Walleye Jigging Rod

[LMITOUT]

I'm looking at ordering a few rods for this summer and need a new rod for vertical jigging. What is everyone's preference in length, action, baitcast or spinning rod? (A baitcast with a flipping switch is nice for vertical jigging, but there aren't a lot of those reels out there to choose from.)

[fish2live]

i run avids and like them alot i would go with a mxf or mf if you are going to run mono and a medium light fast for super lines.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

For vertical jigging I prefer a spinning rod. There are two rods are prefer. The first is a 6'3" MXF St. Croix Avid. A lot of places have these on sale right now as the Avid is being redesigned. This rod is nice because it is a little longer than some jigging rods and is not too long either. The action of this rod is perfect for jigging. The other rod I like is the Bass Pro Walleye Angler Series 6'0" ML HM-85 jigging rod. The regular price of this rod is $99.99 but it fishes like a rod that costs twice that. You can also get these rods on sale for about $20 off coming up here in the next few weeks. They usually do a sale every spring. This rod has great sensitivity and a good action.

I would also say that if you plan on jigging with primarily monofilament that a medium power rod would be my suggestion because you have a little more backbone on hook sets since the line is going to stretch some. If you plan on jigging a super line I would suggest a Medium Light power rod. The more flexible rod will allow a little give for fighting fish on the no stretch line. Also, for jigging an extra fast action is preferred so the rod "loads" up quickly for good hooks sets.

These rods not cheap and there not super expensive either. I think some applications don't need this nice of rod but for jigging you want a nice light, sensitive rod, which both of these are.

Dan Jochum

NPAA #269

[Jason Boser]

I would loook into the tournement series by st croix 7 ft will give you the best hook set

Jason

[rodmaker]

G. Loomis IMX rods.Contact Pat or Matt @ Thorne Bros.

[PerchJerker]

I like ML spinning rods, my two favorite ones are a 6'6" st. croix and a 7' setyr. Both have fast actions and work good up to 1/4 or maybe 3/8 ounce jigs with minnows.

For heavier jigs, or jigging blade baits, I usually go with a 6'6" setyr or a 6'3" loomis, both medium power with fast actions.

An fyi for those that don't know, Setyr was started by some of the top rod designers from G Loomis.

[John Mickish]

6'6" Shimano Compre jigging rod in ML or M depending on depth/weight of jigs. I use spinning reels but I think my next one will be a baitcaster with the flipping switch. I prefer a shorter rod because with vertical jigging alot of times you are moving very slow and working right under the boat reading the graph and need to keep the bait close to the center of your sonar cone so you can make instant changes to keep up with the structure under you.

[Fish Head]

Several good Rods have been mentioned. I also have a 6'3" Avid MXF and like it very much. If the primary use of the rod is vertical jigging, you'll want to stay between 6'0" and 6'6". Another good rod that I have just fallen in love with is the Shimano Crucial. Get whatever feels good to you and fits in your budget. But make sure you at least take a look at the Cruical....I think you'll be impressed.

[LMITOUT]

I decided to go with a Medium/Fast 6'6" Avid baitcaster. I wanted a little longer rod to make it easier when jigging over the side of the boat from the rear (tiller). Can't beat the closeout prices on these Avids to pass it up. They are coming out with a new Avid model, and they might be out already, but for the money I don't think the old Avids are obsolete by any means from the way people talk about them. I'm a Fenwick guy and never tried an St. Croix before so I'll get to see how it compares. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[wallyhunter66]

picked up a G. Loomis Walleye series 6'2" last year for a song and a dance. I love it!!! Can't seem to beat a G. Loomis. Great rod for the price!!!!

[picksbigwagon]

I picked up a limit creek 6'9" ML rod they call the "Smoothie", best rod I have ever owned. I use fireline crystal and a leader and can feel every bump on the bottom. very sensative.