Best Walleye set up for the Money?

[Iron Cowboy]

Hey guys, I am going to get a new rod and reel for this season. I want to get something more sensitive so I can feel the bottom and bites while jigging and lindy rigging. I have allways used the higher end Fenwicks and last year got a rapala tournament series. they are ok but would like something more sensitive. Are the G-loomis or St.croix avids worth the money they cost? Will it be that much of an upgrade? I prefer the 7 foot length for casting and bobber fishing with it too. what about the tip action? Then theres the reel too--want a good balance. Like I said I dont want to break the bank but I'm not afraid to spend a few bucks either if its something I will really enjoy for years to come. any experience similar to what i'm doing or advise is appreciated. Thanks, Pete

[Northlander]

The St. Croix Avid is worth every penny. I wouldnt recomend a 7' rod to jig with. I use a 7' to live bait rig and troll spinners but a 6' or 6'6" to jig. If your looking for 1 rod that can be good for both get a 6'6" Avid Med/Light unless you do a lot of heavier jigging or bottom bouncing. Then go to a Med action. Fast tip.

[Sliderfishn]

St. croix are great rods. I also like 7 footer med lite fast tip. I use mine for live bait snelling or dragging jigs(1/8 ounce) and plastics. For jigging anything heavier go with 6-6 med. As for reels 40-50 $ is plenty, just make so it feels good and balanced on the rod of choice. All reels are good in that price range. Good luck on your choice.

[Jason Boser]

here is a sweet rod and reel combo
st croix avid as66lf 6ft 6 long light action and a fast tip
add a abu garcia 501 spinning reel it is a nice combo
Jason

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[92python]

There are many good rods from various companies. I am partial to St.Croix and Falcon. Gander has some pretty high mod graphites for decent prices too.

I have a couple of St.Croix Elite's that are very nice. I wouldn't say I catch any more fish on those rods than I do on the Falcon Lowrider that is quite a bit less.

It isn't always the rod. If you really want sensitivity, buy a spinning reel with an extra spool and spool up one with mono and the other with 4/10 Fireline.

With Fireline or something similiar you feel much more than you do with mono. Fireline is more visible in the water. For rigging this isn't much of an issue. For jigging tie off to a barrel swivel then run a few feet of mono or similiar line. Cut down on line twist as well.

Don't be suprised if you miss more fish at first when jigging. This stuff really improves sensitivity. Try letting them hold it for an extra second or two.

[musky hunter]

I'd get a rod with a lifetime warranty with over the counter exchange. It seems the better the rod the easier they break! Several manufacturers offer this, you'll pay a little more, but it's a lot more pallateable to replace it for free when it breaks.

[Scoot]

As far as getting a lifetime guarentee- good luck. Most of the rod manufacturers are going away from this and most are starting to refuse to honor their old guarentees.

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[Iron Cowboy]

Thanks for the replys guys. I'm going to have to take a hard look at the avid. Do you guys really think the 4/10 fireline will give me a lot more "feel" than 6 pound trilene? I used it once before and went back to mono because I didnt like the high visibility in clear water and haveing to tie a mono leader on all the time was such a pain. Do you think the reason I didnt feel a big improvement, (granted it wasnt a $100 plus rod) was the rod? I could feel bottom somewhat before with mono--shouldnt the feel increase with the fireline? It didnt seem to that much at all.

[Northlander]

Go with 2-10 Power Pro and you will have a much better feel than any mono. Fireline go 3-8. I think its 3-8#

[Guest]

If jigging is the key it's hands down a G Loomis IMX 721 6 footer. Have Bill at Thorne Bros show you one. Bill can build you the best rod for your purpose. I'd have him build one with a Tennessee handle. I bought mine expecting 10 years of use maybe more. Owning this rod will make you a better angler....why? Because it gives you better feel. Warning if you go to Thorne Bros and start looking at IMX 721 blanks you'll want one.

[Guest]

I had a very bad experience with St. Croix Premier and St. Croix would not back it up. I bought a defective rod and they wouldn't give me time of the day.

So with that said, St. Croix can burn in HE!!............

I have used some of the Avids and they are a nice rod, but compared to the GL2 G-Loomis, the G-Loomis is a better rod with more sensitivity and is lighter and it cost $30 less.

Don't be afraid of using super braids. They will upgrade the sensitivity of a cheaper, good graphite that you can purchase for $40 or $50 and be just as happy as you would with an Avid with mono..........

Again, St. Croix will be dump in my mind forever.........

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Let 'em go so they can grow!!!

[Northlander]

Wow St.Croix not backing a rod? I have never had a problem with them on any of my rods or blanks. Its funny though a lot of companies are getting tighter on warranty's because so many people step on a rod or guide and then want a new one.
Are you sure those Loomises are $30 cheaper than a Avid? Where? On sale?

[Fathead]

I own both Avid and IMX rods. In my opinion, IMX is "handsdown" the best of all my rods. I use my 7' for Live bait rigging. I think a 7' is ok for jigging, but agree with wgmsa that a 6 or 6'6" would be a better choice.

On my IMX I also use a 1/8 PowerPro line. I usually tie a 6 or 8lb magnathin leader (stretch) or 6 or 8 lb vanish (low stretch).
The PowerPro and IMX combination is the ULTIMATE in sensitivity (and I have tried alot of combinations in my time). The only drawback would be that your livebait rig is now, essentially, a hardwire to the bottom that will not have any give. This is where the Fast tip of the IMX coupled with a lower drag setting on your reel is important. If you do not pay attention to that, you WILL lose fish (rip out of their mouths) and will hate the setup.

Who said fishing wasn't a science?

[fiskyknut]

Same here Northlander, St Croix has always treated my problems {very few} with great warranty service. Have'nt had very many issues with quality at all. One problem was a loose reel seat on a PS76ML which showed up after a few weeks, gave me a brand spankin new one. Love that rod! broken 6 month old AS59MXF, this was broken when a 60# tackle bag was set upon it, they replaced it for about half price. Nothing wrong with that in my book. These warranties usually cover defects in manufacturing or compomnents and a problem of this nature will usually show up in the first few weeks of use. To tell you the truth I did'nt think they'd do a thing on that Avid due to the breakage was my fault, I told them the truth of what happened and was more than happy with their handling of it.

fisky

[TUMBLEWEED]

POWER PRO!! Try it out and you will be
hooked on it. My personal fav set-up is
a Rapala Tournament Series 6'6" with a
Plueger Trion spooled up with 10/2 PowerPro.
It is ultra sensitive!! I would for sure
try swapping lines, BEFORE making a rod
change. Unless you just want another excuse
for a new pole.......

[bbells]

My wife has the st. croix and I have the g loomis. I catch more fish. I love my g. loomis and am extremely careful with it so it will last a long time. I'd be happy with either one, though. My casting has improved and it definitely is wortht he extra money if you fish for walleyes with line rather than dynamite.