Our Top Picks
If walleye are the main target, the 13 Fishing Capture Walleye combo in a 28-inch medium is the strongest all-around pick here: it is built around a walleye-specific action, pairs a solid fiberglass rod with a smooth-turning reel and gives you enough length to work spoons and jigs from a seated position. The Ugly Stik GX2 at 32 inches suits anglers who want a tougher, longer rod for open-ice and bigger fish. A walleye ice rod is typically 24 to 32 inches long in medium or medium-light power, with a sensitive tip that shows soft bites and enough backbone to set the hook in deep water.
This guide ranks six combos in listing order, explains what separates them and shows how to match length, power and reel type to your fishing.
13 FISHING Capture Walleye Ice Fishing Rod and Reel Combo, Medium 28" | Walleye-specific action, ice jigging, balanced performance, smooth retrieve, hardwater fishing
Chosen because it specifies Medium 28" and Walleye-specific action.
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QualyQualy Ice Fishing Rod and Reel Combo 24 inch M/ML Inline Ice Fishing Combos 2 Different Tips for Walleye Perch Panfish and Trout, Left Hand
Chosen because it specifies Left Hand.
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Generic 122Pcs Ice Fishing Rod Reel Combo, 24" Medium Light Ice Fishing Rod Kit with Ice Fishing Jigs, Lures for Trout, Walleye, Perch, Panfish Bluegill Crappie
Chosen because it specifies 24" Medium Light Ice Fishing Rod Kit with Ice Fishing Jigs and Lures for Trout.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Ice Spinning Reel and 32" Fishing Rod Combo, 1-Piece, Graphite and Fiberglass Rod with Clear Tip Design
Chosen because it specifies 1-Piece and Graphite and Fiberglass Rod with Clear Tip Design.
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QualyQualy Ice Fishing Rod and Reel Combo 24 inch M/ML Inline Ice Fishing Combos 2 Different Tips for Walleye Perch Panfish and Trout, Left Hand
Chosen because it specifies Left Hand.
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QualyQualy Ice Fishing Rod and Reel Combo 24-28 inch M/ML Inline Ice Fishing Combos 2 Different Tips for Walleye Perch Panfish and Trout (28'' M/ML-Right)
Picked as a relevant option in this category.
View on AmazonQuick List
- 13 Fishing Capture Walleye 28-inch Medium – best for a walleye-specific combo with balanced jigging action
- QualyQualy 24-inch M/ML Inline Combo (first listing) – best for compact shelters and a two-tip, inline-reel setup
- Generic 122-Piece Kit, 24-inch Medium Light – best for beginners who want jigs and lures included
- Ugly Stik GX2 Ice Combo, 32-inch – best for a durable, longer rod with a clear tip and a spinning reel
- QualyQualy 24-inch M/ML Inline Combo (second listing) – best for a second matching rod to run as a dead stick
- QualyQualy 24-28 inch M/ML Inline Combo – best for anglers who want the longer 28-inch option in the same family
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Fish mostly for walleye and want a species-specific action | 13 Fishing Capture Walleye 28-inch |
| Sit in a small one- or two-person shelter | QualyQualy 24-inch combo |
| Are starting out and want a rod plus tackle in one box | Generic 122-Piece Kit |
| Fish standing or in a larger shelter and want a longer, tougher rod | Ugly Stik GX2 32-inch |
| Want to run two matched rods at once | Either QualyQualy 24-inch listing |
| Want a little extra length for reaching over a hole bucket | QualyQualy 24-28 inch combo (28-inch version) |
Start with where you fish. Short rods keep the tip out of tent walls and poles; longer rods give a smoother hookset and better line control when you fish deeper water. After that, pick the reel type you like: a spinning reel is the familiar choice, while an inline reel reduces line twist and suits light jigging.
One more point on matching gear: do not buy the stiffest rod you can find. Walleye jigging depends on feeling and seeing small changes, so a rod that bends too little hides bites, while one that bends too much makes it hard to drive a hook home at depth. Medium power with a lively tip handles most situations.
All 6 Picks in Detail
1. 13 Fishing Capture Walleye 28-inch Medium – Best for Walleye-Specific Action
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13 Fishing’s Capture series is aimed at specific species, and this one is described in its listing as a walleye-specific combo with ice jigging action and balanced performance. At 28 inches in medium power, it is long enough for comfortable jigging from a hole inside a shelter and strong enough to move a jigging spoon through deeper water. Manufacturer information describes a solid fiberglass blank with a high-visibility tip, stainless guides and a cork handle, paired with a spinning-style reel with a slide drag and a gear ratio around 5.2 to 1. A solid fiberglass blank is forgiving: it bends deeply, absorbs headshakes and is hard to break.
- 28 inches, medium power, per the listing
- Solid fiberglass blank with a high-visibility tip, per manufacturer information
- Cork handle and stainless guides, per manufacturer information
- Reel with a slide drag and about 5.2:1 gear ratio, per manufacturer information
- Confirm line capacity and spool size on the listing
Pros:
- Designed around walleye jigging
- Cork handle feels warmer than plastic in the cold
Cons:
- Fiberglass is less sensitive than graphite for very light bites
- Reel is a basic composite design
It is a more species-focused option than the QualyQualy combos, which are marketed for walleye, perch, panfish and trout together.
2. QualyQualy 24-inch M/ML Inline Combo – Best for Compact Shelters
This QualyQualy combo is listed as a 24-inch, medium to medium-light inline ice rod and reel with two different tips, marketed for walleye, perch, panfish and trout. The inline reel mounts so the spool axis points along the rod, and line comes straight off the spool instead of looping around a bail. That reduces twist, which matters with light line and small jigs. Two interchangeable tips mean you can switch between a more flexible tip for subtle bites and a stiffer tip for heavier presentations. The listing also notes a hand orientation, so confirm left or right retrieve on the page before ordering.
- 24-inch rod, medium to medium-light, per the listing
- Inline reel to limit line twist
- Two tips for different presentations
- Listing mentions hand orientation; confirm on the page
- Confirm blank material, line capacity and drag on the listing
Pros:
- Short length is easy to handle in small shelters
- Two tips add versatility
Cons:
- Inline reels take some practice if you only use spinning gear
- Short rods give limited leverage on large walleye
Compared with the Ugly Stik, it is shorter, lighter and more specialized for finesse jigging.
3. Generic 122-Piece Kit – Best for Beginners Who Want Everything in One Box
This listing is a 24-inch, medium-light ice rod and reel combo bundled with 122 pieces of jigs and lures for trout, walleye, perch and panfish. It is the most beginner-friendly package here because the tackle that usually costs extra is included. The trade-off is that bundled tackle varies in quality, and the kit has no named manufacturer, so confirm details such as the blank material and reel specs on the product page. Walleye are not fussy about a handful of well-chosen jigs and spoons, so a starter set can get you on the ice without a long shopping list.
- 24-inch rod, medium-light power, per the listing
- Includes a large tackle assortment of jigs and lures, per the listing
- Marketed for trout, walleye, perch and panfish
- Rod and reel specifics are not detailed here; confirm on the listing
- Check the hook sizes in the kit; walleye jigs often run larger than panfish ones
Pros:
- Everything needed to start is in the box
- Good way to experiment with presentations
Cons:
- Tackle mix leans toward small panfish sizes
- Brand-less components make long-term durability harder to judge
It is a better starter package than the others, but the Capture and the Ugly Stik offer more recognizable build quality.
4. Ugly Stik GX2 Ice Combo, 32-inch – Best for a Tougher, Longer Rod
The Ugly Stik GX2 is listed as a one-piece ice spinning reel and 32-inch rod combo, made with graphite and fiberglass and a clear tip design. Manufacturer information describes a medium-power rod with a 4 to 8 pound line rating, a size 20 spinning reel with a ported aluminum spool and a 5.2 to 1 gear ratio. The clear tip is designed to add strength and show bites, and the stainless guides are coated to resist ice buildup. At 32 inches the rod is long enough for standing to jig or for working a deeper hole, and the medium power has backbone for larger walleye.
- 32-inch one-piece rod, per the listing
- Graphite and fiberglass construction with a clear tip, per the listing
- Medium power with 4 to 8 pound line rating, per manufacturer information
- Size 20 spinning reel with a 5.2:1 ratio, per manufacturer information
- Confirm the exact reel model on the listing
Pros:
- Rugged and well suited to rough handling
- Longer length helps with line control and hooksets
Cons:
- 32 inches can be awkward in a tiny shelter
- Medium power is less sensitive for tiny presentations
It is the longest and sturdiest rod here, a strong match for anglers who fish open ice and larger jigging spoons.
5. QualyQualy 24-inch M/ML Inline Combo (Second Listing) – Best for a Matched Dead-Stick Rod
This is a second listing for the same 24-inch medium to medium-light inline QualyQualy family, with two tips and marketing aimed at walleye, perch, panfish and trout. The product title is nearly identical to the earlier one, so confirm the color, left or right hand and any bundle differences on the product page. Buying two matched rods lets you run one as an active jigging rod and one as a dead stick, a minnow-rigged line that rests in a holder while you watch for a tip movement. Walleye often respond to a quiet presentation after an aggressive one wakes them up.
- 24-inch medium to medium-light rod, per the listing
- Inline reel and two tips, per the listing
- Hand orientation noted in the listing; confirm on the page
- Near-identical title to the first QualyQualy listing; confirm differences
- Confirm line capacity and drag on the listing
Pros:
- Matched gear for a two-rod setup
- Compact enough to rest on a bucket or rod holder
Cons:
- Little to separate it from the first listing without checking details
- Same short length limits big-fish leverage
It plays the same role as the earlier QualyQualy, just as a second rod.
6. QualyQualy 24-28 inch M/ML Inline Combo – Best for the Longer 28-inch Option
This listing offers the QualyQualy inline combo in a 24 to 28 inch range, with the displayed variant shown at 28 inches. The extra four inches gives you more leverage and makes it easier to reach over a bucket or a heater while keeping the tip steady. It has the same medium to medium-light power, two-tip concept and inline reel as the 24-inch versions. For walleye, 28 inches is a popular compromise between a compact jigging stick and a longer rod that handles a larger fish more gracefully.
- Offered in 24-inch and 28-inch lengths; confirm the length selected
- Medium to medium-light power, per the listing
- Inline reel with two tips, per the listing
- Marketed for walleye, perch, panfish and trout
- Confirm line capacity and drag on the listing
Pros:
- Extra length for better leverage
- Same simple inline reel and tip choices
Cons:
- Check the length variant before ordering
- Slightly less compact for tiny shelters
Compared with the Capture Walleye, it offers similar length with a different reel style and a more general-purpose design.
Specs Compared
| Combo | Length | Power | Reel type | Notable feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Fishing Capture Walleye | 28 in | Medium | Spinning-style, slide drag | Walleye-specific action, cork handle |
| QualyQualy M/ML Inline (first listing) | 24 in | Medium to medium-light | Inline | Two interchangeable tips |
| Generic 122-Piece Kit | 24 in | Medium-light | Confirm on listing | Includes jigs and lures |
| Ugly Stik GX2 Ice | 32 in | Medium | Size 20 spinning | Clear tip, graphite and fiberglass |
| QualyQualy M/ML Inline (second listing) | 24 in | Medium to medium-light | Inline | Two tips; confirm hand and color |
| QualyQualy 24-28 in Inline | 24 or 28 in | Medium to medium-light | Inline | Longer 28-inch option |
How We Chose These
We assembled this set from current catalog listings and compared stated rod length, power, reel type and included tackle, then checked manufacturer pages and retailer specification fields where they exist. We gave weight to combos that state a walleye-friendly power range, a length that works in a shelter or on open ice and a reel that handles light line smoothly. The guidance reflects published specifications and standard ice fishing practice rather than personal catches. Where listings were thin, we said so and pointed you to the product page for details.
What to Look For
Rod Length: 24 to 32 Inches
Length is a trade-off between control and compactness. A 24-inch rod works well in small shelters and lets you keep the tip close to the hole, which helps you see subtle bites. A 28-inch rod is a flexible middle ground for most walleye situations, while a 32-inch rod adds leverage for setting hooks in deeper water and fighting bigger fish, at the cost of more bumping into tent walls. If you fish standing outside or in a big shelter, go longer; if you sit in a one- or two-person tent, stay short.
Power and Action
Walleye rods usually land in medium or medium-light power. Medium-light shows soft bites with small jigs; medium handles larger jigging spoons and rattle baits. Action describes how much of the rod bends: fast action bends mostly at the tip, which gives sensitive bite detection and a quick hookset, while moderate action bends deeper into the rod and cushions light line. Fiberglass blanks are tough and forgiving, graphite is more sensitive and composites such as graphite-fiberglass try to blend the two. A flexible clear or high-visibility tip makes it easier to watch for lift bites, which are common with walleye.
Reels: Spinning or Inline
A small spinning reel in the 1000 to 2000 size range is the standard choice, and it handles 4 to 8 pound line comfortably. Inline reels load line straight off the spool, reducing twist, and many anglers love them for finesse jigging, but they take adjustment if you are used to a bail. Either way, look for smooth drag, a spool sized for light line and a handle that is easy to grip with gloves. If the drag is rough, a hard-charging walleye can snap light line on the first run.
Line, Leaders and Lures
Four to eight pound monofilament or fluorocarbon works for most walleye, and many anglers add a short fluorocarbon leader. Jigging spoons, blade baits and jigs tipped with a minnow head are classic walleye presentations. Low light matters: walleye often feed most actively around dawn and dusk, so plan your hours accordingly. Always check local regulations for the number of lines and rods you may use.
Bite Detection, Handles and Cold-Weather Details
Walleye frequently inhale a jig on the lift or when it settles back down, so the first sign of a bite may be a slight slackening of the line or a tiny dip of the rod tip instead of a hard tug. A bright, flexible tip makes those moments visible, and a spring bobber clipped to the tip can turn a faint touch into an obvious movement. Pay attention to the handle as well. Cork and EVA foam stay comfortable in the cold, while bare plastic or metal can feel harsh, especially with wet gloves. A full-length handle gives you a place to rest your palm, whereas a split grip leaves a gap that is easy to lose in a cluttered shelter.
Guides matter more than they appear. Small, closely spaced guides ice up quickly, so look for stainless or coated guides that are large enough to clear slush with a quick wipe. Keep a small brush or your glove handy, and dip the tip into the hole to clear ice rather than scraping the line. Finally, consider the reel seat: a loose seat lets the reel wobble and dulls bite feel, so tighten it before you drop a line.
Do not overlook the small details around the line itself. Fresh line matters in the cold because old monofilament holds coils and stiffens, which makes bites harder to detect. Spool new line at the start of each season, or at least strip off the first several yards where abrasion collects. Tie on a quality swivel or snap only when you need one, since extra hardware adds weight and dulls the action of a light jig. For tungsten or metal jigs, a loop knot lets the lure swing freely and move more naturally, which can draw more strikes from pressured walleye.
Worked example. If you fish a small two-person tent for walleye in 30 feet of water with a quarter-ounce jigging spoon, a 28-inch medium rod with 6 pound line is a good starting point. If you shift to shallow lakes with small jigs, step down to a medium-light 24-inch rod with 4 pound line.
Questions
What size rod is best for walleye ice fishing?
Most anglers choose 24 to 32 inches in medium or medium-light power. Shorter rods suit small shelters, while longer ones give more leverage and line control in deeper water.
Is an inline reel better than a spinning reel?
Inline reels reduce line twist and suit light jigging, while spinning reels are more familiar and flexible. Neither is universally better, so choose the style you can operate comfortably with gloves.
What line weight should I use for walleye?
Four to eight pound line is common, with lighter line for small jigs and heavier line for spoons or larger fish. A short fluorocarbon leader is a popular addition.
Can I use a panfish rod for walleye?
Ultralight panfish rods often lack the backbone to set hooks on walleye in deep water. A medium-light or medium rod is a safer choice, especially around 28 inches.
Do I need a dead stick rod?
It is optional but effective. A second rod rigged with a minnow and left in a holder can draw strikes from fish that ignore a moving jig, as long as local rules allow multiple lines.
How do I care for an ice rod?
Wipe off ice and water before storing the rod, leave guides to dry at room temperature and avoid slamming tips in doors or tent zippers. Loosen the drag after each trip.
Update History
- October 20, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Manufacturer product and specification pages for 13 Fishing (Rapala) and Ugly Stik (Pure Fishing)
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields
- General ice fishing technique guidance from outdoor retailers and angling publications
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