The El Salto of my dreams

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We all have a bucket list of destination fisheries, and as bass-fishing fanatics, I'd guess we all share El Salto near Mazatlán, Mexico. Keep it on your bucket list if you've not yet had a chance to live the experience. But, make it happen, you'll never regret it.
We all have a bucket list of destination fisheries, and as bass-fishing fanatics, I’d guess we all share El Salto near Mazatlán, Mexico. Keep it on your bucket list if you’ve not yet had a chance to live the experience. But, make it happen, you’ll never regret it.
The fishing is world class, but the service of Angler's Inn International by Billy Chapman Jr. is world class all in itself.
The fishing is world class, but the service of Angler’s Inn International by Billy Chapman Jr. is world class all in itself.
My recent trip was put on by the fishing gurus at Berkley and Abu Garcia, which provided an opportunity to thoroughly test out rods, reels and baits. Not sure there's a better proving grounds that the timber-filled waters of El Salto.
My recent trip was put on by the fishing gurus at Berkley and Abu Garcia, which provided an opportunity to thoroughly test out rods, reels and baits. Not sure there’s a better proving grounds that the timber-filled waters of El Salto.
Angler's Inn sits just a quick walk from the shoreline, but don't expect to walk it. The staff at AI will keep the wheels of a pickup and rider-friendly trailer on the move to reduce extra work in hauling gear to and from the resort.
Angler’s Inn sits just a quick walk from the shoreline, but don’t expect to walk it. The staff at AI will keep the wheels of a pickup and rider-friendly trailer on the move to reduce extra work in hauling gear to and from the resort.
Everything is first class.
Everything is first class.
Especially the view.
Especially the view.
Beware of expectations. Yes, there are probably more 8- to 10-pounders per acre than any lake in the world, but they are not easy. Catching your personal best is a real possibility, but it's still going to require endurance, adequate bait presentation and time on the water in the Mexican heat. But, you just might tangle with a life-changing giant. Be ready, it can happen at any cast.
Beware of expectations. Yes, there are probably more 8- to 10-pounders per acre than any lake in the world, but they are not easy. Catching your personal best is a real possibility, but it’s still going to require endurance, adequate bait presentation and time on the water in the Mexican heat. But, you just might tangle with a life-changing giant. Be ready, it can happen at any cast.
Weapons of bass destruction ...
Weapons of bass destruction …
Gulp in the scenery ...
Gulp in the scenery …
It's breathtaking. The lake is full of standing timber, which is key to the necessary habitat to grow numbers of big bass.
It’s breathtaking. The lake is full of standing timber, which is key to the necessary habitat to grow numbers of big bass.
Old flooded homesteads also make up the possible structural elements. They all tell a story.
Old flooded homesteads also make up the possible structural elements. They all tell a story.
The best bait on El Salto? It's hard to beat a 10-inch Powerworm, especially in a black/blue pattern. Texas rigged beneath a 3/8- to 1/2-ounce bullet weight with a sharp hook.
The best bait on El Salto? It’s hard to beat a 10-inch Powerworm, especially in a black/blue pattern. Texas rigged beneath a 3/8- to 1/2-ounce bullet weight with a sharp hook.
Yup, they'll eat that.
Yup, they’ll eat that.
And, these bass like to jump ...
And, these bass like to jump …
Pure acrobats ...
Pure acrobats …
Hang on!
Hang on!
I had the opportunity to fish with FLW pro Scott Suggs, who is a tremendous bass-catching machine. The guy flat out has a nose for giants.
I had the opportunity to fish with FLW pro Scott Suggs, who is a tremendous bass-catching machine. The guy flat out has a nose for giants.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Adrian Avena also put on a show.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Adrian Avena also put on a show.
Many times.
Many times.
Atta boy!
Atta boy!
Catching piles of 4- and 5-pounders is likely.
Catching piles of 4- and 5-pounders is likely.
And again, they like the big worm.
And again, they like the big worm.
Avena hooks up again on consecutive casts.
Avena hooks up again on consecutive casts.
And again.
And again.
But, they love big Blue/Chartreuse, deep-diving cranks.
But, they love big Blue/Chartreuse, deep-diving cranks.
Abu Garcia's Andrew Wheeler says don't leave home without a box of Dredgers. The deep runners, especially.
Abu Garcia’s Andrew Wheeler says don’t leave home without a box of Dredgers. The deep runners, especially.
Cast, cast and cast again.
Cast, cast and cast again.
You never know when a fatty will eat. Wheeler paused for only a second to take a picture knowing that the school of 4-pounders was fired up.
You never know when a fatty will eat. Wheeler paused for only a second to take a picture knowing that the school of 4-pounders was fired up.
A lipless crank, like a Berkley Warpig is also a excellent selection. Wheeler said to think about shiny shad patterns like black and silver or blue and silver.
A lipless crank, like a Berkley Warpig is also a excellent selection. Wheeler said to think about shiny shad patterns like black and silver or blue and silver.
Burn and kill it, burn and kill it, and the fish will often eat on the drop. That means having a high-speed reel is key to picking up slack line.
Burn and kill it, burn and kill it, and the fish will often eat on the drop. That means having a high-speed reel is key to picking up slack line. “They’ll absolutely crush it with this presentation, so hang on.”
They are healthy fish, for sure.
They are healthy fish, for sure.
But, they'll also eat frogs in the shallows when the heat and light begin to fade.
But, they’ll also eat frogs in the shallows when the heat and light begin to fade.
Even the big ones!
Even the big ones!
Tilapia are a renewable resource for the local people, and a food source for the bass. But, only when they are young. Tilapia grow very quickly, and become too big for the bass to eat after several months of life. But, the tilapia also spawn several times each year, keeping a steady supply of young-of-the-year abundant. But, shad also supplement the bass.
Tilapia are a renewable resource for the local people, and a food source for the bass. But, only when they are young. Tilapia grow very quickly, and become too big for the bass to eat after several months of life. But, the tilapia also spawn several times each year, keeping a steady supply of young-of-the-year abundant. But, shad also supplement the bass.
The fishing is great, the scenery is amazing ...
The fishing is great, the scenery is amazing …
As the sun falls behind the Sierra Madres, the temperatures begin to drop and the big fish go on the prowl.
As the sun falls behind the Sierra Madres, the temperatures begin to drop and the big fish go on the prowl.
They love to eat topwater.
They love to eat topwater.
Avena with another solid fish. They'll eat jigs, too!
Avena with another solid fish. They’ll eat jigs, too!
Angler's Inn is as inviting and accommodating a resort as you'll find anywhere. The staff is second to none.
Angler’s Inn is as inviting and accommodating a resort as you’ll find anywhere. The staff is second to none.
And, if you enjoy a refreshment from time to time, the famous Mexican Pacifico brews make for a fine late-afternoon palate cleanser ...
And, if you enjoy a refreshment from time to time, the famous Mexican Pacifico brews make for a fine late-afternoon palate cleanser …
... because the evening meals are fantastic. Let's just say Adrian enjoyed every meal.
… because the evening meals are fantastic. Let’s just say Adrian enjoyed every meal.
A look at the main lodge area in the hazy morning light.
A look at the main lodge area in the hazy morning light.
The rooms. Spacious, cool and comfortable.
The rooms. Spacious, cool and comfortable.
A local angler sets nets to capture his limit of tilapia overnight. The fish provide a critical part to the local economy.
A local angler sets nets to capture his limit of tilapia overnight. The fish provide a critical part to the local economy.
Trust me, put El Salto on your bucket list, and make it happen. You'll not regret it. Ever.
Trust me, put El Salto on your bucket list, and make it happen. You’ll not regret it. Ever.