Yuma area

[Garry2Rs]

I am new to the Yuma area.
Traditionally winter Bass are located on vertical structure like rock walls.
Deep water, drop-shots and jigging spoons are often mentioned.
I don't find that type of structure down here...even the deep spots are shallow!
What type of cover and what type of baits should I be trying for Bass in Mittry and Martinez at this time of year?
Thanks for any and all insights.
Garry2R's

[Greg G]

Garry2Rs,
Hope you don't mind me jumping in on your question. You are correct that the river is a lot different than many fisheries However, some of the principles still apply in my opinion. I have typically found that you can often find fish in some of the "deeper" spots and structure. In my opinion, the fish are going to be in a few different spots in the winter. They will be either very buried in the cover, tullies and cane, and hard to get to; or they will be on some type of feature like a point, drop off, deep spot in a lake, weed patch left over from summer, etc. Two ways to catch them on those features, either with a reaction bite (crankbait, jerk bait, spinner bait) or finesse them with a small plastic fished slow. That's my 2 cents but the bottom line is that fishing in the winter is always much tougher than the rest of the year. Fishing usually starts picking up as soon as mid-February depending on water temp.

Greg

[yumabasser]

Greg pretty much said it. Tie on your favorite crankbait and start casting.

[Garry2Rs]

Thanks guys, crankbaits it is...grin..

[fishermanuribe]

i dont fish those spots alot but try spinnerbaits around the trees in martinez lake.Welcome to Yuma!

[Garry2Rs]

Okay, Fishermanuribe;
I'll try some spinnerbaits out for around those trees.
Thanks for the welcome
Garry2R's

[BlueDodgeGuy]

Hi Garry2Rs, I am also a GaRRy!!
I am also new to Yuma, I am glad I saw your post because I have been wondering where the fish are here in Yuma. I actually am very shocked at how "low" the water levels are and have found it quite frustrating on finding the "fish".. I have actually asked some of the locals at Fishers Landing and am suprised at how they like to keep information to themselves. I have always thought that fishing was for fun but have noticed that some of the locals are not that friendly when it comes to asking for help. Welcome to Yuma, and hope you find some hot spots, I am still looking for some!!

[Garry2Rs]

Hi Garry;
I also have a blue Dodge...
Is this just a coincidence or could this be a case of twins separated at birth???
HAHAHA.
I have a friend visiting from Canada for a couple of weeks, but perhaps we could hook-up and compare notes.
PM me with a contact number and I will call you.
My phone number is 905-581-1218, but I am using a Magic Jack with a Canadian phone number so you would need to call long distance, but I can call you for free.
Garry

[Blind Squirrel]

I have actually asked some of the locals at Fishers Landing and am suprised at how they like to keep information to themselves. I have always thought that fishing was for fun but have noticed that some of the locals are not that friendly when it comes to asking for help.

Uh, huh. A couple questions in response to that.

How did you approach the people you asked?

Did you offer any information in return?

Are you a snowbird?

I had a snowbird step right out in front of me to demand fishing information when I was walking up to the parking lot to get my tow vehicle the other day. I wasn't standing around chit chatting. I was walking purposefully upto get my SUV. This guy stepped out in front of me deliberately to stop me and grill me. I was not very nice. If that was you then you got treated how you acted. Don't go putting it on me.

[Greg G]

I want to jump in on this subject also. There are several reasons that local people aren't going to give you information. First, I'm not a local but have been fishing for bass at the river for about 25 years and I can say that the fishing pressure at the river has increased dramatically over the last 6-10 years and it HAS effected the fishing. Second, if you are a snow bird, or perceived as one, you will have a tough time getting information, particularly about bass. It is definitely a perception that snow birds keep their fish and therefore deplete the resource. Third, most of us bass guys have worked pretty hard to figure at the little that we think we know. Right or wrong, it's human nature not to want to give away something for free what one has had to pay for. Lastly, this isn't anything that is specific to just Yuma area. If you go to any lake and ask a bass fisherman to tell you where they caught fish and what they caught them on you aren't going to be received well. If you are going to ask for information, don't ask for specific information. The more specific information you dig for, the less specificity to the information you get back.

This topic comes up every once in a while and my response is usually what has preceded. I'll close by saying, I think I share more information than most but the more information that I am asked for the less I give.

[BlueDodgeGuy]

Thanks for the responses fellas, no I am not a snowbird I... I am a hard working 36 year old DoD contractor, moved to yuma in March with my wife and survived my first summer here. I actually am a very polite person, raised by parents who were not afraid to "grab the belt" when we were not so. I have moved several times in my life and have always experienced warm welcomes when it comes to the fishing communities, was just a little thrown off when it comes to just simply aksing, "where they biting today?" and the normal response has been a sarcastic reply of something like, "probably in the water".. That is just one example, I simply just smile and say thanks for the info and go about my business.. I also just got my 2010 license yesterday, also with my Colorado river stamp and "two pole stamp".. That is also a first for me, you have to purchase a stamp to fish more than one pole??? wow, talk about the govt getting every nickle they can!!! I definitely do not want to offend anyone, I am just looking for some good folks to fish with and find the lunkers!!! Hopefully this awesome weather will bring them out!!

[BlueDodgeGuy]

I also heard about the Pro-Am tourneys that are held out here?? That sounds like it would be a great way to get to meet and find some good spots. I am definitely interested in participating in those, when they come about. Also, looking at buying a small bass boat, I only got about $2500 to spend, if anyone is looking to get rid of one or know of one avail to look at please let me know!!

[Bob La Londe]

I run the local Pro / Am circuit. Yuma Pro Am. www.YumaProAm.com

I have met a lot of people and made a few friends through the Yuma Pro Am circuit. I've also learned a lot about fishing the area through fishing with other people. I learn as much from my backseaters as I learned as a backseater.

You might do some looking. $2500 is on the very low end of what you might find a decent small bassbaoat for, but they are out there. Check Yuma & Phoenix Craig's List and do not be afraid to walk away from a boat if it doesn't feel right to you.

[Greg G]

BlueDodgeGuy,
I hope you don't feel that we were jumping on you with the responses, just trying to provide some explainations as to why you aren't getting the warm reception. If you want to meet folks and learn some spots and techniques on the river you should fish the Yuma Pro-Am. Especially if you don't have a boat, it's the best way to get on the river and fish. The boaters (Pros) probably will not take you to their best stuff but they are still going to try to win the tournament so they will be trying to get on the fish. Lastly, not that I am a pro or know it all by any means, but do a search of my posts in Bass Fishing. I do a report for virtually every trip I've done out there for the last year and a half or so. I always say generally how I caught my fish and what seemed to be working the best. Obviously others have posted similar information as well.

Greg G

[bosshogg1000]

Welcome to Yuma! Lately, I've had luck catching bass with spinnerbaits and crankbaits fishing on points in 9 feet of water.