How to Pick Walleye Fishing Rods

Walleye are one the most popular freshwater sport fish in North America.  Walleye taste delicious, have great fighting spirit and widely distributed in lakes, rivers.  Walleye are predator fish and and prefer cool water temperature.  They like to migrate to shallow water in the spring to spawn and deeper water during mid summer and fall.  To be more successful at walleye fishing, a few tips on the types walleye fishing rods to use.

When jigging for walleye you want to use a light weight rod, I like to use a 6 feet long light power and fast tip action spinning rod. Fishing with jigs are usually done near shallow water between 5 to 12 feet and over the side of the boat. Jig fishing requires a lot of rod control therefore a shorter rod is ideal. The light power rod will have enough backbone to let you set the hook easily. The weight of the jigs to use should range from 1/16 to1/4 ounce. 6 to 8 lb test line is a good range for jigging.

In deeper water where walleye are commonly found during mid summer and fall season, using live bait can produce great results. Fishing for walleye with live bait in deep water requires a longer give you better line control. The rod should also have a fast action tip to allow you to feel the bite and with enough power to set the hook. For live bait rigging, I prefer to use a 7 feet, medium power fast action spinning rod. The longer rod lets me cast further than the shorter rod. The Lindy rigs are one of the most successful live bait rigs for walleye. Use leech, night crawlers or minnow with the rig will drive walleye into a feeding frenzy.

Trolling using spoons and crankbaits is another method of walleye fishing. Trolling allows you to cover larger area of water quickly. Trolling requires heavy lures to have better tracking beneath the water surface. Therefore, a stiff rod to handle the added weight is more suitable for the task. I recommend a 7 to 8 feet, medium power fast action bait casting rod.

The quality of rod guides is another important factor to consider when choosing your walleye fishing rods. If you prefer to use braided line, ensure that the guides are made of hard ceramic or titanium to prevent wear.

Walleye are exciting and great tasting sport fish. Having a few different types of rods to match the fishing conditions will increase your productivity. It is also a great way to go outdoors and be with nature. Fish on!