Arctic Warrior Tip Up Tips and a Rod Question

[Gunflint Guy]

I got the arctic warrior tip up last year fishing for lakers and pike. I added a couple things to make it more usable in cold weather. I added the Ice Stopper deicer kit to the line. This pod slides onto your line and is filled with their "deicer" liquid (I think it is just mineral oil). The pod rests at the water line and keeps the line from freezing. It is a bit clunky and odd, but it works. To fully make the hole ice free, I added a black circular foam pad that I put over the hole and set the Ice Stopper in. That insulates the hole. The cover is easily removed when I get a bite. This system works well, even below zero.

Ice Stopper: http://www.automaticfisherman.com/order_images/Ice_Stopper_product1.jpg

Hole Cover: http://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/images/products/fishing/full/FI350.jpg

I am having trouble matching a rod and reel up with the Arctic Warrior, though. I like the bait casting reel on it - its clicker feature lets the line out nicely. With spinning reels you either have to ease the drag back to nothing or open the bail and use some type of line release. The drag option requires you to remember to tighten it before you set the hook. Not doing so is funny to watch, but not effective at catching fish. The bail open option tends to make the line spring off the reel in a big rush, leading to tangles around the flag and such.

I have a great baitcasting reel and good rod, but the issue is getting the right balance for the necessary Arctic Warrior tip down. The velcroed bracket needs to be set under the reel for the best balance, but baitcasting ice rods have the little trigger under the reel, preventing me from placing the bracket in the ideal balance spot. Last year I had several trout peel off a ton of line without tripping the flag because of this.

So, anyone out there know of a 32" to 36" bait casting rod without a trigger? Or one with a different balance point? Otherwise I may get out the hacksaw...