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| Alright walleye guys, I'm headed to Wabigoon lake this summer, while it will be tough to put down the musky gear, I'm going to fish some walters with my old man.
So, what I'm looking for is tips on a good all around spinning set up for walleyes. I imagine I'll be tossing jigs fairly often, as well as some cranks and who knows maybe some spoons for pike on lighter tackle. I also would like to get a good spinning reel, one that is smooth, has a good drag and wont clunk out on me after some use. Also what line should I go with?
So I ask for your help in giving me some tips on rod length, action, reels and line. I promise not to eat too many of your favorite fish.
Mike Bolinski |
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| Dont put away all that musky gear, you may need some of those baits for walleye fishing :P
However i know nothing about the waters you speak of :P
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Member
Posts: 2393
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Go with a shimano Symetre 2500 spooled with Power Pro. I like a 7' rod, most like a 6'6". Ilike a fast action tip in ML.
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Member
Posts: 13
| Dont forget when you are making your suggestions that this is a rich state employee with lots of money to burn!! I am thinkin a Legend Tournament and a Shimano Stella would be the perfect setup for you Pointer!
Peter |
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| Right, I'm loaded!
I'm looking more along the lines of a Cabela's Pro Guide rod.
I've had really good results with the Pflueger spinning reels, any advice on some of the newer ones? I believe I was looking at the President. |
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Member
Posts: 514
Location: Darboy USA | Good choice if you go with the president, especially with fireline/power pro. I use that for jigging in the river and love it. The shimanos are also nice. I love the new Fenwick rods as well, the HMX is on sale at Cabelas right now and the HMG is also nice. I like the HMX and President combo, easy to fish long hours without getting achy hand and wrists due to the light weights.
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Member
Posts: 3899
| Gander Tournament Series rods are pretty nice rods. 6'6 ML with a fast tip as Sunshine suggests. P/N GMT54-661SMLFP. The Titanium Series is a bit better, too. P/N GMUT-661MLFS.
The Gander Tournament reel is pretty decent, too, for $50. You can buy better, of course, but you will spend much more.
I'll spool up with 6 or 8 XL, and put some Fireline 10/4 Crystal on the spare spool. Love the reels that come with spare spools.
Edited by Shep 3/30/2009 11:07 AM
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Member
Posts: 13
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Mike, I second Mr. Darboy's Fenwick recommendation. Can't beat a Fenwick for the quality and feel you get for the dollars spent. 6.5' to 7' in a ML action. I only use Trilene XL in 8 lb. Have tried lots of other kinds and brands of line, but keep returning to the XL, although now I add a 2' piece of fluorocarbon leader. My take on reels is this...you'll do o.k. with a middle-of-the-line reel from one of the major brands. I've learned the hard way never to go cheap on reels, they'll fail at the absolutely wrong time - either when you have the fish of a lifetime on or when you're a thousand miles from civilization. On the other hand, for me, there is absolutely no reason to spend the bucks for the top of the line - - unless you plan to fish 8-10 hours per day five or six days per week for the entire season. A middle-of-the-line Penn, Quantum, or Shimano (my preferences) will serve you fine.
And, a note on Wabigoon. I've fished the 1st or 2nd week of the walleye season in northwestern Ontario for the past 31 years, but never Wabigoon. For the past six years my son has not been able to go along since he's teaching middle school, so last year we did a mid-August week on Wabigoon. Turned out to be the week the PWT was there for their Super Pro Can-Am. Wabigoon offers lots of water to fish and a great walleye fishery. It surprised me, but last year in mid-August we found tons of walleyes in the weeds in 2' - 4' of water. Plenty of large fish were taken by the PWT guys, too. Forget the muskies (if you can while on Wabigoon!) and enjoy some great walleye fishing! |
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Member
Posts: 625
Location: LaCrosse, WI | I'll second the Plueger President. I just put on a St Croix Avid 69MLXF and that reel is sweet. I'm not usually a big believer in the internet hype, or bass equipment, but the St Crox Mojos were suprisingly nice.
They have a 68MXF that might fit the bill well, it should have that extra backbone for pike, but be plenty sensitive for pitching jigs. Plus they run less than $90 new. I may pick up a Mojo 69MLXF for my coanglers in the league.
That said, I'm also a big fan of the Gander tournament series stuff. The big plus there is that you can take the rod in and get a replacement right away if it breaks. St Croix, Fenwick, and G Loomis all take weeks or months to get you a new rod.
I bought my dad a Gander combo for his birthday just for pitching jigs to wingdams and for throwing cranks. It was only $50 on sale, and it was a 7' Medium fast action, that felt really good. It should be great for the summer bite. |
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| Pointer,
I just picked up a St. Croix Triumph last year in a 7' ML one piece that I just love. It set me back about $80. It has a nice light tip for feeling those small bites, but enough backbone for the large fish. Just this weekend brought up a mid 40s ski on it. All around a great rod. I have fished with a medium action, but like something lighter to have a bit more fun on those 14" eyes on the river.
As far as a reel I have a Pflueger President and a Gander GST, both in the 30 series. Both are 10 bb and are very smooth. I like my reels a little smaller. The Gander is the exact same reel for about $10 less. Either one will fit the bill.
If you are in the SP area and would like to try them out on an afternoon let me know and we will get the boat in the water some time. Will be going out this Sunday to try and put some more eyes in the livewell.
If you like try me at [email protected] or pm me on muskyfirst.
Good luck with your choices.
Jason
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| Thanks for the tips guys. I'm thinking I'm pretty set on the Pflueger President.
Jason, I wish I could take you up on the offer to try out a few of the rods, especially on the river for some eyes, however that would be a bit of a drive for me. I now live in Ogden, UT so it would be about a 2000 mile trip for me. Thanks for the offer though.
Maybe I'll go and pick up the spinning set up and take it to Idaho with me for some steelhead in 2 weeks. |
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| Mike,
The offer stands. If you ever make it back to the area, look me up. We can get out for eye's or ski's.
Jason
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New User
Posts: 1
| Here's another vote for Gander Mountain Rod and reel. I just picked up a 7' medium action Gander IM8 pro select rod ($60) and the Gander Tournament GST30 reel ($50) with 10bb. Used it last night on a river with good current landing several walleyes up to 8.5lbs and they preformed flawlessly! For the $$ I don't think you can go wrong.
The salesman at gander said the reels are made by pflueger and the spinning rod by Fenwick.
I have two other gander rods that I use for Muskie and have never had any issues!
Edited by dlman 4/2/2009 10:01 AM
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