We started a guy trip a while back with the idea of going to a new destination every year. Started at LOTW then Devil’s Lake and Lake Gogebic in the U.P. and now we’ve been back to LOTW the last few years. Always go on the first full week of March which has been hit and miss. It would really be nice if you could have a group ready to go whenever the bight picked up but that just isn’t the case for me and the guys.
It is definitely a lot of fun to go to new places but the big problem is that it’s new which means you spend a lot of time figuring the body of water out or what resort is the best and so on. We’ve done really well out of Arneson’s but recently switched to Zippel bay because we have our own wheel house and they have a great system of plowed roads (and of course the Igloo!)

Good info so far,
I was leaning towards a spinning reel also. My major concern was trying to find something I could spool enough line on and still have good balance with my jig pole. I will also need a very reliable drag (smooth). Specifically, what reel do you use for bigger fish on your ice set ups?
Using a 36” to 40” rod shouldn’t be a problem with these I fish pro. The rod holder is adjustable and can extend away from the hole.
I’ll definitely give a report when I get back.