Here's what I can tell you. Last year I fished with three rods: 28", 26" and a 30". The 30" rod stayed in the bucket even if it meant retying one of the 28's. This year I fish with four rods, and the same 30"er stays in the bucket the longest.
As for line, last year it was 4# Cold Weather Arctic Blue, and this year I wound on the same, to start. After losing two 'Eyes' in the 5#-7# range, I've re-strung everything I own with the 6# Micro-Ice, and I'm loving it. I've pulled in several 5# Pike on this stuff and haven't lost a fish.