It's critical to trust that your rod and reel will perform well when you hook a big fish. A good stick increases your odds of detecting strikes and getting a good hookset, and the combination of rod and reel enables you to fight and land fish, especially big fish that test your skill as an angler and the dependability of your rod and reel.

A rod that's too stiff won't compensate for head shakes and surges, which tend to cause line breaks or hooks to pop free. A rod that's too wimpy won't allow for a good hookset and doesn't have enough backbone to tire fish quickly. Selecting an ice rod also requires finding one to effectively work the lures you use -- a blend that balances well with a line that allows the lure to work properly. Rod length and action also are important factors for setting hooks and landing fish.

Graphite rods remain the favorite, though, glass rods are more durable. Graphite offers the best sensitivity. Tapered correctly, the tip should be fast enough so you can feel your lure and detect strikes, yet the blank ideally stiffens toward the handle and loads up when you set the hook and fight fish.

Admittedly, though, I've broken my share of graphite rods the past few ice seasons. A few fell victim to setting the hook too hard with the weight of a big fish on the other end, and a few broke due to the druthers of ice fishing -- including some clumsy carelessness. A premium glass blank offers plenty of backbone for hooksets, while doing a better job of protecting line under duress when a fighting fish surges. I use 32- and 42-inch solid glass rods to jig for walleyes and pike. Premium glass rods are sensitive enough to detect most fish strikes, and their durability is a main attraction -- they've withstood the test of me.

Walleyes -- Prime walleye sticks come in several lengths and actions. Some are designed for fishing in shelters, some outside. Some are designed for working large jigs or heavy swimming lures, while others work better for jigging lighter flash lures. Presentation, though, is always more crisp and precise with a fast tip. In most jigging situations with light jigs and spoons, you need a fast stick with a medium-light power. For heavier jigs and swimming lures, go with a fast-action medium-power blank. The heaviest lines and lures, and deep water, might require a medium-heavy blank with the same action.

A fast, medium-power blank in the 28- to 42-inch range rated for 6- to 12-pound line is the best all-around walleye blank. Both ends of that length range respond best with a fast tip, which offers better control through a variety of jigging techniques. Faster, lighter blanks offer the sensitivity to feel finicky biters.