Last couple days warmed up here in central VA so this morning decided to go out from 7:30 - 10:30 on local pond to try out some new lures and hopefully catch a fish. Haven't caught one in local ponds since 12/31/15, been out about 7-8 times and cold & fish skunked me.

This morning caught first fish of year a 8" rock bass on a 1/8 oz lipless crank bait.

After trying everything in next 1 1/2 hours decided to tie on green pumpkin senko, t-rigged. After 20-25 minutes caught this nice 19" 2.95 lb LMB fishing bottom very slow. This is actually a bigger fish for me since most LMB in my ponds are 1 1/4 - 2 lbs. 

 

 

 

Nice fish! You got me beat so far this year. LOL

Excellent job, nice bass!

Yes!

Congrats - good start of a hopefully productive year.

By the way, I forgot to mention that deep inside the basses mouth was a 4' inch long, dark thin stick that I removed. I wonder if he thought the stick was a worm and it was lodged in there.

Also I caught this fish a few feet off bank in part of pond where I had zero luck in past. Could this fish be a pre spawn female looking for spawning area?

Nice One ~

As for gender ~ Can't really tell.

Congrats

A-Jay

nice same problem here in NC ponds been skunked multiple times. Just like you I tried senko and it worked. NIce fish and good luck for this year for you

nice catch there!