Back off the reel's drag so fish can easily take line. I've seen more than one rod disappear down a hole due to tight drags. Salmon and big trout can smoke out a lot of line in short order and put a tremendous load on rods. I prefer fast-action tips, since lake trout are generally deep and respond well to flash lures. For brook trout, small rainbows, browns, and whitefish, medium-weight walleye rods will do fine.
Panfish rods are on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Since most perch, crappie, and bluegill are caught on tackle weighing about the same as the split-ring on the average lake trout spoon, panfish rods have to be light and sensitive. Check that the tip on your panfish jigging rod doesn't flop around endlessly when you wave it. It should come back to centre within a few moments of being bounced. If it doesn't, relegate it to set-line duties. Drag quality is the biggest factor to consider when choosing a winter reel.