walleye rods

[lucky73]

Sorry to admit all the high end rods I have are for fly fishing. I have caught thousands of walleye and pike using cheap rods, but am thinking of buying a decent walleye rod in the $1oo to $200 price range. I want good sensivity for walleye (mostly usr cranks and twister tails) but I live in Canada and it will have to regularly handle 1o lb pike with the occasional up to 25. THx in advance for your help.

[Mattman]

Well, you'll get about a thousand different rod reccomendations here. If you see the value in a quality rod, you will narrow your choice down quite a bit. And unlike fly rods, there aren't many spinning rods that push the $700 mark.

I'm, personally, very partial to G. Loomis. I've become very familiar with their actions and different models. They make a great rod and have the best warranty in the business. For jigs and small cranks in the Walleye category a SJ722 or 782 (6' or 6'6")would be a good choice. Its rated for 6 - 10 pound line and 1/8 - 3/8 ounce lures. The 782 is my goto Walleye and Smallmouth rod. Step up to a 3 power if you really feel that you need a rod to handle bigger jigs and cranks.

St. Croix makes some very nice rods at a very good price. I personally aren't really fond of them. But, if I had to go with a mass produced rod, they'd be towards the top of my list. With St. Croix a spinning rod is a spinning rod. They don't have several series of rods with different tapers. Which is one of the things I love about Loomis. St. Croix also has a very good warranty.

I've heard excellent things about Quarrow rods and I'm sure someone here will pipe up with a testimonial.

There are quite a few more out there, and I'm sure they will all get mentioned. IMHO, buy quality. You won't go even close to wrong with Loomis or St. Croix.

Being a rod builder myself I have to say that a custom rod is a great way to go. Even if you had to get a lesser quality graphite to justify the price. Forget the fancy thread work, that's just more money and more weight to your rod. A "plain Jane" rod will be worth the cost. A hand built rod performs soooooo much better than one coming from a factory. Each one gets set up for that particular blank and that particular reel and that particular fisherman.

Good luck!


Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

Matt Davis

[walleyeken]

hello there,check out hookhider.com. they are with out a dout the best walleye rods on the market period.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rod guy]

I sell rods every day as a profession. I can tell you that 90% of fisherman do not understand the value in a fishing rod. When you pay over $100 for a fishing rod you are paying for a warranty and an advertised name. Every rod that I own was made in China or korea and I would put any of them up to the St. Croix and Loomis blanks that are spoke of so often by fisherman. I have been to China, I have watched them spin the graphite on mandrels, I know the difference between all different types of graphite. You would be amazed at some of the production facilities overseas. For high quality graphite they have huge temperature controlled rooms which keeps the graphite strong while in the production process. The labor is cheap, the facilities are amazing, and the rod quality of a lot of these rods is equal to or better than the ones made here for a fraction of the price. Take a close look at some of the larger retailers i.e. Gander, Dick's Sporting Goods, Galyan's, and others. Starting now and into the future these companies will be taking advantage of the high quality rods coming from overseas at a low price.

As for the fly rods priced from $300 to $1000. Same story as a spinning rod. As a general rule fly fishermen have more money to spend than other fisherfolk. Thus, they are willing to pay it and the retailers are very willing to take their money.

My point is make sure you look around before you go out and buy a rod for the name. They are good rods. They are also overpriced. You might be surprised at what you can find for a $50 bill.

I am very aware at the quality of some of the rod manufacturers in the United States and even custom made rods for that matter. I am not in any way bashing their rods, just encouraging people to look a little further. Good luck on your rod quest. Now maybe after you buy a rod you will still have money left over for a few crankbaits.

[Chad]

Call Pat Smith at Thorne Bros and have him custom make you a rod to your specs. They are one of the top custom rod builders in the midwest. It will not cost much more then one off the shelf and will be exactly what you want.

Web page: www.thornebros.com

email: info@thornebros.com

[catchNrelease]

Good post Rod Guy. Sometimes your made to feel if it doesn't cost 3 days salary then it must not be any good. I have nothing but good things to say about the Gander Mountian guide series rods. Then again, I've never used a St Croix or Loomis either.

[Tom]

i have been using berkley lighting rods for 20+ years now, they are light they are strong and they are very sensitive, i catch more than my share of walleye and smallmouth with them and the best part is they are under 30 bucks, i,m not saying to run out and buy one but don,t over look them get your hands on one and than decide.




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[ibfishn]

No offense meant here RODGUY but I don't mind spending a little more money on a rod made here in the good old US of A. That said I have always liked Shakespear rods even though they are definately a "cheaper" rod. I bought on of the new Rapala "Signature Series" rods this spring an am very impressed with it. They seem to have really done their homework and made a nice rod.

[MadeinUSA]

ibfishn: Made in the USA and probably assembled in Thailand.

[Marbli]

I agree with an other post, for the money you can't beat a Lightening Rod. I have spent many hours jigging and lindy rigging Walleyes and for the money there is no better rod made. For $30, if you step on it its no big deal. I am sure there are better rods out there but not for the money!

[Geno]

Hey Matt....I think you answered the chaps question pretty well, you covered all the bases. I'm with you on the Loomis for casting and jigging....all personal preferences. Since you build, my E is genorogers@aol.com...... I've got an idea on a new toy.

Again, good post to the subject matter.

Geno

[Mr. Breeze]

You've got to be kidding with that "not much more than off the shelf" prices. Have you checked lately???????

Breeze

[Mud Duck]

I too have had really good luck with the Gander Mtn. Guide series rods. Their IM-8 & IM-7 rods are worth a look. Very affordable and a two year warranty. I had to take one back because of a bad tip, they exchanged it, no questions asked.