The right gear

[BobT]

My favorite target fish is by far, walleye. Unfortunately, it has not proven to be my most successfully targeted fish. It seems that I struggle to find them or at least get them on my line. I try many of the techniques and tactics that are mentioned in sporting magazines, television programs, and here on this site and yet I have found that I just can’t seem to get any consistency to my success. Even when I go fishing with friends, I find that I am usually out-fished when it comes to walleye. I even try to watch what they do and try to mimic them to see if I can learn something but my frustration continues.

While I can accept that maybe I just don’t quite have the knack or I have much more to learn about things like location, presentation, etc., I also suspect that perhaps it is partially due to my gear.

I am the type of person that does not typically feel that he needs the best, most expensive, or nicest equipment. I could care less about status. This may be part of my downfall because I am therefore reluctant to spend the extra amount for high quality if what I have seems to work reliably. However, I have lately began to consider that my gear just may not be all that adequate. I wonder about how many fish I miss just because of lower quality gear. Maybe my gear doesn’t have the sensitivity I need to feel those light pick-ups and so I miss many more opportunities than I realize.

To be honest with myself, I don’t think I really know what would constitute a good walleye combination and I’d hate to spend a lot of money on a new rig only to find out it doesn’t make that much difference or I made some poor choices.

My question is, in your experiences how much difference is there between various quality rods, reels, and line when it comes to boating walleyes? Is it truly that significant and therefore worth the extra expense?

Second question: I know that most of you probably have different rod/reel/line combinations you use under various conditions and circumstances but if you were to recommend one system for targeting walleye that would be suitable in a variety of conditions without breaking one’s pocketbook, what would you recommend? I am looking to perhaps put together a starter combination that I could test the waters with and then build from there.

Thanks, I look forward to your input,

Bob

[jparrucci]

I believe having the right gear makes a heck of a big difference. A couple of years ago on opening morning, I grabbed the wrong rod/reel combo. It was before sunrise and it was dark, and I just happened to grab the wrong one. Well, as soon as I got on the water I noticed I had the wrong set up. No big deal I thought, I would fish the morning with this set up and switch to my better gear in the afternoon when we got back to the cabin. Well, I can say it was a world of a difference using a cheap glass rod compared to a graphite with better line and reel. We were jigging in about 14 ft of water, and I couldnt even feel the bottom. I have been using a St. Croix 6ft fast action, light power rod with a Symetre reel for a number of years-spool with 6lb fireline.

I cannot emphasise enough the importance of a sensitive graphite rod and having a low stretch line like fireline. I think it makes all the difference in the world. I think the reel is the least important of the 3. In reality, I think any mid price 35-55 dollar reel is fine-more important for me is the size of the reel matching up properly with the rod and line. I don't think someone needs to go all out and buy G Loomis for 300, but spending 80 on a St. Croix or even 60 on the Cabelas or Gander brand rod (IM-7/IM-8 type graphite) would greatly improve the sensitvity and the amount of hookups.

Going to a line like fireline takes some getting used to also. I was not real fond of it at first, especially when trying to tie it or snap the line if I was snagged. I have moved to using 6lb fireline (you should not need anything stronger-as I have straightend many hooks and even pulled up a VERY large deadhead with it. I think the smaller the lb test line, the more sensitive it is. I also have gone with tying a 4ft leader with mono to a snap swivel and using that to tie to my jigs (I even pre-tie up dozens in multiple colors/shapes/sizes-to make changing easy-especially in the cold and wind early in the season.)

So, there you have it. I think for using lindy setups or for jigging (heck, and even slip bobbers) I think a sensitive graphite rod is essential and basically required.

For roughly 90 to 150, you could have yourself all the rod, reel, line you need. A quick check on the Cabelas HSOforum led me to a few setup possiblities:

1) St. Croix Premier model PS60LF which is a 6 ft, fast action/light power rod which I use for most of my jigging applications. It comes in an either one or two piece. If you wanted to go with a slightly stronger rod you could use the same rod in the PS66MLF2 which is a 6 1/2 ft rod with a medium light power, fast action. This would be a slightly better all-around rod- still good for jigging, but a little more backbone for trolling cranks and longer for casting. You will lose a small amount of sensitivy with this, but still a very sensitive, great all around rod. 80 bucks

Reel-I think is actually the least important of these, but I still like to have a reel I know will last and will be dependable. A mid level Shimano like the Solstace 49.99, Senora 39.99, Sahara 59.99 or the reel I use on a number of my rods, the Symetre 79.99. There are other brands that are just as good with even lower prices. Any reel over 40 dollars should be a good reel. I have used Shimano for years with no problems, so I stick with those.

Line- 6ft Fireline 12.87

Grand total of combo 1-which would be a great combo for anyone and would be a very nice setup- St. Croix 80 + Shimano Sahara 60+ 13 Fireline = 153 for a heck of a nice set up.

2)Or, for a slightly cheaper route- Rod. Cabelas TIMS662 a 6 1/2 fast action, medium light power all around rod-(60). Reel Shimano Senora (40). Fireline (13) Grand total #2 $113 for another good setup.

3)Cabelas Tourney Trail IM7/Shimano Sedona combo-sells for $40 less when purchased as a combo. Prices from 60-80.

In conclusion, you can get a pretty darn good combo for around 90-150 bucks. If that is too much to spend, you need to prioritize or go on the ramen noodle diet for a few week!

Oh, and what happened when I took the wrong rod out with me on opening morning? I took a 20 minute boatride back to the cabin to get the right one after about 5 minutes of fishing with a junk pole.

[Jim Hudson]

Bob

To me, I do not think you need the most expensive rods/reels to consistantly boat fish. And most good fisherman will agree as well. But on the other hand, you do want to get quality equipment, not so much for the catching of fish purposes, but more so to make sure you know that your gear will stand up to the test when you are out there fishing. Sure, you can get a real cheap rod and reel combo, and catch a lot of fish with it, but in the long run and over time you will probably spend more money replacing these items then if you would have just spent a bit more money on quality equipment. And in my mind, you do not have to spend over a $100 on a quality reel or even on a quality rod. Most of my walleye set-ups, when you are talking about jigging or rigging, a rod and reel combo will cost me right in that $100.00 dollar range, give or take a little.

For walleye fishing, especially jigging and rigging, the feel an angler has is what consitutes more bites and landed fish. Feeling the bite is key on both of these strategies, which can take some time for one to become accustomed to or never be able to in some cases. And though some very high priced rods can give you a bit more "feel", I personally do not think the extra 100 dollars or more gives you "enough" feel for the money you will spend over a good mid-priced rod. Time on the water and learning the feel of a walleye pick-up will be your best bet!!!

I can not tell from your post what your main presentation is for walleyes, but if I am thinking right it is probably jigging and or live bait rigging.

Personally I have two seperate rods, as I like a longer rod for rigging then I do jigging. And my suggestion would be to go that route as well through time. For most of my jigging I like a ML action 6 to 6'6' foot rod and rigging I go to a 7 rod in a ML as well. So, if this is your style of fishing, look at a 6'6" rod in ML to cut the difference. The St. Croix Premier series and the Walleye Angler Series from Bass Pro Shops are great rods that won't bust your budget. The ML action will give you great feel IMHO, but with big fish you will have to play them more due to the lighter action.

For reels, look to Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Pflueger. All make great affordable reels that will last. Personally I like the Abu 300 series (model 301), Shimano Sedona 1500, or Pflueger President 6725/Pflueger Trion 4725.

Line plays a roll as well.. where if you want optimum feel, look to a superline such as Fireline or Power Pro. Even in ultra clear water, you can run a flourocarbon leader off your main line. Stick with an 8 or 10lb test superline that has 1 or 2lb diameter. But if you want to go with a mono line, look at Berkleys Sensation for jigging and rigging.

I am sure more people will give you advice and I hope you are on your way to catching more fish!!

[solbes]

I agree with a lot of his recommendations. I enjoy the challenge of walleye fishing, but often also go after northerns, bass, and pannies as well.

I find the rod to be quite important to feeling the bottom. I had the exact same rod listed, St Croix Premier PS66MLF except in a one piece. It works great for jigging, rigging, casting, and even trolling on occasion (although could use a little heavier for that). Unfortunately I broke it pulling it out of the boat, almost cried b/c of how many fish it's caught. But now I can step up one notch to the Avid series that has a lifetime warranty ($150) and is a little more sensitive yet.

If you're going to spend the money, you might want a lifetime warranty. I believe the higher end Fenwick (HMX or HMG???) also carries a lifetime warranty for under $80.

I have a Shimano Sedona reel, $50, that has lasted 6+ years now with no problems. It's smooth and has an instant anti-reverse for hooksets.

I also second the Fireline. I use 10# because it's a little stronger for the multispecies fishing I do. It also drops cranks down 10-20% deeper when trolling over mono. I do believe that I have increased my catch rate by at least 30% just by upgrading the rod and line, well worth it in my mind. Good luck.

[Team Otter]

JKH pretty much covered the spectrum on this one. Lots of good information guys!

[PerchJerker]

Assuming that we are talking about jigging and rigging and rods here, I cannot emphasize enough that the way the rod feels to you is the most important. I like St. Croixs and longer rods and use a 6'6" ML for jigging, and a 7' M or MH for rigging (also use that as my slip bobber rod for the little slip bobbering I do). But the most important thing before you buy is to find a rod that just "feels right" to you - length, action, weight, etc. - and that will probably be your best rod for catching fish.

My wife uses a 6'3" G Loomis for jigging and rigging. Really nice rod, but I can barely catch a frickin' thing on it --- it just doesn't feel right to me. When I tournament fish I rig that rod as my back-up rod for casting cranks, maybe for pitching plastics if we're doing a lot of that, but even then I rarely use that rod.

Gander Mountain has some nice private label rods, IM7 and IM8 graphite for around $50. A few years ago we brought my folks to Canada with us and they each went with 6'6" ML Gander rods - really nice sticks for the price, and they're still going strong whether my folks are walleye fishing or panfishing with their grandkids.

The next thing I'd look at is the line. Lots of guys on this board will tell you to jig with fireline or power pro. I don't jig with them, I tried it for a couple years and just wasn't hooking enough of my bites. I catch way more fish jigging with a lower stretch mono (I don't like stretchy mono). For rigging I use mono in shallow water, in deeper water I go to fireline or powerpro. Again, I played around until I could get the feel that felt best to me.

As mentioned in the other posts, the reel is much less important. As long as it balances okay on the rod you should be fine.

Other than that, it just takes practice. If you're not catching enough walleyes, try using your walleye gear to pitch tiny jigs for panfish just to hook some fish. If you live bait rig, try dragging around a half a crawler by a weedline and you'll get plenty of bites. All you're trying to do here is work on the feel for detecting bites, and your hook setting technique, and having fun. There's no substitute for actually catching fish to improve your fish catching.

I hope some of this helps, good luck.

[PerchJerker]

Quote:

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Even when I go fishing with friends, I find that I am usually out-fished when it comes to walleye. I even try to watch what they do and try to mimic them

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I assume you're using the same baits, presentations, rigs, jigs, etc. as these guys. Not to be sarcastic, but it's not a situation where the guy with the jig and shiner is outfishing you with your Daredevil and nightcrawler, or his 6 lb test flourocarbon live bait rig with 1 bead and hook is outfishing your 1/2 ounce jig clipped onto a wire leader or anything like that. If so we should be talking about presentation vs. equipment

[BrokenRap]

BobT,

While I was home recently I bought my wife an all around set-up. It is a Pflueger Trion GX-7 4730 reel on a 6'6" Shimano Clarus M action rod. As far as line I am always trying new stuff and so I used hers as the Guinea pig and spooled it up with 6lb Cajun Red Lightning which Ive been curious to try. Anyways, we were casting shorelines on my hometown lake and I got out the first of her many snags and took a few casts with it and I couldnt believe the feel on that set-up. I have had clarus rods before but with that pflueger on it I was amazed. Im definately going to get myself a set-up like it for next year.

Right now for myself I have a Diawa Laguna/Cabelas Tourney Trial 6' and a Shimano Sahara/ Berkley Lightning Rod 6'6" which I have been using for three years now. I like them both alot and they catch fish but my brother has been trying to get me to switch to fenwick. I have fished with his before and for how affordable they are and how they fish, they are worth looking into.

I hope that helped a decision somewhat for you Bob, even if it didnt I enjoy reading these forums and I definately like putting my .02 in whenever I can.

[BrokenRap]

P.S. In case you were wondering, my wifes set-up was $100 at Cabelas and my two setups were $110-120 at Gander Mtn, I think.

[BobT]

I appreciate everyone's input and I'll take it all into consideration.

For starters I think I'll consider trying some of the newer low or no stretch lines that have been mentioned. I have almost exclusively used Trilene XL for many years and maybe this is a starting place.

Thanks,

Bob