Ice just barely off.....

[dman]

.....a local 10 acre pond.....I went by today and just the back corner (about 1\8 of the pond still has ice \ slush ).....I'm gonna stop by tomorrow but not sure what to throw....My guess is they are still in the deep water,  they wouldnt start moving that quick would they?  any opinion on what baits i should start with?

[MichiganFisherman]

Since you've got no other replies I guess I'll chime in.  I think the fish will probably be deeper.  Try throwing spinnerbaits and jigs or t-rigged worms.  Work them slow.  Good luck.

[Crestliner2008]

Here in MA, the ponds are still supporting a lot of ice fishermen!  

[Pieman]

Yeah still frozen up here...but it's getting closer.

[Live.2.Fish]

I've done well throwing lipless cranks in very cold water.  That's where I'd start.

[bassmaster3000]

DEEEEEEEEEP  

[Mrs. Matstone]

The ice just came off a few of the smaller ponds in my area and I have been fishing any offshore structure that I can find with jigs.

[paragon]

I love fishing lipless crankbaits just after ice-out. But here in Michigan we have a crazy season  for bass so I guess I could go and fish for bluegill..

[Mainlybass]

Yeah, up here in Maine we're just starting to see a little water around the edges of the ponds. Last year it was around mid May before we got to put the boat in

[MALTESE FALCON]

Lake St. Clair has been ice-free for about two weeks, however my canal was frozen until two days ago. I just checked the water temp, it's 39*. I think I'll try spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and lipless cranks.

Falcon

[MEbasserJQ]

Try jigging some silver buddies if you got em. I live in maine and lakes are just starting to thaw. Blade baits work great for me after ice out.

[bassmajor]

2 days after ice out I caught some nice ones T-rigging a plastic craw real slow around some structure.

[nickb]

Now, why would yall use lipless cranks rather than regular cranks?

[Culln5]

I'm going to advise you to go in the opposite direction.  Go late afternoon when the sun has had a chance to warm up a shallow flat.  Try throwing a suspending jerbait with NO exagerated movements and LONG pauses.  The strike will be subtle and probably feel like a slight tick on the pause.  Good luck!

[MikeStadler]

Now, why would yall use lipless cranks rather than regular cranks?

I use them for the tighter wiggle and I can crank em faster to get the reaction strikes.

[MontanaBssmstr]

Fat Free Shad!  38 degree water two days after ice out I caught two smallies over 5 pounds.  Go Montana!

[bassmaster3000]

DEEEEEEEEEP  

[bassmaster3000]

DEEEEEEEEEP