Bass are getting aggressive this time of year

Fish are looking to get fattened up before winter conditions arrive, which means they are often aggressive and easier to catch this time of year, a perfect time to be on the water with fishing pole in hand.

Largemouth bass, along Colorado River waters, are continuing to chase shad at the surface, with topwater action reported to be moving into the backs of coves at first light and sometime in late afternoons. Topwater lures and soft plastic Jerk baits such as Bass Assassins, fished in the mornings are good bets and can be effective off and on throughout the day.

A local angler suggests trying a Zara Puppy stickbait or a small KastMaster (quarter ounce or less) tossed into boils and slowly retrieved - watch for these surface boils later in the day.

As the day progresses, you might switch to deeper techniques, such as dropshot outfits or Carolina-rigs. Buzzbaits can start working well anytime if bass move into the brush like they typically do when water levels are rising. Small grubs on jig-heads might work at times and crankbaits are good for working points any time of day.

Power lizards and plastics - dark colors in black, red, motor oil, purple are working in the shallows between clumps of rushes.

To try for smallmouth bass, work with plastics near rock outcroppings. For channel catfish get out to Fortuna Pond with stinkbaits, chicken livers or even worms. One angler reports No. 1 hole where the water comes through the mountain into the river was a great to fish this week with several large size channel cats to his credit. (I'll get directions to this area in case you'd like to try your luck.

For current fishing predictions, put the Game and Fish Web sites to work at www.azgfd.com or for Martinez Lake at www.martinezlake.com. Check with the Sports Department at WalMart on Pacific Avenue, River Marine or the Hideaway on 16th Street or Fisher's at Martinez Lake. Gonzo's Bait Shop on Avenue B can also give you ideas of where to drop your line in the water.

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FISHING CLUBS

-Yuma Bassmasters: Good fish'n to the team of Curtis Cernic/Ernie Melcher on taking first place at latest competition with 16.10 pounds of bass caught and released followed by Dave Greaves/Ryan Rogers taking second place with 15.35 as well as first place Big Fish honors with a largemouth beauty weighing 8.2 pounds. If you are interested in a pro/am format, attend the Dec. 4 meeting at 6 p.m. at River Marine when plans for 2008 will be on the agenda. New members are most welcome with dues $25. Call Curtis Cernic at 503-0511.

-Yuma Women's Reel and Rifle Club: Members are reminded to get out fishing and get results on the boards with the striped bass contest continuing along with the Late Bass and Catfish Derby in progress through Nov. 30. New ladies and their young gals are most welcome to join the club with dues at half-price ($10 adult, $5 youngsters) through Dec. 31. Call

June Wolfe at 210-7770.

-Yuma Pro/Am Series: Beginning fishermen will have the opportunity to get together with experienced anglers for a day of exchanging techniques and know-how along with a good share of fishing fun Nov. 25 with competition launching out of Fisher's Landing. Sign up Nov. 24 at Sportsmen's Hideaway for the draw at 6 p.m. Call Bob La Londe at 580-1270.

-Yuma Desert Bass Anglers: Get in on the ground floor for 2008 by joining now ($15 pr year - each additional family member $15) with a new season in the planning stages. All

tournaments are open to all anglers having tournament approved boats with a livewell, remote steering and kill switch. Watch this column for results of the members-only President's Choice competition or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

-Goin' Fishin' Productions: Get together with Dave Willhide for the bass class on the water to learn tips, techniques, tactics, locations and bait selection for all seasons and conditions. Seminars are also available for groups - call Willhide at 782-2621.

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SHOOTING SPORTS

-Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 8 a.m. Sundays at the Foothills Archery Range with the range open at all other times for practice and recreation. First shoots free with new members welcome (dues $20 - youngsters always free). Call Jean Wilson at 726-0953.

-Southwest Bowhunters: Get to the Adair Park archery range early today for the final day of the latest "Walk the Trail" Invitational with prizes to third place for all classes. Watch for results next week or call Uschi House at (760) 572-0020.

-Yuma Trap and Skeet club: Open trap and skeet 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Adair Park range. Call Jaime Almazan at 246-8299.

-Yuma area kids: Scholastic Clay Target Program - call Joseph Franco at 246-7157; Boy Scouts shooting program - call Mike Breck at 783-9268; 4-H Shooting Sports - call Stan Gourley at344-0740.

-Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open Black Powder matches the first and third Saturdays at Adair Park with sign up at 8:30 a.m., firing time 9 a.m. Call James Ingram at 726-6632.

-Cholla Gun Club: Open shooting on Fridays (8:30 a.m. for .22 rifle and pistol), Saturdays and Sundays for a variety of matches with sign up at 8 a.m., shooting at 9 a.m. with NRA sanctioned matches the fourth week-end at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range. Call Glenda Graves at 314-1029.

-Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Sign up by 7:30 a.m. for today's Long Range Match; Keep in practice for the Dec. 9 Vintage Match - all matches at the Adair Park big bore range open to civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters. Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.

-Yuma Matchmasters: Open "Cowboy" Match Nov. 25 at the Adair Park small bore range with sign up by 7:30 a.m., shooting at 8 a.m. Call John Williams at 317-5139.

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Contact Jean Wilson at

jeanrenegade@outdrs.net

or 726-0953.