Top Water Rod? Suggestions

[Ham]

Falcon has a saltwater topwater rod that is 6'9" with a shorter straight handle. I think that is their Coastal series. You can still get two hands on it IF you like that style casting. I've been real happy with mine. I like it for LONG casts in open water. It is a good WTD rod.

I also like ths Browning Medallion GT rods. I like the 6' short straight handle for topwaters to 1/2 oz and crankbaits up to 3/8. Loads easy and throws a ton. The shorter length seems to help with accuracy around cover. I liked it a lot better when they were $39.99. They have raised the price on them pretty often (like evey year or evey other year) so that now they aren't a true bargin anymore, but a good stick none the less.

[rps]

Bill. and others: The micros are great and the way to go, IF the guides spiral to the underside of the rod. Otherwise, you need too many to keep the line off the blank. My top water rod is hand made. I bought a SCIV St. Croix blank on sale and used recoil micro guides in a spiral wrap to match the no fore grip,SK2 Fuji handle. Because I am short and walk a bait with the tip down, I used a 6' blank rated at medium power with a fast action. Frankly, it is not enough rod to throw a full size spook, but I can throw and work a popper or my beloved Top Dollars quite well.

[ozarkgunner]

I changed to a Sammy for top water to throw it on a medium action cara micro guide rid. With ten lb floro and reel magic it casts a mile.

[ozarkgunner]

Sorry to hear about the buco. I figured they were a cara without the cork. I appear to be wrong and differ to bill.

[Bill Babler]

Gunner, I think everyone would make the same assumption that you did. Just not the case with the BuCo The blank is a totally different compisition and to me it is just to flat.

As far as the Coastal I use have two of these that are 6'9" I use them for a shakeyhead or a hula grub. I believe they are one step above the LowRider Shakyhead Rod but have about the same tip

The Cenduri Saltwater Series that they made prior to the Coastal was unbelieveable, they were perhaps Falcons best rod line Just to expensive. My dropshot rods had a retail price of $299.00.

When they discontinued the line, Mike McClellend got some for Beck and I for $100.00 @ as they were just phasing them out. I b ought 6 and still have 5. Beck bought 12 and I think he only has a couple left. He does not let his customers use them anymore. I broke the 6th. one slamming the tip in the rod box lid.

I got it replaced with a McClellend Signature Jig rod that now they don't make anymore, so I has somewhat of a mishmash of Falcon speciality rods, along with my full compiliment of Cara's.

[Champ188]

Gunner, are you really throwing a topwater on fluorocarbon? By all means, switch to mono. Fluorocarbon sinks and makes it very difficult to work a topwater. Conversely, mono floats. Try some 15-pound mono such as Trilene Big Game. You will love the difference.

[Bill Babler]

Gunner, are you really throwing a topwater on fluorocarbon? By all means, switch to mono. Fluorocarbon sinks and makes it very difficult to work a topwater. Conversely, mono floats. Try some 15-pound mono such as Trilene Big Game. You will love the difference.

Better than good advice. Of course I would throw Maxima.

[ozarkgunner]

I should say hybrid. I switched to yo zuri this year or pline. I have 3,000 worth of rods and I can't put down that darn falcon cara. I will sell my loomis rods today if i got a decent offer to buy more caras. I love It and feel lonely when fishing anything else.

[ozarkgunner]

I fish the Sammy on pure floro sometimes. Not a big deal on that bait but makes a difference on buzz baits or spooks.

[Champ188]

My personal choice for topwater — Redfin, Spook or popper — is 17-pound P-Line mono, the original CXX in the green box. Also great for buzz baits or spinner baits.