Fly the Team Iceshanty Flag! Iceshanty Proshop
WD40 after there good and dry... Also heard it works well as a fish attractant on lures....
If the line is partially frozen on the spool, I'll strip 10-20ft extra off after setting the depth then wind it back on.
This and ditch the Dacron line. Get some good braded line. You will get more line on your spool so you don't get spooled. It will not absorb as much water and freeze. Nice fish.
Simple...as you are baiting the hook, pull off a little line so you can keep the spool in the water.Then lift the tip up, drop the bait down the hole and put the tip up back down.The spool will only be out of the water seconds and should be good to go.
Simple fix. Pull 15 ft of line off the reel after you put the minnow in the hole. This will break the ice off the line. Keep the Dacron. Stand by the hole for a bit if you just missed one.