Regardless of make you have 4 elements to consider action, length, weight, and make. For
Panfish I like the following lineup: fast, short, UL/L/ML, Fiberglass over Carbon Fiber
Action = very fast so much so that the very last eye doesn't have brackets holding it but acts more like a spring bobber eliminating the need for a spring bobber.
Length = many of my friends go big or go home (Jason Mitchell himself quotes "walk softly and carry a big stick" as his motto) I am of the old school (or should I say schooley) and know that the shorter the rod the more control I have over tiny adjustments made in my presentation that are typically the deal breaker with Pannies
Weight (Strength) = Medium/Light If I am jigging a spoon vertically (or ringing the dinner bell) then I go with a medium light rod to not be overwieghted by a heavier spoon like the PK Predator
Light -If I am fishing 6-7mm tungsten I will drop to a Light rod to again balance lure weight, line diameter and presentation
Ultra Light- And when i am fishing micro size 16 jig heads I use an Ultralight rod (even as UL as the palm rods used over seas and sold on our sponsors website
www.yourbobbbersdown.com)
Make= There are two types of rod material commonly used on ice fishing rods today- carbon fiber which is popular for its backbone but can be a bit fragile. And fiberglass which don't have as much backbone and are much more limber meaning they will give more on a big fish and not break as often (or when you roll them up in the window, step on them in the shanty, stuff them in your suitcase...I break alot of rods and go with fiberglass rods for that reason:)
With the above said there is a rod for every situation and it is because of that fact that I have 14 rods and my collection is still growing. For Panfish my rods mirror the ones we used back in 1995..and I actually still fish with "ole fathful" today
