Yes Agro...I am a hard-core pannie guy. Gave up on the Walleye fishing for the most part...not enough waters around here that support them. I do run a few tip-ups for Pike on occasion but that's about it.
As for my set ups, I have a few:
1) I have 2 of the Genz 24" Spring Bobber series that I use when inside a shanty. Wasn't impressed with the indicators that came with them ( a little stiff for my liking) so replaced them with ones I made out of 30# leader wire...very sensitive and durable. Using the spinning reels that came with them...they are ok.
2) I also have a couple of 48" HT Ice Blues with their in-line reels, again, with the same leader material used above. I use these in waters 10' or less as getting the line down in the water is a little on the slow side but work excellent for the finicky bites.
3) I am in the process of getting 2 of the 36" Schooley Ice Blues that I will be using for hole hopping / run-n-gun. I just ordered a couple of Ice Strong Titanium ultra light indicators that I am going to try on these. If I don't like them...back to my home made ones. I also attach all of them at a 90*angle ...much easier to see them than straight out from rod tip
Here are few important points that I go by in all of my set-ups...a)as I mentioned, the reels I use are no big deal for me, as long as they are smooth enough and hold up for winter use, I'm good. b) I use only 3mm or 4mm tungsten jigs on 3# fluorocarbon (2# is just a little too thin, for me) I also use a small, high-quality barrel swivel attached to a 2 to 3' leader. And if using a 3mm jig, I may attach a small split shot above the swivel (depending on depth of water and how quickly I need to get back down the hole)...this has been the best combo I have found for consistent results. c)...but the most important parts of my set-ups is the rod tip and indicators. I prefer my rods to be a "little" on the stiff side...light to med. light. With a very sensitive indicator it is important for me to have that little extra "umpf" in my rods for quicker hook sets...just a flick of the wrist. As most of us know, bites in the winter are usually slow and very light...especially true of the "slabs" I look for...more sucking of the jig than a bite...hence the need for sensitive indicators and quick hook sets.
Couple of other things...I primer/hi-vis paint my indicators and strictly stick to spikes...usually 1 (occasionally 2) but keeping them fresh on the hook. I've even culled the number and color of jigs in my arsenal. I use 3 color patterns...orange/chartreuse, solid gold and my #1 go-to..."wonderbread" (very good results with this one).
So there you are Agro...from another hard-core pannie guy. After over 50 years of "experimenting", I have found what works best for me in catching big gills on the most consistent basis. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Tight lines my friend...