Looking for 1st walleye rod recommendations.

[Portlis]

First off, my apologies for making a new thread on a topic that has likely been beaten to death over the years. I tried both search functions and even went back through 20 pages of posts though, and couldn't find anything that really helped me.

So, here's the deal: I'm not incredibly new to ice fishing overall, but I've almost always just chased panfish with crappy gear. I mean lets be honest, you just don't need much more than a hole in the ice, an $8 HT ice blues and a cheap reel to catch a crappie.

This year though, I'm looking to go after some eyes, and I know I don't have proper equipment for it, specifically a rod. So, help me out here if you can please. I'm buying my first ice fishing walleye rod, and I've love some suggestions. More specifically, I'm adding it to a Christmas list, so there's a price ceiling that I just really can't go over. I know everyone loves Thorne Bros, but they're just plain out of the price range. Is there anything decent around the $25 mark? Even suggestions up to about the $35ish range would be great. Thanks!

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Lots and lots of options out there! I would reccomend taking a look at some of the new St.Croix rods out there. They are affordable and good quality sticks. Additionaly I would reccomend spending a few extra dollars and getting yourself a good reel. Again lots of good ones out there and I have a pretty good assortment of all the major brands. Tica makes a nice little affordable reel that works well. You can work your way all the way up to a Shimano or Plueger if you desire. Lots of guys will be filtering in here to offer thier favorites so just do a little research and pick the one that best fits your budget. As far as rods go for walleye, i would reccomend something in a 28" medium to medium light. Alot of guys go a little heavier but the reality is the majority of the fish you catch will be smaller eater size fish so in my eyes its more important to have a little lighter more sensitive rod and in the event you get a big one,....well, the drag is your friend!

[Portlis]

Heh, I actually already have some pretty decent Pflueger and Shimano reels, so I'm set there.

I've been looking at tons of rods, but it gets daunting after a while for the exact reason you mentioned: There are SO many options! So I thought I'd ask and see what others have liked.

[DLD24]

Check out 13 fishing wicked rods, they have a 27"ML that would be perfect for eyes.. I believe there $25 or $30...

[Scott O.]

If you don't mind going up to a $40 combo, I would highly recommend the Clam Genz True Blue combo, available in either a 24" or 28" medium combo package. The rods are winners, featuring a sensitive tip with a great backbone for fighting those bigger fish. The reel is a great quality reel with a wide arbor to let line come off faster and with less line twist. Plus I've seen these combos on sale for $30 so keep your eyes open.

[laportian]

Jason Mitchell has a 30 inch walleye rod that I am going to get. Checked them out at Reeds the other day and really liked it. I have the 28 inch. I have one of those St Croix Premier rods too and are very nice at $30.

[Portlis]

Jason Mitchell has a 30 inch walleye rod that I am going to get. Checked them out at Reeds the other day and really liked it. I have the 28 inch. I have one of those St Croix Premier rods too and are very nice at $30.

This sort of begs another question, so I'm glad you posted it.

I'm looking at the Jason Mitchell rods, and they have a 28" medium action Meatstick and a 30" medium action Elite Series. I can get both of them for the same price (around $30). What's the difference between these two rods other than the 2 inches? I can't find that information anywhere. Also, what sort of difference is the 2" going to make?

[live4chrome]

Just get the Jason Mitchell 30" walleye rod. The reels they come with are pretty nice. Spool with six pound mono if you fish outside, fire line if you fish in a house

[whitebassman]

My favorite rod that is not custom made is the TFO ice rods. Desinged by G. Loomis, they don't have the sticker shock of G. Loomis either. Jason Mitchell will get the job done, but when they snap on you and you replace it, you might as well have gotten a better made rod in the first place.

I stay away from St Croix myself.

It all depends on what's comfortable to your hand. But in ice rods, you do get what you pay for.

[pushbutton]

Portis, think the difference between the two is that the Meatstick is fiberglass and the Elite is carbon....maybe a clam guy can confirm. As far as the two inches?....a lot like the graphite vs fiberglass debate....ultimately what works best for you with how you fish. I personally like a 27 inch the best as it works best for where I sit in relation to the heater and hole

[ski_otter]

meatstick also has a noodle tip

[harvey lee]

Lots of options out there for a good inexpensive eye rod.

I like the Mitchell Meat stick if I am jigging smaller profile eye jigs. One can also use this rod for crappie and gills as the tip is so sensitive. The tip is great but you should be careful with it when putting it in a rod bag as it could get caught and u could damage it. The tip on this rod is so sensitive you will see if an eye just mouths the jig as it will bend slightly.

I know many do not like the Meatstick as they have broken the tip. Mine is almost 5-6 years old, have 2 and I have not broken either. The ones they make today make a bit thicker end the last few inches so they are more durable but I would guess one would lose some sensitivity with the thicker tip also. Mitchell's warranty, if needed, is very good.

If you would like a rod that will be good from the gills to crappie to eyes, this Meatstick can fill that bill.

Mitchell also has another eye rod I use for heavier jigs and as a bobber rod.

These rods will be close to your price range and yes, there are the better rods and the custom ones and I own many differnt ice rods but if I am on a light bite, the Meatstick is the one I use. Thorne Bros and others along with the custom rods are nice but they will run 2-4 times more than the price range you have listed.

If you are looking for a combo, Mitchell has that covered also. NO, it is not a 8 or 10 ball bearing reel but it will get the job done for you. For the money, pretty good reel.

[laportian]

Two more inches of badness! Lol. No I figure it will be my outside rod. the couple inches just means a tad more flex and taking just a bit of load off the line. Plus mine will be two inches longer than everyone elses!

On a side note I did break the tip on my 28 inch Jason Mitchell Elite. I was reeling in a four pound rainbow and it snapped swinging it out of the hole. Don't know if it was too much fish for that sensitive of a tip, my handling of it, maybe I damaged it prior, or it was a bad rod? Clam replaced it. They stand behind their stuff.

[dmpalm]

I really like the Jason Mitchell 28" elite walleye rod. The meatstick, to me, is a bit light for targeting walleyes. Also have a handful of frabill medium or medium light action rods that I like. The frabills tend to have a built in reel seat which is nice as you dont have to tape the reel on. I prefer 27" or 28" good for fishing in the house or outside.

If it were me, I'd suggest taking a look at the Fenwick elite tech rods. Mills has them on sale for $19 (regular 29). They make them in medium or medium light whichever you prefer. At the price you are looking for you are pretty much certain to end up with a nice rod that you'll be happy with.

[Chad Holst]

I would look hard at the 13 fishing rod combos. I preffer the wicked combo, our guides are split between the wicked and the whiteouts. both are the same price depending on where you shop. Fleethas them for $8-10 bucks between the two.

if you hold the rod like a pointer, then the whiteout rod is the way to go, bit longer butt on it. I hold my rod a bit different, so the short butt on the wicked is perfect for me. We used them exclusively last year for eyes and cats and the wicked reel is hard to beat for the price. It really is a high end reel for a mid end price.

Also, it depends on if you fish with gloves on. I dont, so no need for a bit of extra room on the butt. if your fishing in a house, with medium sized tackle. Wicked is 100% the way to go. you can feel a pin drop with both of these rods.

[Sota2Florida]

I've pulled lots of walleyes up on my Fenwick Elite Tech. Great blank, love the cork handles and it gets tossed around with no worries. I have a medium action that generally has a spoon of some sort on. I feel the light bites and the big ones are no worry either.

If you are fishing outside get a rod with larger eyes to help keep the ice out.

Have fun out there!

[alleyesonme]

X2 on the fenwick elite tech rods, i have switch almost all my rods gills,perch,eyes to a fenwick rod and have nothing but good things to say about them. i personally like the 28" med. light for eyes but i also have a meduim, a light, and a ultra light. rods are 20.00 on sale at fleet a couple times a season.

[Jdjulik]

I would look hard at the 13 fishing rod combos. I preffer the wicked combo, our guides are split between the wicked and the whiteouts. both are the same price depending on where you shop. Fleethas them for $8-10 bucks between the two.

if you hold the rod like a pointer, then the whiteout rod is the way to go, bit longer butt on it. I hold my rod a bit different, so the short butt on the wicked is perfect for me. We used them exclusively last year for eyes and cats and the wicked reel is hard to beat for the price. It really is a high end reel for a mid end price.

Also, it depends on if you fish with gloves on. I dont, so no need for a bit of extra room on the butt. if your fishing in a house, with medium sized tackle. Wicked is 100% the way to go. you can feel a pin drop with both of these rods.

I agree 100%. I just bought a 13 white out combo in ML for $59 at Cabela's last night for my walleye setup. You really can't beat the price for the quality you are getting. Compare the reel on this combo to some of the ones over at the reel counter and you realize to match the quality of the reel you get with this combo you would be spending well over the price the combo runs! And that's not even taking into account how nice the rod is! If I didn't already have 6 other rods for panfish I would go pick up some more while they are still in stock. I'm done buying cheap, low quality ice fishing rod's and reels. This thing makes the St. Croix combos look like garbage(and I'm a St. Croix fan boy).

[mww24]

a third vote for the fenwick elite tech. i use a 26" medium light for perch and eyes great rod. st. croix premier are o.k. i own a few but think the money could be spent elsewhere instead of on a st croix. the 13 are nice to. personally the 2 jason mitchells ive owned have not been good to me. one broke on a hook set. the other one the guides were not put on straight. ive heard great things about TFO ice rods designed by gary loomis. but have not fished one. or you could get a guft card for your gift and then add a bit of your money to get into a non custom thorne bros rod. they really do take the cake. i believe a stock perch or walleye sweetheart with non recoil guides is around 60-70$.so not a ton of cash out of your pocket.

[GIANT1]

To each there own whatever feels good to you and your confident with but my personal favorite is the berkly lightnings also have a couple TB walleye sweethearts I love all paired with tica citas

[Portlis]

Thank you all for your recommendations, I greatly appreciate it.

I think I'm going to add the Fenwick, Meatstick and 13 Fishing Wicked/Whiteout all to my list and let them decide for me Since I have no experience with any of them, I'll just try whatever they get me.

I will say, I like that the Fenwick and Wicked options have slots on the handle for the reel to fit in. I'm not the world's biggest fan of just taping a reel to the handle... seems cheap.

[dan z]

J.M rod lover here meat sticks for small buckshots/ pimple. elite 28 for the big stuff