Maybe I drink too much coffee or maybe I have Attention Deficit Disorder but whatever the reason, I hate being stuck in one place too long. The inability to sit still is considered a liability by some ice anglers, but effectively moving around while fishing through the ice is a recipe for success.

Some call it run and gun, some calling “trolling through the ice” but none of that matters if you can’t move efficiently and effectively. For that reason, I utilize a variety of tools while working numerous fishing holes. The biggest thing I carry is the most important item for ice fishing and that’s my ice auger. I like the Strike-Lite because it is fast and light allowing me to pop a lot of holes in a large area and then go back and fish them.

The Strike-Lite is all I carry from hole to hole besides my fishing rod and electronics. Since I’m usually fishing vertical jigging spoons going after active fish, I don’t need a minnow bucket. A Bait Puck is the best way to keep minnows when fishing this way because it keeps them fresh and they won’t freeze. They don’t have to be swimming when you are just going to use their head! Versatility is the key so keep an extra Bait Puck or two in your pocket so you can have waxworms and eurolarvae handy.

Just be sure to clean out the Bait Puck after each use because it’s not a pleasant sight after a few months in the coat pocket of your Hardwater Ware!