There is no other feeling like that adrenaline rush you get when you see a big bass come up and destroy your topwater lure. On the other hand, losing a big top water fish can be one of the worst feelings in the world.
I’ve caught a ton of bass throwing top water lures over the years and the one thing I’ve realized is that having the right rod is a game changer. Without the proper rod for your top water fishing technique you can end up losing a lot of fish and it can result into some frustrating days out on the water.
So what rod is the best for top water? There is a wide variety of rods available. Some anglers prefer a glass rod while others like a graphite rod, but the key to a good top water rod is having something that has a good tip to be able to work your bait and that also has a parabolic flex so you can land more fish.
With that being said, the ideal top water rod will depend on the technique or bait that you are fishing.
In this top water rod fishing guide, I will share with you the best overall top water rods and break them down by the different top water techniques, as well as share with you everything you need to know about getting properly set up with the right rod for some top water fishing.
5 Essentials for A Top Water Rod and Reel Combos
Before you go out and buy new top water rod and reel there are some important considerations that you should keep in mind.
The best top water rod & reel setups will have the following characteristics:
- Best Rod Material: Glass or Graphite
- Rod with Parabolic Flex
- Shorter Rod: 6’3” to 7’3”
- Soft Tip
- Reel Gear Ratio: High 7:1 or higher
Now that we have a general idea of the characteristics that make a good top water rod let’s look at some of the best top water rods out on the market.
The 4 Best Top Water Rods
- Dobyns Rods Fury
- Shimano Zodias
- Shimano SLX
- 13 Fishing Fate Black
Dobyns Fury
Best value and all-around top water rod performance for the money
The Dobyns Fury is an incredible casting rod that gives anglers incredible performance and value. The Fury is one of the most popular fishing rods out there and for good reason. It’s well designed, sensitive, durable and is at a great price point.
This rod series is a workhorse lineup and has some excellent options for fishing top water lures. The 6’6″ to 7’3″ Med Hvy are great for all around top water fishing, if you are throwing frogs I would go with the 7’3″ Heavy or bigger.
Whether you are looking for a budget friendly option or simply want to add a high quality rod to your fishing arsenal the Dobyns Fury is a must have. It won’t disappoint.
Shimano SLX
A versatile and sensitive rod ideal for any top water technique
Shimano is well known for making phenomenal fishing rods and reels and the Shimano SLX is a great example of this. It may be the best value/performance rod they have ever made.
This is an incredible product that has everything you would want in a quality top water rod. The 7’2” Medium is an ideal match for most top water techniques and will give you a lot of diversity as well.
If you are looking for a great rod that will allow you to fish top water lures but that also gives you the flexibility to throw other techniques than this is the ideal rod for you. Go check this out the SLX, it won’t disappoint.
Shimano Zodias
A high end fishing rod packed with performance and durability
The new redesigned Shimano Zodias Casting Rod is another incredible rod made by Shimano that delivers tournament caliber performance for any angler.
This rod is extremely accurate and features a proven Hi-Power X blank construction, premium micro guides and a Carbon Monocoque handle designed to make the ultimate connection between bait and angler for added sensitivity.
The Zodias is a bit more expensive than the SLX. Both offer high end performance, but if you had to choose one than I would go with the Zodias. It gives you added sensitivity and durability. It is well worth the investment.
13 Fishing Fate Black
The ultimate value vs performance top water fishing rod
The Fate Black by 13 Fishing is an under the radar rod that often gets over looked. For the anglers that have had a chance to fish with it know how great of a rod it really is.
It will be tough to find a tougher more sensitive rod at this price point. It looks great, it’s very comfortable in your hands and can be easily worked all day. The price, sensitivity and overall performance makes this a must have top water rod.
If you are an angler on a budget or just looking for a great top water rod that will provide you with high performance at a great value, check out the Fate Black by 13 Fishing. It’s an overall great rod.
Make sure to check out My Recommended Bass Fishing Gear and Tackle Guide to ensure you have the right gear for your next fishing adventure.
Best Top Water Rods By Technique
We have just gone over the best overall top water rods on the market that offer both high performance at a great value. Now let’s dive a little deeper and discuss the best top water rods by each technique.
Best Rod for Top Water Walking Baits
Now days there are so many walking bait options out on the market. All of which have a time and a place. It’s important that you select the right rod that will allow you to throw and capitalize on each technique.
The best top water rod for walking baits will have the following characteristics:
- Length: 7’ to 7’6
- Action: Moderate
- Power: Medium
- Parabolic Flex
There are a ton of different options to choose from but in my opinion the best overall rod for top water walking baits is the Shimano SLX.
Best Rod For Top Water Popper
When you are working a popper on the surface you are mostly popping it straight down. For this reason the best Rod for a popper is going to be a shorter Rod that has a fast tip.
This combination makes working a popper all day easy. A good general length is around 6’3” but you can adjust to what’s comfortable for you based on your height.
The best popper rods will have the following characteristics:
- Length: 6’3” – 7’3
- Action: Moderate
- Power: Medium
- Parabolic Flex
The best overall topwater rod for poppers and other smaller top water lures is the Shimano Zodias (6′ 10″ Medium). It’s an overall great rod.
Best Rod For Top Water Frogs
Throwing a frog is a blast and is one of my favorite ways to catch bass. Having the right rod is critical with this bass fishing technique or you’ll end up losing a lot of fish.
In most cases you’ll be throwing a frog around weed beds, Lilly pads and other thick vegetation. In order to pull bass out of this kind of cover you are going to need a rod that has a strong backbone and a fast action tip.
Best Frog Rod
- The best frog rods will have the following characteristics:
- Length: 7 to 8 feet long
- Action: fast to extra fast
- Power: heavy
The best overall frog rod in my opinion is the Dobyns Fury 735c Heavy/Fast. It’s a phenomenal rod at a great price point.
Top Water Bass Fishing Resources
As we discussed in this article having the right rod for your selected top water technique is crucial, but there are other things to keep in mind as well.
Here is a list of top water fishing resources that will help you land more bass on the surface:
- How Top Water Bass Fishing Works
- Best Bass Rods for Different Fishing Techniques and Baits
- 7 Topwater Fishing Tips To Dominate The Surface
Bottom Line
Having the right rod for your top water lures is critical and could be the difference between you landing a fish of a lifetime or having one come off.
In this top water rod selection guide we have discussed the best top water rods for each bass fishing technique. Use the information we discussed in this post to make sure you select the right rod for your favorite top water technique.
