Best Shimano rod for top water

[Rodster14]

I currently use an Expride 6'10 M for top waters and jerk baits. Works great, but I am considering a longer rod for top waters (7.2-7.3). Mainly throw 1/2-5-8 with occasional 3/4. Any thoughts?

[coreynov902]

I use the 7'2 MH Composite Expride for throwing Spooks and Whopper Ploppers and I think it does a great job. I also have the 7'2" MH Expride (non-composite) but haven't tried topwaters on it yet. Depending on if you want a little slower action or not, one of those two rods would work for sure. I like the composite one because on those bigger baits with treble hooks I feel like that extra give in the rod helps keep the fish pinned. I use straight braid and feel that the composite rod does a good job with walking a bait too. Another rod you could try would be the ALX Toadface (7'2", MH+). It's got a softer tip for walking baits but has a lot of backbone for setting the hook. I prefer the Exprides but the Toadface is a great rod as well.

[Real L]

What are your reasons for wanting a longer rod than 6'10 for top water ?

[skeeterj01]

7’2 mh expride and newly added 7’2mh shimano intenza. Something about the intenza I like over the expride. I can’t explain it but it just feels better

[Rodster14]

The reason for a longer rod would be for longer casting (especially to schooling fish).

[Stratos21XL]

I know you said Shimano but you should really take a look at the Daiwa Tatula 7 ft 4 composite rod. It is amazing for the price. I have thrown topwater, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and traps on it and it does them all very well. And this is coming from a die hard Shimano fan.

https://tackletrap.com/index.php?mai...ducts_id=13399

[Real L]

The reason for a longer rod would be for longer casting (especially to schooling fish).

That's a good reason but the danger is reaching out to far, having problems with the hookset and loosing fish. I like to use mono for top water so I prefer to get a bit closer. I ls fell that I get better walking action with a rod a bit shorter than 7 feet.

[Rodster14]

I use braid to leader, so hook ups on last casts are not an issue.

[Rodster14]

I use braid to leader, so hook ups on last casts are not an issue.

I used my 7.2 medium heavy Expride to test. I can cast a top water a mile. A little harder to walk than the6’10 M. Maybe a little too stiff...

[Cooker11]

I use the 72 Medium zodias for my topwater. I was using my 610 Expride but liked the little longer rod. My Expride is still the best jerkbait rod I’ve ever used tho.