Ice Rods for Walleye?

[Mike]

What do you guys like in a walleye rod? Length, action (for jigging), etc.

Thanks,
Mike

[Fishbomb]

Rod length and action are a personal preference Mike so you'll get alot of different answers on this but I like a 32 to 36 inch rod with good stiff butt section and a med fast tip. Some guys like a shorter really stiff rod but I feel the potential to break line and pull hooks is too great with these. I don't like a soft tip either for jigging and really like the sensitivity that the faster tip gives me. I do have a fiberglass rod about 36"I made out of an old basscaster that I use for a deadstick rod, it has a very slow tip and butt section. The faster rods are Northern Lights made by Berkley about 10 years ago and then discontinued. I got them on clearence at Meijers for $12 a piece. Wished I bought 4 instead of 2! Last year Berkley reintroduced a very similar series of rods called the Dave Genz Series. I've checked these out and are they are very nice. I don't want to quote prices but they are more than $12. Bass Pro in Auburn Hills has a ton of these right now. My friends and I have landed 10# walleyes on these rods with no problems. If you are not going to be fishing waters with trophy potential you can get by with a lesser rod. I fish Hubbard Lake as often as I can and you will not catch too many walleyes over 20 inches there and can use a rod more suited for perch, though once again I like a stiffer, sensitive rod for jigging. Hope it helps.

[eyeskater]

Hi there;

Several (about 8) of us regularly fish walleyes hard each winter, and our favorite rods tend toward long, slow-taper graphite, with med-fast to medium action. Most of our rods are 48" or so, and would be considered too soft by many guys. Yet, we catch our share of big 'eyes up to 12+ lbs each winter. The longer rod and moderate action allows me to battle big and small fish without allowing slack line: I can always maintain good rod bend without undue pressure on the fish. Also, I really like the way a moderate action rod works the lure. The rod gives some on the upstroke, and also gives as the bait drops back into position. The net result is a bit gentler and smoother jigging presentation. On the down side, the rods are somewhat long for using inside a shanty.....but we are a mobile bunch of walleye hunters who seldom see the inside of a fish house.

Kevin

[Mike]

Thanks guys. I picked up one of the new Frabill rods last night. It's a bit on the stiff side, but I think it will work good with Swedish Pimples and Jigging Rapalas. Plus, it was on sale for $15. I'll have to look for a softer rod for deadsticking.

I've never targeted walleyes through the ice. Pretty much stuck with panfish. Sure would be fun to catch some 'eyes on hardwater!

Mike