Because fish like largemouth won't feed until they get back to their home waters. Gord Pyzer talked about this at the fishing show. Fish will eventually die (He gave a few examples)..
I spend way too much $$$ on gas to use gear like that, lol. That being said that style of reel has really taken off in the icefishing world. I'd probably try to find something similar from a well known manufacturer.
Some of those units are the same physical size, just have bigger screens. Don't the Helix 7/9 use the same housing? Or is it the 5 and 7? I dunno.
I'm going to bring my Helix 12 out on the ice this year, lol.