First ice trip of the season 21-22 and I put the rod on priority use. Paired with the Shimano Curado 70HG and 7.9# Stroft GTM. The only lure I used on this rod was the 3/16th oz. Major Craft Jigpara blade. The rod did it's job. While lure jigging, I didn't get that wow feeling as compared to a Thorne Bros Walleye Sweetheart medium power rod, but that's a rod in a different category. As far as retail shelf production, I would say the Omen Ice Casting rod is pretty impressive. The white tip painted section contrast is good for better visual detection. The rod worked just fine even for small solid bite detection feel. I didn't even rely on visual cues. It has the correct load for this 3/16th oz. lure and when hooked up with fish, it loaded just right as well. None of the crappies I caught was over 10" so this rod does just fine for typical abundance of fish. There was no feel of line guide torsion roll on these small typical fish.
While the overall rod may feel sort of reminiscing similar to an Ugly Stick Dock Runner in feel (as similar to other Ugly Stick ice rods in medium power), it differs by once hooked up to fish. The rod has the ideal tip flex and backbone for a Medium power rod. While I do not own any other retail manufacture medium power ice rods in a bait casting rod, I will say that is better than other so far. Good line guide size and insert rings, not oversized nor bulky appearance. Very good bait casting handle and reel seat. Form and function is accomplished. That is comparing to the old Fenwick Elite Tech 27" medium and Abu Garcia Volatile 29" medium rods. The St. Croix Mojo 34" casting rod is a little better however it is MH and H power only. If only St. Croix would've developed a medium power ice rod. Even better if retail manufactures actually developed Medium Light and Light power casting ice rods. This would open up a huge niche category for ice rods.
Even with just a one day field test and very minimal actual testing it is a solid performer. I have no problem recommending this rod to anyone who's looking to try a casting set up. Looking forward to more use...