I have been monitoring the pond for the last few days. It had a thin coat of ice covering about 90% of the water last I checked.

With the help of the aerators and some warmer days, the ice was almost completely gone when I went out this morning.

My rods were setup with a jerkbait and a Ned rig. After looking at the muddy water, I cut off the jerkbait and went right to the mini bladed jig. I switched on and off between the bladed jig and the Ned for about 30 minutes.

I finally hooked into something. I thought it was a bass at first, but after a few pulls and barrel rolls, I knew it was a trout. My fish fish of 2026. I have never caught one on a ned before. Nice.

I had another 30 minutes and while I didn’t catch any other fish, I did hook into a nice little bundle of baits. Of the 5-6 baits, I was able to salvage a LC 1.5, rattle trap, and a mepps spinner.

I guess my years of donating lures to this particular spot had finally paid off.

I never expect much this time of year fishing the pond, so I’m glad that the water is finally open and that it was a beautiful morning.

With some cooperation from the weather, I might be able to get out another time in February if it doesn’t freeze over again. I’m looking forward to it.

21 hours ago, stk44 said:

Nice little haul.

I've caught so many trout on Ned rigs that I can usually tell the difference by the bite between them and a bass. Last time I fished the trout lake I caught 2 of them. One of them I scoped out of open water, apparently from a school of trout cruising off a point. The other ate my Ned next to a big laydown like a bass.

32 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I've caught so many trout on Ned rigs that I can usually tell the difference by the bite between them and a bass. Last time I fished the trout lake I caught 2 of them. One of them I scoped out of open water, apparently from a school of trout cruising off a point. The other ate my Ned next to a big laydown like a bass.

Yeah I’m surprised it took this long to catch them on the Ned.

They love little jerkbaits and underspins at the pond though.

Well… back to the other species forum.

Went out to the pond at lunch. It was windy,and much colder, but there was a little sun. Water droplets were freezing on the braid and guides on just about every cast.

The water has cleared up some from my last visit, so I was able to use the jerkbait. I switched on an off between a keitech finesse jig. Only fish caught were trout and all on the jerkbait.

These are all bonus fishing days in my book.