I usually don't throw topwaters on this rod, but I didn't have another rod with me. The pond was had open water in one corner and grass mattes with logs and brush in the other half. Casted out and was walking it back in when I got crushed. Slight breeze and it was about 93° out with blue skies. 7'3 skeet Reese with a Penn fierce 4000 and 15lbs powerpro