What a way to start the year

[bassinbob]

Went out today for the first time this year. This pig hit a 1/2 oz. Red Eye Shad in Sexy Shad color. I didn't have a tape or scale but my guess was around 8lbs.
I had her to shore but she started pulling drag and I thought she was going to break my line. She was hooked solid though and did bend the hook but it held.
Also caught two other bass and two crappies. Some one put trout in the pond because the first fish I caught was a nice brown trout.
I also saw a monster bass skeleton in the weeds. I hope someone isn't killing them on purpose. I heard they possibly want to turn the pond into a pay lake. I did talk to a guy a few years ago who the land owners rented a mobile home on the property to. I think he is the one who put the trout into the pond. He said keep bass that I catch but I always put them back. I hope he isn't just killing the bass. That would really piss me off.