Reels for Walleye Rod

I just order a 32 inch ice rod for walleye and am looking to put a nice spinning reel on it. Looking for a nice reel under $40-$50 if possible. Just wondering if any of you have a favorite that you continue to go back to on every rod. I looked back in the achieves and haven’t seen much on this topic this season. Thanks

I have been using Shimano Sienna’s in 500 size but they’re hard to comeby anymore in the old style.

The Okuma Ceymar 10 seems to be pretty popular and I have used one before and had no issues with it.

This is going to sound goofy, but I just got a few Eagle Claw 2.5 size 1000 reels for nothing, and to be honest I am really impressed with them. Smooth reels and pretty good drags. I have actually liked them so much I switched out my 500 Siennas on my walleye ice rods to these.

Good choices above. I’ll also throw out the Pfluegger President

Ripjiggen wrote:

Good choices above. I’ll also throw out the Pfluegger President

I forgot about that one as well. My 8 year old has them on her rods and I use them from time to time. Great reels for the price.

The Ceymar’s are my favorite.
Quality drag. I haul lots of fish with these reels, all seasons.
C10 probably right size for ice fishing. I have several C30’s and one C10 and fish them in conditions 10 degrees to 90 degrees.

They must be getting popular because the price seems to keep going up.
Was going to get a few a week or two ago, and baulked at the price. (which BTW is still reasonable, just way more than i’ve paid in the past)

I run sienna 500s

You can’t go wrong with any of the recommendations here, I have all three on my rods and they all perform really well. Check out which is on sale and go with that one.

I have been using the Sienna 500s for years, just recently got the the Okuma Ceymar 10. Havent got it on the ice yet, but it feels smooth

Ripjiggen wrote:

Good choices above. I’ll also throw out the Pfluegger President

X2

Anybody know if there is much difference between the older silver model sienna and the new red ones?

I have a bunch of Ceymar 10s but have lately been buying more of the Daiwa qz750 reels. Grabbed a couple last year and really liked them so that’s been my small “ice” reel of late.

Gilgetter wrote:

Anybody know if there is much difference between the older silver model sienna and the new red ones?

No. I think the new ones are just a little uglier. I run both styles. Last weekend the new red and black one performed perfectly

If you’re looking for a great walleye reel at a great price, Marine General has Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeders in the 500 and 1000 sizes for $34.99 right now. That’s a steal

Great reels for their purpose I prefer to not use them on dedicated jigging rods however. Mostly because I’m forgetful and clumsy and I will have the switch open when I lay into one.
Not sure the OP’s sole purpose is. I was just assuming dedicated jigging rod.

Jamin wrote:

I have a bunch of Ceymar 10s but have lately been buying more of the Daiwa qz750 reels. Grabbed a couple last year and really liked them so that’s been my small “ice” reel of late.

All of Daiwa’s reels are nice. Their open water reels can compete with Shimano and AbuGarcia.

vinella wrote:

If you’re looking for a great <em class=”ido-tag-em”>walleye reel at a great price, Marine General has Okuma Ceymar Baitfeeders in the 500 and 1000 sizes for $34.99 right now. That’s a steal

thats a steal. there $70 at scheels but they will price match marine general. thanks for the deal!

It funny, I read these posts all the time, and I fall for it too. But my dad, 80+ still uses old jiggle sticks and pulls fish in hand over hand, with his 25 year old Vexilar, and has no issues catching fish, usually out fishes the group. Same in the summer Lindy rigging for Walleye, I use the latest, greatest setup, and he has his 30 year old Kmart special with 20lb mono line, and he lays his rod down on the boat, leans back and drinks beer until his rod moves, again catching as many or more than the group.

I am not saying technology, and spending the big bucks doesn’t help, just not sure it helps that much.

That said, I run Shimano Sienna’s on all my ice rods, never had any issues.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. This is going on a jigging rod. I appreciate hearing what everybody is happy with and what works for them.

Of these reel modles do any of them have a handle that folds down and actually locks down? I have several presidents and took a file to the reel handle to put a notch in it so it will lock down for storage.

https://www.scheels.com/p/pflueger-purist-spinning-reel/8950-PUR20X.html this is a great deal for $60 – a little better than a president

Red Eye wrote:

Of these reel modles do any of them have a handle that folds down and actually locks down? I have several presidents and took a file to the reel handle to put a notch in it so it will lock down for storage.

I’ve seen that Diawa has some folding handles. QZ, QG, QR 750 models.

I need to correct my post. Mine are all c40 and I have 1 c30. Sorry

what size pflueger president do you like on your ice rod. 20x, 25x ?

Pflueger President reels with a small amount of maintenance have served me well. Wipe down the grease and apply a very small amount of Quantum hot sauce. Good for minus temps.

Andrew M wrote:

what size pflueger president do you like on your ice rod. 20x, 25x ?

I put 25 on walleye rods and 20 on panfish. Just what I prefer.

Shimano Vanford