I like to set up tip-ups with a nice big shiner. Then sit back and relax. I usually fish in 3 -4 ft of water, and have the line about a foot below the ice. Good luck. Can be the most frustrating time when the fish aren't biting, but when they are biting they are biting.

It all depends on what you're looking to catch. For walleyes and perch, I use Rapala's Jigging Raps, size depending on which species I'm after. For panfish, I use the smallest teardrop jigs I can find, no specific brand, and colors depend on the type of day it is. But with the teardrops, I've caught more than just panfish, I've pulled up a ton of bass, both small and big, bluegills, crappie, perch, pickerel, and only once, a channel cat. I've also seen a buddy of mine catch a walleye but I've never pulled that off.

I have always used live bait like shiners, suckers, etc.