More tips for catching bass

Now that water temperatures along the Colorado River are getting cooler try a small crankbait with a large lip to make it wiggle and dive from 2 to 6 feet for scattered bass in shallow waters. Local anglers suggest fishing over submerged bottom cover using short 25- to 30-feet casts, followed with quick retrieves.
 
Where the shore waters drop off into dark depths, work with larger big-lip lures that dive 6 to 30 feet on a steady retrieve. Look for lily pads, cattails, brush, hydrilla or flooded timber. These lures swim at about 45-degree angles, and the big lip and body shield the hooks behind them - no hangups. Cast them freely. When you feel the body touch something, nudge the lure with your rod tip while continuing to reel and it will bulldoze its way along. You'll find these lures are ideal for crawling over limbs, logs, fallen trees, lily pad stems, riprap and rocks. If a lure gets lodged against something, give it slack and it will usually float free.

FISHING CLUBS

•Yuma Pro/Am Series: Sign up Monday through Saturday at Sportsman's Hide-A-Way (the draw will be at 6:15 p.m. sharp Saturday) to fish Sunday's Team Tournament, open to beginning anglers as well as experienced, launching out of Fisher's Landing. Call Bob La Londe at 520-1270 or visit bob@yumaproam.com. and ask about fishing fees and other club information.
 
•Desert Bass Anglers: 26 boats enjoyed some great competition last week with Wiley Ishii (from L.A.) and Rick Bauerman teaming to take first-place honors with their 12.36 pound total of bass caught and successfully released back to the water. Following in second place were Jim Cox and Paul Johnson with 12.20. Taking third place with a total of 12.11 as well as second place Big Fish weighing 5.30 was the team of John Merz and Glen Hooker. Tim Price fished alone to take fourth place with 11.82. First place Big Fish honors was earned by Keith Lute and Billy Cothier with their 5.87 pound bass. Chris Walker and Simon Apodoca won the Junk Fish Option with a 4.43 tilapia. Keep in practice to be ready for the Nov. 7 open team tournament. Details later or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.

•Fisher's Landing Catfish Derby: 36 people fished the latest competition (five places paid out). Winners were: 1. Donni Hazlett 53.10 ($250), 2. Eddie Hester 22.46 ($160), 3. Leigh Scovil 19.46 ($135), 4. Lorie Long 16.44 ($100), and 5. Ken Fellman 14.44 ($75). Catfish Derbys will begin again next June. Call Jimmy Phipps at 919-0376.
 
•Yuma Bassmasters: Check next week's column for results of the latest Open  Team Points Tournament out of Fisher's Landing or call Jeff Pacewic at 580-2031 or visit jpacewic@msn.com.
 
•Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Results of the Bob Hefner Memorial Bass Derby will be in next week's column or call Don Emmel at 342-3016. Results of the latest club hunt will also be reported next week or call Bill Shook at 783-8110. For more information on the club or its events call, Jim Ammons at 726-6841 (don't forget to ask about the reduced membership fees due in January).
 
•Goin' Fishin' Productions: Call guide Dave Willhide at 782-2621 and ask about his "Bass Class on the Water" to learn where, when and how you can catch bass like the pros in all seasons and conditions at Yuma area waters with a fully rigged bass boat and all gear provided. Ask about seminars for RV parks and home groups.

HUNT HAPPENINGS

•Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Congratulations to winners of the Jim Breck Memorial Dove Derby held during the latest season: 1. Steve Miller II, 2. Steve Miller, 3. Dick Fischer, 4. Bill Shook, and 5. Monty Perrotti.

Good news we've been waiting for: Buck Appleby, active club member and Hunter Safety Education Instructor for Yuma Game and Fish, is back home after his recent accident and ready to continue therapy to get him back on his feet and back to business.
 
•Spring hunt application deadline: If you want to hunt for 2010 spring turkey, javelina, buffalo or bear be sure to apply for your permit-tag prior to 7 p.m. Tuesday at any Game and Fish office. Be sure to get your copy of the Spring Regulations from Game and Fish or any licence dealer.
 
•Friends of NRA Banquet: To purchase $30 tickets for Saturday's banquet - 5 p.m. at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 Desert Hills Dr., Yuma, visit www.friendsofnra.org/AZ/events or get tickets at Sprague's Sports, 345 W. 32 St.

SHOOTING SPORTS

•Renegade Archers of Yuma: All archers are most welcome to shoot the trail of 3-D animals each Sunday now beginning at 7 a.m. at the Foothills Archery Range, located east of South Foothills Boulkevard near the foothills of the Gila Mountains east of Avenue 15E - watch for the arrow sign on the left. Great practice for bowhunting and fun recreation for the whole family with reasonable adult shoot fees and always free for youngsters. Call me anytime at 726-0953.
 
•Southwest Bowhunters: Archery shoots at 9 a.m. each Sunday at Adair Park. 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.
 
•Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open black powder match each Saturday at Adair Park with sign up by 8:30 a.m., shooting at 9 a.m. Call James Ingram at 726-6632.
 
•Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: Open High Power Rifle Match Oct. 18 at the Adair Park big bore range. Call Paul Lerma at 783-6766.
 
•Yuma Matchmasters: Open IPSC Combat Match today with sign up at 7:30 a.m. at the Adair Park small bore range. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.