, and fast tip for casting distance make this casting rod worth every cent. We’ve been using this rod with some of the best topwater lures for years now. We mainly took it freshwater fishing, but it proved to be good even in one or two saltwater experiences.
FEATURES: The TXT701MFB is a well-balanced 85 x 5 x 5 inches rod with an un-sanded micro pitch taping blank and fuji-painted ACS reel seat. It has a zero-blank twist and is made of high-quality materials, meaning it’s at the top of every best topwater rod list.
#2
Best Topwater Rod for Inshore Fishing
St. Croix Mojo Inshore Topwater Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: The St.Croix Mojo Inshore rod is a spinning rod built for superior performance in saltwater conditions. The premium SCIII carbon materials only add strength and hook-setting power.
- Color: Deep Aquamarine
- Materials: Premium SCIII Carbon; EVA and Cork handle
- Style: 9 available, including 7’0″ Heavy/Fast 1 Pc. and 7’11” Heavy/Mod-fast 1 Pc.
Pros
- High-quality rod
- Perfect for inshore casting
- Great with topwater walking baits
- Sensitive backbone
Cons
- High price
- Designed primarily for saltwater fishing
- Bigger fish can break the tip under the guides
OVERVIEW: If you’re looking for a rod that has strength and a casting system that is well-balanced, the St.Croix Mojo Inshore is your best bet. You can use it effectively with topwater baits in docks, shorelines, and flats. When we tried this bait in saltwater, we managed to catch numerous speckled trout and reds along the shorelines.
FEATURES: The St.Croix Mojo Inshore is unique because of its high-quality SCIII carbon body and the hard aluminum oxide guides. The guides also have black frames that are resistant to corrosion.
#3
Best All-Around Topwater Rod
Dobyns Rods Fury Series Casting Rod for Topwater
WHY WE LIKE IT: This Dobyns Rods baitcasting rod is highly versatile, and you can use it with spinnerbaits, jigs, texas rigs, and flukes. Moreover, this casting rod has exceptional quality because of the modulus graphite blank, Kevlar Wrapping, Fuji reel seat, and Portugal cork grip.
- Color: Black/Green
- Materials: Graphite
- Size: 9 available, including 6’6″/Medium, 7’0″/Medium, and 7’3″/Medium
Pros
- Multiple dimensions
- Premium quality graphite materials
- Extremely light
- Great for bass fishing
Cons
- Only one color
- Guides bend a little bit
- Low sensitivity
OVERVIEW: In our view, this Dobyns Fury baitcasting rod is quite affordable compared to other rods in the same category. Furthermore, we’ve managed to catch some 6 and 7-pounders using the Dobyns Fury. We can assure you of its exceptional accuracy!
FEATURES: This Dobyns casting rod is one of a kind thanks to its build. Namely, it’s made for any type of bait, keeping its lightness, sensitiveness, and power with each. The comfortable 14″ cork split-handed won’t tire you even if you fish for a whole day!
#4
Best Topwater Rod for Freshwater
13 FISHING - Fate Black Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: The manufacturers designed Fate Black with a Soft Touch Carbon Ported Reel Seat that will transfer the weight directly to the palm of your hand. The high-quality finish even includes a Tooth Hook Keeper for easy storage and no snagging upon casting.
- Color: Black
- Materials: Carbon, Stainless Steel, and Carbonite
- Size: 11 available, including 6’7″ M (Medium), 7’1″ M (Medium), and 7’3″ M (Medium)
Pros
- High sensitivity
- An extremely lightweight rod
- Perfect casting system
- Great pricepoint
Cons
- Not designed for little fish
- Only one color
- Low durability
OVERVIEW: If you want the ability to choose the size of a rod you’ll exclusively use in freshwater, then this is the best topwater rod your money can buy. The 13 FISHING-Fate Black rod comes in all sizes – you can buy a longer rod or a shorter one with heavy or medium power.
When we took it for a try, we found that the rod bends upon strikes by bigger fish. However, it wasn’t that successful with little fish.
FEATURES: The 13 FISHING – Fate Back is incredibly versatile, working perfectly with some of the best freshwater lures. The steel guides with Alconite inserts reduce the weight, while its Japanese 30-ton blank construction reduces the chances of corrosion.
#5
Best Topwater Rod for Bass Fishing
Abu Garcia IKE Signature Delay Casting Topwater Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Abu Garcia IKE Signature Delay Casting Fishing Rod is highly effective against any bass type – largemouth, smallmouth, yellow, white, and striped bass. These Abu Garcia casting rods also have a comfortable grip to make your battles easy and exciting!
- Colors: Multicolored
- Materials: Blend (stainless steel guides, 36-ton graphite blanks, zirconium inserts)
- Style: 6’4″ – Medium – 1pcs and 6’8″ – Medium – 1pcs
Pros
- Designed for bass fishing
- High guides durability
- Easy grip
- Ideal for parabolic action
Cons
- Only three dimensions
- Shorter than other rods
- High price
OVERVIEW: If you want to specifically target bass, regardless of the water and surroundings, the Abu Garcia IKE Signature Delay Casting Fishing Rod can help. With this rod, we’ve managed to catch bass in saltwater and freshwater areas, like lakes, ponds, and docks. However, note that it’s a bit shorter than other rods, so unless you plan on casting long, then it should serve you for years to come.
FEATURES: The HSG construction makes the rod ideal for parabolic action, while the fuji reel seat enables greater comfort. It is made with durable stainless steel, making sure there is no corrosion. Moreover, it comes with EVA grips for even better comfort when casting.
#6
Best Premium Topwater Rod
St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rods
WHY WE LIKE IT: The St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rod is designed with high-strained graphite fibers that make it quite durable. St.Croix Rods manufactured this lightweight masterpiece for sensitivity and smooth action.
- Color: Seafoam Green Metalic
- Materials: Titanium, Aluminium, and Graphite
- Size: 4 available, including 6’6″ – Feet and 7’0″ – Feet
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Multiple dimensions
- Spinning setup for lighter lures
- High durability
Cons
- Expensive
- Not applicable with weedless soft plastic lures
- Single coloring
OVERVIEW: Even though it’s expensive, the St. Croix Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rod is one of the best topwater rods because of its strength, smooth actions, and incredible sensitivity. If you also want to add durability to these qualities, this rod should be your go-to.
We can tell you from our own experience that the St.Croix Avid series rods will last you for a long time. We’ve been able to catch several types of big bass, too.
FEATURES: The Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) Tooling Technology eliminates the transitional points at the rod, while the aluminum oxide and titanium frames make it quite durable. The super cork-grade handle gives a nice grip as well.
How to Select Topwater Rod?
Rod Length
The rod’s length is crucial for topwater fishing. According to avid anglers, the best lengths for walking baits range between 7′ and 7.5′ heavy power rods. These are usually called medium rods, which are known for their fast action. However, some anglers prefer even longer rods of 8′ or 8.5′.
Rod Handle Size
The handle size should fit your style and the fishing conditions. Plus, the right size of the handle is essential in casting maneuvers and spinning actions. Note also that if you want to buy the right topwater rod, you’ll have to keep an eye on the balance and the weighing system.
There are numerous handle sizes, starting from 7 and 8 to 14 inches. The length is measured from the back of the handle to the tip of the rod. Choose the one whose balance (or handle-to-length ratio) suits you the best.
Rod Action
The topwater rod action is crucial for how the rod bends and how much power it can withstand. There are four main categories: slow action, moderate, fast, and extra-fast.
Moderate rods bend somewhere in the middle of the blank, while slow action ones bend near the handle. The best action for topwater is fast – when it bends close to the tip.
Rod Power
The topwater rod power is also crucial in an effective topwater performance. If you’re choosing which rod to buy, bear in mind that professional anglers prefer a medium-heavy power rod and a reel with a 7:1 gear ratio range. This ratio is great for quick retrievals.
Rod Line Weight Rating
If you want to achieve the ideal casting distance, the 6 to 14-lb rod line weight rating is ideal. This rating will protect you against ripping the treble hooks. Furthermore, this rod line weight rating is usually achieved with monofilament lines that float on the water’s surface and are easy to cast. You can also use a 20 to 30 lbs braided line if you’re fishing close to the covers.
Topwater Rod Type
You can use two-rod types for topwater: spinning and casting rods. Choose the spinning one when you want to use jerk baits and walking baits. Keep the casting ones for throwing large lures or when you’re casting in windy conditions.
Rod Material
The rod material is another manufacturing feature that is important for the topwater rods. Most of the rods you’ll find are fiberglass or graphite design. A graphite rod is much lighter than fiberglass, while fiberglass is much more durable. Moreover, fiberglass is more flexible and responsive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a medium-heavy rod for topwater?
Yes, medium-heavy rods are among the best topwater rods.
Can you use a spinning rod for topwater walking baits?
Yes, you can use a spinning rod for topwater angling. These rods usually enable incredible sensitivity and smooth actions.
What is the best topwater rod size for topwater lures?
You can choose anything between 6’6″ and 8′ according to your taste. However, the ideal length is somewhere around 7 ft.