Traditional live baits still do the trick for bass

Nothing much has changed in the last few decades when it comes to catching bass - except maybe for all the new artificials that keep coming on the market that so many bass fishermen put to work successfully. The fish still relish live bait just as they have in the past when the typical rig was cane pole and bucket of worms. For a lot of us, that combination still is a favorite. Fishing with live bait is as serious a skill by many fishermen as artificial lures are for others.

Bass are predators and they can detect the odor and sound of a minnow or crayfish as well as they can other fish - the sound being the need for "quiet" whenever we're out with pole in hand.

Bass also have very keen taste buds and live bait is at the top of their menu preference. Worms (nightcrawlers are good), crayfish, frogs, waterdogs, minnows and small bluegill (or any pan fish) seem to be the biggest attractors, even though crickets, grasshoppers and other wee-bug types also do the trick at times - you still have to be at the right spot at the right time to make any combination work.

If you go with worms, keep them cool while you're at your fishing spot - keep leftovers in the fridge until you go fishing again - a bit of corn meal and coffee grounds are good food for waiting worms.

Frogs make a great bait along shorelines in shallow water, especially when used at dawn or dusk on water filled with weeds or lily pads.

Crawdads (crayfish) taste as good to bass as they do to you or me and make an excellent bait in the softshell stage - but keep this bait on the move as it will try to dig its way under rocks or other cover when in the water when given the chance.

Waterdogs are very popular for bass bait, most times in the one-foot or so size, used with a No. 4 or No. 2 hook.

Shiners and shad along with small bluegill are all favorites at Yuma area waters. Be sure to match the type of minnow with whatever frequents the area you plan to fish.

Whether floating, suspended or resting on the bottom, live bait always attracts more bass if it appears lifelike so be careful when adding weight. Every bit of added weight takes away from the natural action. Try an open-face spinning reel and light line to make casting easier but in a stiff breeze, use a small split shot or float to manage the job easier.

Most bait fishermen still-fish but don't let the bait sit still for too long a time. Move it or recast it often so bass have a chance to see it as well as hear the splash when it hits the surface. Try working the bait as you would a plastic worm or jig. Cast and retrieve slowly with twitches. A small sliding sinker attached above a barrel swivel about a foot from the hook keeps the bait down, aids casting and still allows the bait to move freely. Thanks to tips from bass fishermen, Tony Mandilem.

Fish findings

*Kids free fishing at Fortuna Pond: Kids 8 through 16 are invited to bring a parent or other adult and sign up for the Jan. 19 fishing clinic at the pond with the first 100 youngsters completing the clinics being presented with a very nice "free" rod and reel that includes tackle and other accessories. Pre-registration is a must - Call Debbie Hovatter at 210-7304 or Game and Fish at 342-0091.

Fishing clubs

*Yuma Desert Bass Anglers: Tony Steen took the top spot at latest Colorado River team competition with his total bass catch weighing 12.27 pounds followed by Keith Lute/Buddy Roberts team in second place with 11.40 to their credit. Other results: 3. Scott Rust/Jon Fugate 11.01, 4. Manuel Garcia/Doug Bannochie 10.97. Big Fish: 1. Garcia/Bannochie 8.52, 2. Curtis Cernic/Mike York 7.35. Good fish'n! Stay ready for the Feb. 2 Open Team Tournament launching out of Fisher's Landing. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

*Yuma Bassmasters: Don't miss the Jan. 19 Pro/Am Bass Tournament with sign up beforehand at River Marine as well as the morning of the competition at Fisher's (Martinez Lake). Call River Marine at 783-6502 or Curtis Cernik at 503-0511.

*Yuma Women's Reel and Rifle Club: Ladies and their young gals interested in hunting, fishing or the shooting sports are most welcome to attend the Jan. 24 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion (Auxiliary room), 2575 Virginia Dr. to learn about club events or call me at 726-0953. Members, and others, who pay 2008 dues ($20 adult, $10 youngster) by the Jan. meeting will get into a drawing with the winner having 2009 dues paid as well. Paid members can also compete in fish derbies, 10 days after payment is made - call Judy Proksch at 305-1240 to report your catch.

*Yuma Pro/Am Series: Call Bob La Londe at 580-1270 or visit YumaProAm.com for information on this year's schedule of fishing events (I'll try to have more information, this column, next week).

*Goin' Fishin' Productions: Want to learn how to catch bass along the Colorado River? Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621 and take his "Bass Class on the Water" to learn tips, techniques, tactics, locations and bait selection with instruction for catching bass during all seasons and conditions. Instructional seminars are also available.

Shooting sports

*Black Powder Rendezvous — Thursday through Sunday at Adair Park hosted by Yuma Territorial Longrifles with a variety of shooting events for both rifle and pistol as well as primitive bow and arrow and the Knife and Hawk with the Schutzen target and Fort Shoot added this year. Primitive and teepee campers are welcome "free" with Traders Row, open to all (free to traders). A great pit-cooked meat barbecue/potluck is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Your ticket is a side dish or $10 per person. Ranges will open at 8:30 a.m., close at 5 p.m. with Sunday awards to match winners. Call James Ingram at 726-6632 or Glenda Graves at 314-1029.

*Renegade Archers of Yuma: Good practice at the Foothills Archery Range at 8 a.m. Sundays when all archers will shoot the trail of 3D animals. Youngsters are always free; adults asked to pay $5 for range and target upkeep. New members welcome. Range always open. Call me at726-0953.

*Southwest Bowhunters: Shoot archery at 9 a.m. Sundays at Adair Park. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.

*Yuma Trap and Skeet club: Open trap and skeet 9 a.m. to 1 Sat. and Sun., noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Adair Park. Call Jaime Almazan at 246-8299.

*Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Open Long Range Match Jan. 20 at 7:30 a.m. Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.