I noticed that get bit was having a sale on there North fork customs and thought it would be a great chance to get a really nice blank for cheaper. I have recently started walleye fishing with my father on the Columbia river where the current is strong. Mainly we jig with 1oz jigs but sometimes we troll with some sort of set up. Sorry not sure what it's called. It's a piece of wire with a weight on it that looks like an L and your leader attaches to that. Anywho I was curious if anyone had any recommendations for a rod that could handle both tasks but still be sensitive enough to feel bottom when jigging. Thanks!

Trace,
You are fishing in a style that is called bottom bouncing. You bounce the bottom with the weight on the rig and keep the heavy jig in close proximity to the bottom.
Normally for walleye fishing I use a m-l power rod. But, this is for jigs that are in the 1/8th oz range.

For your 1 oz rigs, you are likely better off with a medium or medium heavy rig with a fast tip. Normally, when working jigs of this weight one uses a casting rod with a casting reel to be able to winch in the heavier weight of the rig.

Normally for walleye jig fishing I use a 6'6" rod and that is likely the length that I would use for this application as well.

In looking at the selection of North Fork blanks by Get Bit, I would likely use the HM-MB807-1
blank to handle the weight of the bottom bouncrer. You could leave it at the 8 foot length, or trim only from the butt of the rod to shorten it to a length that might be more managable. If I was building on this blank for your application; I would trim the blank to 6'10" or 7'. Then, I would build it up as a casting rod with a butt grip of 10 inches. I would also likely do a spiral wrap with pac bay minima guides.

Good luck

p.s.
In the same listings are a couple of lighter action rods labeled walleye rods that would be more suitable when working the smaller baits like 1/8th oz jigs. These rods would work better when built as spinning rods in a similar length.

most guys here that troll bottom bounce rigs use a 7 - 8 ft rod and for jigging a 6'-6"-7' in various lure weights depending upon the jigs they are using
one of the most popular is this style rod for trolling from smaller boats IFS764x_M/DG get bit has this one
and for jigging they offer this one FS802 M/G
both are good options at a more than reasonable price
I say the flipping stick because it has a wide range in lure weight and can also be uses to troll with yellow bird plainer boards

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2017 05:30PM by Matthew Paul.

Being from the Columbia River area and fished walleye for 20+ years, I do things a bit different from when I fished them in the Midwest, the biggest reason is because the lower Columbia River is the snarliest, snaggiest, fastest and worst water I've fished for walleye bar none, anywhere else is not even close. Another reason is you'll be fishing for them in deeper, more exact water depths than I ever had to before. Lastly the chance of getting a really big one is better than any other place I can think of, 20 pounders are caught all the time.
I wouldn't get anywhere near the river with a HM blank, when you hang up, and you will a lot, you need a better chance of not coming home with your rod just so much flotsam. I use a 4 power 6 1/2 ft. or 7 ft. Lamiglas Certified Pro conventional bass rods. They are rated 1/4 to 1 oz. lure ratings.
Something like the IM-MB724-1, or the IM-706-1, the 705 is an X-Fast tipped blank that tops out at 5/8 ounce, no matter what the catalog says.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/04/2017 11:21PM by Spencer Phipps.

Hey thanks for the responses. I would have to agree that it is terribly snaggy and fast current how would you feel about one of there im series?

IM-MB667-1

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.