Walleyes are notoriously finicky fish at times, and having the correct equipment to catch them is critical. With that being said, the best spinning rods under $100 can still cover almost all walleye applications while being budget friendly. I have fished a wide variety of rods with a wide range of price points, and I can confidently say that these rods will provide a great starting point and are some of the best walleye spinning rods at this price point. Obviously, there is more expensive equipment that is lighter and more sensitive but is not completely necessary for most applications.
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Best Walleye Rods Under $100 (Quick Summary)
How To Choose A Spinning Rod
Choosing Spinning Rod Power:
The power of the rod signifies how stiff it is. For example, a light power rod will easily bend and is designed for lighter lure applications. Meanwhile, a heavy power rod is much stiffer and ideal for heavier lures and larger fish. A majority of walleye rods are anywhere from a light to medium power depending on the weight of the lure being used.
Choosing Spinning Rod Action:
The action of the rod signifies how much bend there is in the tip of the rod. A fast action rod will have a shorter tip section and will transition into backbone early. A medium or slow action rod will bend throughout the entirety of the rod, not just the tip. I highly recommend rods designed with a moderate or moderate-fast taper, which provides enough backbone to fight the fish while still allowing for a degree of flexibility to prevent the hook from pulling out. If this doesn’t make total sense, the picture below helps to illustrate the various rod actions.
Choosing Spinning Rod Material:
The main rod materials on the market today include glass, fiberglass, and graphite. For most casting applications, a graphite rod is the way to go. Glass and fiberglass rods typically heavier than graphite and have a more parabolic bend, making them ideal for trolling applications. Graphite rods are generally lighter and more sensitive, making them the go to option for jigging applications when bottom contact is imperative.
Best Walleye Spinning Rods Every Angler Needs
6’8”-6’10” Medium:
A medium action spinning rod is ideal for the more aggressive walleye presentations. This includes snap jigging plastics, jigging raps, and hair jigs. The shorter length rods are better for these presentations since they are lighter and easier to fish all day long.
7’ Medium Light:
If I were to only choose one spinning rod for walleye fishing, it would be a 7’ medium Light. Although it may not be the best choice for all presentations, it can do just about anything. A 7’ Medium Light excels when using a jig and live bait or casting shallow diving crankbaits.
7’6” Medium Light:
A slightly longer spinning rod is great for lindy rigging, slip bobber fishing, and trolling crawler harnesses. The increased length is ideal for keeping the bait further from the boat when trolling and keeping small hooks pinned when fishing live bait.
Best Spinning Rods Under $100 For Walleye (More Specifics)
I know, the St Croix Triumph is slightly over the $100 threshold. However, I think I would be doing you a disfavor by not including this rod, as it is one of my favorite budget walleye rods on the market. This rod is incredibly versatile, and can fish just about any walleye lure out there.
Pflueger President Spinning Rod and Reel Combo
For beginning anglers looking for a walleye setup without having to worry about buying a reel separately, the Pflueger president is a great option. Although not as sensitive and high end as some of the other options, this rod is suitable for most applications and excels with live bait presentations. This rod has a full cork grip, graphite blank, and a 10 bearing spinning reel.
Fenwick rods have always been staples in the walleye fishing industry. The Fenwick Eagle rod is a great rod that is incredibly budget friendly for its quality. Another major benefit is the wide range of lengths and power options that come in this lineup. This rod has a full cork grip and is made of graphite.
Okuma Deadeye Classic Spinning Rod
A popular choice among walleye anglers is the Okuma deadeye classic. If you are a fan of a split grip rod, this is a great choice. The deadeye classic also is graphite and has a fast taper, making it better suited for jigging applications.
More Information
I hope this guide helped you narrow down your search for the best walleye spinning rod under $100. If you want more information on how rod specifics, Wired2Fish has a good comprehensive guide here. If you found this helpful, let me know, and I will continue to create reviews like this is the future!
For walleye fishing tips and tricks, check out our Top 5 Fishing Tips for Walleye During A Tough Bite
If you are new to walleye fishing, check out our Guide to Walleye Fishing for Beginners
Looking for a slightly different price point? Check out the Top 5 Spinning Rods Under $150
Looking for more spinning rod options under $100? Check out the Top 5 Spinning Rods Under $100
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