All Purpose Walleye Rod

[TFF]

I am in the market for an all purpose walleye rod. I need it to be very versatile, because it will be used for jigging, crankbaits, lindy rigs, etc. I have heard very good things about St. Croix rods, what is your opinion? What type of rods do you have success with? Include specifics (action, length, etc.)

Thanks,

TFF

[Peanut]

You didn't give a price range, so you might get a wide variety of prices.

Since you want a single, all-purpose rod, I'm assuming you don't want to spend piles of money (if you do, just buy 3-4 $75-$100 rods, and you'll have a good rod for every application). So, with this qualification, I would suggest the following:

1. You heard right about St. Croix. They are quality rods. The Premier is their lowest-priced line, but is still very good. For jigging, my first choice is a 6' M action, for rigging 6'6"-7' ML or M. As you are wanting to pull cranks as well as jig/rig, I would avoind the ML action, and go with M action. Any heavier than M and I would not want to jig/rig with it.

For length, you can go anywhere from 6'-7', depending on preference. I guess the true compromise would be 6'6". Whatever you get, I would recommend a 1 piece.

2. The same analysis applies, but the rod in this case is a Berkley Series One.

In either instance, you'd be spending between $75-90 US.

Good luck,

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[SLIPKNOT]

For one all purpose rod I would get a st croix 6'6" medium action avid series rod. Good luck!

[Smitty]

I've got a Falcon Lowrider series rod (7' Medium action but I forget the specific model) that I really like. I can't say as I've tried the high end Loomis or St. Croix rods for comparison, but I do have a 6'6" Med Cabela's XML (which retail at about $135) and I think the Falcon is more sensitive. If I remember right I paid about $85 for the Falcon & I can't believe they don't get more mentions on this board. Great rod!!

For a lower end rod I also have a medium action South Bend "Trophy Pro" that is a $30-40 rod and is pretty sensitive. I can't say it's up there with the others, but then again I could buy 2-3 of these for the cost of one higher end rod.. Found it at a Fleet Farm if I remember right.

[curt quesnell]

Good info so far.

I have a Loomis rod, a couple of St. Croix rods and I use em alot.

But, before those my all purpose rod was a Berkley Lightning Rod, a
6 footer (about a half a foot too short). I still grab the Lightning
Rod often and make sure its got a good reel on it.

The Loomis has better sensitivity and feel, the St Croix rods are also
better but, for the money I spent (probably 25 bucks) for the
Berkley it has always performed above expectations.

Once you get the "feel" of a good rod you will want to move up
to the premium brands. I still recommend the Lightning Rod for
all around performance and also as a stepping stone up to the
big boys.

The Loomis and St. Croix are worth the money, but they are not
the only way to go.

What a fun decision you get to make

Curt Quesnell

[W1]

I looked at a Pflueger at Gander 6'2"ML $49.99 anyone use these? Wondering if the are any good? They had a good feel to them even with the St.Croix Avid in the other hand.

[TFF]

All I want is a quality rod, if I have to spend $150 then so be it. One can never skimp when it comes to fishing equipment. Are the more expensive St. Croix's that much better than the cheaper St. Croix rods?

Thanks

TFF

[SLIPKNOT]

I have used premire, avid, and legend elite st croix rods. The legend elite difinatly the best but they come with a hefty price tag. Like I said before, I would go with the avid series Becuase: 1. Lifetime warranty 2. They are a quality rod and very sensitive. Good luck!

[W1]

I looked at a Pflueger at Gander 6'2"ML $49.99 anyone use these? Wondering if the are any good?
They had a good feel to them even with the St.Croix Avid in the other hand. How about Fenwick HMX/HMG?

[iamwalleye1]

For the money I would look at the AVID. Great rods for the money. If you have a little extra go with the elite! 6'6" mfcs.

[IFISH4I]

I am real happy with the XML walleye rod from Cabelas. I have a 6'6'' all purpose jig and rig and I use it like you said you were looking for. Nice rod $99

[SUPERTROLLER]

I bought 2 rods last year. One was a Fenwick HMX 6' MH, use it for heavy jigging spoons. The other was a Lightening Rod Classic. Now they call them the Pro series. It was 6'6" M and I absolutely love the weight and feel for rigging and lighter jigging. For the money the Lightening Rods are in a league of their own. If you are intent on spending more, you can hardly go wrong with Berkley Series One, St. Croix Premier or Avid, or the G.Loomis Gl2, Gl3, or Walleye Series rods. As stated before, 6'6" is probably the best bet for an all-purpose rod. Short enough to jig and long enough to take up the line and set a hook when rigging.

Get 2 Lightening Rods and go with 6' and 7' lengths. That would cover everything for you and probably still save you money.