Your best tip/ Must have equipment

[Wyoming_Ice]

Puzzle Floor Mats.

They are so incredibility nice, it is stupid.

Just piece them together on the floor and remove a piece where you drill your fishing hole.

If you are camping on the ice, put a blue tarp down first. Then the interlocking mats. Any ice that melts has a barrier between the ice and the mats.
A word of caution, the ice under the tarp becomes extremely slick when you break down your camp... 

 Wyo Ice

[Doeslayer]

My best advice is talk to people...ive learned so much from other fisherman.... I tend to make this an at the launch in or out kind of thing... I try not to bother anyone while they are fishing... But when i get there or in leaving i ask most everyone how they did... You can gauge their level of interaction interest and potentially further the conversation....

My best piece of equipment is my flasher.... Even an entry kevel flasher can help you catch more fish.... Example- on a particular lake i fish there is a smaller side to it.... I always thought it was basically barren of fish as i never caught fish there.... Once ingot a flasher years ago i went to see what that spot was all about come to find out gills and crappie are plentiful but they seen to suspend 10 feet of the bottom in about 30 fow and were very slow to bite only wanting a still jig or barely moving.... Weird but its been that way 4 years in a row now so it just seems thats hownthey like things to be

[appleye]

So I post this almost every year for a long time. so your best tip and or equipment.

This years tip is keep it simple. Every year I buy tons of new stuff and most sit until I'm in the boat and go oh crap! Know what your confidence lures are and have those rigged and ready and play with stuff when nothing is going on. If it looks good try it on prime time with the tried and true. Next, buy good equipment the first time. Cold is hard on stuff and cheap stuff breaks.

Good luck and looking forward to the tips!

[dubob]

K I S S works almost every time it's tried.

[jakediesel1]

I really like the new Ice Braid by suffix. They have a multi colored glacier blue that seems to almost dissapear under water. Plus I used it in 20 degree weather outside of my hut all day and never froze up.

[SLAYERFISH]

I gave up using braid in the cold, especially when the sun goes down for prime time it starts icing up and becomes a major hassle.  I've switched to straight Florocarbon.  Almost as sensitive as braid and never freezes!

[skifisher]

A case for your rods and reels. I carry 4-6, rigged and ready to go with my most popular and trusted jigs/spoons etc. Bait pucks, one for waxies, and one for mealworms.

[BillBohmanArt]

Always have at least 1 gold Kastmaster w/chartreuse prism tape.

Kastmasters are really making a strong comeback in past couple of years

[Wyowalleye]

I have been using Honey Worms PowerBait instead of live wax worms.  I tried them because I had a hard time finding decent live wax works. These Honey Worms come 55 to a jar and are about 5 bucks on Amazon. The trout and perch really seem to like them and they are tough enough to catch a lot of fish on one worm. 

[waterlike]

This might be more for those newer to ice fishing, but don't use the cheap reels that come with combo sets.  Best thing i ever did for my setup is upgrade to nicer reels. Dont have to be crazy...even $22 dollar shimanos at walmart are 10x better than those that come with combos.  During holiday time, youll find deals on good reels.  I bought some pflueger trions, and okuma baitfeeders on sale for around $30 the past two years. makes dealing with good fighting fish so less stressful.

[SLAYERFISH]

Kastmasters are really making a strong comeback in past couple of years

I carry 20-30 Kastys every time on the ice!

[Buckshots]

Boots! You can have a fancy shack, new auger, nice suit, fancy poles etc… none of that stuff matters if you don’t have a good pair of boots. Once your feet get cold, it’s game over.

[Iceassin]

Boots! You can have a fancy shack, new auger, nice suit, fancy poles etc… none of that stuff matters if you don’t have a good pair of boots. Once your feet get cold, it’s game over.

Agree!!!

[FreshwaterPhil]

Good boots and warm clothes. Especially important for those of us that don't bother with shelters.

Powerful and lightweight auger. Essential for those of us that keep drilling to find fish and stay warm at same time. Keep a spare set of blades and small hex key in my box just in case.

[wygeargeek]

Definitely hammer drill auger combo. I have both the Eskimo and Strikemaster. Combined with my Dewalt drill they are a game changer. Very light and fast cutting. 

[rockyboy]

K Drill

[spqhunt]

glow in dark jigs, and UV Flashlight

[fishall30]

Lake Trout angling a Fishfinder is a must for me you can see the the fishes reaction to your jigging and have the hammer cocked. Also I use a Tailer for landing and unhooking those Big Daddies. Just let fish swim by hole and slip loop around tail then tighten up. I have homemade and commercial Tailers. Lip grippers work great and can be used solo.