Now may be best time to catch a bass

Mid-November to mid-December seem to offer some terrific opportunities to catch bass. In fact, says Boyd Duckett, Bassmaster Classic champion, it may be one of the best times of the year.

Schools of bait fish get tighter as the mercury dips and bass feed like crazy, gorging themselves for winter. For this reason, the last bites of the year can also be some of the year's biggest fish. Where you see one bass, there's bound to be more.

On warm sunny days, anglers can often find fish at relatively shallow depths. Fish the edges of a weed bed or rock pile, off shore where the vibrating, rattling baits like a crankbait are productive when temperatures are falling.

Boat docks can also be a great place to target bass this time of year, especially, those with algae growing below the water line. This algae is a food source for many species, and bass, being ambush feeders, can easily lay in the shadows of the dock pilings and feed on minnows and other prey as they attempt to feed off the algae. Try flipping a jig tipped with a Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw, for one, under the docks. The big claws of the Chigger Craw produce an attention-grabbing flapping motion as it falls and is retrieved. Or skip a wacky rigged PowerBait Fat Dover Crawler - wacky rigging simply means hooking the bait through the middle to give it an incredible motion as it falls and remains in the strike zone as you fish it.

When it gets colder and winds are the norm, the fish generally head toward deeper water and a drop-shot rig works great. Fishing becomes more vertical than horizontal as anglers fish the bottom. Look for channel drop-offs where high banks will give you some refuge from the wind, then work the bottom structure. Try a Berkley Gulp! Jerk Shad that has powerful scent and action, just the thing to entice a bass that has been foraging on shad.

My advice would be to get together with any of the local bass clubs, listed below, and check with license dealers to get some really great OJT on fishing for bass in the Yuma area.

FISHING CLUBS

• Desert Bass Anglers: Although the Dec. 5 Presidents Choice Tournament is open to club members only, the club will be putting together a full roster of fishing dates for 2010. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984 and ask about the presentations banquet being held the afternoon of Dec. 5 with the promise of a good time with good people and lots of good eating.

• Yuma Bassmasters: Check with Jeff Pacewic at 580-2031 or visit jpacewic@msn.com to learn about upcoming plans for fishing in our neck of the woods and I will report on tournaments as they are planned. The club meets at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Yuma River Marine located at Avenue 3 1/2 E and 32nd Street.

• Yuma Pro/Am: Plan to fish the Toys for Tots Tournament Dec. 13, launching out of Fisher's Landing. Sign up Dec. 7-12 with the draw at 6:15 p.m. sharp on Dec. 12 at Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way. A good group to get together with whether you are experienced or just beginning. Call Bob La Londe at 520-1270 or visit bob@yumabassman.com for details.

• Bass Class on the Water: For a great learning experience, call Dave Willhide at 782-2621 and ask about learning to catch bass like the pros in all seasons and conditions with a fully rigged bass boat and all gear provided. Instructional seminars are also available at RV Parks and home groups.

• Junior Free Fishing Clinic: Youngsters can begin planning to take part at the next clinic, Jan. 23, this time at the Yuma West Wetlands Pond and being sponsored by Arizona Game and Fish with the help of the SW Habitat Partnership Committee (SWHPC), local fishing clubs and other volunteers. I'll have complete details on this great activity as plans are finalized.

HUNT HAPPENINGS

• Junior Late Dove Hunt: Dec. 5 will find us at Quigley Pond near Tacna for another free dove hunt with kids ages 17 and under who are accompanied by a licensed adult (one adult can assist up to two youngsters). Pre-register with Debbie Hovatter - call 210-7304. Yuma-area kids who are interested in hunting can benefit from these free hunts. Directions to the Quigley area are take Interstate 8 north east to exit 40E. Travel north 2.5 miles. Turn left at the sign. Car pooling might make this possible for kids who might otherwise miss out.

• Mentors still needed: Duck hunters and other outdoor activity mentors are still needed to assist at the Dec. 11, 12 and 13 Cibola Waterfowl Camp at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge. Check with Courtney Fitzgerald at CFitzgerald@azgfd.gov or call Guy Parker at the Yuma office of Game and Fish at 342-0091.

• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Dennis Florence (782-2675) would like to remind successful junior members who were drawn for the Fall Juniors Only Turkey Hunt to get weight-slips to him by Dec. 18 for awards/prizes at the Jan. 6 meeting. Successful deer hunters need to have their weight slips turned in as well.

All members are urged to attend the 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 dinner meeting at American Legion, 2575 Virginia Dr., when activity dates for 2010 will be scheduled along with the election of club officers and board members. This is the time for members to step up and volunteer.

SHOOTING SPORTS

• Archers can shoot the trail of 3-D animals with Renegade Archers at 8 a.m. each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range - call me for directions - adult fees are reasonable and youngsters are always free of charge. Archery shoots are also offered at 9 a.m. each Sunday - hosted by Southwest Bowhunters - at Adair Park. Plan to shoot the Dec. 5-6 "Walk the Trail Invitational" - pre-register with Uschi House at 345-3770.

• For trap and skeet, shoot with the Yuma Trap and Skeet Club 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, and Noon to 4 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at Adair Park - call John Gross at 580-7837. Look for complete shooting club information in next week's column.

• Shoot the "open" Cowboy Match with Yuma Matchmasters at 7:30 a.m. Sunday at the Adair Park small bore range - call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.

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Jean Wilson can be reached at jeanrenegade@yahoo.com or call 726-0953.