Well, I finally caught one. Not big but a bass is a bass and I was grateful for it. I was burning a KVD squarebill in orange belly craw (1.5 size) over the new grass mats. This was 1 of 2 fish. Air temp was 30 degrees, water temp was 46.

Congrats on the first of the year.

Nice!  I was gonna go out sometime in the next couple days and try some soft plastics cuz I figured the water was still pretty cold but I'd much rather fish a 1.5.  Maybe Ill give it a try.

Good job CP. Quick question: where are you finding "new grass mats" this time of the year?

Good job CP. Quick question: where are you finding "new grass mats" this time of the year?

there was definitely at least 1 patch I was fishing about 10 feet around, and I know it's new because dragging my jig through it dredged up bright green grass. 1 was caught while burning the crank right over it, and the other was caught by casting to the opposite shore.

Nice job! Always feels 10x better after a some skunking. 

Good Job on the 1st of the year!