1st 2018 5 lb'er

[senile1]

Since the beginning of the year, for the most part, the lakes I fish have been iced over.  However, over the past couple of weeks it has warmed enough for the water to reach a liquid state.  I visited a small 55 acre lake today that stays fairly clear so I don't have to worry about cold, muddy water.  The last time I visited this lake in December I managed one over 4 lbs and a 5 lb 11 oz fish in 42 - 43 degree water right before it really became cold so I thought I would give this lake another shot.   

 

When I got to the ramp the water was down about 4 feet and I needed to walk through a few yards of muck to get my jon boat down to the water.  I decided against that and started to leave to find another place.  As I circled I noticed that the low water levels had decreased the distance to reach some of the deeper water from the bank so I thought I would try a little bank fishing.  I parked and grabbed three rods, two with jigs and one with a jerkbait, and followed the path through the brush to a spot that looked promising.  Within 5 casts I had the third fish below which I didn't weigh because it looked to be maybe 2.5 to 3 lbs.  After about 10 more slow casts of my finesse jig, I landed my second fish which weighed 5 lbs 4 oz and is shown in the first two pics.  I was casting beyond the tall tree to my left in the second and third pictures for both of these fish and then dragging my jig slowly back to the bank.   The water out there is typically 28 or 29 feet, so today it was probably only 25 feet and the water just this side of the tree would have only been 18 feet.  Since I didn't take my boat out I didn't get a read on the surface water temperature but I suspect it hasn't broken 40 degrees yet.  I managed to catch one more fish that wasn't picture-worthy before I left.

 

 

[TnRiver46]

I rarely catch a 5 lb largemouth in any year, nice job 

[A-Jay]

Good Read & Nice Bass ~ 

Bet that felt good. 

btw - nice pics for flying solo

Congrats

A-Jay

[LionHeart]

Man you're making it tough for me to not get back out there.  Nice job!

[senile1]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Good Read & Nice Bass ~ 

Bet that felt good. 

btw - nice pics for flying solo

Congrats

A-Jay

Thanks, but I think I do a crappy job on pics.  I left my small tripod in my bass boat so I had to set my little fishing camera on a rock.  Without the tripod I never seem to get it right.  The bigger bass, while no giant, was a pretty fish and I don't think my camera work did justice to her.

[68camaro]

Very nice and congrats, I also caught my first 5lb'er of the year this week on buzzbait at dusk, 70* with 52* water, this was prefrontal and tail end of warm spell. 

[Bluebasser86]

Very nice! I'm hoping to get out for some cold water fishing this week as well since it seems they've shut the power plant down for at least a little while. Even if it's turned back on by Monday I'll probably head to a small lake instead for a change of scenery. 

[38 Super Fan]

Nice!

[roadwarrior]

 

 

                           CONGRATULATIONS!

 

                                                                  

[Bankbeater]

Nice catching! I love fishing standing timber in winter.