9 Best Walleye Rods Reviewed

Welcome to our reviews of the Best Walleye Rods.

There are several fishing rods available on the market. But it is not easy to find the right rod for Walleye fishing. So we have reviewed some of the top spinning, jigging, and trolling rods to help you find the right one.

Last update on 2024-11-07 / Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Here is our pick of the top walleye fishing rods.

Our Top 9 Picks

1. Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye Spinning – Best Overall
2. St Croix Eyecon Spinning – Best for Jigging
3. Lew’s Speed Stick Trolling – Best for Trolling
4. Ugly Stik Spinning Combo – Best Combo
5. Cadence CR5 Spinning – Best for Beginners
6. Shimano Compre Walleye Spinning – Most Sensitive
7. KastKing WideEye Walleye – Best 2-piece
8. Okuma Deadeye Telescopic – Budget Pick
9. St. Croix Tournament Walleye Spinning – High-End Option

The 9 Best Walleye Rods

Now, let us move to our in-depth reviews.

1. Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye Spinning

• Length: 5.9-7.6 ft
• Blank Material: Graphite
• Guides: Titanium
• Handle Material: TAC + Cork
• Power: Ranges from Medium Light to Medium
• Action: Ranges from Fast to Extra Fast
• Warranty Period: 1 Year

We are always on the lookout for the most innovative fishing rods. That’s how we came across Fenwick Elite Tech. This award-winning rod features innovative blank, guides, and handle.

It offers everything you want for Walleye fishing. We often suggest it to anglers looking for a medium-light and extra fast-action rod. The graphite blank construction makes it strong and sensitive. The extra-fast tip allows you to feel almost every bite. It uses lightweight titanium guides to give you a smooth casting experience.

We took this rod on our 3-day fishing trip and caught over 30 Walleyes in the 3-15lbs range using 1/4 and 3/8 oz jigs. The TAC and cork handle let us comfortably hold the rod even when the handle was wet. Overall, we are very impressed by its reliability and performance.

Fenwick is a popular brand when it comes to fishing gear. Fenwick Elite Tech is the best walleye spinning rod due to its versatility, durability, and performance.

2. St Croix Eyecon Spinning

• Length: 5.8-8 ft
• Blank Material: SCII Carbon Fiber
• Guides: Aluminum Oxide
• Handle Material: Cork
• Power: Ranges from Light to Heavy
• Action: Ranges from Moderate to Extra Fast
• Warranty Period: 5 Years

St Croix Eyecon Walleye Spinning Rod is a top-rated option when it comes to performance. It does not matter whether you are jigging, rigging, or cranking. You can count on this rod for great results. Every angler irrespective of their skill level can use it with ease.

We suggest you pick St Croix Eyecon if you are looking an all-around walleye rod. You can use it to catch fish in streams, rivers, ponds, or lakes. It offers great performance in all environments. We tested it on our recent fishing trip and it helped us catch quite a few Walleyes.

It offers lots of features that stand out. The premium SCII carbon fiber construction makes the rod lightweight, sensitive, and durable. It comes with Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with strong aluminum-oxide rings to help you throw smooth casts.

St Croix Eyecon is an award-winning rod that will last you for many years. It is the best walleye jigging rod as per our reviews. You can use it for vertical jigging walleyes or pulling stick baits.

3. Lew’s Speed Stick Trolling

• Length: 6.6-10.6 ft
• Blank Material: IM8 Graphite
• Guides: Fuji Concept O guides
• Handle Material: Cork
• Power: Medium
• Action: Moderate
• Warranty Period: 1 Year

One of the most loved walleye trolling rods on the market comes from the house of Lew’s. The Speed Stick is a medium-power and moderate-action trolling rod. It has an IM8 graphite blank that makes it sensitive and lightweight. The Fuji Concept O guides and graphite reel seats add to durability.

We recently tested this rod on our river fishing trip. We usually run two planer boards per side on our boat. The compact size of these rods lets us reach and take a board off the line with ease.

Many Walleye anglers consider comfort as one of the top features when looking for a trolling rod. The heat shrink handles with an extended cork grip let you easily remove your rods from the rod holder. But still, they offer a comfortable grip and great control.

Lew’s Speed Stick is a great choice for anglers who want the best walleye trolling rod on the market. The build quality and craftsmanship make it stand out among other trolling rods. Everything from the tip to the handle is top quality.

4. Ugly Stik Spinning Combo

• Length: 7.6 ft
• Blank Material: Composite
• Guides: Stainless Steel
• Handle Material: Cork
• Power: Medium Light
• Action: Fast
• Warranty Period: 7 Years

The Ugly Stik Walleye Spinning Combo is famous for its toughness and durability. It is a great pick if you are looking for a high-quality rod and reel combo for trolling for walleye. It comes with a medium-light action rod and a 20-size line counter reel.

The 2-piece rod is lightweight and sensitive. It comes with stainless steel guides to improve durability and ease of use. The rod comes with a matching size 20 reel that features 2 ball bearings and an on/off bait clicker.

We took it on a fishing trip trolling for river walleye to check it out. We spooled the reel with 300 yards of 15lb mono line. Overall, we were able to land quite a few Walleyes in the 3-9lbs range. We tested it for trolling lead core and downrigger fishing without any issues.

Ugly Stik is the best walleye rod and reel combo as per our reviews. Most experienced walleye anglers rate it very highly on quality and performance. It is a great choice for walleye trolling but it is so versatile you can also use it to fish trout, salmon, or pike.

5. Cadence CR5 Spinning

• Length: 7 ft
• Blank Material: 30-Ton Carbon Fiber
• Guides: Stainless Steel
• Handle Material: Cork + EVA Foam
• Power: Ranges from Ultralight to Heavy
• Action: Ranges from Moderate to Fast
• Warranty Period: 1 Year

Cadence CR5 is a top-notch spinning rod that we recently tested for Walleye fishing. It is a medium-power and fast-action rod that can serve different fishing styles. It is a good all-around rod that you can use for both trolling and jigging.

The CR5 rod is built with 30-ton carbon fiber. It makes the rod strong, sensitive, and lightweight. The rod features stainless steel guides with SiC inserts to help you cast smoothly with minimal line friction. It also improves sensitivity by transferring vibrations from the line to your hand.

We suggest this rod for beginners as it is versatile, easy to use, and affordable. You can use it with different fishing techniques to catch walleye, trout, or bass. The EVA and cork grip makes the rod very comfortable to use. Yet it comes at an affordable price. If you consider all the features, you can see why it is one of the best walleye fishing rods.

6. Shimano Compre Walleye Spinning

• Length: 6-7 ft
• Blank Material: Composite
• Guides: SeaGuide Zirconia
• Handle Material: Cork
• Power: Ranges from Medium Light to Medium Heavy
• Action: Extra Fast
• Warranty Period: 1 Year

Shimano Compre has been specially designed for Walleye anglers. If you check online, you will find many experienced and pro anglers praising this rod.

Shimano Compre is one of the most sensitive walleye rods on the market. It is sensitive enough to detect even small bites yet fast enough to allow quick hooksets. You can use the medium-power and fast-action rod for all types of Walleye fishing. Dipsy divers, downriggers, and trolling anglers would love this rod.

We recently tested it during our weekend fishing trip. We found the rod very lightweight and sensitive thanks to the high-quality guides. It comes with full cork handles and Fuji reel seats to give you a solid grip even in wet conditions. It makes the rod comfortable and easy to handle. We caught quite a few medium-sized Walleye using this rod.

Shimano Compre is a great pick for walleye fishing. Whether you are a beginner or a pro you can use it to fish all kinds of water with ease.

7. KastKing WideEye Walleye

• Length: 6.2-8 ft
• Blank Material: Composite
• Guides: Fuji Tangle Free K Frame
• Handle Material: EVA Foam
• Power: Ranges from Medium Light to Medium Heavy
• Action: Ranges from Moderate to Extra Fast
• Warranty Period: Limited Lifetime

Kastking WideEye is another top-rated rod that we recently tested. It is a medium-light and fast-action rod. The length, action, power, and sensitivity make it a great choice for walleye jigging. You can use it to target walleyes in the 6-10 lbs range.

It comes with many features that help it stand out among others. The composite blanks make it lightweight and powerful. It is such a well-balanced and light rod you can hardly feel the weight. The Fuji Tangle Free K Frame guides and Fuji reel seats add to durability. Handling is very comfortable thanks to the EVA foam grips.

KastKing has a great reputation when it comes to fishing equipment. It is not surprising they continue to dominate the sales charts. KastKing WideEye is the best walleye rod for the money. It is a great option whether you are a beginner or an expert angler. You will find many pro anglers praising its performance.

8. Okuma Deadeye Telescopic

• Length: 6-8.6 ft
• Blank Material: Graphite
• Guides: Stainless Steel
• Handle Material: Cork
• Power: Ranges from Medium Light to Medium Heavy
• Action: Ranges from Moderate Fast to Fast
• Warranty Period: 1 Year

Okuma has some great walleye fishing rods that come with lots of features. One of them is Okuma Deadeye which stands out among others. It is a telescopic rod specially designed for Walleye anglers.

The E Glass blank construction makes it very rugged and durable. The stainless steel guides with Titanium oxide inserts make it suitable even for harsh environments. It is one of the most durable walleye rods on the market

We tested this rod for trolling Walleye with planer boards. It is unlike a traditional trolling rod. We found it to be strong, reliable, yet lightweight. It is very effective thanks to the flex reinforcement tip technology. We were able to land quite a few fish within a few hours with this rod. The shrink tube rear grip makes it easy to set and remove from the rod holder.

When it comes to quality, it is obvious that Okuma Deadeye has an edge. Yet it comes at a very affordable price. The quality and affordability make it the best budget walleye rod. You can use it for fishing in all types of water. You’ll be able to use it even in saltwater, rough conditions, or harsh environments.

9. St. Croix Tournament Walleye Spinning

• Length: 5.8-8 ft
• Blank Material: Carbon Fiber
• Guides: Fuji Alconite
• Handle Material: Cork
• Power: Ranges from Medium Light to Heavy
• Action: Ranges from Moderate to Extra Fast
• Warranty Period: 15 Years

We recently tested out the St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye Spinning Rod. The medium-light and fast-action rod is suitable for jigging and bottom bouncing. You can use it for catching walleye and other medium-sized fish.

The SCIV+ carbon fiber blank offers strength and sensitivity. The Alconite guides make it durable and corrosion-resistant. The nylon reel seat keeps the reel securely in place while fishing. The super-grade cork handle provides a comfortable grip even when wet.

We tested this rod in streams and rivers for targeting Walleyes. We paired it with a Shimano Stradic Ci4+ reel spooled with a 10lb braided line. The excellent sensitivity rod allowed us to feel every nibble and strike. We were able to catch walleye, bass, and pike using this rod.

Overall we are very impressed with its performance. We believe it is one of the best walleye spinning rods out there. Although it is priced toward the high end of the market, it is a top-rated rod worth the investment.

Types of Walleye Rods

There are three main types of walleye rods – spinning, jigging, and trolling. In making your choice, you must consider what technique you will use and accordingly pick a rod.

Spinning

Spinning rods are easy to use and control. If you are a beginner, we suggest you pick a spinning rod to get started before advancing to other rods.

You can use spinning rods with different lures to target different sizes of Walleye. Spinning rods are not as heavy as trolling rods.

It is important that you chose the right power and action when picking a spinning rod. We suggest you pick a medium-power and fast-action spinning rod for Walleye fishing. But depending on the size of fish you are targeting and your fishing location, you may choose a light or heavy rod.

Here are some other factors you need to consider while picking a spinning rod.

• Skill Level: If the rod is designed for beginners or professionals.
• Ease of Use: If the is comfortable and easy to use.
• Durability: If the rod uses quality materials and construction.

Jigging

Rods for jigging tend to be more sensitive and lightweight than other rods. If you pick a jigging rod, it is ideal to opt for vertical jigging to get better results.

You must consider the materials when looking for a jigging rod. Most good jigging rods are made of glass composite or graphite to offer better performance.

We suggest you pick a jigging rod with medium-light to medium power and fast to extra-fast action. But you can pick as per your skill level and personal preferences.

Trolling

The main difference between trolling rods and others is the setup. You’ll need strong and heavier rods that can drag heavier lines and lures behind your boat.

The rod must be able to absorb all the shocks and pulses from the water. So you need a rod durable and strong enough to handle such conditions.

We suggest you pick a medium, medium-heavy, or heavy rod depending on the weight of the fish you plan to catch. Go for a 7-10 ft rod that features a rock-solid reel seat. Check the handle is cork or EVA foam so that it is comfortable to use.

How to Choose the Right Walleye Rod

Choosing the best walleye fishing rod is not easy. You must consider different factors before picking a rod. We hope our buying guide here can help you to choose the right rod.

Rod Length

The rod length is very important when you are looking for the perfect walleye fishing rod. The ideal length depends on the type of rod you plan to use. A short length makes it easier to maneuver the rod while a long length makes it easier to cast farther.

We suggest you pick a 5-8 ft fast-action rod for spinning and jigging. If you are looking for a trolling rod then we suggest you go for a longer rod in the 10-12 ft range.

Power

The power also depends on the type of rod you plan to pick.

We suggest you pick a light to medium power rod for spinning or jigging. It will offer you enough power to target small to medium-sized fish.

But if you plan to use a trolling rod, then we suggest you pick a medium-heavy or heavy power rod that can handle the shock and resistance.

You must also consider your skill level and comfort when picking a rod. Most ultralight or light power rods are easier to use. If you are a beginner, then we suggest you avoid going for heavier rods.

Action

The rod must suit your fishing style. For spinning and jigging, we suggest Walleye anglers go for a fact or extra-fast action rod. It will offer you extra sensitivity to detect all bites.

For trolling, we suggest you go for a moderate or moderate-fast action rod. It will not be as sensitive but it will reduce the risk of breaking your rod.

Materials and Construction

The Materials and Construction determine the build quality and durability of a rod. The rod must be rugged enough to withstand different fishing conditions. So you must consider the materials and construction when making your choice.

Blank is the main part of a fishing rod. You consider the type of material used in the blank when picking a walleye fishing rod.

The ideal material is graphite or a carbon fiber composite. There are other materials such as fiberglass or bamboo. Graphite strong are more sensitive as compared to other materials.

Fiberglass rods are more durable and tough. A composite will have properties as per the blend of graphite and fiberglass.

If you are picking a spinning or jigging rod, then the most important thing is that you choose a sensitive rod.

You must also consider the construction and build quality when picking a rod. If you want a fishing rod you can use for a long time, look for a rod with quality components such as line guides, reel seats, and handles.

Line Guides

Line guides are the loops along the rod blank that control the fishing line while casting or reeling in. They also help in transferring back the vibrations from a fish bite. So the quality of line guides impacts the casting and sensitivity of a rod.

Most rods come with metal guides made of stainless steel, aluminum, or Titanium. Line guides tend to break or come out so you must pick a rod that uses quality materials and construction for line guides.

Reel Seat

The reel seat is part of the rod that holds the reel. A quality reel seat will securely hold the reel even when fighting bigger fish. So you must consider reel seat quality when you look for a rod.

Rod Handle

Most of the walleye rods on our list come with cork or EVA foam handles. A quality rod handle ensures that the rod does not slip from your hand. Rather it offers a firm and comfortable grip.

FAQs

Many anglers want to catch walleye due to its increasing popularity. Here we have tried to answer some of the most frequently asked questions

How big can Walleyes get?

Walleyes are a popular freshwater game fish found in various locations across North America. Their size can vary depending on their habitat, diet, and age.

Walleyes usually grow to be around 20-30 inches long and weigh 3-10 lbs. But some larger walleyes can grow up to 33 inches long and weigh up to 20 lbs.

Do I really need different rods for Walleye fishing?

It’s possible to catch Walleyes with your usual go-to fishing rod. But using a rod designed for Walleye fishing can enhance your chances.

Walleye spinning or jigging rods are light and sensitive so it is easier for you to detect bites. The fast action allows for quick hooksets.

For trolling you need longer and stronger rods to drag heavy lures behind your boat.

How can I land more Walleyes?

You need to use the right equipment and fishing technique to land more Walleyes.

When choosing a spinning or jigging rod, go for a sensitive rod with fast action. It will allow you to feel the slightest bites and set the hook quickly.

Using the right fishing reel, line, bait, and lures is also important. As Walleyes are sensitive to light you must use a lighter line and smaller bait or lures for better results.

The reel plays an extremely important role in helping you land the fish. You can check out our pick of the Best Spinning Reel for Walleye if you are looking for a new walleye reel. It can help you catch more fish during your trip.

Learning about the feeding pattern and other behavior will help you choose the right time of day and location to fish.

Is a medium-fast rod good for Walleye?

Yes, a medium-fast rod can be a good choice for walleye fishing. A medium-fast rod balances power and sensitivity to make it ideal for spinning or jigging.

A medium-fast rod offers enough backbone to handle larger walleye. Yet it is sensitive enough to detect even the slightest bites.

What pound test line is suitable to use for Walleye?

You must consider your fishing location, lure weight, and the weight of the fish you’re planning to catch. You can use a 6-10 pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line for a versatile setup.

But if you plan to fish in heavy cover or use bigger lures, then we suggest you pick a heavier line. Keep in mind that heavy lines tend to reduce sensitivity and make it harder to detect bites.

Can jigging rods work for bottom fishing?

Yes, jigging rods can work well for bottom fishing in some situations. Most rods for jigging come with light to medium power and fast action.

For bottom fishing, you need a sensitive rod that can detect small bites yet it must be strong enough to handle the fish. So using a fast-action jigging rod with a sensitive tip can work well in such situations.

But a jigging rod will not work if you plan to fish in deeper waters or catch bigger fish. For such scenarios, you need a heavier rod than a jigging rod.

Conclusion

St Croix Eyecon is the Best Walleye Rod as per our reviews. It offers top performance with durability and ease of use. But any of the rods on our list can help you get the job done.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our reviews or testing methodology. We are happy to answer all the queries that we get.

Let us know if you have any suggestions or feedback. We will try to include them in the next update.

We hope our pick of the Best Walleye Rods. The right rod for you depends on how, when, and where you plan to fish. So feel free to contact us if you need help picking a rod as per your specific needs.

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Victor Mays