Top 3 Best Trolling Rods For Walleye Fishing [2023 Guide] -

It is no secret that trolling for walleye has been proven to be an extremely effective method for many years. This is especially true when fishing expansive cover where fish are more likely to be spread out. Covering water is critical in this situation, and trolling is a great way to put your lure in front of as many fish as possible. The best trolling rods for walleye have several unique characteristics that make them excel, which we will break down in this article.

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Trolling rods can be intimidating for anglers just starting out, as there are countless options on the market. I am going to do my best to simplify the current trolling rod options based on length, action, and storability.

Best Trolling Rods For Walleye (Quick Summary)

St Croix Eyecon Trolling Rods (High End Option)
13 Fishing Omen Gold Trolling Rod (Intermediately Priced)
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Walleye Trolling Combo (Budget Option)

Choosing Trolling Rod Length:

The best trolling rods for walleye must have the appropriate length. Length is often overlooked by anglers that are new to trolling, however veteran anglers know that it is critical. This is especially true when running more than one line off each side of the boat, which is often true when trolling for walleye. The rod towards the bow of the boat should ideally be slightly longer than the rod toward the stern to give the baits proper separation and prevent tangling.

Diagram illustrating why longer trolling rods are ideal for the bow and shorter trolling rods are better for the stern

I recommend a trolling rod from 8-9 ft for rods toward the bow of the boat and rods 6-8 ft for rods towards the stern of the boat. If I were to choose only one size for most walleye trolling applications, a 7-8ft rod will cover almost all scenarios.

Choosing Trolling Rod Power For Walleye:

Power is another important factor to consider prior to selecting a trolling rod for walleye. Walleyes are light biters at times, and having a rod with enough sensitivity can be critical. When flat line trolling (without a planar board), I recommend a medium light power rod. When trolling with a planar board attached to your line, I recommend a medium action due to the increased resistance on the rod. There is no need for a heavy power rod for almost all walleye applications. To learn more about rod specifics, check out this article.

Trolling Rod Storability Considerations:

The final factor to consider with any trolling rod is its storability. Trolling rods are lengthy and can take up a lot of room in your boat or at home. If your storage space is limited, I would recommend either buying a two piece or telescoping trolling rod. A two-piece trolling rod can be taken apart into two pieces, reducing its length in half. Telescoping rods reduce length as well by folding in on themselves.

Specific Trolling Rod Recommendations

Ultimately, the best trolling rods for walleye will depend on your personal preferences and the specific lures and presentations you plan on using the most. Below are some of my technique specific recommendations

St Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod

St Croix Eyecon Trolling Rods (High End Option)

Description: Specifically designed for walleye trolling applications, the St Croix Eyecon Tolling Rodshave SCII graphite and SCI fiberglass construction and feature Kigan Master Hand 3D guides along with a Fuji® TCS reel seat and a premium EVA handle. Rest assured that your rod will always be there for you thanks to the St. Croix five-year warranty. SCII graphite and SCI fiberglass construction Kigan Master Hand 3D guides Fuji TCS reel seat Premium EVA handle

Pros: Lots of great walleye sizes to choose from, and comes with a 5-year warranty

Cons: Most expensive option on the list

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Shakespeare Ugly Stik Walleye Trolling Combo

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Walleye Trolling Combo (Budget Option)

Description: The balanced 2-piece, 7’6″ rod features Ugly Tech™ construction, assuring its virtual indestructibility, and is topped with Ugly Tuff™ 1-piece stainless steel guides for maximum durability. This trolling rod is paired with Shakespeare’s 20-size line counter reel with a 2-ball-bearing system. Reel features include a smooth 2-ball-bearing system, on/off bait clicker for ultimate line control, and a double-paddle handle.

Pros: Comes equipped with a line counter reel,

Cons: Minimal ball bearings on the reel and only one size (7’6″) to choose from

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13 Fishing Omen Gold Trolling Rod

13 Fishing Omen Gold Trolling Rod (Intermediately Priced)

Description: The 13 Fishing Omen Gold has a Japanese 36 Ton Toray Graphite blank which provides instant feedback on your lure’s action. This rod features lightweight Fuji K-frame stainless steel guides with Alconite® inserts for enhanced line flow. Hand-selected premium Portuguese 3A cork split-grip handle and Evolve Skeleton Reel Seat.

Pros: Telescopic, lots of walleye sizes to choose from, and high quality carbon blank

Cons: Carbon blanks are generally more responsive, but less forgiving than fiberglass blanks. This rod is best suited for flat line trolling where rod sensitivity is more important.

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More Information

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To learn more about walleye trolling rods for using planar boards, check out this article

To learn the specifics of how to troll for walleye, check out this article

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