First fish of 2011!

[Fishooked]

Whoo!

But goddamn was it cold...only in the low 20s but the winds made it feel much worse, made it hell for trying to troll with the canoe as well. I knew it would be a challenge with winds from 15-20mph.....but snow everywhere was also a major pain in the ass, considering there was a foot of snow on the docks to boot. Hard to load the canoe without getting friggin snow everywhere


Anyway I was glad to get out at least, and felt even better coming away with 3 fish on the day -

This pickerel on a Silver Clackin Crank CNC-74:





2nd fish was on my usual early spring killer, Minnow Rap MR-11 in Silver:





And the last one is prolly my favorite fish of the day, Rattlin Fat Rap RFR-07 in Shad







Definitely a first for me...I know it may be more common for other folks, but Ive never fished with snow on the ground before.






Next time though I am looking forward to fishing some balmy 40-50 temps next time....

[nathanha]

Great photos! Its just nice to get outside. One year my dad put me in a canoe in January the ice had melted away from the shore 50 feet. It froze again the following week but it was fun. Didnt catch a damn thing.

[batonas]

Weather looks perfect for fishing, nice catches .

[jmcfish10101973]

very nice ted and i love the photos

john.

[sqhertz]

nice healthy fish there. You wont catch me fishing out in that weather. Im enjoying the sun and 80 degree warmness lol

[90collector]

Very nice bass, I don't think I have ever spring fished with snow on the ground, but I have fished when its been below freezing. it sucks when your line freezes up though

[rocfish]

I too have hooked my firsts of the season. Have just returned from my spring break trip down to Kentucky Lake . . . weather did not cooperate! Cold and rainy the whole week, it usually averages 60-70 for this time of year, and instead it was 35-50 the entire week. Did manage to get out 4 of the 6 days that we were there. Caught four largemouth, and the wife caught two largemouth and one freshwater drum, all on various Rapalas. Nothing real big, the bass all averaged around 2-2.5lbs, but the big ugly drum was probably about 5 or 6 pounds, too bad they fight like an old boot, my wife thought she had snagged a tree limb up until she got it to the boat. Had the most success with Rattlin' Crank 74 in Silver/Black, while the wife fished mostly JSR7 Blue Shad and a custom painted DT6.
I look forward to heading back in the summer when I can count on blazing hot weather and active fish, but it was nice to get away and get a couple to start the fishing season!