Walleye Reel

Best Walleye Reels
Here are some key features that you should evaluate when you are looking for a walleye reel. With this first post on walleye reel, we will cover all the feature that you must look for a spinning reel that you could use for walleye jigging.

Line capacity
Line capacity is the key consideration in selecting the best walleye reel. If you are planning to use a spinning reel mainly for jigging, you won't probably need more then 125-yards. 125-yards, that's exactly the length of my preferred walleye fishing line spool : Berkley Fireline Crystal-Line 8 Lb test.

Gear ratio
The gear ratio will tell you how quickly the reel will retrieve line per revolution of your reel's crank. A lower ratio will provide more power when bringing fish from deeper depths. Higher gear ratio will be better when pulling fish from a short distance. Most of time I will jig for walleye in less then 25 feet, so I prefer a high gear ratio of 5.1:1.

The drag
The drag is also an important feature of a walleye fishing reel. You will need a drag that you can make tiny adjustments, regardless of the line you use, the drag has to be smooth and easy to adjust.

Spools
Two spools per reel is probably the ideal situation. You can get the two spools filled-up before your fishing trip and when you get to the lake, you won't have to fill them up at the last minute while everybody is reading to get on the lake.

Ball bearings
Ball bearings are used to help reels work more smoothly by supporting the different moving parts. I would say that in general, the more ball bearings, the smoother the reel works. Unfortunately, more ball bearing that are added, the reel cost goes up.

Left or right retriever
This feature should not be a problem since most of all spinning reel can be adapt for either hand. Make you know if you are a left or a right retriever before you get to the fishing shop!

If you are looking for a walleye reel that meets all those specifications, here is my favorite walleye spinning reel:

My Best Walleye Reel - Abu Garcia Cardinal C801




9 stainless steel ball Bearings
Right of left retriever
Gear ratio: 5.1:1
Line Capacity : 6 lb / 110-yards
Extreme durability
Market price: Less than 130$