What Do I Use

[Kevin Beachy]

I will be going fishing again soon, but the ponds still have ice on them, and i will be fishing them just about right away after the ice leaves. What lures would you recommend me to use for such cold water? 

[rippin-lips]

The same lures will work 365 days a year. You have to adjust your presentation with varying water temps. They aren't going to be as active and chase things down. Slow and steady,fella.

I resort to trying these after ice out.

Jerkbait

Jig and pig

Lipless cranks

Chatterbait

Square bills

[Kevin Beachy]

The same lures will work 365 days a year. You have to adjust your presentation with varying water temps. They aren't going to be as active and chase things down. Slow and steady,fella.

I resort to trying these after ice out.

Jerkbait

Jig and pig

Lipless cranks

Chatterbait

Square bills

What colors?

btw 365 days ago i didn't fish in the winter

[rippin-lips]

I don't fish in the winter either but you can use the same things year round. As for colors... You'll have to try different things and figure out what they're wanting that day.

[Smokinal]

The same lures will work 365 days a year. You have to adjust your presentation with varying water temps. They aren't going to be as active and chase things down. Slow and steady,fella.

I resort to trying these after ice out.

Jerkbait

Jig and pig

Lipless cranks

Chatterbait

Square bills

I'll 2nd these options!

[primetime]

Here is something I was shown this year that worked great when normal hair jigs were not working or any cold water method...4lb test or 6lb if needed, roadrunner 1/16 to 1/4 marabou crappie jigs but they are in Bass Sizes when you get to 1/16, you don't need to float and fly them, just slow roll on the bottom or dead stick for as long as you can stand it and then just lift slowly and let it fall...The Maribou breathes on the bottom while sitting and a small silver blade or gold blade is key for flash, Hits are soft but once you locate fish they will hit if it lands on them and looks easy to catch..

 

Most guys throw jigs and drag slowly, c-rigs small baits, drop shots, really any bait can work if you find the fish...Rattle traps are good but may need to be fished slow. I used to use a lot of 2-4" grubs when I lived up north on 2-4b test trilene xl back then and a 1/8 oz jighead, some reason we always used smoke and silver or smoke, black....simple colors or pearl.

[Fishes in trees]

I haven't done this for years, mostly because I boat fish now, BUT back in the day - post college, but nowhere near flush yet, I was a meat fisherman.  I would catch and eat anything that swam.  I had access to several waters that were stunted, filled with 9" to 11" bass and the owners didn't care how many I took, just get them out of there without resorting to nets or poisons.

 

OK, early spring, ice is off the banks but there is still some ice towards the center of the pond.  Take a 1/8 oz crappie jig (red/chartruese/white was my favorite color) with the smallest pork rind you can find.  At the time, Uncle Josh sold some thin 4" eels.  Only available in brown, color didn't really matter that much.

 

Anyway throw the bait up on to the ice still floating in the pond.  Throw past the edge 5 or 6 feet.  You want it to make a little noise when it hits.  Then drag the bait to the edge of the ice and let it fall.   2 or 3 casts, then walk 50 or 60 feet and try it again.   You will find a spot where the fish are grouped (who knows why) and catching 8 or 10 before the bite slows is very doable.  At the time, I used 6 lb mono because that was the best option available.  If I were to do it again, I'd probably use some braid/fluoro combo.

 

That's where I'd start for early season pond fishing.

[Fuese54]

whatever you fish, make sure you fish it SLOW can't stress that enough