BASS FISHINGBass Fishing Sports Blog

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ANDERSON: Bass numbers are excellent. Most are under a pound. use drop-shots or ½-ound jigs off main points and rocky ledges. Work to the south end of the lake. (408) 463-0711

CALERO: There’s a topwater bite early off the main points and grassy areas offshore. find bass in 1 to 10 feet of water. use spinnerbaits or chatterbaits in the evening. (408) 268-3883, (408) 463-0711

CHABOT: Trout fishing is slowing as the water warms. Catfish bite is picking up. a four pound cat was caught Tuesday at Alder Point. Largest fish of the week was a 8.6 pound rainbow caught from shore at Coot’s Landing. Trout plants will continue. a 750 pound plant went in Wednesday. (510) 247-2526

CHESBRO: Crappie fishing is very excellent near the launch or near the dam. Black and chartreuse mini-jigs have been effective. (408) 358-3741, (408) 463-0711

CONTRA LOMA: Trout fishing remain slow. use nightcrawlers or variety of Power Baits near the Swim Lagoon or Channel Point Dock. Black bass fishing is a excellent bet. Catfish have started to bite with nightcrawlers, shrimp or chicken liver. big fish of the week was a 10.1 pound catfish caught by Matilde Quiroga from Antioch with nightcrawlers at Loma Island. (510) 544-3154 – 3153

COYOTE: Crappie fishing is very excellent. Most are small but there are excellent numbers. Blue/white, black/chartreuse mini-jigs work near the dam. (408) 463-0711

DEL VALLE: Stripers are biting near the dam. Largest landed was a 13 pounder landed by Kenny Khu in Swallow Bay. Black bass bite is excellent in the narrows. use Senkos or plastic worms. Trout bite has slowed. Best spot is East Beach. (925) 449-5201

LAFAYETTE: The catfish bite is very excellent, best with nightcrawlers or chicken livers. Trout bite has slowed with the warmer water temperatures. Trout will not be planted again until the fall. Catfish plants will begin in the summer. Bass bite has been solid. (925) 284-9669

LEXINGTON: Bass fishing is excellent for those soaking jumbo minnows. some catfish are stirring. (408) 463-0711

LOCH LOMOND: Bass fishing continues to be decent, especially when the wind stays down. Bass are swimming in the shallows. sometimes attacking lures, other times ignoring. Next week the lake will receive 2,000 pounds of trout. It’s the first plant since 2008. (831) 335-7424

LOS VAQUEROS: Trout fishing is excellent. Most get a few fish per outing. a 6.9 pound trout was caught last week. Trout average two pounds. Another plant may go in before Memorial Day. Striper fishing is honest. Another 100 yards of shoreline have been opened, providing more shoreline access. (925) 371-2628

QUARRY LAKES: Largest fish of the week were caught by Fred Martinez of Newark, who caught six and seven pound catfish with hot dogs. Trout fishing is honest. The Peninsula or the backside of the lake is where the action is. Power Bait, Power Eggs or nightcrawlers. (510) 544-3130

SAN LUIS RESERVOIR: use anchovies or pile worms for small stripers in the forebay. Main lake is tough going. (408) 463-0711

SAN PABLO RESERVOIR: Trout bite is excellent for trollers using Needlefish in Scow Canyon. Shore anglers are enjoying a solid bite at the Pines. Nightcrawlers, Power Eggs, and garlic or corn Power Bait. (510) 223-1661

SHADOW CLIFFS: Largest fish of the week was a seven pound trout caught by Jerry Esquero from the first. Most shoreline anglers get two to three fish per day with Power Bait. The island pond is producing quality bass fishing for those using Senkos. (510) 544-3230

UVAS: Crappie will take mini-jigs or minnows from the dam or the cove near the launch ramp. (408) 463-0711

NAPA: Sturgeon bite is decent on the southern part of the river. Striped bass are spread throughout the river. larger fish take live bite. Action is very scattered. Sweeney’s Sports (707) 255-5544

RUSSIAN: Shad have arrived in excellent numbers. The evening bite is better than the morning. Best access is at Johnson’s Beach. Steelhead Beach, Casini, Vacation Beach and Monte Rio are worth trying. Most are swinging flies with type 2 or 3 shooting heads. Spincasters are using mini-jigs. King’s Sporting Goods (707) 869-2156 (Steve)

ANTIOCH: Striper fishing is excellent near the Antioch bridge. Guide Bob Sparre is catching dozens via jigs. (925) 706-7400

BENICIA: Ninth Street, 12th Street have been producing 15 to 18 inch stripers. Most catch two or three per outing. Sturgeon are biting at Buoy 2 and big cut. (707) 745-4921

FRANK’S TRACT: Black bass fishing is very excellent. use Senkos, frogs or buzzbaits. There are bass on beds and in post-spawn. Target depths of two feet to eight feet. The Yamamoto Open is scheduled this weekend and open to the public. call for registration info. (925) 625-2441

RIO VISTA: Striped bass fishing is excellent on the San Joaquin side near Eddo’s where DFG is releasing juvenile salmon. at Isleton, there’s excellent bait fishing and trolling with Yozuri Minnows, P-Line Predator and broken-back Rebels. a 40 pound striped bass was caught from the Main Street Pier. Crappie fishing is excellent in Lindsay Slough, seven Mile Slough near Twitchell Road. There also are a lot of channel cats in Lindsay Slough. (707) 374-2372, (916) 777-6498

BERKELEY: The El Dorado on Wednesday took eight anglers to limits of salmon to 17 pounds while fishing near Deep Reef. On Sunday, three boats with 38 came back with 70 salmon with more than 20 larger than 20 pounds. (510) 235-2032, (510) 849-3333, (510) 223-5388, (707) 334-4827

CAPITOLA: Skiffs are getting rock cod, ling cod off Soquel Point. Local reefs hold fish. Inside reefs seem to be better than the outside reefs. Stripers are moving in and out of Manresa and new Brighton beaches. There are shiner perch and small walleye perch off the pier. (831) 462-2208

EMERYVILLE: last salmon trips were Saturday and five boats scored anywhere from less than a fish per rod to just over a fish per rod. Largest was 19 pounds. Bay potluck trips trolling with frozen anchovies are scratching very few stripers and halibut. (510) 654-6040

MONTEREY: Salmon bite slowed earlier in the week and scores were less than a fish per rod. Rock cod fishing is so-so. Should improve with warmer water. (831) 375-5951; (831) 372-7440

PACIFICA: Striper to 20 pounds are being caught from Mori Point with hairraisers. Best action has been as the tide turns. Mussel Rock also has been producing fish. Nothing from Linda Mar. (650) 355-8303, (650) 359-9790

PILLAR POINT: Queen of Hearts on Tuesday had 15 salmon to 21 pounds for 22 anglers. More than 40 salmon were hooked, some were lost,others were shakers. The first rock cod trip of the year went out Wednesday and by mid-morning had five lings to 14 pounds fishing south of Pigeon Point. The Ankenny Street had 20 salmon for 14 on Friday and 20 for 15 on Sunday. Saturday’s score was 2 salmon for 16 anglers. (650) 726-7133, (510) 581-2628

SANTA CRUZ: five salmon for 28 on Sunday, 15 on Friday for 24. Rock cod trips toward Davenport get ¾ limits and some lings. (831) 427-2334

SAN FRANCISCO: Halibut are being caught near Brisbane. There are a lot of smelt in the South Bay. (650) 589-3474

SAN PABLO BAY: Excellent tides are on tap. Anchor in the morning and drift in the afternoon. Halibut and striped bass fishing is honest drifting with live bait. (415) 456-0321

SUISUN BAY: Wind has been blowing since last weekend. a few boats were able to get out Saturday but none since. (925) 229-9420, (916) 777-6498

Compiled by Tim Goode

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is one of 19 states that are holding a “Wanna go Fishing for Millions” contest this year. The contest is sponsored by Cabela’s.  

The contestant who catches a fish that has a tag on it will be eligible for some big prizes. In one of the 19 states, a fish has been tagged with a tag worth $1 million. The grand prize will be doubled to $2 million if the person who catches the fish had Cabela’s Fish Recon app on his or her smartphone before he or she caught the fish.    

Other prizes include two Ranger 520Z Bass Series Comanche boats and trailers with Evinrude outboard motors, valued at $65,000 each, as well as more than $20,000 in gear from Costa sunglasses, Abu Garcia and Rapala.   

The following are the Utah lakes and reservoirs and number of fish with tags:

Northern Utah: Bear Lake, 17 cutthroat trout; East Canyon, 18 rainbow trout; Mantua, 8 largemouth bass; Willard Bay, 12 walleye wiper.

North-central and central Utah: Grantsville, 8 rainbow trout; Gunnison Bend, 8 channel catfish or white bass; Utah Lake, 16 white bass or channel catfish.   

Northeastern Utah: Starvation, 11 walleye or rainbow trout.  

Southeastern Utah: Joes Valley, 9 of all trout species; Lake Powell, 23 striped bass or smallmouth bass; Paragonah Lake, 8 rainbow trout; Sand Hollow, 9 bluegill or largemouth bass.

Contestants must pre-register online. All rules and requirements, as well as contest details and registration information are available at cabelas.com/fishformillions.

It’s been slow going, in part because Atlantic sturgeon, which have been around for 120 million years or so, take more than a decade to reach sexual maturity, and they don’t spawn every year. There have been only two chances so far, but no young fish.

“We knew coming in it was going to be a very long-term commitment,” said Erin Markin, a faculty research assistant who oversees the lab’s sturgeon work.

But now the 9-year-ancient restocking effort faces a new, possibly insurmountable, challenge — the federal government recently declared that the Chesapeake’s depleted population of the fish is endangered, meaning any efforts to handle or work with them just got tangled up in more red tape.

“It’s not looking terribly promising,” said Steve Minkkinen, sturgeon recovery project leader for the Maryland Fishery Resources Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He questions whether state officials will have the patience or money to continue the quest in the face of strict federal regulation that comes with an endangered designation.

many conservationists hailed the announcement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to put four of five East Coast populations of Atlantic sturgeon on the endangered species list. they believe the legal protection that comes with the listing will help shield a remarkable and once-abundant fish from further harm from fishing, dredging or other human activities.

Overfishing is mainly what depleted Acipenser oxyrhynchus, though damming their spawning rivers and polluting the water didn’t help. The entire coast once teemed with the big fish, which spawn in fresh water and range from Nova Scotia to Florida during a life that can span 60 years or maybe more. From colonial times, they were sought after by fishermen for their flavorful smoked meat, and especially the females for their roe, or eggs, which were prepared as the delicacy caviar.

At one time, the Chesapeake Bay was second only to the Delaware River as North America’s leading source of caviar, and 700,000 pounds of fish were reported caught in 1890, according to historical records. The bonanza was small-lived, as the baywide catch had plummeted to 22,000 pounds by the 1920s. Small numbers of sturgeon continued to be caught until a coastwide moratorium was imposed in 1998.

no one knows how many Atlantic sturgeon remain in the bay. A remnant population apparently survived in Virginia’s waters, and biologists have found a couple of less-than-year-ancient fish, evidence of spawning, in the James River. though several dozen sturgeon — occasionally even more — turn up annually in fishing nets in Maryland, no little fish have been seen in the state for decades, leading scientists to believe they no longer breed here.

Biologists tried stocking the Nanticoke River in 1996 with 3,000 juvenile Atlantic sturgeon that had been bred in a New York hatchery from fish caught in the Hudson River. But since then scientists have turned their efforts toward learning what sturgeon there are naturally in the bay, where they come from and what it’ll take to get the fish to stay and reproduce successfully again in state rivers.

after a few years of fruitlessly searching for the fish themselves, government biologists opted to encourage commercial fishermen to turn in any sturgeon they caught accidentally, so their location could be logged and the fish tagged for tracking. Fishermen have been paid $25 a piece for an immature fish to $250 for one six feet or longer.

since 1996, biologists have logged in about 2,000 Atlantic sturgeon caught in Maryland waters, most below the Bay Bridge. They’re mostly immature fish and all tourists, it seems, as genetic analysis determined they’re from Virginia, the Hudson and other rivers along the coast. They’re apparently justpassing through, experts say. like striped bass, shad and other anadromous fish, after spending time in the ocean they typically return to the river where they hatched in order to spawn in summer.

“We wouldn’t have any information at all on sturgeon in Maryland without the reward program,” said Brian Richardson, who heads up sturgeon recovery efforts for the state Department of Natural Resources. The state can’t afford the staff time needed to monitor for them, he said.

some of those netted fish have been kept for research and breeding, including a rare pair of mature females used in unsuccessful spawning attempts.

The Civic Center’s executive director, Janel Ricca, said the annual Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV show draws thousands of people each year to the center.

This year’s show, its 14th annual, is scheduled for Jan. 13-15 at the Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. The event includes more than 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor displays with more than 50 brands of recreational vehicles and boats.

“The Southern Boat, Sport and RV show provides something for everyone,” said Bart Caple, the show’s producer. “Whether you’re looking to enhance your current outdoor experience, buy an affordable flat-bottom (boat) or even a $300,000 motor home, this three-day event is the ultimate destination to view the latest outdoor products, features and related items.”

Because of its size, the show is considered one of the largest on the Gulf Coast. Last year’s event drew several thousand people, according to representatives with the Civic Center.

“This (Boat, Sport and RV Show) was the first huge event we had at the Civic Center when we opened our doors 13 years ago,” Ricca said. “it continues to be one of our most popular events every year.”

Ricca said the Civic Center has an excellent working relationship with Caple and his staff at BAC Productions.

“At this point we pretty much know exactly what they want and that makes things good for all involved,” she said, adding that local residents start asking her about the date for the yearly show well in advance.

Ricca said BAC Productions does a great job of offering plenty of activities for families.

“They always make sure to add a few new things every year to keep the show fresh,” she said.

Here are five things you can do at this year’s show:

Meet some ‘Swamp People’

According to show manager, Sheldon Caple of BAC Productions, the event will feature some familiar guests to many south Louisiana residents.

Trapper Joe and Trigger Tommy, Glen and Mitchell Guist and Liz “The Gator Queen” Cavalier, stars of the History Channel’s popular show “Swamp People,” will be on hand to visit and sign autographs.

“we had Trapper Joe and Trigger Tommy last year and wanted to include even more special guests this year,” Sheldon said.

Trapper Joe and Trigger Tommy will be on site from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 14, while Glen and Mitchell Guist are set to appear the same day from noon to 4 p.m. Cavalier will be visiting fans from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 15.

Fish for rainbow trout

Because indoor leisure activities are often associated with the entire family, organizers said children will also find entertaining items at the show.

An example of this is the Well-known Fish-O-Rama.

The indoor rainbow-trout-stocked pond will be set up for children to test their skills, with rods and bait.

The trout come from cold-water streams in northeast Alabama, Bart said.

“it (rainbow-trout pond) is always popular,” he said. “It’s incredible how many fish are caught during the weekend.”

In some instances, the Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV show may be a child’s first fishing experience, according to Bart.

“That makes it memorable,” he said. “It’s a moment parents get to share with them that’s exciting.”

Something new

Called “World’s Outstanding Whitetails,” this collection of 16 deer are the largest to ever be showed, Sheldon Caple said.

This marks the first time this particular exhibit has been featured at the Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV show.

Super-sized fish tank

One of the more popular attractions is back again this year, Sheldon said.

It comes in the form of a 5,000-gallon glass-walled bass tub where avid fisherman can attend seminars and get fishing tips from the pros.

“it (Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport and RV Show) is a one-stop shop for boats, RVs and accessories to suit any lifestyle and budget,” Sheldon said. “Many of the regions top dealers will be on hand offering their best deals of the year, plus we have a great lineup of seminars and fun activities for the whole family.”

Check out Family Night

Scheduled for Jan. 13, admission is free for children under 12 as well as a one-time fishing trip to the Fish-O-Rama Trout Pond. Regular admission prices are $7 for adults and $2 for kids 6 to 15. Children 6 and under are admitted free.

For information, call BAC Productions at 337-436-4355 or the Civic Center Box Office at 850-4657.

The researchers from the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology in Baltimore have announced that they have developed a plant-based diet for three well loved saltwater fish ? striped bass, cobia and Mediterranean sea bream. Taste-testers can?t tell the difference between fish raised on the plant-based diet (vegetarian) and those raised on fish meal, they say.

Both diets contain fish oil, so neither was really fish-free, but the researchers also raised fish on a vegetarian diet using wheat, corn, soy and algae meal to replace the oil. That raises the possibility of fish-free aquaculture for saltwater, carnivorous fish, said Aaron Watson, a graduate student at the institute.

The Baltimore Centre is a highly respected institution which looks at many aspects of marine environmental sustainability involving people and natural resources. One of its aims is to help reduce the environmental impact of fishing and fish farming. It even has its own fishing research fleet.

US President Barak Obama has already give to the go-ahead for a major growth in his country’s aquaculture plans and Mr Watson added: ?If we wish to get aquaculture to expand, we need to find alternatives.”

American nutritionists are constantly urging people to eat at least two fish meals a week for good heart health, but many are worried about some of the environmental concerns surrounding fish farming – witness the debate in British Columbia, Canada. It is hoped that the results of the Baltimore research will help overcome some of those concerns.

Mr Watson said that the tests showed that?a plant and algae diet had a same levels of heart-healthy fats as?a fish based diet which should give more confidence to consumers.

Two Rogue Valley teens are heading south to an Arizona bass-fishing mecca in hopes of putting their names on yet another high school bass-fishing trophy.

Jacob Wall of Jacksonville and Colby Pearson of Central Point will represent Oregon next week in the regional tournament en route to the national finals in a series of fishing events organized by The Bass Federation.

The pair won the inaugural Oregon State High School Championship on the Columbia River last spring, and that was the first step toward their ultimate goal of winning the upcoming national tourney.

But first they must reign supreme on Saguaro Lake near Mesa, Ariz., against nine other Western state-champion teams trying to land the heaviest stringer of largemouth bass in the one-day event.

They will all compete in the FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship, held Saturday, Nov. 19, in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship hosted by Arizona State University.

Wall likes their chances, he says, in part because the pair’s boat captain is a local guide who fishes Saguaro Lake about 150 days a year. Captains drive the bass boats and help their individual teams during the tournament.

“I think we have a pretty excellent chance,” Wall says. “We’ve got the skill, and our boat captain is a excellent fisherman. He has excellent information and knows where the fish are. If he points us in the right direction, we’ll place fish in the boat.”

The event is the last of five regional tournaments arranged to set the field for the 2012 national tournament next spring.

The pair will fly to Mesa on Thursday and do some fishing Friday in preparation for the Saturday tournament.

National champions will each earn a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their choice.

Wall is a junior at St. Mary’s School, and the duo fished under the St. Mary’s flag in the state tourney. it was one of several state or regional tournaments started this year by the Oklahoma-based TBF Student Angler Federation.

Pearson is a senior at Crater High School.

Reach reporter mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or mfreeman@mailtribune.com.

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Bass tend to start hiding out in heavy cover such as dense weeds, brush piles, lily pads, fallen trees and reedy shorelines as temperatures start dropping this time ot year. Succcessful anglers tend to use a variety of tactics for good results.Suggestions worth trying are to use an in-line spinnerbait such as the Snagless Sally, the lead-head jig or a Texas style 12-inch plastic worm that offer huge-appetite appeal for bass. or, if you like to fish crankbaits, try using the sinking type — the lipped or lipless kinds that descend vertically to remain close to waiting bass. A neutral-buoyancy lure made by Rebel, Smithwick and Storm that is weighted to sink so slow it appears suspended is also worth a try. Suspendots or metallic stick-ons can be added to make a floating lure sink, plus alter its action from a wide wiggle to a narrow one.with an in-line spinner, the blades cause the lure to wobble off-center, ideal for activating a pork or frog trailer. Retrieve only quick enough to revolve the spinner and bring it through heavy cover. For leadhead jigs, use a one- to two-ounce leadhead with a soft plastic curly tail or crayfish body. Cast high over thick weeds and let the heavy body fall through thick cover to the bottom. Work it with gentle twitches of your rod tip to give it good up and down motion.Soft plastic worms can be worked over and through the thickest weeds. Try activating the lures to imitate the crawling, wiggling, darting movements of frogs and crawdads. The foot-long giant worm is very attractive to Whopper bass. Work them with a 6/0 worm hook over the surface. Because they are heavy, no additional weight is needed for them to wiggle over, in and along dense cover. they also work well Texas-rigged with a 3/8-ounce sinker.Try this on your own or, for overall best results, get together with one (or all) of the bass clubs in town where you can get to fish with anglers who have learned, by trial and error, to become successful at local waters. most will be very willing to share their know-how and teach you some of the tricks of the trade so you too can delight in fishing to the fullest. my bet is you’ll be glad you did. Fishing clubs• Yuma Pro Am: Pay your $15 membership online at yumaproam.com to fish today with the club with the launch out of Fisher’s Landing 30-minutes before sunrise — call Bob La Londe at 580-1270 — or sign up late from 5:15-6:15 a.m. at Fisher’s. if that’s impossible, sign up for the November Tournament, also online, Nov. 7-12, to fish the Nov. 13 competition. Free fishing tackle is given away at each tournemtn for everyone signing up with thanks to sponsors Preferred Plastics, Custom Baits, Stanley Baits, Taipan Custom Rods and King Cobra Tackle Co. with Chrismas coming up, and prior to the December Tournament, be sure to get a nice toy for the Toys for Tots Program for those who are less fortunate than ourselves, then bring the toy to the December weigh-in and get in on the Special Rod Raffle that day.• Desert Bass Anglers: The Nov. 5 Team Bass Tournament, the final points of the year competition for finalists vying for Angler of the Year, will launch out of Fisher’s Landing that morning beginning with sign-up 5:45-6:15 a.m. Weigh in will be at 2:30 p.m. Call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984. on the board are Jimmy Phipps 377, Allen Hook 368, Ted Hook 367, Ed Reeder 363 and Bob La Lonhde 348. good fish’n all!• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Winners of the Bob Hefner Memorial Bass Derby just held are; 1. Lanny Brock 5.56, 2. Jonny Fugate 5.20 as well as the #1 big Fish weighing 3.81. 3. Ike Wilson placed 4.36, 4. Mike Gaither 1.64 and 5. Paul Williams 1.57. anyone interested in hunting, fishing and/or the outdoors is welcome to attend the Nov. 2 dinner-meeting being held at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion, 2575 Virginia Dr. Members wishing to nominate another member for Sportsman of the Year or Life Member should call Doug Beach at 446-1122. • Monthly Swede Ferguson Memorial Bass Derby: The October winner will be determined Monday and reported the following Sunday in this column or call Jimmy Phipps at 782-2207; $10 sign-up anytime during November at the gas dock to fish the month-long Derby or call Phipps for directions.• Bass Class on the Water: if you’d like to learn how, when and where to fish for bass at local waters in all seasons and conditions with a fully rigged bass boat and all gear provided, call Dave Willhide at 782-2621. ask about instructional seminars available for RV parks and home groups.Hunt happenings• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: The First Ever “Buck Appleby Hunter Education Instructor of the Year Award” will be presented to our own Sam and Betty Oppenheimer by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at the commission meeting Jan. 14 in Phoenix. In years past, Sam and Betty, who had taught the Hunter Education Program mentoring thousands of youths and adults in Yuma for 25-plus years, also taught Buck Appleby the ropes for instructing the hunter ed program for Game and Fish in the Yuma area, then turned over the reins to Buck when he became fully prepared. It’s only befitting that the Oppenheimers should be chosen for this award for the very first time after all the hours and endless efforts they both had place into the program through the years — many agree they earned it big time. Congratulations to Sam and Betty, avid outdoors enthusiasts for countless years who both have devoted more hours than can be counted to help others appreciate the outdoors, as well as hunting and fishing in all of Arizona. we thank you both! Shooting sports• Renegade Archers of Yuma: all archers are welcome to shoot the trail of 3D animals at 8 a.m. Sundays at the Foothills Archery Range with $5 adult fees ($3 when paying the annual $20 range and insurance fee). Youngsters are always free of charge with equipment available, upon request, for anyone not having their own — fantastic practice for hunting and competition as well as fun recreation for the whole family. Call Jean Wilson at 247-4450.• Southwest Bowhunters: Archery shoots at 8 a.m. each Sunday at Adair Park with the practice range open all week. Call Wayne Wittenberg at 314-0140.• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Open trap and skeet 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays at Adair Park. Call Gary Knight at 210-0805.• Yuma Territorial Longrifles: Open black powder matches first and third Saturdays at Adair Park with the monthly meeting preceding shooting on the first Saturday. all times are 8:30 a.m. Call Dennis Hansel at 342-7573.• Cholla Gun Club: Friday Fun Shoots for .22 rifle and puistol at 8:30 a.m. at the Adair Park metallic silhouette range. Call Rick or Glenda at 502-0736.• Yuma Rifle and Pistol Club: The Nov. 20 long range match is open to civilian, service, women, men and junior shooters who sign up by 7:30 a.m. at the Adair Park big bore range — call Paul Lerma at 782-6766.• Yuma Matchmasters: Open Steel Challenge Match Nov. 5-6, the Open IPSC Combat Match Nov. 13 and SASS Cowboy Match Nov. 27 at the Adair Park small bore range with sign-up at 7:30 a.m. Call Ron Gissendaner at 726-0022.

29th September 2011

WEST Bay Sea Angling Club easily won the annual Lyme Bay Trophy (Shore) held at West Bexington recently. 

The hosts scored 59 points to take the title from last year’s winners Lyme Regis SAC with 29 points. 

Over 40 anglers from five clubs including Honiton SAC, Axminster SAC and Beer SAC took part in the 41st running of the event that saw each competitor only allowed to catch two of any species, with variable points awarded to species of fish.

A mixture of summer and winter fish were caught with cod, black bream and smoothound among the 12 species caught.

Lyme Regis SAC shore secretary Steve Fowles presented Simon Bowditch, his West Bay counterpart with the Lyme Bay Shield. 

This was the 17th time West Bay had won the trophy, with everyone doing really well fishing a rough sea with a few heavy showers.

Other Shore Results:

Daytime match Chesil Cove (August 28th)

Members fished a rising spring high tide at 7pm, but halfway through the competition the sea became quite rough which made fishing hard.

The rocky area near Portland which usually fishes well with a few different species, only produced a few small wrasse with the clear ground fishing very poor. most members float fished for mackerel and gars. 

1st: Paul House 1640gms 6 garfish, 2nd: Dave Cornick 1420gms 6 wrasse, 3rd: Simon Bowditch 780gms 1 mackerel 1 garfish.

Species Pool: Gerry Reed, Heaviest fish pool: S Bowditch garfish 385gms.

Wally Pettet Memorial Trophy (Seatown – Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September)

Saturday started dry with couple of sole being caught along with some wrasse from the rough areas but the fishing was poor. Paul House lead the first day with 2900grms which included two bullhuss.

Sunday started with a strong wind which later turned wet. 

Although plenty of pout were around, the fishing again became hard. Lea Windsor found a fine bass of 2825grms plus a dogfish which helped him to capture the trophy. All members enjoyed a closely contested match.

1st: Lea Windsor 4590grms 1 bass 1 dogfish 12 pout, 2nd: Paul House 4450grms 2 bullhuss 12 pout 6 rockling, 3rd: Dave Cornick 3715grms 12 rockling 12 pout.

Heaviest fish pool: Lea Windsor Bass 2825grms, Species pool: Simon Bowditch 4 species.

West Bexington (Thursday, September 15th) 

Nineteen members fished in this match  on a silent cool sea with an hour of daylight which gave the members time to catch a few mackerel, garfish and scad using floats or pop up rigs. 

Once it got dark dogfish arrived in good numbers and even a few very early whiting. 

Oliver Mears caught a very good plaice of 745grms. 

In total 11 different species were weighed in.

1st: Oliver Mears 6205grms 1 plaice 6 dogfish 2 mackerel 2 pout 3 whiting, 2nd: Hugh Rathbone 5900grms 6 dogfish 3 whiting 2 pout 2 garfish, 3rd: Adam Cullingford 5500grms 6 dogfish 2 scad 3 whiting 1 mackerel.

Heaviest fish pool: Craig Horton dogfish 935grms, most species pool: Paul House 6 species.

Saturday Junior Results (West Bay  - September 10th)

Only seven members plus one guest turned up to fish, probably due to the weather as it turned out very rough and windy with the occasional shower. 

Fishing was pretty slow with only three competitors weighing in. Species included bass, pollack, flounder and shanny. 

Yasmin Harwood came out top, her second Saturday Junior win in a row.

1st: Yasmin Harwood 147g, 2nd: Elliot Joy 87g, 3rd: Jake Preston 31g.

Heaviest flatfish: Yasmin Harwood, flounder 37g, Heaviest round fish: Tie, Yasmin Harwood, bass 45g and Elliot Joy, pollack 45g.

Wooden Spoon: Connor Hallett, Sponsors: Watch House Cafe, Kay Guppy and tiny.

PICTURE: CHAMPIONS | the West Bay SAC team that won the Lyme Bay Trophy (Shore) recently.

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Bass fishing is in the spotlight at Clear Lake as the FLW-Outdoors bass tournament winds up on Saturday. the tournament opened Thursday and drew 118 pros and a like number of amateurs (co-anglers). the weigh-ins continue at 3 p.m. today and Saturday at Redbud Park in Clearlake. the full field competes the first two days. On Saturday the field will be cut to the top 10 fishermen in both the pro and co-angler divisions.

The leader in the pro division after the first day is Howard Hughes of Redding with 25 pounds, 10 ounces for five fish. he also caught the big fish, a 10-pound bass. Local angler mark Crutcher of Lakeport is in seventh place in the with 22 pounds, 5 ounces. the leading co-angler is Mike Bartolomucci of Winters at 23-12.

Overall the bass fishing at Clear Lake remains very good and most of the fishermen are reporting catching anywhere from 10-25 fish per day. Swimbaits continue to be the lure of choice for most of the fishermen and the Small Creepers Trash Fish soft swimbait made by Benno Heune of Nice is the favorite of many of the bass pros in the FLW tournament. the key to being successful in using the Trash Fish is the type of hook and the technique used. most of the experienced fishermen are using a special size 8/0 hook with a half-ounce weight attached to the hook. the only place you can purchase the Trash Fish in the county is Clear Lake Outdoors in Lakeport. They also carry the special hooks.

The lure is very simple to fish. all you do is make a long cast and allow the lure to sink to the bottom. Give the rod tip a couple of small jerks and before making a slow steady retrieve. you will know when a bass grabs the lure. Another lure that has been successful is a hard swimbait made by River Sea. It’s called the S-Waver. the lure rides just below the surface and swims in a large S pattern.

The reason swimbaits have been so effective is because the adult bass have been feeding on the smaller 3-inch juvenile bass that are everywhere around the lake, especially around the docks and boat ramps. They are also feeding on small hitch. Topwater action also has been good throughout the day. Fishermen are also having success drop-shotting a plastic worm and using Senkos. both the north and south ends of the lake are producing good numbers of fish.

Catfishermen are enjoying one of the best seasons in years. Just about every location is producing catfish that are weighing in the range of 8-15 pounds. In fact, many of the tournament bass fishermen have been complaining they are catching too many catfish.

Upper Blue Lake is kicking out a few bass for float tubers. the best action has been along Highway 20 using a drop-shot rig. there is no news of any trout stocking in the future for the lake. Indian Valley Reservoir has been kicking out plenty of small bass but few between 2-4 pounds. Apparently the larger bass have gone deep. the fishing pressure has been practically nil. Tiny Highland Springs Reservoir, located just outside of Lakeport, has been kicking out some trophy bass. Gary Hill of Kelseyville caught a 9-pounder last week and has been doing very well fishing the last two hours before dark.

The early quail season in Lake and Mendocino counties opens Saturday. the season runs through Jan. 29, 2012. the daily limit is 10 birds with 20 in possession. both mountain and valley quail can be taken. In addition to a basic hunting license, an upland game stamp is required.

Reports indicate there was a very good quail hatch last spring in the Mendocino National Forest and birds are being seen everywhere. the Cache Creek Wildlife area is another good choice for quail.

The A-zone deer season winds up Sunday. to date it has been only so-so season. the hunting has improved slightly the past two weeks because a few of the bucks are starting to go into rut. B-zone hunters opened their season last weekend and overall the hunting ranged from poor to honest. According to reports, the hunting pressure was down considerably in the Lake Pillsbury area and at Etsel Ridge and Hull Mountain. there were very few bucks taken.

the most prevalent food naturally available in your area,where i live worms and nightcrawlers get washed into the watershed as soon as the frost is gone,as well as nymphs of all kinds of insects become more available and frog larvae(tadpoles) as the cold lessens and the waters warm,some species of fish have already spawned and the fry of them is evident in thick cover if you observe what is presently visable.that is what they eat…whatever is abundant,they aren't picky.My personal favorite is called a jig and pig at this time because it's big,and you can fish it so many ways effectively from the bottom depths to the shelf and also shallows slowly hopped up a ledge or drop off and wham!it consists of a bucktail or rubberskirted jig with a pork rind frog chunk impaled on the hook,I use black or blue or green depending on the clarity of the water and time of day or night I go.

i would have to say buzz baits

late winter, early spring in South Louisiana it's spawning time.
lizards are my go to bait right now.

Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jig and pig combos, and plastic worms or lizards.

Are you talking salt water or freshwater?

Plastic Lizard…because during this time a year the Bass are spawning and lizards are "Nest Robbers"…i also like to throw a spinner bait…

plastic works,grubs,crawdads near shallows. Jigs too

for live bait:
"spring lizards" (waterdogs) or crawdads.
otherwise, plastic worms are my own preference for spring/early spring. heck… for that matter, l use plastics all year long. l manage to hang into one now and then.

if you can locate a nest you can throw just about anything out there and the bass will attack it to protect it's nest. i would throw a rattle trap. i have caught a lot of spring bass that way. the rattle is what makes the bass mad and makes it attack. i have also used plastic lizards along the bottom because they rob nests of eggs and the bass will attack to protect it's eggs.

floating worm rig.

zoom trick worm

color: Pink, Limtruse for clear water dark water methanlate ( BRIGHT RED)

white spinner bait

mid day Shakey head rig

1.) Texas rigged plastic worm.

2.) Double willow bladed spinnerbait.

3.) Minnow-type bait, such as a Rapala Floating Minnow.

4.) Crankbait, in shad color.

5.) Soft plastic lizard, frog, snake, etc. fished as a top-water.

Those would be the best.

Hope i helped ya out.