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Best Walleye Rods 2023 – (Buyers Guide)

walleye fishing rods

Choosing the best walleye rod depends entirely on just how exactly you are intending on fishing for walleye.

Different methods suit different locations and techniques, matching your setup to how you present your lure is super important.

The three main methods for catching walleye are:

  • Trolling 
  • Spinning
  • Jigging

Each method requires a different setup and tackle configuration. The main differences in the rods is generally the sensitivity.

Trolling rods will be the least sensitive, spinning rods somewhere in the middle and jigging rods will always have the most sensitive actions.

Rod Action is different to rod power, action means where on the rod blank the natural bend in the rod will start to form.

The faster the action the higher up near the tip that bend will start, a slower action will bend more towards the middle or bottom 1/3 of the rod.

Rod power can be explained as how strong the rod is, or what size line it is rated for and how large a fish it can handle.

Best Walleye Rod 2023

RodTypePrice
1. Ugly Stik Elite SteelheadTrolling$Check on Amazon
2. Shimano TaloraTrolling$$Check on Amazon
3. Fenwick Eagle Spinning$Check on Amazon
4. Okuma Dead EyeSpinning$$Check on Amazon
5. Fenwick Elite TechJigging$$Check on Amazon
6. G Loomis E6XJigging$$$Check on Amazon

Trolling rods

If you are planning on trolling for walleye then you will need a somewhat heavier setup than if you were spinning and most definitely if you are jigging.

Trolling puts a lot more pressure on your gear especially if you are using planer boards or heavy lead core line to help get down deep.

A trolling setup requires a longer rod with a medium/heavy power and a medium action. You can use a heavier spinning rod for trolling but you are much better of using a trolling rod that has been specifically designed for the job.

Spinning rods

A spinning rod for walleye sits somewhere in the middle between the heavier trolling rod and the much lighter jigging rod.

A good walleye spinning rod will generally be medium to fast action and a light/medium power. With spinning you can sometimes find yourself casting a variety of different lures from really light Rapala’s up to heavier crankbaits or even some heavy spinners depending on where you are fishing.

Having a good spinning rod that sits between an ultralight rod and a medium setup is usually better option. Versatility is the key here so don’t shoehorn yourself into anything that is too light.

Jigging rods

Walleye jigging rods are a little different than either a trolling or spinning rod. With jigging it is all about sensitivity.

They are usually short at about 6’6 but a lot of walleye anglers will also stretch up to a 7′ foot rod. A fast action is key here with a light/medium power.

Lighter tackle means better sensitivity and when you are using really small jig heads for vertical jigging then it makes sense to have a sensitive rod that gives lots of feedback through the tip. 


Now that we have had a brief introduction as to what type of pole you need for each of the different types of fishing setups for walleye we can take a more in depth look at some rods in finer detail. 

Spending a small fortune on your rods is not always the best approach the reel is generally the most important when you are trolling or spinning.

A good walleye pole is not a major investment but you may end up purchasing a few different ones depending on how you are fishing.

However, if you are jigging for walleye then the rod is probably more important than the reel. Just make sure that your reel is not too heavy as a heavy walleye reel with a light weight rod can cause a bit of a balance issue with the rod and how you jig with it.

Trolling Rods for Walleye

For most fishermen trolling for walleye tends to be done deep done on large lakes usually using large crankbaits of deep diving minnow baits.

When it comes to getting your trolling depth right you will generally use one of the following things:

  • Weight
  • Plano board
  • Down-rigger

All of the above to tend to put a lot of strain on a rod especially something like a down-rigger where the rod is bent under a high load for sometimes hours on end.

If however you are trolling in the shallows then you don’t need to use anything like weight or a down-rigger. The lip on the crankbait should be sufficient for shallower waters and you can fine tune the diving depth by adjusting your boat speed.

Trolling along side drop offs of weed beds can be very productive and doesn’t need quite as powerful a walleye setup as when you are trolling.

If you are trolling in the top 10 feet or so of the water then you can quite easily get away with a medium powered spinning setup and you might not need a dedicated trolling rod for walleye.

However you can still use your trolling tackle just minus whatever you normally use to get the lures down deep. Although you may want to use a slightly lighter leader as visibility of better in the shallows.


1. Ugly Stik Elite Steelhead Rod

Don’t let the name fool you these rods are perfectly suitable as a walleye trolling rod. 

An 8’6″ rod in medium or medium/heavy is more than capable of handling a trolling set up, the rod blanks have a lot of backbone.

They have one piece stainless steel guides which eliminate the need for guide inserts. One piece guides will generally divide opinions personally I think they are just fine in fact it means there is even less to go wrong with your rod.

Paired with a decent baitcaster you can also use these rods for casting heavy lures, like big spoons or large crankbaits especially the heavier sinking varieties and can still use them for trolling.

  • Ugly Stik Clear tip design
  • Tough one piece stainless steel guides
  • Stainless steel reel hood

2. Shimano Talora Trolling

The Shimano Talora rods are specifically built with trolling in mind and have 3 types of models available: trolling, planer board, lead core, wireline and dipsy diver.

The TC4 rod blanks are made from a mix of fiber glass and graphite. The blanks have a double inner layer of T-Glass with a third inner layer and then the outer spiral layer made from high modulus graphite.

This combines a solid glass backbone to the blank with a little more sensitivity from the outer layers, giving you the best of both worlds.

With each model there are some subtle differences with the hardware used. For example the wireline rods have AFTCO titanium roller guides whereas the downrigger/planer/dipsy rods have Fuji aluminum oxide guides.

The handles and butts also vary slightly depending on the models.

  • Purpose built for use with different trolling methods
  • Aluminum guides
  • Fuji reel seat
  • Available in 7′, 8′ and 8’6″ lengths

3. Daiwa Telescopic Accudepth

The Accudepth trolling rods from Daiwa are telescopic in design and they collapse down to between 6 and 7 foot in length.

With a medium to heavy rating they are suitable for line weights in the 10 – 20 lbs range. These are better suited to leadcore/copper wire trolling.

A major issue when running lead core lines is just how hard it is on you line guides.The guides on the Accudepth rods are made from a toughed aluminum oxide that Daiwa claim to be cut proof. 

The 8’6″ is a really good option as an outer rod for spreading your lines if you are running a lot of rods from a boat.    

The 7’10 model has 10 guides and the 8’6 model has 11 guides.

  • Telescopic trolling rods 
  • Medium – heavy action
  • Available in 7’10 and 8’6 lengths

Walleye Spinning Rods

The three best walleye spinning rods available on the market right now are:

  1. Fenwick Eagle
  2. Okuma Dead eye 
  3. St Croix Eyecon

Spinning for walleye can be one of the most rewarding methods and its probably used the least with most fishermen preferring trolling or jigging.

With a spinning setup you are generally looking for a light/medium power rod with a medium/fast tip action.

The main advantage of a spinning setup over a baitcasting one is that you can generally throw much lighter lures a greater distance. There is usually a limit as to how low in the weight of a lure you can go when using a baitcaster.

As an example say you are using an F5 or F7 Rapala(F means floating) minnowbait in shallow to medium depth water, then you really would want a light spinning setup for this approach.

If you are casting much heavier crankbaits and large spinners then you can of course use a baitcaster with a casting rod.

A heavy spinning setup however does have the advantage that it can be used for light trolling work. You would never want to use a jigging rod for trolling so if you intend on trying your hand at trolling/spinning and jigging then a single spinning rod and reel could be used.

Ideally you would have a spare spool for some lighter line when you switch to jigging.  This type of versatility can really save you some money.


1. Fenwick Eagle

Fenwick produce some of the highest quality rods you can buy and the Eagle range of spinning rods is no exception.

They were one of the first rod brand to start producing graphite blanks and have perfected the process over many decades.

The Eagle range are superbly balanced and are excellent casters with a really nice tip sensitivity. There is top notch guides and reel seat used on all sizes and the price is very good considering the quality.

The range runs from a tiny 5’6 model up to an 8 footer. For walleye you should be looking at a medium light 7′ foot model especially if you are looking to use it as an all rounder. 

  • Fast taper blanks with tuned action
  • SCII graphite
  • Aluminum oxide guides
  • Fuji reel seat
  • 5 year warranty

2. Okuma Dead  Eye Spinning

The Okuma Dead Eye Spinning range of rods is designed specifically with the wallleye angler in mind.

Built on sensitive yet sturdy IM-8 graphite blanks the range sits in the light/medium to medium power ratings with moderate/fast to fast actions available.

The smallest in the line up is a 6′ model with the longest being 7’6. The line weights that can be used are 4-10 lbs for the fast action rods and 6-12 lbs for the moderate/fast rods.

The lighter action rods can also double as a jigging rod as they do give you the type of tip sensitivity that is required.

  • MI-8 graphite blanks
  • Available in 6′ – 7’6 rod lengths
  • High quality cork handle 

3. St Croix Eyecon

The Eyecon range from St Croix have established themselves as a quality competitor to the Fenwick Eagle and the Okuma Dead Eye above.  

St Croix have built the Eyecon from their SC graphite blanks coupled with high quality Kigan Master Hand 3D guides, aluminum oxide ring inserts and split grip cork handle.

These rods have a nice crisp action and can be used for spinning and jigging alike. Available in 6’6″, 7′ and a 7’6″ version.

They also come in three different power/action ratings medium light/fast action, light/fast action and a medium light/extra fast action.

  • SC graphite
  • Kigan guide, aluminum oxide inserts
  • Split cork handle
  • 5 year warranty

Walleye Jigging Rods

Jigging for walleye is certainly one of the most popular methods along with trolling. Jigging rods need to be super sensitive on the tip so that you can feel as much as possible of what is going on down at the hook.

Having as much feedback as possible through the rod is paramount to setting the hook. That’s why you need a rod that falls near the medium power with a fast action.

With jigging you really need to know what is exactly happening to your walleye jigs, low stretch line and a fast action rod are crucial.


1. Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye

The Tech Walleye spinning rods from Fenwick give a perfect balance between power and action. These rods are built with an impressively sensitive tip yet just enough backbone in them to not feel weak. 

They can be used for walleye jigging or light spinning. When a rod doubles up and performs well at two separate styles of fishing you really get true value for money.

The rod blanks are full graphite and come in a range of different powers and actions. Some of the models are specifically geared to rigging and others to jigging.

One of the stand out features is the “hidden reel seat”. The real seat is inline with the contours of the handle so you don’t feel the reel seat threads as you normally do on other rods. 

If you are doing a lot of vertical jigging you’ll be well used to feeling the reel seat on your rod hand. With the hidden seat you barely even know the reel is there.

Small touches like this really illustrate just how much thought Fenwick put into their rod designs and separates them from a lot of other rod brands that just make generic copies.

  • Medium/light power
  • Fast tip action
  • Hidden reel seat
  • Lightweight titanium frame guides with zirconium inserts
  • Lifetime warranty

2. G.Loomis Walleye Vertical Jigging

The NRX range from G.Loomis has been the go to walleye jigging rod for a lot of fishermen for quite a few years now. However, they have one major drawback and that’s the price of close to $500!

The E6X range however gives you almost the same performance, sensitivity and quality of the more expensive NRX range at a fraction of the price.

The E6X uses a multi taper graphite blank that is slimmer in profile than most rods in it’s class. The thinner blank adds even better feedback through the rod right into the all cork handle. 

  • Multi taper graphite blanks
  • Fuji reel seat
  • Fuji guides
  • Super crisp action

3. St Croix Eyecon

As mentioned above the St Croix Eyecon are dual purpose spinning/jigging rods depending on the power and action that you choose though.

The come with three different power/action ratings: medium light/fast action, light/fast action and a medium light/extra fast action so if you are looking to use very light jigs then the light/extra fast might be the better choice in a 6’6″ rod length.

You can of course compromise and use the Eyecon for both spinning and jigging. For that purpose the 6’6″ or 7′ with a medium light/fast action.

  • SC II graphite rod blanks
  • Full 5 year warranty 
  • Kigan guides

Best Walleye Reel 2023 – (Buyer’s Guide)

Walleye Fishing Reel

Your choice of reel for walleye fishing will depend mostly on how an where you intend on fishing.

Different types of fishing call for different types of tackle. The right reel for a walleye jigging setup will generally be a poor choice for trolling.

There are many ways to catch walleye but the most popular are:

  • Trolling 
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Bottom bouncing

A different setup and tackle configuration is usually required for each technique although there can be a slight crossover between a few of them.

Matching your walleye rod and reel is pretty important if you want to get the best performance out of both.

Best Walleye Reels 2023

ReelTypePrice
1. Okuma Coldwater Trolling$$Check on Amazon
2. Shimano TekotaTrolling$$Check on Amazon
3. Okuma ColdwaterLine counter$Check on Amazon
4. Abu Garcia 6500LCLine Counter$$Check on Amazon
5. Shimano Sedona FISpinning $Check on Amazon
6. Okuma HeliosJigging$Check on Amazon

Trolling

Trolling reels should be capable of holding lots of line and cranking hard against a fish that is down deep. 

A trolling reel needs to withstand a lot of abuse that lighter built reels would generally not be capable of managing especially if you troll a lot. 

They have to withstand a constant pressure on the drag not just from big walleye, how you fish from the boat also puts a lot of wear and tear on the reel especially the following trolling specific techniques:

  • Down-riggers
  • Planer boards
  • Lead core lines
  • Inline weights

Trolling reels can also be bought with a built in line counter. The line counter will usually be slightly more expensive than one without.

A lot of manufacturers will actually sell the same model with the choice of a line counter or without.

Spinning

A good spinning outfit is probably the most versatile that you can have. You can throw jigs, spinners, blade baits and use slip sinker rigs.

In fact if you have a size 2000 or 2500 it can double easily as your jigging reel. All you need is an extra spool, one spool for the line you like for spinning and one for your jigging. 

You can also cast small crankbaits for walleye quite successfully on spinning gear.

Jigging

When jigging for walleye the tackle is all about sensitivity especially is vertical jigging with really small jigs. 

The rod is certainly far more important than the reel when jigging. The reel needs to be:

  • Small and light
  • Cast light lines and lures
  • Have a sensitive drag

You are generally going to be looking at either a size 1000 or a size 2500 spinning reel for jigging.

Although you can use a finesse baitcasting reel they are usually very expensive sometimes $500 or more.

Trolling Reels for Walleye


1. Okuma Coldwater Wireline 

The Okuma Coldwater line is said to be the replacement for the much loved Clarion line of trolling reels.

The Coldwater series is available with or without a line counter. You can view the lie counter version in the line counter section below.

There are three models available:

  • CW-303DS(line counter)
  • CW-453DS(line counter)
  • CW-553LS(Level wind)

The model featured above is the CW-553LS level wind. It is capable of holding 440 yards of 40 lbs mono. 

The Wireline version is specifically targeted at those trolling with wire lines and lead core lines. 

The line counter models have a gear ratio of 6.2:1 they are a high speed reel. Whereas the high capacity level wind CW-553LS has a fairly standard 4.7:1 retrieve.

Given the larger capacity of the CW-553LS it is more suited to heavier work, specifically higher weighted leadcore and copper wire lines.

A 22 lbs drag rating 

Features:
  • Large spooled, level wind trolling reel
  • Multi-disc Carbonite drag washers
  • Machined aluminum spool
  • MSS: Mechanical stabilizing system
  •  Weight 30 ounces

2. Shimano Tekota

The Shimano Tekota much like the Okuma Coldwater wire line is available with or without a line counter.

The 300 series is a low profile trolling reel that can take a lot of abuse. You’ll see these on salmon boats and on inshore trolling charter boats so they have proven themselves as quite the workhorse.

The 300 is better suited to shallower trolling using lighter mono or braid. They can hold 275 yards of 12lbs mono or 255 yards of 30 lbs power pro braid.

The maximum drag of 12 lbs is more than sufficient for walleye trolling without the addition of down riggers or lead core lines.

Features:
  • Die cast aluminum frame 
  • 12 pound max drag
  • 3 ball bearings, 1 roller bearing
  • Gear ratio 4.2:1

Line Counter Reels for Walleye

1. Okuma Cold Water LC

The Okuma Cold Water line counter reel is probably their most successful freshwater trolling reel to date. Look closely on any boat in the great lakes that’s heading out trolling and you’ll most probably see either a collection of Okuma Cold Waters, Shimano Tekota or Okuma Magda Pro line counters.

The Cold Water comes in seven different models, three of which are left handed variations(they have a “DLX” in the model number).

For around one hundred bucks it’s hard to find such a well built high performing line counter. If it is your first line counter that you are purchasing then the Okuma is the one to get. It requires less maintenance and is very simple to operate.

Features:
  • Multi disc carbonite drag
  • Oversize machined brass XL drive and pinion gears
  • Self lubricating gearing system 
  • Suitable for copper/lead lines
  • Mechanical stabilizing system

2. Abu Garcia Ambassadeur LC

Abu Garica’s famous Ambassadeur line of reels has been around for decades. Continually refined through various model upgrades they have built a solid reputation of both high quality and exceptional performance.

The LC(Line Counter) is available in a size 5500 or 6500. Equipped with a carbon matrix drag system they are more than capable of handling the heavier loads that trolling can throw at reels. 

Features:
  • Carbon Matrix Drag system
  • 2 stainless steel main bearings and one roller
  • Line out alarm
  • Anti-reverse bearing

Walleye Spinning Reels

1. Shimano Sedona FI

The Sedona for the money of on of the value spinning reels available. It shares some of it’s features and materials that are found in some of the more expensive models from Shimano.

You get the same Hagane internal gears found in the more expensive models, meaning less internal friction and movement especially as the reel ages.

A specially shaped spool lip for increased casting performance and less wear and tear on your line over the long run and G-Free body design that moves the center of balance of the reel closer to the rod for a more balanced setup.

These also make a great value jigging reel in the smaller sizes.

Features:
  • Hagane gearing
  • G-Free body 
  • 3 main bearings + one roller ball
  • Propulsion spool lip design

2. Pflueger Supreme XT

The Supreme XT is the top of the range spinning reel from Pflueger. The other more popular Pflueger President is one of the most popular low priced ultralight reels available.

Both reel are absolute work horses. The Supreme XT being the top of the line model gets all the bells and whistles that Pflueger have to offer.

 Available in four sizes:

  • SP25X – 8lb drag, weighs 6 ounces
  • SP30X – 10lb drag, weighs 6.8 ounces
  • SP35X 12lb drag, weighs 8 ounces
  • SP40X – 14lb drag, 8.7 ounces

A massive 10 stainless steel ball bearings give silky smooth performance. The drag system if fully sealed and as such it is also officially rated by Pflueger for salt water usage.

Everything about these reels is built with the aim of reducing weight. Even the handle gets special treatment as it is made from carbon fiber as opposed to the aluminum that you will normally find in reels of this class.

Features:
  • 10 bearings
  • Braid ready spool
  • Carbon handle
  • Sealed carbon drag

3. Shimano Stradic CI4+

The Stradic CI4+ is considered the creme de la creme of freshwater spinning reels. It has one of the smoothest drags available and built to an exceptionally high standard.

Shimano have used their carbon infused(CI) technology to produce a reel casing that is twenty percent lighter and one and a half times stronger than a tradition graphite blend.

The Stradic is one of the strongest sealed pinning reels available, a super water tight drag housing and internal gears means that it functions as normal even after being submerged for over a minute.

It’s also capable of standing up to the corrosive effects of saltwater(like any other reel just be sure to rinse it in fresh water afterwards)

In a 2500 size it is a great all round spinning reel. Drop down to a 1000 size and pair it with an ultralight spinning rod and you have the most perfectly balanced ultralight combo.

If finesse jugging is your aim then the 1000 is probably the strongest lightweight spinning reel available, weighing in at a mere 5.6 ounces.

All that quality doesn’t come cheap however as it usually retails for just over 200 dollars.

Features:
  • Lightweight CI4+ construction
  • Hagene cut gears
  • Exceptionally well sealed reel housing and drag

Walleye Jigging Reels

1. Okuma Helios SX

The SX is the newest in the line of Helios spinning reels from Okuma. Released in 2016. It is built from a blend of C-40X carbon fiber and graphite that is said to be some 50% stronger than traditional graphite.

Although they are not the lightest reels in this line up they are still pretty light and paired with the right rod you should be able to place small jigs with lots of accuracy right where you want them.

There are four models available:

  • HSX-20 – max drag 6lb, weight 6.2 ounces
  • HSX-30 – max drag 13lb, weight 7 ounces
  • HSX-40 – max drag 13lb, weight 9.1 ounces
  • HSX-40S – high speed model of the HSX-40 above.

A jigging reel for walleye does not need to be big and heavy so the HSX-20 is probably the most suitable option to go for. It can take 140 yards of 4 lb mono line or 110 of 6 lb.

The gear ratio on the HSX-20 is 5.0:1 and like all the other models it has 8 main stainless steel ball bearings, one roller bearing and a quick-set anti-reverse bearing.

Features:
  • Lightweight 
  • 8 HPB+ main bearings plus one roller bearing
  • Anti-reverse bearing
  • Elliptical gearing system

2. Abu Garcia Revo

The Revo SX spinning reel is  Abu Garcia’s answer to the Shimano Stradic CI4+. 

It matches the Stradic on almost every feature except for how well it can handle saltwater, in that category the Stradic is hands down the winner.

However, the Revo SX depending on where you buy it from can close to $100 dollars cheaper than the Shimano which is a considerable saving. 

Where the Revo really shines is in it’s ability to cast super light weight lures with accuracy. Abu really focused on the line management side of things with the SX.

The spool has a specially shaped lip to help reduce drag allowing line to flow effortlessly off the spool.

The spool also has a larger than average arbor so your line will tend to twist less. Less line twist on a spinning reel for jigging is super important especially for finicky walleye.

Features:
  • 9 bearings total
  • Specially designed ‘Rocket Spool’
  • Precision machined internal gearing
  • 6.2:1 gear ratio