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chap_cat Pony Mullet

Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 72 Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 2:09 pm Post subject: Topwater Fishermen, Which Rod Length And Action? |
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Would you veteran topwater lure fishermen please share which rod length and action you prefer to work these lures, and particularly to "walk the dog" and why? I will be buying a rod for this purpose soon to pair with my new Shimano Curado left handed reel. This advice should be helpful to me and to newbs wanting to learn the technique, or improve it as I do.
My buddy who is a master at walking the dog prefers a 7' medium-light action with a very fast tip paired with a left hand baitcast reel, even though he is right handed. I seem to struggle with a "whippy" rod like this a bit, and I was told by a salesman at Roys that a stiffer rod is better, so now I am confused. All advice is appreciated. Thanks. |
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ironmanstan Exalted Ruler of Flour Bluff

Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 12256
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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I use a 6ft M.F. Johnny Morris carbon lite easier on the elbow and wrist. That's just me I'm kinda new at this.  _________________ I LIKE MINE FRIED. |
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gdavis Member White Shrimper Boot Club

Joined: 20 Jun 2009 Posts: 520 Location: the bluff
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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| 6-6 or 7 with med action. Plenty of 40-80$ options at Academy that will last years. |
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ziacatcher Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 6556 Location: The Bluff
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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| A stiff rod is never a bad thing. Lol. All kidding aside I think a striffer pole is better for topwater action then a flexible one. My opinion |
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Tyler Site Admin

Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 12865
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| ziacatcher wrote: | | A stiff rod is never a bad thing. Lol. All kidding aside I think a striffer pole is better for topwater action then a flexible one. My opinion |
I use my 8.5 foot Lamiglas Norwest spinner with a pretty flexible tip and just use my right hand like I am hammering something and the rod action makes it walk the dog. I am cheap but the thing is this rod throws doa shrimp a mile and can cast He dogs and She dogs and mirrolures into the breeze at the surf. It is a bit long to use in the bay but I still use it It's a multitasker. _________________ Like Corpusfishing.com on Facebook! |
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jbonorden Horse Mullet

Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 132 Location: Aransas Pass
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I prefer 6'6" or 6'9" with a fast tip. Not a buggy whip, but not a broom stick either. I'm rt handed and work the bait caster with my left hand on the rod and rt. hand reeling. Just the opposite if I throw a spinner. |
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Will Sanchez Flour Bluffian in training

Joined: 05 Nov 2008 Posts: 344 Location: Padre Island
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 12:44 am Post subject: |
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What the Master recommends works well for me.  |
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chazthefisherman Flour Bluffian in training

Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Posts: 347 Location: Corpus Christi
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 8:33 am Post subject: |
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I like a med fast action 6'6"-7' for tops. Are you confused yet?
I think ultimately it's what you're comfortable with. |
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Oil Field Trash II Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 1560
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| 6'5", 6'6" waterloo, fast tip, very light rod for all day twitching. I only use braid, which helps a lot. you barely have to move the rod to get the lure in it's twerking mode. |
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chap_cat Pony Mullet

Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 72 Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 10:02 am Post subject: |
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| Will Sanchez wrote: | What the Master recommends works well for me.  |
Yeah, I know it does for you, Will. Sometimes I think he not only has me fishing topwaters with a bullwhip, but he be cracking one on me too.
Did you catch any more after we saw you at the jetty the other day? |
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5moreminutes Member White Shrimper Boot Club
Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 998 Location: Best City on 3rd Coast
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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6'6" medium-heavy.
Don't get a rod that will absorb the energy while you "walk the dog" nor use mono as that will absorb energy as well. Braid works great for this.
You will wear your arm out not having a proper set up. If all else fails use a wake bait. Just cast and reel. Lol _________________ Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. |
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chap_cat Pony Mullet

Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 72 Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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| 5moreminutes wrote: | 6'6" medium-heavy.
Don't get a rod that will absorb the energy while you "walk the dog" nor use mono as that will absorb energy as well. Braid works great for this.
You will wear your arm out not having a proper set up. If all else fails use a wake bait. Just cast and reel. Lol |
Wearing my arm out has been the issue with the medium light action and fast tip with a 7'. Obviously, if I fish enough this way, it will build my forearm strength in order to get used to it. However, if I can effectively walk the dog with a stiffer, shorter, lighter rod, it would absorb less of the energy needed to transfer action to the lure. I have a older Quantum Lite 6.5' medium action rod that I think I will try before buying another rod. If I can effectively work the lure with it, I will stick to that one. It worked fine back in the day for topwater bass fishing. Thx |
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ziacatcher Full Grown Flour Bluffian
Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 6556 Location: The Bluff
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 2:01 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree with Chaz, whatever you feel comfortable works best. That goes for baits and reels and everything else. For example, some people swear by baitcasters and some people, like me, swear at them. Whatever works for you. |
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