Went out to my local pond for a couple of hours this afternoon for the first time since ice out. I didn't expect much action this early in the year and I only had two hours.

After a week of mid-70s air temperatures and fish moving onto their beds at Lake Fork, I expected this would be rough fishing by comparison. I tied on a 3/8 oz. black/blue Mann's Stone Jig and Zoom Super Chunk trailer in the same color and started working it slow.

I soon got a solid bite, caught a one-pound class bass, then hooked the big one: 6 lb, 11 oz., a few ounces better than my previous best, caught last July in this same pond. In fact, I wondered whether it might have been the same fish, fattened up a bit with eggs. . .

I found it ironic that my biggest at Fork was 5 lb, 13 oz., and that my personal best would come the next weekend during my first outing in the cold northsurface water temps today were just past 50. Fishing just keeps on surprising us, doesn't it?

Unfortunately, my expectations were so low that I didn't have a camera, though I did, fortunately, remember to bring the scale.

Man, I love those jigs.

I've been looking at those jigs, they look pretty nice. I might have to get a couple now.

congrats nboucher!!!! Stinks about the pics but remember to bring the camera next time you catch that fish during the spawn, could be a 7 pounder by then!

Whodda thunk it?

Congratulations!

go figure, eh Norman?

You had a great vacation then come home to a new PB.

Life is good dude  8-)

Good job!

Way to go Norman!

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET... ;D

NICE JOB!!!!!!!

Excellent new PB Norman!  That's a fine, heavy Hawg no matter where it was caught.

Dan

Way to go! Thats a good 'un!

Always nice to hear about a PB.  Congrats!!!

Welcome Home!!! lol

I wonder if she is he same fish, 1 yr older??

We are struggling here, ice is finally out on the home lake but temps are still in the 40-44 degree range.  1 warming trend and the back cove will start spitting out some rewards for us.

Way to break ground for '07 Norman!!

Very nice job Norman! You've gotta be psyched. Good luck getting another new PB before '07 is out. It looks like it's possible.

Good goin Norman