Color of lure can make all difference
In fishing as in fashion, color does make a difference. The right combination of color can turn a drab day on the water into a sparkling success.
In bass fishing, the trick is to find the right lure color - one that works best for the given situation - especially when using plastic or rubber worms - because there are so many combinations to choose from.
A little research will help determine what color will bring best results. Check visibility of the water - tie on a white or bright colored worm and reel it up against your rod tip. Push the worm down into the water and note at what point it fades from sight.
If it disappears at 2 feet in shaded water, use brighter, more reflective combinations such as a white or blond body with a fluorescent red tail or light blue with metallic flecks.
The slower the worm sinks, the more time a bass has to hone in on it. For water with 6-foot visibility, try quieter colors such as motor oil, pumpkinseed, brown, black or green.
Dingy water calls for a larger worm up to 12 inches long because of its greater visibility. In very clear water 3 and 6 inch sizes usually bring results.
Bass may be fussier this time of year, but they still have to eat, so just go deeper, be quieter and if you're in a boat, arrive at and leave a spot with a minimum of motor noise, and fish earlier in the day. Fishing on dark, overcast, low-light days is another good bet (hard to come by in Yuma). Watch for the splash of bass chasing shad.
A rubber jig with a pork trailer also brings good results in hot weather. Surface lures are good in the heat, but daytime hours are out.
Crankbait, although not the best choice, can also entice a bass if they are worked slow.
Spinnerbaits work well if presented in a lift-and-drop manner along steep shorelines or tumbled over submerged ledges and drop-offs. Don't overlook nightcrawlers, if all else fails.
Trolling with deep diving plugs is a method to try for finicky bass, and fish areas where you've had previous results. Put plenty of patience to work and if you catch a small bass, be persistent. Chances are "big brother" is not far off.
FISHING CLUBS
•Yuma Desert Bass Anglers: 21 out of 24 boats participating weighed in good numbers of bass at the latest competition with the team of Joe Mayerchik/Jeff Cotten taking the top spot with 19.88 pounds followed closely by Paul Johnson/Jim Cox with 19.63, who also took the Big Fish award and 8-Pound Pot as well with a 9.06-pound largemouth. Gary Key/Tommy Jonovich were third with 17.37 and had the second place Big Fish with a 5.86-pounder while Greg Gilbert/Candi Rojas of San Diego took fourth with 15.66. Manuel Garcia/Kaleb Lund won the Junk Fish Option with a 1.07 crappie. Stay in practice for the Aug. 1 Team Tournament out of Fisher's Landing - details to come later or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984.
•Yuma Women's Reel and Rifle Club: Final report: After 61-plus years of hunting and fishing fun in Yuma, the club has chosen to retire and be done for all time. Interested members will now enjoy assisting outdoors activities with Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and the Southwest Habitat Partnership Committee to continue their youth fishing and hunting programs to help insure the future of the out-of-doors. The remaining treasury has been divided equally between Yuma Boy Scouts and Amberly's Place where it was felt it would do the most good.
•Fisher's Landing Catfish Derby: July 15-16 with sign up ($20 entry) until noon the July 25 at Sportsmen's Hideaway or Fisher's Landing Bar & Grill at 782-7049. Weigh in your biggest fish at 6 a.m. on July 26 for $100 first place, paying down four places based on number of entries, (scales close at 8 a.m.) and enjoy a freshly prepared hot breakfast at 7 a.m.
•Yuma Pro/Am: Sign up Monday to the draw at 6:15 p.m. sharp Friday at The Hideaway to fish the competition Saturday, launching out of Fisher's Landing. Pay the $15 dues with $25 entry (payout is for one place for each five entries with Pro and Am payouts separate). Get in on $5 options (not required) for big bass and the 8-pound rolling pot with giveaways of free fishing tackle and gift certificates. This can be a great opportunity to meet other anglers and learn some tricks of the trade. Visit Bob@YumaProAm.com. with your preferred e-mail to receive the newsletter.
•Yuma Bassmasters: Call River Marine at 783-6502 or visit Jeff Pacewic at jpacewic@msn.com for July tournament results or attend the Aug. 4 meeting at 6 p.m. at River Marine for details on the Aug. 15 Open Team (non-points) Tournament. (I'll be gone fishing in Michigan this coming week but will report results in the Aug. 2 column).
•Goin' Fishin' Productions: Call Dave Willhide at 782-2621 and ask about his Bass Class on the Water to learn how, when and where to catch bass in all seasons and conditions. Instructional seminars are available for RV Parks and home groups.
SHOOTING SPORTS
•Renegade Archers of Yuma: Stay in practice with 3-D animal trail shoots for all archers at 6:30 a.m. (to beat the heat) each Sunday at the Foothills Archery Range located east of the Foothills - south of Interstate 8. Shoot fees are $5 adult ($3 with $15 annual membership) with youngsters always free of charge with equipment available. Call Kevin Wilson at 726-0953 for directions.
•Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays at Adair Park. Call John Gross at 580-7837. Also check with Gross on youth shooting programs at the range or call about the Yuma County 4-H - Stanley Gourley at 726-3904. Or call Mike Brick at 783-9268 about the boys and girls shooting program with Yuma Boy Scouts.
•Southwest Bowhunters: Shoot archery at Adair Park at 8 a.m. each Sunday with the practice range open for use all week. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.
•Yuma Matchmasters: Open Cowboy Match July 26 at the Adair Park small bore range with sign up at 6:30 a.m. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.
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Jean Wilson can be reached at
jeanrenegade@outdrs.net
or call 726-0953.
