Favorite Rigging Rod

I’m going to add another rigging rod to the collection. What rod do you prefer for rigging walleyes? I want a rod that can handle up to a 1 oz weight and would work well with mono or braid.

I’d recommend giving Dean a call and let him know what you are looking for. He will have you set up with exaclty what you are looking for if not something that will exceed your expectations. I am talking from personal experience when looking for a particular rod and reel set-up, Deans the man I go to

The St. Croix Avid

AVS76MLXF… 7’6″long…ML X-Fast action… 1 piece… 4 – 10 test line… 1/8 – 3/8oz lure weight… 4.1oz weight

I’ve used this rod for drifting rigs/bottom bouncers in Lake Michigan with very good results. Its very sensitive for live bait and also a great “dragging” rod for rivers. The XFast action gives it a quick hookset response and the 7/6″ length will subdue large fish. Also fishes slip bobbers well and casts a mile!

I would have suggested the Loomis IMX PR8400S, until you said 1oz. Don’t think I have ever “rigged” with that rod anything over a 1/2 Lindy No Snagg. It might have the backbone for it, but the top 1/3 of the rod would pretty much stay loaded the whole drag.

I guess if I had to go an ounce or more to suit conditions, I would be switching over to a bottom bouncer\3-way and a line counter setup.

Not to hijack your post, but Feb In-Fisherman had a blurb about the St. Croix Legend Tournament Slip Stick, anybody on here own one? Care to offer a review?

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The St. Croix Avid
AVS76MLXF… 7’6″long…ML X-Fast action… 1 piece… 4 – 10 test line… 1/8 – 3/8oz lure weight… 4.1oz weight

I’ve used this rod for drifting rigs/bottom bouncers in Lake Michigan with very good results. Its very sensitive for live bait and also a great “dragging” rod for rivers. The XFast action gives it a quick hookset response and the 7/6″ length will subdue large fish. Also fishes slip bobbers well and casts a mile!

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I’m in the same boat as Tom, this is a GREAT rod for rigging, but maybe not so much for the heavier sinkers you might be using for deep water or current. I’d recommend a St. Croix, Legend Elite, LES76MF. It’s a 7’6″ rod with a M-Fast action, handling up to 5/8oz. That said, it’s still a 7 1/2 footer so it should perform well with the heavier weights. For up to 3/4oz sinkers, I run a similar rod that’s a Thorne Bros. Custom job. It’s a Loomis blank – HSR9000S – GL3, also 7 1/2 feet, which I like. It’s a slightly heavier rod for the bigger weights, but the tip has a very sensitive give to it that I see/feel but the fish can’t.

I like braid with it, using a floro leader.

Joel

Bigfife,

I am looking at making the same purchase but I won’t be using anything over 1/2 ounce (mostly lindy rigging) and I think I have it narrowed down to eithr the St. Croix TWS76mlf or the rod that Avid rod Gursky pointed out. I have the TWC70mhm rod which is their heavy boucer casting rod that I use for 3-waying and bottom bouncing and it works great for me.

1 oz weights? You fishing in big seas or strong current?

I was going to suggest the TWS70MLF or TWS76MLF as they’ve worked great for me and I switch between braided and mono dependent on water clarity.

Maybe a broom stick would work for 1 oz weights? Didn’t know they made such a thing and not sure how you feel them pick up the bait… But that’s just me….

I have had a Loomis WRR8400S, and a P8400. I sold the P8400 and gave the WRR8400S to my son after I tried a Loomis HS9000. I now have two custom Thorne HS9000’s One IMX, and one GLX that I take with me when ever I am live bait rigging. I have tried several rods, and for me the 9000 is my favorite hands down, but one ounce is too much for that rod. To get that big of a range of weights to fish properly you need two different rods IMO.

Thanks for the advice so far guys. Most of the time I will be using 1/2 oz weights so lets go with that. I own the 7’6″ avid so I was thinking of a 7′ rod this time around.

I use 1 oz egg sinkers often when I’m fishing the Mille Lacs mud flats.

St Croix Tidemasters and Wild rivers in the Med Mod action has served many of us quite well for river rigging here on pool 4. I have used them on some inland waters as well.They have earned my “trust” for that moment of truth when landing big fish.They are available in either casting or spinning. Depending on the number of rods or spread needed,I have used 6’6″,7′,7’6″,and 10’6″ lengths.If hand holding your rigging set-up,I prefer the shorter rods.On water demos are available for your evaluation if interested.

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Not to hijack your post, but Feb In-Fisherman had a blurb about the St. Croix Legend Tournament Slip Stick, anybody on here own one? Care to offer a review?

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I have used this rod Dan. The biggest benefit is the telscoping handle collasping for storage purposes.However,the down side is that it is approx 1 oz heavier than the 7’6″.Just a bit heavy IMO compared to the other options available but it does catch fish!

I use the Limit Creek LCS69MLF or The Limit Creek LCS83MLF for rigging on all my guide trips. I use the 8’3″ when I am using Xtra long leaders (9′ to 14′)such as on the big pond…

They aren’t rated for 1 ounce, but I have used them up to 3/4 ounce when the walleyes are deep on the St. Croix River. Also these rods are a lot easier on the wallet.

Both of these models can be used for precise slow trolling 3 ways stickbaits or livebait, and I have used up to one ounce for the dropper with these rods.

Have fun shopping!
Turk

I’ve been having good luck on the 8’3″ Limit creek rods. They are long enough that they can get a real good hook set. I’ve had 2oz bottom bouncers hooked up to ours and they handle it just fine. They might be a little softer than what most people recommend but I like the soft tip to absorb some of the head shakes when fishing with superline.