The BEST ROD REEL for Walleye Jigging  

Pay attention to how little bend, you have when fighting a fish, on a heavy action rod, and you'll understand why I suggest that it's the wrong action. I used a Grant Custom 5' 9" heavy, for a couple years, until I noticed that I had fish coming unbuttoned, because the rod tip wasn't loaded up, enough.

Thanks Brother!

Absolutely! 💯

Always a pleasure! Thanks for the kind words!

Dear Freind, thanks for watching and commenting on this video! I am not super familiar with the Kestrel Elite. I know that it is KastKing's BFS reel, and I have not gotten into BFS. I have quite a few models of Kastking baitcast reels, but I don't have that one. I must say though, that the flippin selector to me, is the biggest reason to use baitcast equipment. The efficiency is just incredible!

I have been very happy, with those Berkley Lightning rods, and at 50 bucks or less, they are a bargain!

There is a strong argument to be made for using left hand baitcast reel, but I cannot switch. I've tried them and hate it. Been reeling with my right hand for decades. LOL They are available in LH.

The triumph series is the value brand of St. Croix, but good solid built rods! Some of them are a wee bit heavy, but I can't say I've ever used that model (6' med. - Fast).

I won't argue with a man's preference. I completely understand.

The short handle is something that I insist on, but not a pistol grip. The Berkley rod I use is a 5'6" berkley Onix, from the 90s. The other is a 5'9" that I had a buddy build, so I could get exactly what I wanted, including the short handle.

I am a right hander, and I have always used a right handed baitcast reel.

That is a great question! I checked the website, and I couldn't find that spec anywhere. I will ask my source at KastKing, and see if they have the answer, but at 9:1-1 (smokin fast), its gonna pick up a lot of line, with a properly spooled reel. Retrieve speed is seriously diminished, if you spool is not completely full.

My guy at KastKing got back with me: the 9:1-1 reels pick up 37.7 inches of line per turn of the handle, while the 7:2-1 reels pick up 29.8 inches of line per turn of the reel handle. Smokin fast!

Amen Brother! Thanks for watching and supporting TJO!

I highly doubt that Berkley and/or Shakespeare will go away, as they will get bought up by some other corporate entity. Berkley has some great products at very reasonable prices. I will always seek out the best values in the fishing industry. There are good reasons to buy high end gear for certain tactics, but other tactics can be approached using gear that can be purchased at a great value. I use only high end rods/reels for Musky fishing and bass fishing, but when it comes to many walleye applications, there are great bargain products that will get the job done.