Couple of tip ups or jigging rods. Anything you can imagine to cut holes. Had a trip get saved thanks to a chainsaw once. Most important! Safety spikes around your neck until you know you have 4 inches atleast wherever you may step. Shiners work great but I do a lot better with my own trapped bait. Start small and expand in the areas you need to as you learn.
Not that I plan on getting into ice fishing anytime soon (Give me a heated shanty and a generator and maybe I'll consider it), but I see the gas, the manual and the propane augers. I'd imagine the propane auger is better than a manual, but maybe not? Anyone have experience with all of these types? I'm just curious is all.
That's some serious ice Mark! The most I've seen around here was 2 years ago...my first ice trip on Boone and there was around 18 inches. I used the hand chipper, a lot of work to get set up but it ended up being one of my most active days on the hard water. The five holes produced all day long so fortunately there was no need to shift around.
most ice in mass does not get very thick. it takes about 20 seconds to drill a hole with a hand auger.
Prior to last year the 2 previous winters were a b****
There was well over a foot of ice on the south shore and drilling by hand was not fun 
When the ice gets too thick I just mooch of holes that have already been drilled. 
I do the same thing! I use holes already cut!
It sucks citing threw the ice by hand.
I remember a couple years ago in New Hampshire. I only had a dull spud! I didn't even cut my own hole. Some guy ccame over with a gas auger and cut a hole for me
I tried but cutting through 2feet of ice by hand is a pain in the @$$!
It sucked cuz I caught no fish to young to drink beer and I was freezing!
It sucks citing threw the ice by hand.
I remember a couple years ago in New Hampshire. I only had a dull spud! I didn't even cut my own hole. Some guy ccame over with a gas auger and cut a hole for me
I tried but cutting through 2feet of ice by hand is a pain in the @$$!
It sucked cuz I caught no fish to young to drink beer and I was freezing!
Checked a pike spot of mine today only 2 1/2 inches of white ice. Couple more days and the ice should be good. If anyone wants to learn ice fishing I'd be willing to teach. I got everything even extra tilts. Don't mean to be stingy but it's byob.(bring your own bait). 
Checked a pike spot of mine today only 2 1/2 inches of white ice. Couple more days and the ice should be good. If anyone wants to learn ice fishing I'd be willing to teach. I got everything even extra tilts. Don't mean to be stingy but it's byob.(bring your own bait).