I'm looking to buy some rods and reels for ice fishing. Seeing as how I've never ice fished before I don't know how much thought I need to put into buying the "correct" rods and reels.

Ideally, I'd like about 3-4 rods each for different species or different applications. I really like Fenwick's regular rods so I think I'm going to buy rods from them. I've got a couple picked out for bass to trout to panfish. My question lies in reel selection.

Do I have to consider gear ratios (retrieve speed) as much as I do in regular fishing reels? Like normally, if I'm flippin' and pitchin' in the summer I like a fast gear ratio for a quick retrieve, which provides the ability for rapid presentations.

Seeing as ice fishing is essentially only vertical jigging, does gear ratio matter in the same regard? Is it based more on species? For example, if I'm fishing for trout would I need something that can reel faster in case they swim directly towards me, Vs. fishing for panfish where I might not need to bring in line as quickly? Does the gear ratio even matter? What brands are good and reliable?

Geek out, the more detailed and opinionated reply you can give, the better!

Haha love the reply. Basic.

To the OP...no those stats don't matter in ice fishing 95% of the time. Spinning reel is a spinning reel and smaller the better for anything other than big predators. I prefer the inline style reels over spinning most of the time due to less line twist and lure spin. If you're fishing heavy lures and unpressured fish it's not a big deal, but I'm fishing panfish on public waters often and do best with inline reels. Some are geared to quicken the line intake, some aren't. Some have freefall trigger to drop jig easier than it is to drop with a spinning reel. 2-3lb line unless you're going for predators too.

As for rods, go lighter than you think. Panfish are UL with spring bobber built into the rod tip like new clam rod. Unless you're in a heated shack, actual spring style ones freeze up if you're outside when it's cold. I fish out in the open 90% of the time so having a super sensitive tip that won't freeze is key. Jason Mitchell meatstick is a good entry rod too. I have a few fenwicks, they're ok but haven't really looked at their options much...nothing special from what I've seen and I like their long rods. I wouldn't go to anything that's M or above for rod unless it's a dedicated pike or LT rod or something.

Gear ratio is not important in ice fishing. I’ve caught plenty of big fish on rattle reels and Beaver Dam tip ups that can only be would up by hand. Most times with both of these I just pull on the line itself.