St Croix Avid Series

Best Rods for Walleye Fishing

The best walleye fishing rods need sensitivity. Walleye tend to bite lightly. At times, they mouth the bait or lure. It feels like the lure or bait has disappeared or fell off. You need a rod that can discern the feeling.

This is why sensitivity is crucial in a walleye rod. A rod too stiff you will not feel the bite. Rods too soft, have a mushy feel and leave an uncertain feeling quality with light bites. This is common with low-cost rods found in department stores.

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A good walleye fishing rod will have very good sensitivity, a fast or extra-fast tip, and a firm backbone. A medium power or medium-light graphite rod is best for general walleye fishing. A composite or fiberglass rod lacks sensitivity.

The fiberglass or composite rods are good choices for trolling. Trolling is an effective method for walleye also. On bigger lakes, the main method is trolling. Yet finding walleye on smaller waters means jigging or live bait at times.

As an angler, you need to choose a rod based on the method of fishing employed for walleye fishing. Walleye rods come in lengths 6’6″ to 7’6″ for jigging or live bait. Trolling rods vary from 5 to 10 feet.

Best Jigging and Bait Walleye Rods

A jigging or bait rod is an investment. These rods cost one hundred dollars or more. This is due to the sensitivity and other performance characteristics. These qualities are needed in a walleye rod. The majority of the rods are 100 to 200 dollars. This is an affordable range for a good fishing rod.

The rods below this price range lack the performance walleye fishing rods need. Buying cheaper rods will mean lost fish. You will not feel the bites when jigging.

Using a braided fishing line enhances sensitivity. It is recommended for walleye fishing. Use a light line of 10-15 lb. test. This allows more sensitivity and less friction in the water.

The low-cost rods will catch walleye but lack sensitivity. In many cases, the extra cost is justified through the performance and durability of the rod.

The G loomis E6X is one of the best walleye fishing rods
G Loomis E6X walleye fishing rod

G.Loomis E6X

The E6X is for the serious walleye angler. This rod has exceptional sensitivity to detect everything on the other end of the line. You can feel a live minnow changing its activity. In other words, you feel what is going on at the hook.

  • Actions and lengths to match walleye techniques
  • Excellent strength-to-weight ratio and sensitivity
  • Fuji aluminum oxide guides
  • Premium-grade cork handle
  • Fuji reel seat

Although a superior rod for walleye, it lacks options in length and actions. The models available are exceptional for all-around walleye fishing.

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St. Croix Avid Series 

Another exceptional rod for walleye fishing. The Avid series is designed as a species-specific fishing rod. The walleye models feature the sensitivity needed to feel the action at the hook also. This rod is extremely light, strong, and sensitive.

  • High-modulus SCIII graphite blanks
  • Black-framed Fuji Alconite Concept guides
  • Fuji reel seats
  • Select-grade cork handles
  • Manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty
  • Fast or extra fast action

This rod is available in many lengths and actions. An angler will find the ideal rod for their style of fishing.

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Fenwick Elite Tech 

This rod delivers value to a walleye angler. The rod is very close to the above rods at a lower price. It comes in fast or extra fast actions. An extra-fast action is better for jigging. Using jigs requires fast hook sets. The extra fast tip is superior for hook sets with jigs.

  • Actions designed for walleye fishing
  • Ultimate in sensitivity
  • Titanium frame guides
  • Cork and TAC handle

A good selection of lengths and actions. Finding the right rod is easy with the Elite tech line of rods. You can reach the next level with one of these rods.

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St. Croix Premier 

A rod good for all-around fishing with the features to perform when walleye fishing. This is an excellent choice for anglers targeting walleye, bass, and other medium-sized freshwater game fish. Looking for a rod to do more, this is the option for you.

  • Advanced IPC Integrated Poly Curve technology
  • Fitted with genuine Fuji graphite reel seats
  • Select-grade cork handles

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St. Croix Eyecon 

A rod designed for walleye. Anglers seeking to stay lower in cost and have performance will find the Eyecon a great value. This rod is a solid performing rod at an entry-level price. It delivers sensitivity, strength, and good action at an affordable price.

  • Technique-specific walleye rods designed and built for superior performance
  • Premium-quality SCII graphite
  • Batson Forecast hard aluminum oxide guides
  • Fuji IPS reel seat
  • Split-grip/premium-grade cork handle with EVA trim
  • Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish
  • Five-year warranty

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Fenwick HMG 

One of the best entry-level rods for novice or beginners to fishing. The rods perform as well as some higher-priced rods. Experienced anglers choose the rod due to the value in the cost and performance. The sensitivity is very good.

  • Ultra sensitive—super strong
  • Non-slip TAC handles
  • Carbon bound rod blanks
  • Deep pressed titanium guides
  • Fuji reel seats

This rod falls into the all-around category. It provides performance suitable for walleye and bass. A light, sensitive rod with great performance and value. The tip action is limited to fast or moderately fast.

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Best Trolling Rods for Walleye Fishing

A trolling rod is for specific presentations. Fiberglass and composite rods perform best for trolling. The slow to moderate action prevents hooks from pulling out. In other words, the rod has more give. This is important when trolling. A fast loading rod will pull the hooks out of a fish’s mouth.

An additional advantage is the cost. The fiberglass and composite rods are less expensive. A graphite rod is stiffer and will be prone to breaking using for trolling also.

St. Croix Eyecon Trolling Rods

The Eyecon trolling rod features a composite blank. This gives the flexibility of fiberglass and the sensitivity of graphite combined. A solid performing trolling rod. All lengths come in medium power and moderate actions.

  • Premium SCII graphite and SCI linear S-glass blank
  • Technique-specific walleye series
  • Batson Forecast hard aluminum oxide guides w/double-coated black chrome frames
  • Fuji TCS reel seat w/black hood
  • Premium-grade full cork handle
  • Two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish
  • Manufacturer’s five-year limited warranty

The shorter lengths are best trolling without down-riggers. Using down-riggers uses a longer length. Employ planer boards to run multiple rods on a wider spread.

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Berkley Lightning Casting Rod

A rod suitable for trolling or casting. The 7′ come with a moderate fast action and medium power. An angler can troll deep for walleyes. In moderate depths switch over to casting crankbaits or spinnerbaits. The 6′, 6’6″, and 7’6″ lengths are good for trolling. You can cast easily with these lengths also.

  • Specific-purpose trolling rod
  • 24 ton, multi modulus graphite blank
  • Stainless steel guides
  • Aluminum oxide inserts
  • Double locking reel seat
  • Extended, shrink-wrapped handle

This rod is a low-cost option for anglers seeking a rod with options. The lightning is a high modulus graphite rod. It is okay for trolling but use caution to prevent high sticking in the rod holders.

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Summary

Sensitivity is key to a good walleye fishing rod. The length, power, and action are important also. Look at the quality of the rod before the price. Expect a rod to cost 100 to 200 dollars but some are more expensive. In many cases, the extra cost is justified through the performance and durability of the rod.

The low-cost rods below one hundred dollars will catch walleye but lack the sensitivity. They are trolling or reaction lure rods. They are not suitable for live bait or jigging.

Recommended Spinning reels for Walleye Fishing

John McIntyre


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