Bait of choice is crankbaits and rattle traps
Jeff Woods, tournament director for American Bass reports, “The new year kicked off the second event of the ABA Yuma Series with unseasonably cold weather and exceptionally low water levels. While the low-water conditions left many of the teams dodging new sand bars that seemed to pop up all through the river, the conditions did nothing to stop the team of Joe Mayerchik and Jeff Cotten from bagging a season high weight of 23.02 pounds and bringing one really big fish to the scales. Several teams scored exceptional weights, that during other times probably should have been a winning weight, but this day belonged to Mayerchik and Cotten! Anchored by the tournament big fish, a whomping 10.59 pounder, Joe and Jeff used crankbaits and rattle traps primarily south of Fisher's Landing to run away from the rest of the field by almost six pounds.”
According to Mayerchik, they started out in Ferguson and had a couple of fish early for almost four pounds. Then they decided to try some water he found the previous week holding good fish. Joe said they culled out the two fish they caught early, had their bag by 11:30 a.m. and only had enough bites to make their limit. He had to chuckle when someone mentioned they must have had the “right bite!” Their first place winnings plus a sweep of the options certainly helped make braving the cold and low water well worth it. Placing 2nd with 17.46 pounds and 2nd big fish of 5.49 went to the team of Ted Hook and Ricky Stewart. Like our leaders, crankbaits were the weapon of choice for Hook and Stewart. They split 2nd place and other option money for their efforts. Ted's brother, Allen Hook and his partner, Kevin Goss had 14.65 pounds for 3rd place. Kyle Eady, out from Kentucky to fish with his dad, James Eady brought in a total of 14.16 for 4th place. Chad Voss and Lee McDowell ended up in 5th place with 12.58. Gary Pinholster and Ed Shaver, for the second tournament in a row, had another big bass in their bag with a largemouth weighing 5.13 for 3rd place big bass of the event. Overall, 50 bass for 12 teams were brought to the scales for a total weight of 137.77 pounds. As with our first event, all bass were released alive. The directors cash bonus was not won this time so will total at least $120 plus the bonus at the next tournament. Fishing with us for the first time this year, Mac McDermott and his wife Bobbi were the lucky anglers to win the raffle, taking home a 705 CB Glass Casting Rod and a 765 A Rig/Flip MH Ex Fast Casting Rod, thanks to the Powell Rods giveaway of their diesel rod series (to check out the entire line of Powell Rods, visit www.powellco.com). A huge thank you to all sponsors of this event.
Looking to catch a break on your next entry fee? Discounts of $50 each to any team that refers and gets a new team to fish at our next event, only eligible for teams that have fished either the first or second Yuma event with American Bass. The first three teams contacting Woods will receive a discount code valid only for the February tournament. Be sure you have a new team committed to signing up and actually fishing the tournament before calling. Act fast for some easy money! I'll have more information forthcoming or call Jeff Woods at 1-951-201-9461. I'll have more information prior to the Feb. 23 tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing
Fishing clubs
• Desert Bass Anglers: The Feb. 2 Team Bass Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing will enjoy a good share of Anglers getting in on the fishing fun along the Colorado River with the hope of dam repairs being finished and water levels back up. Membership is $15 ($10 each for additional family members). Tournaments are open to all anglers with tournament approved boats having remote steering and kill switches plus a livewell with aeration capable of supporting a 5-fish limit of bass. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.
• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Don’t pass up the Feb. 2 All Members Bass Derby with David Parrish and son Jon in charge. For details, call 941-6168. Don’t forget to get in on some great camping fun at the club’s annual Alamo Lake cleanup the weekend of March 2. Call Chris Gotchie Sr. and Jr. with questions at 726-5930. Interested hunters and anglers of all ages are welcome to attend the Feb. 6 meeting at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 2575 S. Virginia Drive to hear about hunting and fishing events coming up as well as waterhole projects (first choice for the next project will be Feb. 8-10, 2nd choice Feb. 21-24 at John Morgart Tank (Knucklehead Tank) and other habitat/wildlife related activities. Members need to get ready with their precious treasures prior to the Feb. 6 meeting to assist the fun auction that evening. • Yuma ProAm Series: Pay your $15 membership dues for 2013 online and get in on upcoming tournaments. Check with Bob La Londe at bob@yumaproam.com.
• Wednesday Jackpot Derby: Entry $5 each Wednesday with sign-up at 8 a.m. at Fisher’s Gas Dock, weigh-in around 1 p.m. with the winner taking all for one big fish, any species. Call Jimmy Phipps at 782-2207.
• Swede Ferguson Monthly Memorial Bass Derby: Sign-up $10 anytime during each month to fish, with the winner taking the pot with the biggest bass determined the last day of the month. Call Phipps for information or to sign up.
• MCAS Recreation Area: Call Mike Castello at 783-3422 at the Recreation Area at Martinez Lake to learn about various fishing, camping and other outdoor activities along the Colorado River at Martinez, open to all military personnel and families.
• Bass Class on the Water: Want to learn all the tricks of the trade for successful bass fishing along local waters in the Yuma area at all times of the year no matter what the weather? Call Dave Willhide of Goin’ Fishin’ Productions at 782-2621 with a bass boat and all equipment provided. Ask also about fishing seminars for RV parks and home groups
Hunt happenings
• Becoming an Outdoor Woman Deluxe Workshop: Jan. 25-27 for a fun weekend at Saguaro Lake Ranch located in the Tonto National Forest in the heart of the unique Sonoran Desert with classes offered in fishing, hunting, tracking and desert survival with sessions in hiking, paddling, geocaching, birding, outdoor photography and edible and medicinal plants of the Superstitions. A trail ride through the Saguaro Forest is also available. The Dutch oven class will prepare the evening meals. The cost if $380 which includes instruction, program materials, and use of equipment, deluxe lodging and meals Friday through Sunday lunch. Details and class descriptions can be found at www.azwildlife.org or call 1-480-644-0077. Also coming up Feb. 15-17 will be the Woman’s Javelina Camp 2013. For more information, call Region IV director of Arizona Wildlife Federation, Val Morrill at 550-9390.
• The new Arizona Game and Fish book, "An Introduction to Hunting Arizona’s Small Game" is now available for sale at any game and fish office or by downloading an order form at www.azgfd.gov/publications. The guide is an indispensable resource for new or experienced hunters providing loads of information and expert tips, including where and how to hunt small game birds, squirrels, rabbits, ducks and geese in Arizona, detailed descriptions of small game animals and specialized information about their behavior and habits, Which firearms and other gear work best for the specific field conditions you’ll encounter while pursuing each species, how to prepare and cook your small game harvest with illustrations and recipes. The purchase price of $16.98 is well worth the money spent!
Shooting sports
• Renegade Archers of Yuma: The fun of archery goes on Sunday mornings in spite of cold temperatures at the Foothills Archery Range located south of I-8 and east of S. Foothills Blvd. up close to the Gila Mountain Range. 3D animal trail shoots begin around 8:30 a.m. with adult fees $3, youngsters always free of charge with bows and arrows available at no charge. Be sure to call Jean 247-4450 or Kevin 726-0953 prior to Sundays so equipment will be on hand. We make time after shooting to cook hotdogs to feed the hungries before heading home.
• Southwest Bowhunters: Archery shoots each Sunday morning at the Adair Park archery range with the practice range open all week. For information, call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.
• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet matches 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays with Scholastic Clay Trap practice for youngsters at 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Saturday. The January MLK Buckle Shoot will begin at 9 a.m. Monday. Call Gary Knight at 210-0805.
• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Open black powder matches at 8:30 a.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays each month at the Adair Park range. For details, call Dennis Hansel at 342-7573. I will do my best to come through in next week’s column with the results of the latest black powder rendezvous held recently at Adair Park.
• Cholla Gun Club: A good variety of metallic silhouette matches each month at the Adair Park range for hunter pistol, lever guns, high-power, small bore and black powder cartridge with the season running through the end of April. Call Rick or Glenda at 502-0736.
• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: There is an open Across the Course Match being held today, sign-up by 7:30 a.m. at the Adair Park big bore range for interested shooters. The next Long Range Palma match will be Feb. 17 with a Vintage Service Rifle Match Feb. 16 at the range. For details, call Jerry Brooker at 305-9681 or Paul Lerma at 782-6766.
• Yuma Matchmasters: Shooters need to sign-up at 7 a.m. and attend the shooters meeting at 7:30 a.m. for monthly matches at the Adair Park small bore range. The schedule each month is: 1st Saturday - Steel Challenge Math; 2nd Sunday - IPSC Combat Match; 4th Sunday - Cowboy Match. Call Ruth Wilmot at 726-7727 or Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.
• Our youngsters and the outdoor sports: If you have a youngsters who is interested in the shooting sports, either firearms or bow and arrow, contact the clubs listed here and ask about their youth programs. If you have a youngster interested in fishing, contact the fishing clubs also listed. Our youth are the future of our hunting and fishing traditions with most local clubs aware of the need to work with the kids to further their interests. Give the clubs a call and learn what is available.
Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@gmail.com or 247-4450.
