Hey guys, looking for a all around topwater rod, gonna throw spooks,poppers, maybe prop baits, can I get one rod that would handle all these baits? I have heard alot about the Zell Rowland topwater special, can you still buy this rod, does anybody have any experience with this rod, or is there a better rod for this application? As usual, thanks for the help.

Where are you located? I have just built myself a new model that I REALLY like. If you are close by you are more than welcome to check it out.

I would say 7-7.5ft medium heavy rod....fast tip will help with walkin the dog and froggin.

Yeah I like a 7ft MH with a fast tip just like musiclife said. It's amazing how much better action you get with a spook when fished with a fast tip . This should work for poppers too.

The only issue that I've ever had with the AllStar TWS rod is a spook is a little too heavy (IMO) for that rod. I've got one and still use it on occasions. I prefer 7ft rods and that rod you are referring to is 6 ft 6 in. It's still a great rod!!!

Shimano Crucial 7ft m/h TC-4. It also works great for throwing square bill cranks. Other options, a Powell Max 683 or Kistler 6-9 m/h Helium.

I've been throwing the Skeet Reese Top Water and a Super Spook Jr. and it's been great. For salt I prefer a medium heavy as I can get more distance with that stiffer rod and those long hook sets for strong red fish.

7ft Medium Heavy Would be a good all around topwater rod. If your looking for a rod to use with medium sizes spooks and poppers a G Loomis 802 TWR, for bigger topwater the 773 TWR might be worth looking into.

I prefer a 6.6 rod over longer rods for ease of action. By palming the reel, I like to twitch me rod tip by lowering my tip rather than lifting it. This way I get a straight forward pop without lifting the line from the waters surface. The rod I'm using was personally own by Zell Rowland. American Rodsmith.

There really no much you CAN'T do with a 7'MH Fast tip rod. I use fairly cheap rods for topwater fishing. . .it's not like it needs to have great feel when you're seeing the strikes. It just needs to be reliable and have enough backbone. A lot of guys I know use a real flimsy rod for topwater fishing. You can get by with it catching 3 and 4lb fish. . .but you really don't want to get caught trying to fight an 8lber with a wet noodle.

Ok, I'm new (I guess) enough to ask a dumb question. When ya'll say a 'fast tip' ??? what exactly is that and what do I look for to find one?
Funny I know but hey, if you don't know, ask.
Thanks

Hey Lee. Check this out.

http://www.bassfishingandcatching.com/fishing-rod-action.html

THANK YOU! That's a great article and explains a lot BUT, the last chart (generalities about rods) just has **** in the topwater baits? That's what this was all about....but, it does list frogs and they are top water. Kinda confusing on that chart at least.
Good reference I will keep, maybe it will help someone else as well.
Thanks for the efforts to find and share, it is appreciated!!

Lol wth? I didn't even notice that when I pasted it. . .I'm guessing it may be because of the wide range of topwater presentations.

I primarily use a 7-2 medium w/ braid. I use a Shimano cumara and have for years. It may feel like it has to much flex but with braid it has handled good largemouth, redfish, striper etc.
It throws small yellow magic to regular spook better than anything I have found.
It however is a little soft for Super Spook, vixen, etc size topwaters.