Best Walleye Rods: Top Jigging, Spinning, and Trolling Options

By: FishUSA Staff

September 13, 2024

Walleye fishing demands precision, sensitivity, and versatility. Choosing the right rod can make a significant difference in your success, whether you're jigging, casting, or trolling for walleye. In this article, we’ll cover some of the best walleye rods available in different categories and provide excellent options for each fishing technique.

Best Jigging Rods for Walleye

Best Spinning Rods for Walleye

Best Trolling Rods for Walleye

Walleye Rod Buying Guide

Final Thoughts

Best Jigging Rods for Walleye

Jigging for walleye requires a rod that offers high sensitivity, quick action, and enough backbone to set the hook in deeper water. Jigging rods are typically lightweight and designed for vertical presentations.

St. Croix Eyecon Walleye Rod

Buy The St. Croix Eyecon Walleye Rod

The St. Croix Eyecon is one of the top options for jigging walleye. It’s made with premium SCII graphite, providing excellent sensitivity for feeling even the lightest bites. The fast action is perfect for jigging in deeper waters and near structures.

Specifications for Jigging

Length: 5'8" to 6'8"
Power: Medium-light to medium
Action: Fast or X-Fast
Material: SCII Graphite for sensitivity

Fenwick Elite Walleye Rod

Buy The Fenwick Elite Walleye Rod

The Fenwick Elite Walleye Rod is designed with exceptional sensitivity, helping detect even subtle bites. The rod’s ergonomic reel seat ensures comfort during long hours of fishing.

Specifications for Jigging

Length: 6'3" to 7'2"
Power: Medium-light to Medium Heavy
Action: Extra-fast
Features: TAC and cork handles for a solid grip

St. Croix Legend Walleye Tournament Spinning Rod

Buy The St. Croix Legend Walleye Tournament Spinning Rod

The St. Croix Legend Walleye Tournament Spinning Rod is a premium choice for serious walleye anglers, specifically designed for jigging. This rod combines advanced materials with innovative technology to deliver superior sensitivity, strength, and precision.

Specifications for Jigging

Length: 6'3" to 7'6"
Power: Medium-light to Heavy
Action: Fast or X-Fast
Material: SCIV+ Graphite for extreme sensitivity

Best Spinning Rods for Walleye

Walleye spinning rods are versatile and excellent for casting lighter baits while providing the necessary sensitivity to detect bites. They are often used for live bait fishing or casting smaller lures.

St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod

Buy The St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod

The St. Croix Premier offers a balance of power and sensitivity, making it ideal for walleye fishing with light lures. Its medium-light power and fast action make it perfect for casting small jigs and live bait rigs.

Specifications

Length: 6'6" to 7'0"
Power: Medium-light
Action: Fast
Material: SCII Graphite for a lightweight feel

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod

Buy The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod

The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod is a popular choice for walleye anglers, known for its durability and affordability. Constructed with 35% more graphite than previous models, it offers improved sensitivity while maintaining legendary toughness.

Specifications

Length: 6'0" to 7'6"
Power: Medium-light to medium
Action: Fast
Construction: 35% more graphite for sensitivity and toughness

Fenwick HMG Spinning Rod

Buy The Fenwick HMG Spinning Rod

The Fenwick HMG series is a favorite for anglers who prefer high sensitivity combined with durability. This rod’s medium-light power and fast action make it great for walleye fishing with finesse tactics like casting light jigs or spinners.

Specifications

Length: 6'6" to 7'0"
Power: Medium-light
Action: Fast
Material: 30-ton graphite for superior sensitivity

Best Trolling Rods for Walleye

Trolling for walleye requires longer rods with the backbone to handle heavier trolling setups like crankbaits and planer boards. These rods need to be durable and capable of handling the strain of deep trolling while maintaining flexibility.

FishUSA Flagship Trolling Rod

Buy The Fenwick HMG Spinning Rod

The FishUSA Flagship Trolling Rods offer excellent value and performance for walleye anglers. These rods feature a strong blank constructed of a 24-Ton graphite composite that provides flexibility for a variety of trolling techniques. The stainless-steel guides and graphite reel seats add durability, ensuring smooth performance even during long trolling sessions.

Specifications

Length: 7'0" to 10'0"
Construction: Composite blank for durability and flexibility
Guides: Stainless steel guides for smooth line movement and durability
Reel Seat: Sea-Guide uplocking reel seat

Okuma Dead Eye Pro “A” Series Trolling Rod

Buy The Okuma Dead Eye Pro “A” Series Trolling Rod

The Okuma Dead Eye Pro “A” Series Trolling Rod is designed specifically for walleye trolling, offering a balance of strength and flexibility for controlled trolling. The rod’s moderate fast action helps absorb the shock of strikes and keeps skin hooked walleyes pinned, making it ideal for trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncers.

Specifications

Length: 7’10” to 8’6”
Power: Medium
Action: Moderate Fast
Material: 24/30-ton carbon blanks

St. Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod

Buy The Okuma Dead Eye Pro “A” Series Trolling Rod

The St. Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod is built for performance trolling with advanced features that help reduce strain on the angler. Its SCII graphite construction delivers strength and keeps it lightweight, making it perfect for pulling crankbaits and other trolling presentations with precision and control. Its moderate action offers a perfect parabolic bend, helping to keep fish hooked well.

Specifications

Length: 5'0" to 10'0"
Power: Medium
Action: Moderate
Material: Premium SCII graphite for strength and sensitivity

Buying Guide for Walleye Rods

When selecting a walleye rod, consider these key factors based on your fishing technique and preferences.

Rod Power and Action

Power: Light or medium-light power is suitable for finesse tactics like jigging and casting small baits. Medium power rods are ideal for trolling and casting larger baits.
Action: Fast action rods are best for jigging, as they offer quick hooksets. Moderate action rods are better for trolling, allowing the rod to absorb the shock of a strike.

Rod Length

Jigging rods: Shorter rods (6' to 7') for precision and sensitivity.
Spinning rods: Medium-length rods (6'6" to 7'6") for versatility and distance casting.
Trolling rods: Longer rods (8' to 12') for covering more water and absorbing shock during trolling.

Material

Graphite: Offers high sensitivity, making it perfect for detecting light bites during jigging and casting.
Fiberglass: Durable and flexible, great for trolling as it helps handle the strain of deep trolling setups.

Final Thoughts

Final Thoughts Choosing the right walleye rod depends on your fishing style and the conditions in which you fish. Whether you prefer jigging in deeper waters, casting lightweight rigs, or trolling for large walleye, the rods listed above will help you maximize your success.

Shop Walleye Fishing Gear

Walleye Spinning Rods

Walleye Trolling Rods

Walley Soft Plastics

Walleye Hard Baits

Walleye Jigs

Walleye Spinner Rigs

Walleye Trolling Spoons