Walleye Fishing Setup: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Gear

By: FishUSA Staff

August 16, 2024

With the vast array of walleye fishing gear available today, it can be overwhelming to choose the best rod and reel setup. Whether you’re debating between a spinning or casting setup, rod length, action, reel size, or gear ratio, this guide will help simplify the process. We’ll highlight some great walleye fishing setups that will set you on the path to success.

Spinning Setup For Walleye

Jigging Setup For Walleye

Trolling Setup For Walleye

Final Thoughts

Spinning Setup for Walleye

Spinning setups are incredibly popular among walleye anglers due to their versatility and ease of use. Whether you're jigging, casting, or using live bait, a spinning setup can handle it all.

Rod and Reel Selection

Rod Length and Action: For general-purpose walleye fishing, a 6’6” to 7’0” medium-light or medium action rod is ideal. These rods provide the sensitivity needed to detect subtle bites while offering enough backbone to set the hook and fight a walleye effectively. The St. Croix Eyecon Spinning Rod (ECS70MLF) is a great option for most walleye fishing techniques. Shop Walleye Spinning Rods
Reel Size: Pair your rod with a 2000 to 3000-size spinning reel. The Shimano Vanford 3000 is an excellent choice, offering smooth drag, lightweight construction, and the capacity to handle various line types.
Line: A popular choice for walleye spinning setups is a 10 lb Power Pro Super Slick braided line as the mainline. This line offers minimal stretch for better sensitivity and stronger hooksets. Attach a 6-10 lb Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon leader to increase your chances of fooling wary walleyes, as it’s nearly invisible underwater.

Jigging Setup For Walleye

Jigging is one of the most effective techniques for catching walleye. The right setup can vary depending on the jig size and method you’re using.

Light Jigging Setup

For casting lighter jigs (3/8 oz and under):

Rod: St. Croix Legend Elite 7'0" ML with a fast tip (ES70MLF). This rod offers excellent sensitivity, allowing you to detect even the slightest bites, and the extra length helps with casting distance and control.
Reel: Pair this rod with a 3000-size Shimano Vanford spinning reel for a balanced setup.
Line: Use a 10 lb Power Pro Super Slick mainline with a 6-10 lb Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon leader for optimal sensitivity and stealth.

Heavy Jigging Setup

For heavier jigs (1/2 oz and up) and rip baits:

Rod: St. Croix Legend Elite 7’0" Medium Fast (ES70MF). This rod provides more backbone for heavier jigs while still maintaining the sensitivity needed for walleye fishing.
Reel: Stick with the 3000-size Shimano Vanford for consistent performance.
Line: The same Power Pro Super Slick and Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon setup works well here.

Vertical Jigging Setup

For vertical jigging in deeper water:

Rod: St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye Spinning Rod in 6’3" Medium Light (LWS63MLXF) or Medium (LWS63MXF)**. The shorter length makes vertical jigging easier and more comfortable.
Reel: A 2000 or 2500-size Shimano Vanford reel pairs nicely with the shorter rod.
Line: Stick with the tried-and-true 10 lb Power Pro Super Slick with a 6-10 lb Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon leader.

Trolling Setup For Walleye

Trolling requires a different approach and specialized gear to ensure your bait runs at the correct depth and speed.

Rod and Reel Selection

Rod Length and Action: For trolling with planer boards, a 7’0” to 8’6” medium-moderate action rod is ideal. The St. Croix Eyecon Walleye Trolling Rod (ET70MM, ET86MM) provides the necessary flexibility to absorb a fish’s headshakes while maintaining control over your bait. Shop Walleye Trolling Rods
Reel: The Daiwa Sealine SL-3B Line Counter Reel (20 size) is an excellent choice for trolling. The line counter feature is crucial for ensuring your bait is running at the correct depth.
Line: Berkley Trilene XL 14 lbline works well, offering the right balance between strength and line diameter to optimize your bait’s action.

Lead Core Trolling Setup

When trolling with lead core line:

Rod: Use the same rod as for planer boards: St. Croix Eyecon Walleye Trolling Rod (ET70MM, ET86MM)
Reel: An Okuma Magda Pro DXT Line Counter Reel in size 30 or 45 is ideal for handling the added bulk of lead core line.
Line:Sufix 832 Advanced Lead Core Line (18 lb) sinks at a rate of about 7 feet per color, allowing you to reach deeper water effectively. For shallower depths or more subtle presentations, Sufix Performance Lead Core line (18 lb) sinks at about 5 feet per color.
Leader: Attach a 50-foot 12-17 lb Berkley Vanish Fluorocarbon leader to keep your bait visible yet stealthy.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right walleye fishing setup is crucial for a successful day on the water. Whether you’re jigging, casting, or trolling, the right combination of rod, reel, and line can make all the difference. Consider your fishing style, the conditions you’ll be facing, and the gear options outlined in this guide to build a setup that works best for you.

The next time you’re preparing for a walleye fishing trip, keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to landing more fish and making unforgettable memories on the water.

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