Longer Ice Rods

You could probably make a nice one out of an old broken rod.

http://www.fishusa.com/St-Croix-Premier-Ice-Rods_p.html
it was right here on fisherie

2lb berkley fireline. Ive never had a fish break off. It doesn't freeze up either.

In general , I like Co-polymers, nobodies in particular . They are strong so one can scale down on # test and are also more sensitive than regular mono . I've tried half a dozen braided types and hate all of them . They do have strong advantages over mono , but for me the disadvantages outweigh them [ difficult to cut unless one uses scissors and more importantly , I can't stand that noise they make when going through rod guides ! It sounds as if they're cutting right into the guides ] .

Cajun red 2 or 3#.

P-Line FloroIce is a great line. I really like Nanofil also.