Change as each pair becomes wet. If space permits, use a propane heater in your boat. Before extended trips consider cleaning reels and relubricating with lower-viscosity grease and speed oils. To prevent premature wear, clean and regrease with standard lube before fishing again in warm weather. Trim line, leader and lure knots closely.
Long tag ends ice up in the air during casting and affect micro-bait action.
The appearance of iced tag ends also puts off fish. Hedge your bets by melting Vaseline and adding a scent attractant to the mix. Once the Vaseline congeals again, rub a light coating of the mix on your plug. In tough conditions like the ones that were bearing down on us, seemingly small changes in our offerings were indeed important. The gold floating micro-plugs we first tied on prompted only the rare hit.