The Fishing Wire

COMPETITIONS

First Million Dollar Fantasy Prize to be Awarded In Atlanta on August 21

Throngs of fishing fans and fantasy sports players from around the world will turn their attention to Atlanta on August 21 where the first million dollar prize will be awarded in fantasy sports history. The prize will be awarded when FLW Fantasy Fishing crowns it's first champion and awards a guaranteed $1 million prize to the player accumulating the most points over a seven-tournament fantasy fishing season.

FACILITIES

Ten Newly Certified Clean Marinas Recognized At 10th Annual Clean Marina Ceremony

During the 10th Annual Clean Marina Awards Ceremony held at Clark's Landing Shady Oaks Marina in southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland yesterday, ten marinas received Governor's Citations praising their accomplishment of becoming a certified clean marina.

FISHERIES

Washington's Area 9 Chinook Salmon Fishing Will Close At End of Day August 10

The recreational fishery in Marine Area 9 (Admiralty Inlet) will close to the retention of hatchery chinook salmon at the end of the day Sunday, August 10, when the catch is expected to reach or exceed the season guideline for that area, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

MEDIA ADVISORY

Interview the Winner of the Largest Fantasy Sports Prize In History

On Friday, August 22, 2008 media members will have the opportunity to interview the FLW Fantasy Fishing player who has reeled in the biggest fantasy sports prize in history: one million dollars, along with Jason Harper, host of FLW Outdoors TV.

MEETINGS

Public Meetings Will Outline Lower Columbia River Hatchery Changes

Modifications to salmon and steelhead hatchery operations on the lower Columbia River will be discussed at four public meetings this month in southwest Washington. During the meetings, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff will outline hatchery production changes designed to help recover endangered and threatened wild salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River.

NOTICES

Indiana Lake to be Lowered and Treated to Control Gizzard Shad

The Department of Natural Resources will lower Potato Creek State Park's Worster Lake beginning September 2 to allow fisheries biologists to apply rotenone to reduce the number of gizzard shad and increase desirable sport fish numbers.

RANKINGS

BassFan.com Rankings: VanDam Still Dominates, Faircloth Now No. 2

Barring a complete disaster, there's no way Kevin VanDam won't finish the year at the top spot of the BassFan.com World Rankings. In the seven years of the rankings, VanDam has failed to finish the year ranked number one only once, finishing second to Greg Hackney in 2005.

TODAY'S FEATURE

Formulas for Fishing Success With Jay Yelas

Catching Schoolers

It might be summertime, but did you know that bass have already gone back to school? Back to schools of baitfish, that is. That's because there are huge clouds of baitfish everywhere. The baitfish that hatched earlier in the year are now the ideal size for bass forage. And sometimes during the day, bass will tear through these schools devouring as many as they can. When bass are targeting schools of baitfish like this, they can make easy targets for anglers.

To make this happen, you need to find the schools - and it's easier than you think. Combine good electronics, good instincts and a heavy focus on cover near deep water and it's likely you'll find a school of baitfish. Keep in mind, though, that later in the month (depending on what part of the country you are in) these schools will be migrating up rivers and the backs of coves. But until then, they will be in deep water - and the bass will be laying in cover (boat docks, standing timber) nearby waiting for the right time to feed. So the object of the game is coaxing these prolific predators into biting in between meals.

If I see baitfish schooling or see bass engaged in a feeding frenzy it really simplifies things for me. I just go to the nearest cover. They might not be right there at that moment but they are close and most likely they won't be actively feeding. That's why we have to work a little harder to get them to bite. Try downsizing your line and slowing down your presentation if the fish seem finicky.

When targeting bass like this, I like a small swim bait such as a Berkley 3-inch Power Pogy or a 5-inch PowerBait Jerk Shad -- but a lot of different baits will do fine. The murkier the water the heavier the line you can use, but try to use as light a line as you think you can get away with.

This can be one of the best times of the year to load up on plenty of healthy, hungry bass. It might take a little work - and a little luck -- but with a little fishing savvy and the right baits you can get it done.

Berkley Pro Jay Yelas is the 2007 FLW Tour Angler of the Year and a former Bassmaster Classic champion from Corvallis, Ore.