I have a customer who has requested a spinning rod for topwater "walking the dog" technique with Top Dogs and She Dogs from the front deck on a bay boat. I have tried to do this with a spinning rod and I just can not make the bait work the same as with a bait casting rod. The crank handle is just too far away from my other hand to get any where close to the action on the bait that I want. If someone can do this with a spinning rig what blank action and length is reccommended Trout and redfish. Would a shorter rod built on a moderate action popping rod blank work for this tip down technique or is a fast or extra fast action blank required.

Thanks

I would recommend an SJ783.

Bill-

One more thing a 6'6" is the best size to go with...I would think you build rain shadow and the sj783 they have would be good for the bigger plugs, but a 782 for smaller plugs e.g. superspook juniors.

Just want to give another opinion.
Here in Arkansas we have a fair amount of spring and early summer top water Striper action, and long casts are important to reach the fish without spooking them.
For us something like the Batson IST993 works well. We use 6-8# line and throw Zara Spook Jr, spinnerbaits, other lures up to 1/2 oz and the fast tip works well for lure action, the 8'3" length allows an easy long cast using both hands.
A 7" to 9" rear grip, depending on customer preferences.
If long casts are not important, I agree the shorter 61/2 blanks make working the bait easier.


Best wishes,
Ron Schneider
Schneider's Rod Shop
Mountain Home, Arkansas
[www.schneidersrods.com]
mtnron40@yahoo.com
870-424-3381

Bill,

I have to agree with Ron. I think the longer rod works topwater a little better. I use an IP 841 and have recently finished an 8 ft one but cannot remember the number. I use 4-8 lb line. But for topwater I prefer the 8 lb., I have a tendancey to really jerk hard when I see the fish strike. (probably too hard). I am somewhat like Ron in that I am fishing clear water and stay with as light of line as I can get away with.

Ed Smith

My boat is not high enough to keep the tip down near the water with an 8 foot stick. I do not know how to walk the dog with the tip up in the air. I guess I could tell the guy to stand on a ladder.

I would recommend the Batson bass series 843 - I think it's called the MB843. It's 7' long with a fast tip but enough guts at the top of the action to move the topwater the way she wants.

Uncle Russ

I would go with a 6'6" rod in a 3 power like we use around Galveston and a 2 power for smaller baits. An eight foot rod for me is out of the question. A 783 or a 782 blank is what I use depending on the bait being used, the faster the tip the better.

I want a rod that is as long as possible. I work with the tip down and I don't want it diving into the water. An inch or two is fine, but six or more is unacceptable.

That being said, I use an older Loomis SB723. Shikari makes a SB603 that I would buy, if I broke my Loomis.

Great blank for me. My brother actually loved it so much he had to have 2 of them. Torpedo's, Spooks, Pop-R's, Skitter Pop's, Skitter Walk's...



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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I think the St Croix 3C68MXF or the Rainshadow ISB 822.5 would work here also.

Thanks: I just found reference in "walking the dog" on the GLoomis site and theirs are six footers for tip down work.

Bill,

Maybe I miss understood something but when I fish fresh water with topwater I want the tip up. I 'm fishing thru "jumps" and the bass are chasing the shad minnows out of the water. I try to make my lure jump a little out of the water. (Anywhere from 3 to 1 o'clock) Cajun's have always done things different than us Hillbillies.

Ed Smith

Most "walk the dog" type topwater fishing is done with rods in the 6 to 6'6" range. Much longer than that and you are losing control over what the bait is doing, as well as fighting the length of the rod vs the water surface. Actually, most topwater, spinnerbait, and crankbait bassing is done with the rod tip down. I like longer rods, but for this type of work, a shorter rod is definitely in order. I'd recommend 6'6" max.

Thanks Rich understood on the short - my question was can it also be done with a spinning rod - I am a bait cast freak and can not make it happen with a spinning reel - just wanted to know can someone with a spinning reel make the dog trot? Would you build on the same action rod blank if casting or spinning for this technique.

Bill

My rod and my brothers two rods are spinning rods. I have absoluetly no problem working the bait.

I also use a small Muskie sized walk-the-dog plug that I throw on casting gear for Bass and have no trouble walking that bait.

If you're having trouble with a spinning rod, I firmly believe that it will only be a matter of time before you learn the right rythm. Its just a different set up that requires a bit of change in cadence. But it is entirely possible to learn it and then do it without thinking about it.

I would most certainly build with the same blank. That style of blank is what I like for topwater and I'd use it cast or spin.




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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Bill - certainly most using these techniques are using baitcasters - but like the previous poster noted, I'm sure you can do it with spinning as well - as long as you have a good blank. A lot of walk the dog type action is imparted by the rod tip - a typical "spinning rod" tip probably has too much flex to really pop the lure and get that action going. I'll bet a rod built on a "casting" blank would be great - just a matter of getting the cadence down - it's all in the rythm you establish with the bait. Heck, I have a buddy (tournament bass guy) who flips, pitches, and can skip lures under docks all with the 6' long baitcasters I built for him - so I'll guarantee it's just a matter of some practice to walk the dog with a spinning rod :-)