By Pete Robbins – Half Past First Cast

After a dozen years of averaging two trips annually to Anglers Inn’s Lake El Salto and Lake Picachos properties, I’m all-in on the experience. Even in the supposedly “down” years, the fishing is almost always pretty darn good, and you’re never further away from the fish of a lifetime than just a few casts. Furthermore, some things, like the service, never change. Prepare to be spoiled from start to finish – you’ll never touch a bag, your drink won’t go empty, and if you don’t want to unhook your own fish, someone is there to do it for you.

While those things are constant, as noted above there are differences from year to year.  Because I intend to go every year until I’m physically unable to do so, those matter less to me than to someone who may be headed down on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Still, obviously, I like to hear that things are lining up to be great. Based on what I saw last year, and what I’ve heard from some of my favorite guides lately, I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those
years you really want to go.

First, I’ll tell you what I saw last year: Perfect and predictable water levels from start to finish, beginning high with water in the brush and then dropping slowly but steadily, allowing for a fantastic spawn. On top of that, I experienced a population of mid-to-upper-sized bass in the 3- to 6-pound range that was stocky, healthy and aggressive – a sign of good genetics and good conditions. That was both created and enhanced by the fact that the baitfish population had
exploded. Not just tilapia, but shad and others, too. Sometimes you’d cast a Chatterbait or jig to the trunk of a tree and the water would explode in a fleeing cloud of bait. That will keep these bass well-fed, and while at times they may have too many options, I’ve found that it keeps them on the hunt.

As for weather, while the typical August-September rains rolled through, there was just enough rain to fill the lake, but not so much as to push it over the spillway upsetting the apple cart. Big Florida strain bass love that predictability and a lack of major changes, and that’s what we’ll have.

From a creature comforts standpoint, Anglers Inn has upgraded some of their already best-in-class facilities. Perhaps more importantly, now that we’re hopefully past the worst of COVID world, the once-depleted flight schedule to Mazatlán is getting back to semi-normal. That should give you a few more options. That growth may in part be spurred by the fact that the city has taken off for American tourists and retirees. Accordingly, it’s a double-edged sword –
the flights tend to fill up quickly, so don’t delay when you find a favorable price, either. Don’t delay on booking, either. Most dates in January and February are full at both lakes. You may be able to squeeze in during a brief window, but now most options are limited to before the New Year and after March 1 st .

Email us at [email protected] if you’d like to learn about when you should go, which lake (or both) is best for you, and how to get prepared for what we are pretty certain will become an addiction like our own.