Now is a great time for largemouth bass fishing
With our waters “turning” this time of year — where the warmer water rises to the surface — bass seem to be heading for shallower water to feed, making this a great time for largemouth bass fishing.
Natural hangouts are under reeds, lily pads, hydrilla as well as under boat docks and other structures, and don’t discount by bridges. With water clearing, shad, shiners, bluegill and perch from one-third to a half-inch long seem to be the best bait choices, though crankbaits, slim minnows, overhead and topwater spinners and Pig & Jigs are also worth putting to work. A good idea to talk with other fishermen and at dealers to check their suggestions of what might be working this time of year.
Try topwater lures such as a spinner or chugger during early mornings. Work slowly and jerkily along the outer edges and at openings of heavily covered areas or fish parallel to shore with a Pig & Jig. Cast plastic worms with weights just heavy enough to sink it, close to deep cover and lower the rod tip quickly to let the worm settle next to the cover. Dark colors bring good results when working shallows between clumps of rushes. Power lizards are also worth trying. Work weedy flats at noon-time with in-line spinners and weedless spoons, plus slim minnows, which run quickly along the surface of the water. In deep water, you might try trolling with crankbaits along shallow, rocky shorelines; along deeper shorelines a biggerlip crankbait should do the trick.
For smallmouth bass cruising familiar haunts nearby for a final feed to store reserves for the winter, look for structures bordering deeper water and mid-lake at rocky reefs, rock piles, undercut banks and deep river channels.
Use the smallest, yet still practical line, along with a lead head jig with a soft crayfish body or a floating slim minnow, or take along a share of small crayfish (keep them cool and moist to preserve them should your artificials fail).
If the water is calm, offer the slim minnow to any bass, and cast quietly. Let the minnow lie still for Jean Wilson a count of ten, twitch it gently several times, pause and repeat for shallow and deep waters. You can also add a twist on sinker about a foot in front of the lure, just heavy enough to sink it; cast it into visible edges, let it settle to the bottom and work it back in small twitches. With a jig, one anglers suggests to allow the lure to sink to the bottom, letting it lie long enough for a bass to get nosy and want to take a look. When you’ve given it a decent rest, hop the lure off with a fast rod-tip lift and keep it coming in a hurry. You can also bottom hop the lure back to make it look like it’s grabbing for food. Or cast an imitation crayfish, soaked in crayfish scent, move it along rocky shores and drop-off points and work it back with small twitches of the rod tip to mimic a live crayfish scuttling backward over the bottom.
Quickly switching lures while you’re fishing often brings super results. First work one, then another. Quickly retrieve over the tops of weeds or edges of timber. If a bass strikes, but misses, cast it back to the same spot with an unweighted, soft plastic frog or worm. Fish this offering slow and easy with twitches on the retrieve. Either keep different lure choices close at hand and practice switching lures so you can do it quickly or have two rods set up with different lures to trick bass by just switching outfits. Practicing until you can make quick changes can net you more fish. If a fish refuses your offering, one angler suggests to try dunking the lure (or bait) in cod liver oil to make it “tasty.” I’ll have more fishing tips soon in the column for fishing from shore for fall bass, so check it out.
Fishing clubs
• Desert Bass Anglers — ”The Fun Way to Fish:” At the club’s latest Colorado River Team Bass tournament, the team of Cory and Chad Benton took the top spot with their 13.48 total followed by father and son team Brenton & Kale Lute who weighed in their total of 12.55 in addition to the #1 Big Bass weighing 5.34. Third place went to Lanny Brock/Bill Clothier with 12.29 while Clint Fraser/Steve Washington trailed in 4th place with 12.21. They also took the #2 Big Bass with a 4.90 pounder. Just out of the money was the team of Travis Hurley/Mike Cahill also with 12.21. Winning the Junk Fish option was Glen Hooker/Alfanso Zavala with a 3.18 catfish. The Annual “President’s Choice” tournament for paid club members only, paying only for options, will be Dec. 2nd with a great dinner at Fisher’s when fishing is done. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984 with questions.
• ABA American Bass — Yuma Division: Hope to have results of the ABA Southern Regional Championships at Lake Havasu by next week. Do keep in practice for the next competition launching out of Fisher’s Landing December 9th or Call Jeff at 952 824-0553.
• The Desert Draw Series Bass Fishing Club: Give Mike Obney a call at 928 750-7081 to learn about the Fishing Club being formed where you’ll be more than welcome.
• Yuma’s High School Bass Fishing Club: A great way for any youngster to learn all about fishing for bass. Members of both the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and Desert Bass Anglers assist the kids in providing boats and equipment as well as guide the youngsters, both guys and gals, in gaining a good share of fishing know-hows. Call Terry Hurt, school sponsor, at 580-6567 or visit StudentAnglerFoundation.com to get started.
Hunt happenings
• Desert bighorn poached, left to waste near Yuma: Arizona Game and Fish department is seeking information about the recent poaching of the desert bighorn sheep. The carcass was found floating in the Wellton-Mohawk Canal where it meets the Gila Main Gravity Canal. Game and Fish officials believe the sheep was shot around the week of Oct. 9 and that suspects might have been visiting or camping at Fortuna Pond during that time. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700 or visit http://www. azgfd.gov/ogt_form.shtml. and refer to case #17-004025. Callers can remain anonymous.
• Poaching of Mule Deer Bucks near Prescott: A 3x4 mulie was found at a cattle water tank off Old Black Canyon Hwy near Stonride Community in Prescott Valley. A small buck was also found wrapped in a trash bag alongside Icon Kink Road in Deway. Game and Fish reports both animals were killed the week of Oct. 15. If anyone in the area saw or heard anything that may be related, contact Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700 or visit www.azgfd. gov/ogt. The 3x4 mule buck is case #17-4100 and the small buck in the trash bag is case #17-004107.
• Cow Elk Illegally Shot in Alpine Valley closure area: Game and Fish is seeking information on the poaching near Alpine early morning on 10/26. The elk was shot in the closure south of Lune Lake. Anyone reporting information can remain anonymous and are illegible for a reward of up to $500. This is case #17-4152.
• Hunters asked to turn in Hunt Tracking Collars: Game and Fish encourages hunters who harvest a big game animal to return a GPS or VHI tracking collar undamaged to any Game and Fish office statewide. Wildlife managers rely on the data that can contain valuable information to determine the most effective wildlife management practices. Call (602) 942-3000 for more information.
Shooting sports
• Yuma 4-H Shooting Sports: A reminder that the 2017-2018 training season for 4-H youngsters ages 9-19 has begun . If you have a youngster who is interested in being a part of a 4-H club in order to get into their shooting sports program, call the 4H office in Yuma at 7263904 or Stanley Gourley at 3440740 to learn what they offer — a truly great organization to consider if your children enjoy learning with a wish to become responsible and successful as they grow.
• Yuma’s Scholastic Clay Target Program: The program, in progress now through May 2018 is recruiting young men and womsn interested in the shotgun shooting sports at the Adair Park trap and skeet range with instruction by Arizona Game & Fish certified coaches. Interested men and women, ages 9 through 25 enrolled in elementary, middle, junior, highschool or college are most welcome. For information, call head coach H. McNutt at (928) 580-0918 or coach John Gross at 580-4836.
• Renegade Archers of Yuma: For archery enthusiasts — You are most welcome to come shoot the trail of 3D animals at 8:30 a.m. today at the Foothills Archery Range. Call Kevin at 726-0953 or Jean at 247-4450 for directions to the range. If you would like to learn to shoot archery, give us a call so we can bring bows and arrows along for you to use with instructions always free. We’ll be glad to assist in your learning. • The practice range at the Foothills Archery Range is open (use is free) daylight hours all week for archers much needed practice and enjoyment. PLEASE do what you can to prevent vandelism while at the range so all can enjoy.
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Anyone interested in trap and skeet can now shoot 8 a.m. to 12-noon Saturdays and Sundays. Tuesdays and Thursdays noon to 4 p.m. matches. Call Bob Avila at (928) 919-0622.
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: “Open” black powder matches at the Adair Park range, 1st and 3rd Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Call Roger Bickel at 726-7453. Ask about .22 matches.
• Cholla Gun Club: Scheduled shooting is ongoing at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range so get your firearms in order and join in the shooting. Sign-up is at 8:30 a.m. with shooting at 9 a.m. sharp. Matches are open to the public with instructions when necessary. All firearms must comply with NRA guidelines for each event. NRA approved matches do not require membership in NRA. Cartridges must not result in damage to targets (no belted magnums). Small bore is defined as .22 long rifle. Ammunition (no .22mags). The club business meeting is 7 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday now through March at Villa Alameda RV Park on Ave. 5E. Questions? Call Glenda Graves at (928) 580-0915. Matches are: • Fourth Saturday with shoot fee $5 per gun: Big bore long range pistol; Cowboy lever action rifle, small bore hunter pistol; hunter pistol. Pistol cartridge lever action rifle; .22 lever action rifle. • Fourth Sunday with shoot fee $5 per gun: Black powder cartridge and Vintage Military rifle silhouette or fun match. Vintage military rifle is any military built up to 1952. No M-14’s. Chickens shot standing. Pigs, turkeys, rams shot off ground rest — replicating military positions while standing. • Alternating Tuesdays 9 a.m. — Schutzen .22 rifle match on the black powder range with 20 shots bench rest at 100 yards, 20 shots standing at 100 yards. Bench rest match 50 shots @ 50 yards. • Wednesdays 9 a.m. — Informal get-togethers for fun and plinking off the bench or standing. Practice shooting skills, test ammo for the gun you want to shoot. Everyone welcome. • Wednesdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — BPCR silhouette, vintage Military rifle and cowboy lever action rifle and .22 long range silhouette practice and/or match. • Fridays 9 a.m. — .22 rifle and pistol silhouette fun matches. Informal get-together for .22 rimfire rifle and pistol only. Everyone welcome.
• High Power Rifle and Pistol Club of Yuma: Matches today at the Adair Park big bore range are Across the Course. Pistol matches scheduled for 2017 are cancelled as of now but we may resume them in 2018. Call Joseph Murek at 627-4556, Paul Lerma at 580-7456 or Gerald Brooker at (858) 349-1311. Visit the club website at hprifleyuma.com. or e-mail Joe at umpire1@q.com or brookergerald@att.net.
• Yuma Matchmasters: A variety of matches are offered each month at the Adair Park small bore range, all open to shooters at 7 a.m. with the steel challenge the 1st Saturday, Multi-gun matches the 1st Sunday. IPSC combat matches held the 2nd Sunday with the Cowboy Fast Draw the 3rd Saturday and SASS cowboy matches the 4th Saturday . Call Irene Snyder at (209) 613-4598 or George Wagner at (719) 660-9466 with questions.
• Southwest Bowhunters Archery Club: Archery is offered to archers on Sundays with their practice range also open all week. Call Keith Parsels at 782-1097.
Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.