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Walleyes are known for being a relatively easy catch, which is why a lot of people like to use the jigging technique to catch it since it’s both fun and effective.
However, when it comes to jigging, the rod is the most important part of your setup, and you need to pay extra attention to various details in it to make the most out of your fishing trip.
If you’re looking for the best walleye jigging rod, you’re in for a treat! In today’s article, we’ll walk you through a brief guide with everything you need to know in order to pick the ideal one for your needs.
So without further ado, let’s jump right in!
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks
Top 5 Walleye Jigging Rods Reviews
With all the options on the market, finding a decent and efficient walleye jigging rod can be quite a tricky task.
To help you with the process of finding and choosing the right one for your needs, we’ve scoured the market looking for the best jigging rod options out there. Here’s a brief review of each one of these options:
1. Fenwick Elite Tech Spinning Walleye Fishing Rod
Kicking off the list with one of the overall best options on the market that offers both quality and value for money. What is really impressive about this fishing rod is that it offers an absolute game changer when it comes to rod design.
The Fenwick Elite Tech is a walleye fishing rod designed to fit both spinning and jigging techniques. This one is made from the highest quality materials for jigging rods, including both carbon fiber for blanks and titanium for the guides
Another design feature that is great about the rod is the TAC and cork handle that is redesigned so that it hides the normal reel seat threads inside the cork to improve comfort while holding it. The material is also great for improving the grip and performance while holding the rod.
The rod has an ideal medium power, which is ideal for the jigging technique, especially if you want to pair it with quick action. This is also thanks to its lightweight graphite action tip that gives you quick and rich feedback on every bite.
The Elite Tech is available in various styles, including 5 feet and 9 inches all the way up to 6 feet and 6 inches. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking for an extremely short rod or a relatively long one.
The rod also handles a wide range of line weights, ranging anywhere from 4 to 12 lbs, so you don’t have to worry about the line snapping while fishing.
What We Like
- An excellent value and quality for the price
- Remarkably fast action
- Durable construction with titanium guides
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
What We Don’t Like
- The rod length options are limited to shorter ones
2. St. Croix Legend Tournament Spinning Walleye Fishing Rod
Next up we have another great option by one of the most reputable names in the fishing gear industry. The St. Croix Legend Tournament is a high-end option that fits the bill for anyone looking for nothing but the best when it comes to power and performance.
The build quality in this jigging fishing rod is truly immaculate, with one of the cleanest designs out there as well as premium quality materials. The rod is made of graphite along with Fuji K-series guides with premium alconite rings and corrosion-resistant matte finish frames.
Additionally, the rod has an aluminum wind check as well as premium trim pieces with two coats of Flex-Coat for an unmatched finish!
When it comes to length, this rod belongs to the higher end of the scale, with lengths ranging 6 feet and 3 inches to 7 feet 6 inches, making it a great option for those who prefer a longer cast over pinpoint accuracy and catching the largest walleyes out there.
The rod has a line weight of 4 to 8 lbs, which is average at best, but still good enough for most situations. It’s also designed to handle up to 1/16 to 3/8 ounces of lure, which is one of the highest out there.
Like the previous option, this one has a remarkably fast action with premium quality materials that makes it one of the best long-term investments for walleye jigging.
Despite being a huge splurge, the jigging rod comes with 15 years warranty, which guarantees a worry-free purchase and ensures the quality of the product. The warranty is also transferable, so you can always sell the rod when it’s time for a new model upgrade!
What We Like
- Wide range of sizes (lengths)
- Smooth design with extra strength
- Cover by a long-term transferable warranty
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price tag
3. Cadence CR5 Spinning Walleye Ultralight Fishing Rod
If you’re a beginner or on a strict budget, you might want to look for a relatively affordable option. The problem is, many of these rods are not worth the price and will end up broken or abandoned.
Luckily, there are some inexpensive options on the market that will still provide you with decent quality and performance without costing you an arm and a leg!
The Cadence Fishing rod is one of the most versatile and reasonably priced options on the market, coming at a fraction of what other options may set you back. However, it does pretty decently if you keep the price in mind.
One of the coolest things about this jigging rod, besides its price, is the huge range of size options it comes at. The versatile design makes it suitable not only for jigging and spinning, but you can also use them for trolling to some extent.
This is because this walleye rod has a fast action with a pretty decent medium power, so it’s not too stiff for jigging or too soft for other techniques.
The rod guides are made of stainless steel along with a carbon fiber frame as well as EVA foam and cork handles for a solid grip.
The line weight of the rod is about 2 to 6 lbs with a capacity of 1/32 and up to 1/8 ounces of lure, which is a bit low but can be good enough for some.
What We Like
- Ideal for buyers on a strict budget as well as beginners who don’t want to spend big
- Huge range of sizes
- Durable materials for its price
What We Don’t Like
- Limited lure weight
4. Lew’s Speed Stick Jigging Walleye Spinning Rod
Another relatively affordable option to consider is the Lew’s Speed Stick, which is a great mid-range walleye jigging rod that offers both value and great features.
Of course, it may not give you the same feedback of the most subtle bites like St. Croix and Fenwick Elite Tech, but it’s still sensitive enough to help you catch even baby walleyes on your trip.
The jigging rod has an IM8 graphite blank with a premium quality grip that covers a decent length of the rod for added accuracy and control.
Additionally, the rod is equipped with premium Fuji guides, which are of the highest quality on the market.
The jigging rod is available with plenty of short and medium-sized options. However, the shorter options will guarantee a better performance while jigging.
What We Like
- Comes at a reasonable price
- Available in various sizes
- Full-length grips for added comfort
What We Don’t Like
- Relatively low sensitivity
5. St. Croix Rods Eyecon Spinning Walleye Fishing Rod
Ending with another fishing rod from St. Croix, which shows the level of quality they offer in their products!
The Eyecon is also a Walleye specific fishing rod that offers great quality for a relatively lower price, although the rod is still noticeably more expensive than other budget-friendly options out there.
The jigging rod is equipped with Kigan Master guides along with aluminum-oxide rings and split grip handles for maximum control and comfort.
The Eyecon rod is highly sensitive with three power and action ratings, ranging from medium and fast action to light and extra-fast action.
What We Like
- Split cork handles for added comfort
- The extra-fast action is great for walleye jigging
- Lightweight construction
What We Don’t Like
- Still a bit pricey
What to Look for While Shopping for a Jigging Rod for Walleye
While buying a jigging rod, there are some essential aspects that you need to keep in mind in order to land the perfect rod for your needs. Here’s a quick look at each one of these aspects:
Materials and Durability
Jigging a walleye isn’t a difficult task but it certainly needs a lot of sensitivity. The problem is, lower-quality materials’ feedback will deteriorate with time, which makes them unsuitable for walleye fishing.
To avoid these problems, you need to make sure that you make the most out of your investment, always go for a durable product that is made from quality materials.
This includes materials like graphite and high quality carbon fiber as well as aluminum and stainless steel guides. The handle should be made of EVA or cork because they combine comfort and durability
Rod Size (Length)
The size of the rod refers to its length. This ranges between 6 feet all the way up to 7 feet and 8 inches.
Ideally, you need to look for a medium-sized rod that is anywhere between 6 feet and 3 inches to 6 feet and 6 inches.
Such a length would be fairly suitable for almost all anglers who want to catch walleyes using the jigging technique.
Keep in mind that shorter rods might slightly enhance precision while longer rods support a more distant cast, which is only essential if you’re trolling instead of jigging.
Rod Power
Jigging is quite different when it comes to power requirements, especially when fishing for walleyes.
The ideal range of power you should be looking for here is anywhere between medium and medium light. This range is quite ideal for the angler, giving you a decently fast action while staying light and nimble.
Top Tip: Avoid rods with excessive power because a medium-heavy to heavy rating is only ideal if you prefer trolling over jigging.
Rod Sensitivity and Action
Rod sensitivity is the most important aspect of walleye jigging by a long mile, so you need to give it your undivided attention while buying a rod.
Jigging, especially for walleyes, requires a rod with a very high reflex or feedback so that you can feel the lightest of bites. For that reason, always look for a soft rod with very high sensitivity.
The action of a rod is also fairly related to the rod’s power. If you’re jigging for walleyes, you want to look for a soft rod that gives you a faster action. Stiff rods typically have a weaker action, but it may still depend on your preferences.
Line Weight
Another aspect that is associated with the rod’s power is the line weight. For instance, you’re going to need a higher line weight if you need more power while jigging.
Ideally, walleye jigging isn’t too demanding for high lightweight and will typically require anywhere between 2 to 10 lbs.
Price and Value for Money
This one will vary depending on your personal preference and the budget that you’ve set for the rod.
However, you should keep in mind that high-end products that are a bit pricey are usually quite durable, which makes them a great investment if you’re planning to keep the rod for a long time.
Additionally, check the warranty policy on the rod and make sure that the rod is covered for at least 5 years to ensure maximum bang for your buck.
FAQs
Is jigging the best technique to catch walleyes?
Walleye is a relatively easy catch, so the method of catching a walleye is usually a matter of personal preference. Ideally, there are three ways to catch a walleye, which are trolling, spinning, and jigging.
Trolling for walleyes requires a notably heavier setup because it puts a lot of pressure on the type of gear you use, especially if you use a heavy lead line for deep fishing, so you need a medium to high power and action.
Spinning requires faster action than the two other methods as well as the use of a variety of lures to get the job done.
Jigging, on the other hand, is ideal for those who like to pack light for their fishing trip, as you rely primarily on the rod’s sensitivity to catch walleyes.
The key to such a technique is having an ultralight to medium power rod that will be able to deliver sensitive feedback of the rod’s tip.
Do jigging and spinning use the same type of rods?
Luckily, jigging and spinning typically use almost identical rods with negligible difference between the two. In fact, most experienced anglers will use spinning rods for jigging.
This is because, in both cases, you need a relatively lightweight rod of a moderate size that gives you a decent level of sensitivity and feedback to get the job done.
However, we don’t recommend using your old spinning rod for walleye fishing. This is because older rods lose their elasticity and feedback with time.
This makes them significantly less sensitive when sensitivity is the most important aspect when it comes to jigging.
What lure is best for walleye fishing?
Adult walleyes usually feed mainly on smaller fish like minnows and yellow perch. A lot of anglers believe that these options work best for walleyes, especially when they’re flathead and shiny.
The larger the walleye, the shinier that lure should be. Keep in mind that walleyes see red, yellow, and orange the best. On the other hand, they have low visibility of blue and violet, which are mostly seen as black.
Final Verdict
This wraps it up for today’s guide about the best jigging rods for walleye fishing. As you can see, there are plenty of great options on the market that will help you catch the most fish.
If you’re looking for an option that combines great performance and decent value for money, we recommend that you go for Fenwick Elite Tech Spinning Walleye Fishing Rod or St. Croix Legend Tournament Spinning Walleye Fishing Rod.
These two rods are easily the highest quality options on the market with an unmatched score when it comes to sensitivity, power, and action.
However, if you’re on a strict budget or a beginner looking for a decent option that will help you save a few bucks, you might want to go for the Cadence CR5 Spinning Walleye Ultralight Fishing Rod.
This one offers all the functionality and quality needed to make it a decent jigging rod for walleyes without breaking the bank!
Happy Hunting!
