I'm not sure where you are fishing but the drop off at Sylvan is along the North or South shores. Sonar / vex would be good to find it in the winter. I located it in open water to make it easier in the winter.
I have a clam style flipover so I can just flip it up, move, flip it down. Easy peasy and staying warm.
If you sit in a shack from morning until afternoon then you can expect to see whatever might swim by. If that is they way you want to do it, more power to you
