Bass heading for shallow water makes for great fishing

As warm water rises to the surface of nearby lakes this time of year in the Yuma area, bass are heading for shallower water to feed (to fatten up for winter and colder water temperatures) making this another great time for fishing.

Natural hangouts are under reeds, lily pads and hydrilla as well as at boat docks and other structures including along weedy shorelines.

Shad, shiners, bluegill and perch in third- to half-ounce size seem to be good bait choices. Crankbaits, slim minnows, overhead and topwater spinners and the pig-and-jig are also good.

During early mornings, try a topwater lure such as a spinner or chugger. Work slowly and jerk the bait along the outer edges and openings at heavily-covered areas, or fish parallel to shore with a pig-and-jig.

Cast plastic worms with weight just heavy enough to sink it close to deep cover. Lower the rod tip quickly to let the worm settle next to the cover.

Try weedy flats at midday with inline spinners and weedless spoons. Or try running slim minnows quickly along the surface of the water. In deep water you might try trolling with crankbaits along shallow, rocky shorelines. Along deeper shorelines a bigger-lip crankbait should do the trick.

A really good idea is to get with bait shops and fishing clubs (see below) for some good ideas on both where to fish and what techniques are working as you hit the water.

FISHING CLUBS

• Yuma Bassmasters: Get to know the club at 6 p.m. Tuesday when they will get together for a monthly meeting at Yuma River Marine. Call Jeff Pacewic at 580-2031 or visit jpacewic@msn.com or call River Marine at 783-6502. Membership is $25 and all tournaments - $60 entry per team plus options available - are open to all fishermen.

• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Meet with the club at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at American Legion Hall. Anyone interested in hunting, fishing and the outdoors is most welcome. Call Jim Ammons at 920-9091.

• Desert Bass Anglers: Sign up from 5-6 p.m. Nov. 6 at Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way or early the morning of Nov. 7 to fish that day launching out of Fisher's Landing. Dues are $15 ($10 each additional family member) with $30 tournament entry plus options. Open to all anglers with tournament approved boats with a livewell, remote steering and kill switch. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

• Yuma Pro/Am: Sign up at Sportsmen's Hide-A-Way Nov. 9 through 14 to fish the Nov. 15 bass tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing, open to experienced as well as beginning anglers. The draw is set for 6:15 p.m. sharp Nov. 14 at the Hide-A-Way. Fees are $15 membership dues plus $25 tournament entry plus available options. Free fishing tackle, gift certificates and lures from sponsors are given away at every tournament. Call Bob La Londe at 520-1270 or visit bob@yumaproam.com.

• Bass Class on the Water: Call Dave Willhide at 726-2621 to learn how, when and where to catch bass at local waters with a fully rigged bass boat and all gear provided. Ask about seminars also open to RV parks and home groups at reasonable rates.

HUNT HAPPENINGS
• Water purification in the outdoors: For your own well being it's always best in the outdoors to not drink water from streams or other water sources while in the field for a hunt or campout because it most probably contains the protozoan Giardia as well as other chemicals, bacteria or other impurities you can't see, smell or taste.

Boiling has always been the easiest solution - not perfect but sufficient. Bring the pot to a rolling boil and keep it there at least 5 minutes but 10 minutes is better just to be sure. Boiling will kill parasites, bacteria and viruses and is a reliable method to purify water. Yes, you have to have the pot plus be able to build a fire or provide some other heat source. Boiled water will probably taste flat but pouring it back and forth will aerate it. Add a bit of salt or use it to mix lemonade, etc., to get rid of the flat taste. Stir in 50 mg of Vitamin C to eliminate the taste of iodine.

Using chemical purification (iodine and chlorine) will kill unwanted creatures that live in the water while using a small enough dosage to be safe for human consumption. Be sure to follow directions on the container. Caution: people who are highly sensitive or even allergic to iodine or chlorine should not use the chemical method - people with active thyroid disease or pregnant women should definitely not ingest iodine. However, there are good micropure water treatment tablets made by Kayadyn that are reasonably priced and do the job.

Back-packable filtration devices in various sizes and prices are also available that can screen out bacteria, parasites and harmful chemicals. For a hunter, the filtration device is great but if cost is a factor, stick with boiling water - virtually cost free and it works.

Best to carry something with you, even just a bottle filter or a few water treatment tablets, in the off chance you might need it.

SHOOTING SPORTS
•Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are welcome to shoot the trail of 3-D animals at 7 a.m. each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range. Call me at 726-0953.

•Southwest Bowhunters: Shoot archery at 9 a.m. each Sunday at Adair Park. The practice range is open all week. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.

•Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday and Sunday at Adair Park. Call John Gross at 580-7837. He also has information about youth programs.

•Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Monthly club meeting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Adair Park followed by black powder matches open to all interested shooters. Call James Ingram at 726-6632.
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Jean Wilson can be reached at jeanrenegade@yahoo.com or call 726-0953.