Walleye rods

[Alex]

I need to get a new rod for walleye fishing.... what rod should i get? i have no idea.

[Alex]

I need to get a new rod for walleye fishing.... what rod should i get? i have no idea.

[Genio]

Alex, check out the Gary Roach rods from Berkey.I have a couple and like them a lot. Also have a couple Series One rods from Berkely. Genio

[LUNDY]

While your rod shopping check out the st.croix rods. Good luck
Lundy

[wallii]

The old saying"BUY THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD" is a fact. If you lean towards spinning gear a Gloomis model 782 or 783 are pretty hard to beat. If you prefer St. Croix rods thn take a look at the Legend models CROSS SOME EYES !!

[FISHSNIFFER]

If your serious about a good rod check out figrig rods out of grand rapids mn at itasca marine you won't regretit.

[Ed]

I would highly suggest the Cabela rods.

The IM7 Tourney 602---- $59
The XML604 super light $140

[Greg P.]

I bought a Gander Mountain Guide Series IM8 6.5' and am very impressed with it. $59. Good rod for a reasonable price. I look for a good backbone, lightweight, and sensitive tip.

I have been through plenty of rods, and do not like to spend $150 on a fishing rod. Expensive rods get stepped on as quickly as a $50 rod.

There is a big difference between a $25 dollar rod and a $60 rod, but not much difference between a $60 rod and a $150 rod. Give them all a shake.

Good luck.
Greg P.

[Chad]

I agree. You will need to spend over $50 but not over $70 to get a good rod.

[Chad]

I agree. You will need to spend over $50 but not over $70 to get a good rod. I would also suggest that you go to your local sporting goods store which has a wide selection of rods and talk to the sales person. He may be able to help you make a wise decision. The type and style will depend on the type of fishing you prefer. A good 6' to 6'6" med is kind of a generic rod.

[LundBoy]

I have a really great Abu Garcia Combo with berkley sensithin line a spare spool rog and real combo really sweet only 59.99 Or a Walleye stik or a G-Loomis GL2

[Scott W.]

Two Words.......Saint Croix..... Good Fishing

[Les]

I really like the Cabela's rods. Try the IM6 or IM7. The IM7 has a little more backbone. Both work extremely well jigging. You don't have to spend over $70 for a good rod.

[minnow]

bass pro /walleye series hm85,
just priced one today 119$ bare or get a great
79$ reel for an extra 10$ /129 total ,I am
convinced that a complete system for half the
price of a bare loomis is a very good choice,
also try pro selcet line good luck

[HONEST DON]

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SCHEEL'S STORES NEAR YOU, BUT IF YOU DO CHECK OUT THE GUIDE SERIES RODS SOLD BY THEM. I AM TOLD THAT THEY ARE BUILT WITH A HAGEN BLANK MANUFACTURED IN MITCHEL SD. PRICES START AT ABOUT 50 BUCKS AND GO UP. THEY ARE EXCELLENT RODS FOR THE MONEY. GOOD FISHING AND GOOD LUCK.

[Goldpig]

Personally, I disagree with most of the respondents. Buy the best rod you can afford. I have used nearly every brand of rod and have determined that you get what you pay for! Because of this, I will no longer buy anything other than an IMX series Loomis or better. For jigging I would try a SJR 721 IMX Loomis, and for Lindy rigging or bobber fishing I like the 8400 series.

For those finicky walleye, the more sensitive, the more fish you will put in the boat. I can guarantee that a lot of people miss fish that they never even felt. Heck, I even miss a lot of the ones I do feel.

Also, keep in mind that some of the larger manufacturers have warranties on their products. I just had a GLX Loomis snap in half and it was replaced, no questions asked. Good luck.

[FROGMAN]

St. Croix. Buy the best model you can afford. Just ordered two more AVID's model #AS60ULF for my own arsenal (yes, the wife says it's an arsenal). Good Luck, and Tight Lines

FROGMAN

[Hawg Tracker]

I just had the misfortune (as it turns out...good luck) of wrecking my last Shimano rod. I was quite unhappy.
I went to Bass Pro Shops web page...WOW! I bought a Pflueger IM8
6'6" Medium action for something like $38.00 This rod is awsome!
If there is such a thing this is the Callaway (golf term) of fishing rods for a very low price...I have never owned a rod that acts so nice. I am using it this weekend for the first time on the water....

[Hawg Tracker]

I just had the misfortune (as it turns out...good luck) of wrecking my last Shimano rod. I was quite unhappy.
I went to Bass Pro Shops web page...WOW! I bought a Pflueger IM8
6'6" Medium action for something like $38.00 This rod is awsome!
If there is such a thing this is the Callaway (golf term) of fishing rods for a very low price...I have never owned a rod that acts so nice. I am using it this weekend for the first time on the water....

[William Smith]

G Loomis

Will

[LARRY]

I GO ALONG WITH THE $60 AND OVER IS A GOOD WAY TO GO.BUT I LOOK FOR ROD IN A DIFFERENT WAY,I KNOW WHAT I`M GOING TO USE IT .THEN I GO TO CABELAS,PRO PRO OR SOME SHOP THAT HAS A GOOD SELECTION TRY DARN NEAR ALL THE RODS IN THE PLACE. TO ME WHEN I FIND A ROD FEELS GOOD TO ME I`LL GET IT.IT MIGHT COST ME FROM &60 OR OVER, BUT THAT ONE I`LL GET.BUT IT WILL BE OVER %60.ALSO I HAVE THE DEALER PUT A REEL ON IT LIKE THE ONE GOING USE.SOUNDS LIKE ALOT TROUBLE BUT IN THE LONG YOU WILL BE ALOT HAPPIER :AMEN

[john]

Go with a G-loomis.

[rawburt]

Mine is a TechnaAV by Fenwick. Try one and you'll love it too. rawburt

[IaCraig]

Alex, if you have no idea then you probably aren't too keen on spending $150 to $250 on your 1st walleye rod. But I agree with the other people who recommended to you to use something over $50. I used a medium action Cabela's brand IM6 graphite for years as my main rod and really liked it. I also recommend checking out the other postings for people's favorite spinning reels to match it with. Personally I use Shakespear reels like the President LX or the Medalist. (I started using shakespear and pflueger years ago and stuck with them). Anyway look for a reel that holds around 140 to 190 yards of 6# test. You will regret it if you buy to big & heavy of a reel.

Oh yeah, try to find some Berkly Whiplash line for super sensitivity.

Good Luck
IaCraig

[GregM]

My son and I bought a couple rods made by Gapen. They are light but balanced perfectly. Backbone for reeling in the big one and casting is great. The sensativity is great. My son has the 6'6" medium spin cast. He has never been able to catch many walleyes until last spring in Red Wing. He caught over thirty. They have a web site: www.gapen.com and there are at the sportsman show.

[CJHughes]

I find it very hard to pay 100.00to 300.00 for a fishing rod,it is not like a gun where you could resale it later and even make alittle money on the gun.But my wife recently paid 200.00 on a basket which opened the door for a G loomis.Man what a rod,it does make a difference.Longaberger baskets could help you out.

[Raybob]

Longaberger Baskets .. Yeah, they sure do, I can pretty much buy anything I want .. Janet has about 2 doz of them & went to school with "Popeye Longaberger" in Dresden,Oh!!

Ray

[Brizno]

I'm from South Dakota, and I'm an avid walleye fisherman... The walleye rod I'd recommend is Berkley Fulcrum-6'6" I currently own 3 of those... Works beautifully, landed a 8# Walleye at West Bend, Lake Sharpe (20 mi S of Pierre, SD) with no problem. Sensitive enough, can use jigs and Roach Rigs on spinning rod and crankbaits on baitcasting rod... Bottom bouncers with spinners on both rods. Just would like ot let ya know. :) Good Luck and Happy Fishin'!

[Brizno]

I'm from South Dakota, and I'm an avid walleye fisherman... The walleye rod I'd recommend is Mitchell Fulcrum-6'6" I currently own 3 of those... Works beautifully, landed a 8# Walleye at West Bend, Lake Sharpe (20 mi S of Pierre, SD) with no problem. Sensitive enough, can use jigs and Roach Rigs on spinning rod and crankbaits on baitcasting rod... Bottom bouncers with spinners on both rods. Just would like ot let ya know. :) Good Luck and Happy Fishin'!

[zinfish]

if you dont think there is a difference in a $150 walleye rod compared to a $60, i would recomend do some background reaserch into them and talk to somesome educated rod designers. and what is a "sensitive tip?" is it a tip thet is whippy? if it is that will make the rod very unsensitive to feel. it will also greatly reduce your casting distance and accuraccy. it will not also help put proper pressure on your fish and your line. if you do not truly know what creates a good rod you should not offer your advice

[bobby]

i wanted to recemend fenwick HMG they are my all time favorite rod and normally cost around 105.00$

[who???]

Who are you talking to?

[Toolman]

I agree that HMG rods are excellent.I own two myself. I also like the Bass Pro HM85. Often you can get an excellent value on these combos. I also own both G.Loomis and St.Croix rods. They both make great rods, but ,you pay alot for the name.Bottom line- buy what you can afford , with good feel ,light weight,and put a good reel on it, and CATCH FISH!!! Tight lines.TOOLMAN.

[eyes4ever]

You get what you pay for I have had the hm85 and the im7 rods from cabelas and both broke not from abuse either if you are serious buy a St Croix or G Lommis.

[doug roberts]

a lot of goodand bad advice. find someone to build you a rod. youll find that the rods not the only thing that matters. find the right reel seat handle then youll have arod that has every thing you want

[todd]

Well what the rest of these pros are not telling you is that the type of rod depends on the type of fishing.Look at a couple of sites from G-Loomis to berkly and St.Croix they will help you or see the staff at Scheels all sports they will guide you to suit your needs.

[Tfisher]

i sugest the st. croic rods they are a rood rod one of my personal favorites

[MN--Hook Setter]

I personally like the new Fenwick Techna AV rods. These rods are expensive but i feel well worth the money. I also own the Bass Pro Hm85 6'6" rod with a sustain reel that i wouldnt trade for anything. What it comes down to is how much fishing you do and how much coin you can afford. Its hard to justify a 400 dollar combo if you fish 3 times a year but I suppose its also tough to justify owning 17 rod and reels when i could get by with 5 or 7 maybe. LOL

[mnjimcarp]

check out the FIG RIG rods. we have been using them for years and we really enjoy FIG RIGS.

[HLLGuide]

I feel that if you are serious about fishing, invest in a Techna by Fenwick. I fished with a techna for 3 years now and I won't put it down. I've also fished with Loomis. Both are great rods! I recommend a 6 footer, medium action. Good fishin

[IaCraig]

:-( Hey zinfish :-(, who said there is no difference?? People are simply saying the extra $ paid for a $60 graphite rod instead of a Snoopy rod is more noticeable than the next $110+ you spend for a loomis gl3. If you disagree you are entitled to your opinion and should post such, but you should also respect the rights of others to post their opinion. And how is your post helping Alex decide anything???

:-) Alex :-) , I would guess that since your question is not specific to price or fishing type that you may 1st want to educate yourself on what type of rod complements the type of fishing you want to do the most. Jig leadheads, Bottom Bounce, Lindy Rig, troll crankbaits, casting rapalas ?????? You can do this by reading the pro's page and checking out info in the rod charts in magazines like Cabela's.(some have a fishing type column) If you want 1 rod to do everything I'd suggest a 6'6" graphite, moderately fast or fast. Once you know the type of rod you want then read through the responses you got and check out the archives for replys to similar posts over the last 3 months.

I do agree with the point I think zinfish was trying to make, and that is very few of the replys you'll get to this question are based upon scientific facts to support claims of sensitivity. Rather you will get the experiences of people who have determined their favorites from time spent on the water.

If you'd like me to make a recommendation, e-mail me at theisenc@earthlink.net so I can ask you more specific questions on your fishing preferences & budget.

IaCraig

[Hans]

That's kinda like asking "which girl should I marry?"! Depends on what you're looking for, and how you fish. There is no single 'BEST' walleye rod.

Everyone here has recommended a good walleye rod --- FOR THEM! Some of them are priced over $300.00, in fact almost all of the recommendations I saw are over $100. If you make the wrong choice, you're out some serious green stamps!

Since you seem to be in the "investigative" stage, I'd spend about $150-180, but I'd spend it on three rods.

Those rods would be:

...Berkley GR-30-6-2 (about $55.00). A nice light action rod for both jigging and rigging.

...Fenwick HMXS66ML (about $60.00). A medium action rod good for deeper rigging and tossing plugs.

...Finally, I'd get a stiff Shakespeare Ugly Stick (about $40.00) for pulling deep running Rapallas, etc.

Use all three of these rods over a season, and you'll gain an idea of which sort of action is best for the majority of your fishing.

Then, save your nickels and buy a St. Croix, GLoomis, or high-end Fenwick of that same style and action as your "main squeeze". The other three rods are still all good respectable rods -- use them for second rigs, backups, or guest rods.

Hans

--
"I long for the dear old lakeshore, where I dreamed my youth away;
for a dreamer lives forever, and a toiler dies in a day.
From the sleepless thoughts endeavor, I would go where the children play;
For a dreamer lives forever, And a thinker dies in a day."

[RS]

Alex,
I'm an avid, but economical fisherman. Rods are very important, but I have found if you use higher quality, more sensitive line will make up for a less expensive/quality rod. Some of the "super" lines will help increase sensitivity in your rod without increasing its price. I have fished next to guys with 300.00 rods and out fished them because of the line we were using. Just another consideration to think about. I'd enjoy more insight on my opinion..Thanks RS

[rawburt]

Buy the best you can afford. I have a Fenwick Walleye Class spinning rod and love it. Try one at a store near you.

[Beagler]

I bought acouple of rods . Pinnacle deadbolt DBS70CA 7'line 10-20Lb lure 3/8-1oz Taper Fast. 19.95

[Wylie]

Haven't seen anyone reccommend Falcon. Good rods, not so expensive! Just my two cents.

[Get Real]

Berkly Lightning rod, cost $30.00. Take the $270 dollars that you saved and take 10 more day trips next year and gain some more valuable experience on the water.

PS You dont need to spend over $30 on a reel either, learn to back reel, and you'll never use that overpriced drag again