Anglers
are always looking for the ultimate walleye rod. At many seminars anglers will
approach me and ask; “What one rod do you prefer when going after walleyes”? I
usually tell them that I like at least six different types of walleye rods.
More important is that fact that I also team up my rods with reels that
provide balance and I think Shimano has the balancing act down to a science.
The problem that many anglers have is they like one or two types of
presentation and they continue to purchase rods that will only allow them to
do these two types of presentations. For example, how many of you are jig only
fisherman? Or how many of you are only trollers for walleyes? If so, you are
limiting yourself to the amount of fish that you can catch on any given day.
If you make you livelihood fishing, like I do, you can’t afford to stay with
one pattern all day long. Fish move, and their activity might decrease so you
have to vary your presentation.
The rods that I carry with me are jigging rods, rigging rods, bottom
bouncer rods, planner board rods, and slipbobber rods. I prefer the Shimano™
Rods, mainly because they have all the properties in rods that I like and the
design of the rods helps me in my own presentations.
The Clarus jigging rods that I carry with me are 6 footers. One of these
rods is a medium action rod that allows me to vertically jig breaklines and
weedlines. The other rod is the same length, but is a light action rod. This
allows me to pitch jigs and with the light tip gives me more of a feel as the
jig drops through the fish column. These rods have cork handles for
sensitivity and good grip even with wet hands. The reel seat unscrews and
allows me to attach Shimano Stradic™ or Stella™ spinning reels and not lose
the sensitivity of the cork handles. The material that these rods are made of
is high modulus graphite. In fact the jigging, rigging and bottom bouncer rods
are all made of graphite.
My Clarus rigging rod is 6’10” and it has an extra fast tip. The last 6 to
20 inches loads up real fast and allows me a super sensitive rod when the
walleyes pick-up the live bait. These rods are so sensitive that I can feel
the walleye on before it has even lifted the walking sinker off the bottom.
Again, the rods have the Portuguese cork handles, for security and
sensitivity, and the graphite transmits the lightest touch to the angler's
fingertips.
The Shimano Talora/Tekota™ trolling, downrigger, planer board and deadstick
rods are longer and are a combination of fiberglass and graphite. They range
in lengths of 7’ 0” to 10’ 6”. An angler wants to get the line away from the
wake of the boat and into a strike zone where spooky walleyes are when they
hear or see a boat approaching. The rod is constructed of a double inner layer
of T Glass with an inner and outer spiral of high modulus graphite. This gives
the rod more backbone and ability to take the shock from a hooked fish on no
stretch line. The handles on these rods are made of EVA foam, because the rod
holders have a tendency to tear up the cork handles. The balance with this rod
comes when you put on a Calcutta™ or a Catala™ bait casting reel with
Dartainium drag and Super Stopper™ features to reel in those monster fish.
My Symitar™ bottom bouncer rods are 6’5” to 7’ 0” in length and are the
casting variety. One of the rods has a light tip to be used with finesse
bottom bouncers. Using bottom bouncers in 1/2 to 3/4 ounce demands a fast
light tip. Again, here I want the most sensitive rod possible. I want to be
able to feel the bottom bouncer tick the rock and the stumps on the bottom of
the lake. I also want to be able to feel the walleye strike the spinner and
have a positive hook set. Again, the balance for this type of presentation
will come with the added Calcutta™ in the 250 model.
Last of all are my Compre™ slipbobber rods. The medium action with an extra
fast tip in the 7’0” length allows me to fish over even the tightest cover.
Plus the rods length gives me a sweeping hookset and springs or loads up fast
to allow deep hook penetration. Currently, all these rods are at your local
sporting goods store and you can select the proper rod or “tool” for the
presentation. But, don't just stick to one rod for all your walleye fishing,
you have to remember the balancing act when it comes to being on the water
this year.
Whether you are in the states of Alaska,
Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa,
Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Kentucky, Colorado,
Indiana, Virginia, California, Nevada, or New Jersey, there are fish to
catch.
If you are in one of the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Yukon, Northwest
Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or Quebec,
there are fish to catch.
You might be trolling with cranks as your lure of choice. You might be
jigging with jigs. You’ll probably need rods, reels, some live bait
(crawlers, minnows, leeches), sinkers, leaders, and fishing line. More
often times than not, it takes a boat to get to those spots, as well.
Maybe you will be fishing from the bank or wading, however.
You may need fishing reports or maybe even a fishing guide.
This website will try to help you achieve the goal of catching bigger,
better, and more numerous fish.
Anglers
are always looking for the ultimate walleye rod. At many seminars anglers will
approach me and ask; “What one rod do you prefer when going after walleyes”? I
usually tell them that I like at least six different types of walleye rods.
More important is that fact that I also team up my rods with reels that
provide balance and I think Shimano has the balancing act down to a science.