Hello!
I just wanted some pointers on what a solid walleye rod would be for an all-around walleye setup. I’d also love if the rod could double as a light pike rod, but mainly walleye of course.
My number 1 choice at the moment is the 36in M World Class Fenwick rod. To me, it feels perfect for what I’m looking for, but I still want to ask before buying.
Thanks for any help!
I’d recommend the Tuned Up Custom Rods Commander for that role. Possibly the new Power Precision as well.
I’d recommend the Tuned Up Custom Rods Commander for that role. Possibly the new Power Precision as well.
X2 on the power precision
decide what length rod you want first and that will help narrow your search. so many great options out there. i have a TUCR precision and a JT gold digger and they are both good for walleye. may be a little light for bigger pike though
Dan…how does the new power precision differ from the original version?
It’s kind of more about what you want it to be like? Some people like a more parabolic bend and some people like a faster tip with more of a backbone. Either way, make sure it’s sensitive and can handle the lures you like to use for walleye. Then whatever other things (handle type, guides, etc) is up to you.
I love my Commander from TUCR for walleye and pike. Handle both really well. Also picked up the new Vulcan from them which is a bit stouter and will be really good either jigging for big eyes and pike or sitting in a Ifishpro or FF.
Dan…how does the new power precision differ from the original version?
It is a total redesign. When compared to the Precision, the original had a much stiffer tip and a slightly stiffer backbone. It was also a faster action rod. The new design has a slightly stiffer tip than the precision and a much stiffer backbone. The Action is very similar to the Precision. The new Power is much more versitaile than the original. It fishes smaller spoons a lot better and can still handle larger spoons and minnow profile baits.
All that being said, if I was getting a walleye rod that also works well for pike, I’d be leaning towards the Commander. I has much more backbone, but still a light enough tip for most all walleye spoons.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BCNeal wrote:</div>
Dan…how does the new power precision differ from the original version?It is a total redesign. When compared to the Precision, the original had a much stiffer tip and a slightly stiffer backbone. It was also a faster action rod. The new design has a slightly stiffer tip than the precision and a much stiffer backbone. The Action is very similar to the Precision. The new Power is much more versitaile than the original. It fishes smaller spoons a lot better and can still handle larger spoons and minnow profile baits.
All that being said, if I was getting a walleye rod that also works well for pike, I’d be leaning towards the Commander. I has much more backbone, but still a light enough tip for most all walleye spoons.
I used the new PP last year and its awesome! I also use a Commander as well. Depending on the size of fish I am targeting is how I decide which one I will use. I originally bought the Commander for Lake Winnipeg but found myself using it a lot on Mille Lacs. It basically became my go to rod. But now with the new PP I tend to use that more than my commander. But if I start ripping bigger baits I switch back to the commander.
I would say if you planned to fish big pike the commander would probably be a better rod. But just smaller pike and good walleye, the new PP is the way to go.
But I landed a 43″ pike 2 years ago on a quick tip, so depending on your drag, you could fish bigger pike with a PP lol.
I have a Commander and also JT Gold Digger. If Im fishing a lake that is known for good sized Northern (32in on up), the Commander would be my go to. If Im walleye fishing with the odd chance at a northern that would most likely be under 32in, them I would go with the Gold Digger over the Commander
The Commander will handle bigger fish than the Gold Digger easier, but also know the Commander has a quick transition from the tip to backbone so you have to be a bit more careful fighting smaller fish in my opinion
I did get a 42.5in northern on the Gold Digger last winter
This is the way I look at any hard water rod. 1st I check out the backbone and make sure it is heavy enough to support the line I will be using without flexing into the handle. Lighter line, less backbone, less weight. Next is action. Sometimes I want extra fast, sometimes I want slow, sometimes I want a combination of both. 97% of hardwater rods are solid carbon or fiberglass. So more or less the taper of the blank or action is what you are paying for. All the upper end rods use good guides and have somewhat standard handles. These two components do make a difference. Just not as important as the taper of the blank and guide placement. I use all my own custom rods now and tweaked the taper of the blank to the prestation I am going for. Back in the day I used $20 rods that way outperformed my TUCR just because they had the right action and response to what I was jigging. There is no such thing as the best walleye rod. There is only the best rod for specific lure prestation with _____ line. Figure out what is your favorite walleye prestation and find a rod that works best for that. That same rod will also work well for other presentations and become your best walleye rod. A good drag will be what helps you land the huge fish.
A good drag will be what helps you land the huge fish.
This X100
A good drag will be what helps you land the huge fish.
This is something I haven’t given enough attention to.
When shopping for a reel how does a guy judge drag functionality?
When you have a reel how do you know when your drag is set “just right”?
Any good $50+ reel will have a good drag, what they are talking about is do not have the drag locked down tight, you want some drag to go out when fighting a big fish otherwise your line will most likely snap.
{/quote] When shopping for a reel how does a guy judge drag functionality?
When you have a reel how do you know when your drag is set “just right”?
[/quote]
When you have a reel how do you know when your drag is set “just right”?
When you are set up give you line a tug. The rod should load up and flex all the way through the blank. The drag will give right before you over stress the rod or break the line. Adjust the drag accordingly.
I’m a bait casting rod set up. So it was two Thorne Bros. Walleye Sweetheart custom 32″ length. One in a medium power and the other one in a medium heavy power. The rods are good enough for panfish and perch fishing if one really wants to. In the past I’ve used them for smelt fishing and they worked too, but obviously way overpowered for 6-9″ smelts. However back then the occasional 12″ smelt was quite the bonus.
When shopping for a reel how does a guy judge drag functionality?
Grab the spool and spin it backwards, you will feel how smooth it is. Like mentioned most reels now around or above $50.00 will be fine. Lately I am putting more Diawa reels on. When I set the hook on a decent fish you most likely will hear my drag just slightly, I run mine looser than most of my friends, but tend to have a larger hook set.
The thing you’re looking for in a “good” drag is that is it is smooth. When you pull line it should not be jerky or catch at all, it should come off smoothly and uniform. Second, it is a good idea to upgrade your drag washer if you get the chance. Most reels come with a felt drag washer that can hold water and freeze in extreme cold. That makes the drag less smooth. Carbontex washers are carbon fiber and don’t hold water, so they don’t freeze.
So many good walleye rods out there nowadays from TUCR, Thorne, Elliot, etc.
Just about any rod that’s made for perch or walleye will be great, just need to fit it to how you fish. I usually select a rod based on the lures I like to use more than anything! It’s no fun trying to fish big spoons with too light of a rod, and vice versa.
Only time I’d consider differently is if the main lake I was fishing was like Winnipeg or Erie or something, if I knew the average size fish was really big. Reality is most lakes I fish I’ll have happy to get an 18″ walleye and if I run across a mid-20’s walleye, any perch or light walleye rod can handle that.
I keep saying perch rod because my favorite walleye rod I have is an older Thorne Bros. 32″ Perch Sweetheart!
For me it’s the Elliotts 42 or 45 inch evolution series or the St Croix Eye Raiser
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Escape Outdoors wrote:</div>
When you have a reel how do you know when your drag is set “just right”?When you are set up give you line a tug. The rod should load up and flex all the way through the blank. The drag will give right before you over stress the rod or break the line. Adjust the drag accordingly.
Bingo. Solid advice all around by Rodwork. Lots of good walleye rods out there. Several mentioned. Budget and application usually dictates.
Fish usa has 25% off code rod25. It works on elliots not sure what else.
The Della Bay 36″ Lamp Lighter or 32″ Eye Dropper are great options!
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