As I set the hook on another crappie, I noticed the fish house door open on a unit 40 yards away from me. While I gently eased a nice fish to the surface, I kept an eye on the gentleman ambling my way. He arrived about the time I added the fish to my bucket.

He quickly started up a friendly conversation about the fish I had been catching. Apparently, he had been watching my success through his fish house window.

It didn’t take long to realize that he hadn’t had any activity in his house. Even though only 40 yards away, he was clearly not in the zone of these suspended crappies.

After the usual conversation of what I was using and type of bait, he wondered out loud why the fish were where I was but not in his location. I didn’t have an answer, as I don’t know why fish suspend where they do. I just knew the fish were here and not over there.

As he walked back to his house, he commented that he should probably move closer to where I was, but it was too much work. I thought about this statement and realized that sometimes, keeping things simple is good.

My 5-gallon bucket, sonar and auger were all I had to worry about. If I wanted to move, I could grab everything at once and not look back. It had taken me a half hour and a dozen holes to get zeroed in on this school of fish. If moving had been difficult, I would not have done it.

For someone who likes to move around and follow fish, simple is good. Simple leads me to my next point about ice fishing: efficiency.

Ice fishing can be tricky. Between the cold, snow, wind and ice, fishing in winter has obstacles that need to be overcome. Being efficient on the ice is an important part of the game.

Changing ice jigs and retying knots is easily done in the warmth of my basement. Having multiple rods ready before I hit the ice saves me from cold fingers and the frustration of tying lures outside.

Knowing that I am going to be moving around keeps me focused on efficiency. I utilize an electric auger with a lightweight, 6-inch drill. If I am going to carry extra equipment, I pull a small sled.

Although a one-person house will offer more protection from the cold, I find that if I get warm and cozy in the house, I tend to move less often than I should. With today’s high-tech ice fishing clothing, it is not that difficult to fish in the open and stay warm. If it is too cold or too windy, I wait for a better day.

I do get heckled for my ice fishing style. After all, who still sits on a bucket? However, my method of keeping it simple with a focus on efficiency has served me well.

Until someone shows me a better option, I’ll stick with what works.

For more insight and tips for fishing throughout the year, check out the articles in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.