Topwater Setup

[M_Taylor]

I am looking to replace a topwater setup, in particular the rod, that unfortunately is no longer with me. My main topwater bait that I use for bass and stripers is a Spook, and mainly a Spook Jr. I always have one tied no matter the time of year as we all know its a great lure and you never know when a fish will blow up, especially when striper fishing. Therefore distance would be slightly more desired than accuracy in the rod.

I would also love it if it was a versatile enough setup to throw a buzzbait or popper from time to time. I prefer throwing mono. I'm looking at the Quantum PT S3 in 7:3:1 left hand retrieve for the reel but would be open to suggestions that cost equal to or less than it.($160)

I fish Beaver Lake predominantly and I'm one that enjoys catching the stripers they have, so I'd like enough backbone to get one in but I don't want the rod to be only for 20lb+ fish, I'll take my time to land them. I wish I knew the rod I had, but I believe it was a middle of the line bass pro model. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Bottom line, what is your go to topwater rod and reel day in and day out? 

[jolicious]

Academy has Dobyn's Fury rods now.

I have the 7'0" Heavy / fast action tip.

Lew's Mach Speed Spool SLP Baitcast Reel

$225 or so for the setup.

[fozzype]

For the reel, I prefer the lews bb1 or bb1 pro in 7:5 or higher gear ratio.  They hold slightly more line than others and cast a mile.  The gen 1 revo sx or s will out cast them all. However, the current Gen 4 versions are good reels but do not cast as far as the lews.  I do not like the dawia stuff, just my opinion.

For my topwater rod, I like the lews david frits crankbait rod.  They have a 7 ft med heavy with a mod tip that works well.   Once hooked up, it has that nice bend for fighting fish.

You really should try 4O lb braid with 2 ft leader of mono..it will change your topwater life..lol

[mixermarkb]

Loomis E6X, GL3, or IMX, MBR-782C, used can save a few bucks if you can find one, with a Lews BB1HZ, 6.4:1 ratio.

I am a topwater addict, with spooks and the lucky craft Sammy my go to. The MBR782 is 6'6", so you can walk a topwater without smacking the rod tip in the water, and casts a mile when you load it up.(I'm 5'10", so if you are well over 6' you may be fine with a 7' rod)

I also like the plain lews BB1 for distance casting, 2 brakes on with the spool tension nice and loose works for me, I don't like mag brakes on a distance casting reel, and the extra bells and whistles of the BB1 pro just don't do anything for me.

Trilene big game 15#, or if you are willing to spend the cash, Sunline Defier Armillo in 15 or 17#. It outcasts the big game, and has very, very low stretch for a mono line, so you can get the hooks in that fish that blows up on the very end of a long cast. I tried braid a couple seasons, but got frustrated with the way with will hang up in a spool every now and then, and went back to mono. 

[M_Taylor]

44 minutes ago, mixermarkb said:

Loomis E6X, GL3, or IMX, MBR-782C, used can save a few bucks if you can find one, with a Lews BB1HZ, 6.4:1 ratio.

I am a topwater addict, with spooks and the lucky craft Sammy my go to. The MBR782 is 6'6", so you can walk a topwater without smacking the rod tip in the water, and casts a mile when you load it up.(I'm 5'10", so if you are well over 6' you may be fine with a 7' rod)

I also like the plain lews BB1 for distance casting, 2 brakes on with the spool tension nice and loose works for me, I don't like mag brakes on a distance casting reel, and the extra bells and whistles of the BB1 pro just don't do anything for me.

Trilene big game 15#, or if you are willing to spend the cash, Sunline Defier Armillo in 15 or 17#. It outcasts the big game, and has very, very low stretch for a mono line, so you can get the hooks in that fish that blows up on the very end of a long cast. I tried braid a couple seasons, but got frustrated with the way with will hang up in a spool every now and then, and went back to mono. 

Good points by all. I am 6’5” and so that difference could be substantial when talking about rod lengths. Forgot to mention that part. Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks. 

[mixermarkb]

MBR-842 is the rod you want then, same basic action, 7' instead of 6'6"

[Quillback]

I have Dobyns Champions 704 and 705 CB rods (composites, not the fiberglass rods).  704 works well for smaller top  waters, 705 for the bigger ones like full sized spooks, YM Havanas etc.,   They are 7 foot models, I can throw a spook as far as you would want.  Lightweight you can fish them all day, and they are fun to use to catch 2 pound spotted bass, but have enough back bone to handle stripers.  Great crankbait and spinner bait rods.  my main complaint with these rods are the guide inserts, have had a couple break on me.  They have discontinued the model I have so hopefully the new model has better guides.  Used 704's and 705's pop up frequently on BBC.  Dobyns is pretty good at supporting their product.  I have called them a couple of times and have gotten one of the Dobyns brothers to talk to each time.