The Next MWBA Tournament

It’s on February 18, 2026, at Fisher’s Landing Resort, on the Lower Colorado River. Fisher’s Landing is about 20 mi north of Yuma, and just a cast away from Martinez Lake. The Landing complex includes our Launch Ramp, public docks, restaurant, bar, small grocery store (think compact Circle K; really compact), showers for public use ($$; bring your own towel, soap, etc.), and some of the conveniences of home.

The Martinez Tournament is largely a camp-out event. Undeveloped, primitive, inexpensive, unshaded and pretty ugly campsites are a short walk from or an easy drive to Fisher’s Landing Resort facilities. Pay for your campsite at the small (signed) Office near the restaurant. Sometimes you can pay in the restaurant.

Camping close to other MWBA members facilitates swapping information over communal campfires. Campers: You must be prepared for blowing sand and dust, especially if the winds are strong. Bring tie-down ropes, sand stakes and a hammer for tents, awnings, etc. If it can blow away, it might.

Sometimes, spaces with electrical outlets are available for transient visitors with rigs. VBO homes are also available in the area (they tend to be pricey), but other lodging (e.g motels) is easily 20 mi or more away.

Fishing-wise, our anglers will search for plentiful bass downriver and upriver from the Landing, in off-river lakes and backwaters or even in the main river channel. Bass could be spawning. Be ready for tule fishing at its best. Lunkers lurk there, so bring your best stout jig-pitching rig. You’ll also see and be able to fish more docks than exist on all the inland lakes we haunt.

Boaters who haven’t fished The River are often reluctant or simply refuse to give it a try. That’s a shame. Sure, dramatic flow changes (the Colorado River is just a big pipe for myriad water uses) cause channels and sandbars to move around. Last week’s Glory Hole might be this week’s sandbar. And the water might rise or lower a foot or three over 24 hr.

Option #1. Be cautious. Take it slow, until you lay down reliable trails (don’t trust old trails!).

Option #2: Follow a boat with California registration. It will probably be moving fast. Stay close enough to plow their wake, but far enough back to stop if (when) it hits a sandbar. Then, ease your way around it. Be sure to wave; they would if your boat were beached. But you should wave with all five fingers.

Option #3: Test the water by Co-Angling a time or two.