13 seems to make some decent ice stuff. Id honestly never fish their stuff softwater, but own a few of their ice rods. I don’t over complicate it when it comes to ice gear. It sort of is what it is.
can’t speak for their reels, not sure I’d bother, stick with a decent shimano and call it a day.
I will say, finding a rod that “loads” nicely when you start going into heavier rods for laketrout, or one with a light enough tip for crappie IS where money needs to be spent. But it’s not like you will ever suffer “working a bait”
i saw that loomis started making $300 ice rods and I couldn’t help but laugh…this is coming from a guy with a bunch of loomis rods, I even agree that they are just stupid.