If you’re going out to wrestle a walleye into the shorelines, you'd better be well-equipped with a rod that can match the “water wolves” strength. A rod that’s under 7-feet won’t work as well as longer rods. Beefy tackle is recommended, and combos can work a treat against yellow pike.

If you plan on fishing walleye and your equipment is not suitable, you’ll run into a lot of problems. Your reel could seize up, your line could break, or your rod could snap in two. Be prepared by knowing what you need for your trip and when you'll need it.

A good fishing rod is one of the most important pieces you'll need, so here's everything you'll need to know to choose the best walleye fishing rod for you. 

The power of a rod refers to the rod’s resistance when it’s being flexed. Heavier action rods require more pressure to bend, while light action rods bend much easier. The line and lure will also affect your rods’ accuracy if it’s not matched correctly with the power rating.

For walleye fishing, a medium power with moderate-fast or fast action rod works well. This is also a good combination for larger black bass, walleye, catfish, and other fishing species.

Whether you're fishing in a weed line or clear waters, the best walleye line weight tends to stay the same but varies from line to line. For braided lines, use 8-10 lbs. Monofilament tends to be best at about 6-8 lbs, whereas a fluorocarbon leader needs to be 10-12 lbs.

If you’re wondering which line to use, then you’ll need to determine which type of rod you’re hoping to use. As mentioned above, jigging, trolling, and spinning rods differ in length and capabilities, so it's better to choose your line based on the rod rather on the fish.

Our top pick is, without a doubt, a stand out rod for many reasons. Anglers all across the US love this elite spinning rod by Ugly Stik, especially for its lightweight features and elegant design. It’s composed of Ugly Tech’s new added graphite construction for lower overall weight and increased sensitivity. The cork handle with the new guides makes this feel extremely balanced, too.

Balance is particularly important for a rod that’s 6 ft 6” in size as you may be sitting by the water for a long time waiting on a bite. You’ll need to be prepared to wait or to fight a hefty walleye in the brink of an eye.

Another reason why this rod is the best walleye fishing reel is its ease of use. Spinning rods tend to be a little easier for novice anglers to master as there’s less to think about compared to a baitcaster. Casting is made simple, and the sensitive tip ensures you’ll notice when there’s any inkling of a bite. The rod is also quite elastic, meaning that it can endure heavier lures while it still recovers quite fast, and the bending does not last.

The Ugly Stik Elite rod is convenient and comfortable for anglers hoping to catch big and small species as well as yellow pike and bass fish. It’s also suitable for fresh and saltwater so you won’t have to buy different rods for each fish species. This versatile rod won’t just perform well, but it will excel on all of your walleye fishing excursions.

Fishing for walleye during Spring may be one anglers dream, but another alternative for walleye fishing is on the ice. Ice fishing has become a lot more popular over recent years, and many anglers love spearing holes and looking for yellow pike. If this is something you're interested in, the St. Croix Mojo series ice fishing rod will be your best friend on your next trip out on the ice.

St. Croix has used its own innovative technology and knowledge to craft a rod that is like no other. It has a specialized reel seat and a split grip cork handle that has a reduced mass that helps keep the overall weight of the rod low. It also offers direct hand contact with the blank to increase sensitivity.

Another great feature of the Mojo Series ice fishing rod is its twist grip locking mechanism. It allows you to get a tight and secure lockdown on the reel foot. Finish this rod with lightweight, stainless steel guides, and you'll have a high performing rod that won't freeze up in cold weather conditions.

The St. Croix Mojo Series rod won't just be great for catching walleye; you'll be able to catch bass, perch, and large trout in freshwater as well as ice water. There's a ton of backbone, and the tip is very sensitive, too. All in all, you won't be disappointed if you're looking for an ice fishing rod that can handle large lures and thicker lines as it can handle it.

As mentioned previously, there is a range of rods that are suited for catching yellow pike, and jigging is one way to get them at the end of your line. The best walleye jigging rod should be lightweight, balanced, and comfortable enough to pull up and down for hours at a time. The G.Loomis Walleye Series rod is a perfect match in these areas, and more.

The G.Loomis walleye rod comes in 6 models and can cover a range of fishing applications and environments. Its extra length that helps extend casting range and provides more positive hooksets in deep water. Unlike a vertical jig rod, the standard size guides of this G. Loomis Spinning Rods increase distance and accuracy, so you'll be able to target your lure with ease.

G. Loomis has created a "blended fibers" blank with Fuji Alconite guides, Fuji reel seats, and premium "A" grade cork handles. They also use G. Loomis' popular GLX blanks. It’s designed for vertical jigging and provides a 3-power version for more power when you’re using slightly heavier jigs with heavier line.

The extra inch was added in the blank to give you better control around your motor and provides a little more power for bigger walleyes. This rod may be one of the more expensive pieces of equipment on our list, but it’s perfectly matched for any jigging fishing trip you may take in the future.

If you’ve been looking and researching for a new fishing rod suitable for walleye, you may have heard about Cadence, a fishing gear company that is relatively new to the market compared to its competitors. Still, the company is getting noticed for all the right reasons.

One of the products from the company that has gained a lot of popularity for walleye fishing (or any large species in freshwater) is the Cadence Spinning Rod, CR5-30. It's not just its striking looks that are grabbing anglers' attention; it's the value for money you get, too.

The CR5-30 uses advanced technology in designing a product that is not only likable but practical. It is available in different lengths that vary from 4’8” to 7’0”. The action, on the other hand, is grouped according to moderate, moderate-fast, and fast, whereas the power changes from ultralight, medium-light, medium, and medium-heavy. We feel the 6’6” medium power with a light to moderate action is the best in terms of line weight yet still giving it some flex.

The blank is constructed of High Quality 30-ton carbon matrix graphite and offers a strong yet lightweight feel. This spinning rod is known for its durability and sensitivity that other rods lack. It’s an important element that is necessary when fishing with heavier lures, like crankbaits, for example. It's a great rod for game fish, including freshwater fish like bass, walleye, and trout as well as popular inshore species like redfish, speckled trout, and flounder with a rinse after fishing.

Finish this rod with stainless steel guides with SiC inserts, and it makes it more smooth and durable than a lot of its spinning rod competitors. The guides also avoid the line from sticking and minimizes friction by transferring vibrations from the line through the guide to the rod and to your hand.

If you’re new to the game of catching game fish, you might be looking for a new rod and reel. Many manufacturers have created rod and reel combos to suit many fishing styles and techniques. The Okuma Great Lakes trolling rod/reel combo is perfectly matched and could have you trolling for walleye, trout, and bass in no time.

The rod is composed of durable E-glass blank construction with Double footed aluminum oxide guides. Even though E-glass isn’t as tough as S-glass, this rod has been tried and tested on lakes to guarantee strength and durability.

The stainless steel hooded reel seats also help the overall strength as you won’t have to worry about corrosion when you're by the lake. Pair these features with the EVA Foam grips, and you'll have yourself a strong, stable, and comfortable rod that you can use for hours on end.

In terms of the spinning reel, it's easy to use, basic, but performs well when accompanied by the rod. It has machine cut brass gearing, with a gear ratio of 5.1:1. This ratio is perfectly matched for trolling large species and is a better fit than the other models that are available with a ratio of 4.0:1.

The ball bearings are quite low at just 1+1 bb, however, and these really can help the reel move without much jerkiness.  Overall, this walleye rod and reel combo is loved by many anglers, and as it's created by Okuma, you'll have a good warranty in case anything goes wrong during workmanship.

Choosing the right rod is just one part of the process. To guarantee good results, select a reel and lure that will work with your rod rather than against it. The same goes for fishing lines. Common choices include monofilament, braided, and fluorocarbon lines.

Once you’ve connected the reel, spooled the line down the blanks, and have everything ready to go, you can now add your lure to your fishing line. Anglers usually leave approximately ten inches, or twenty centimeters, of line on the other side of the lure. Since a fishing line is so difficult to see, it is often recommended that you practice knot tying with string or shoelaces before you try on your new walleye fishing rod.

If you’re completely new to walleye fishing and you’re looking for some tips and tricks for starting off, then you’ve come to the right place. There’s a ton of things novice anglers tend to forget about. One thing every angler should consider is the weather.

Different weather conditions make a difference when fishing for walleye. After heavy rainfall, trolling is your best bet as walleye tend to stay lower in the water bed. If the water is clear, look for places with a lot of cover, like weeds, as the walleye have a tendency to hiding out.

Another tip that’s useful for beginners is not to be afraid of experimenting with baits and lures. There is no real way to know how the walleye will react to each type of bait until you try them. If you’re closeby to a fish tackle store, why not give live baits a try?

Last but not least, practice makes perfect when it comes to any technique-specific fishing, so take your time learning how to cast and get to know your equipment as well as you can before you get to the water.

Within the US, you’ll find walleye fishes in States like Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Northern New England, and more. These are merely a few that have a high number of yellow pike in their waterways. Regardless of where you fish, the end of  May and start of June is a great time to target big pike species. The majority of this species will spawn around the full moon cycle in April. And that’s the same for ice fishing or open water fishing.

Many anglers may be unaware of this, but under the “Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act 1997,” it is illegal to go fishing without a license. You may be penalized for not having a license with you, and the penalty is way more than the cost of the actual license. Always check with the local authorities to obtain the right license and paperwork so you won't have any worrying to do when you’re out by the water.

One of the most important things when choosing your perfect walleye fishing rod is that quality should never be compromised, and there’s no need to compromise it over price either. From our list, you’ll see rods as low as $30 that range up to $400.

Our top pick, Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod is a high-quality rod that sits at a fantastic price point. It also has a lot of the same features as higher priced fishing rods yet still being easy to use and learn with.

If there’s another rod that suits your needs more on our list, then go for it! Every rod has some great features and proves to withstand against walleye when under pressure.