Bait buckets are basically five-gallon plastic pails with sealed vented lid covers. Some bait bucket manufacturers have add padded foamed filled lids for seats and Styrofoam liners for insulation as extra options. When buying a bait bucket, add the price of a small floating dip net to overall cost. Dip nets keep hands dry and warm when reaching for slippery minnows. Full-fingered fleece lined neoprene gloves are another hot item when it comes to keeping hands waterproof and warm from winter's biting cold.
Most lightweight sleds are easy to pull and fit into the trunk of a car.
Many sporting goods stores now carry lightweight portable ice shanties which are basically small fold-away tents to help protect anglers from cold winds. Many shelters feature clear plastic windows, waterproof polyethylene tent fabric for lasting protection and molded plastic sled bases with a tow rope. For glare ice days, a pair of ice cleats help provide a positive grip and traction on slippery icy surfaces. With safety in mind, several ice fishing tackle manufacturers, such as South Bend have introduced a vital piece of survival gear for every ice angler to wear. The hand held product, called Ice Escape Life Preserver, has been specifically designed to wear around the neck and features easy-grip spiked handles as emergency grippers if an unfortunate soul falls through thin ice.