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Ice Rods and Reels: Panfish and Walleye Setups

Short answer: Use a 23–27 inch ultra-light rod for panfish in a shelter, 28–32 inches when fishing outside, and 28–36 inch medium-light to medium for walleye spoons, paired with a 20–25 size spinning reel and 2–4 lb line for panfish or 6–8 lb for walleye.

Ice rods are short, light and sensitive. You're fishing straight down a hole, often inside a shelter. Below are lengths and actions, using three common models as examples.

Example gear

	13 Fishing Tickle Stick	Clam Dave Genz Legacy	Pflueger President (reel)
Lengths / sizes	23" (Super Ultra Light, Ultra Light, Light) and a 38" Light model	24" ultra-light up to 32" medium	Sizes 20–40
Build	PC2 flat-tip blank, hi-vis tip, ALPS thin-wire guides, Evolve reel seat	24T graphite blank, Pacbay single-foot fly guides, Winn-grip handle	Graphite body and rotor, braid-ready aluminum spool, 5.2:1 gear ratio
Best for	Panfish in shelters (23"); hole-hopping and perch (38")	Genz-style jigging for panfish through walleye	Small sizes (20–25) for ice

Sources: rapala.com Tickle Stick page; Clam/retailer descriptions of the Genz Legacy; pfluegerfishing.com President page (Oct 2026). Exact lengths and actions vary by SKU, so check the specific model.

Picking length and power

• Shelter panfish: 23–27" ultra-light with a soft or spring tip, so you can see light bites.
• Outside and hole-hopping: 28–32". The extra length helps with hooksets and keeps line out of the wind.
• Walleye and spoons: 28–36" medium-light to medium, with enough backbone for a 1/4 oz spoon.
• Pike or lakers on a rod: 36"+ medium-heavy. A baitcaster or a larger spinning reel.

Reels and line

A small spinning reel (20–25 size) loaded with 2–4 lb ice monofilament or fluorocarbon covers panfish. For walleye, 6–8 lb, or braid with a fluoro leader. Inline reels reduce line twist for deadsticking. Spinning reels are more versatile.

Gear in this guide

• Where to buy the 13 Fishing Tickle Stick Ice Rod · more on 13 Fishing
• Where to buy the Clam Dave Genz Legacy Ice Rod · more on Clam Outdoors
• Where to buy the Pflueger President Spinning Reel · more on Pflueger

Related guides

• Ice Jigs & Plastics: A Northwoods Starter Box
• Thermal Tip-Ups: HT Polar Therm vs Polar Therm Extreme
• Float Suits for Ice Fishing: Striker Climate vs Clam Rise V3
• Panfish Plastics for Ice Fishing: Styles, Colors and Rigging

Written by Cory Arnold, Iron County, Michigan. Specs checked October 2026.

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