I would say that most ice rods can take a level wind or bait caster type reel. At the end of the day you are not "casting" it anyways so if the guides don't line up perfectly it just makes no difference whatsoever.
The key thing is the reel seat, the drag from the reel, and, of course, what it feels like in your hand if you are jigging for hours.Other than that - it holds your line for you - that's it.
I have Fenwicks, Frabill and St.Croix ice rods and am happy with all of them.
I have all sort of different reels, but I keep gravitating back to the Frabill centerpin .... simple, easy on the hands and decent drag that won't ice up.
|