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Event Article:
El Salto at the Anglers Inn |
The El
Salto Experience – Inside the Anglers Inn
(continued)
 The
fish cont'd:
The bass grow big and strong thanks to the very healthy Tilapia population in
the lake. The Tilapia fishery is actually so strong that they alone can support
a commercial fishery. Luckily for anglers the bass population is off limits to
commercial fishing. Tilapia provides plenty of nutrition to the local
largemouth, and the fish here tend to fight extremely hard. When they commit to
your lure there is no mistaking the take. Angler’s Inn actually tried stocking
the lake with Peacock Bass in the past, but the fishery never materialized.
Anglers Inn has confirmed that they plan another stocking of Peacock Bass in the
future, but currently do a lot in terms of fertilizing to ensure that the lake
maintains an optimal environment for largemouth bass.
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The lake
actually has two cemeteries, these are often submerged depending on water
level |
There have been rumors that the El Salto bass
fishery is no longer as good as it once was. In past seasons that was true, as a
hurricane a few years ago did indeed hurt the fishery. The lake has rebounded
nicely however and is now nearing pre-storm quality once again.
Over the
last couple of years more than half of the anglers who came to Anglers Inn
reported catching a double digit fish during their three day stay. 90% have
caught a 6lb. fish or larger. Want even bigger than that? The lake record
currently stands at 18lbs 5oz, and the best five fish single day limit is a
whopping 53lbs and 5oz.
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The bass at
El Salto get big quick thanks to the large Tilapia population |
The Lures:
A lot of the usual lures work on El Salto, and I was able to catch fish on both
hard and soft baits, though most of my large fish were landed with either
oversized deep diving crankbaits or Zoom lizards. It is also a good idea to
stock up on a few topwater lures, we found the Rico, Sammy, and buzzbaits all
very effective. For plastics go with hook sizes from #3 to #5 with 3/16 oz. to ½
oz. Bullet weights will do the trick for most applications and make use of 17 &
20 pound test mono/hybrid lines or braid. Check out our
Shimano El Salto coverage for
more information on rods, reels, and lures. Another good place to call before
you go is Tackle Warehouse, who are more than happy to lend their expertise when
it comes to the right tackle for the lake during the particular season you plan
on heading out.
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Tilapia take
lures too, and actually fight pretty surprisingly good |
The Season:
So when is the best time to come to the lake? The Lake El Salto fishing season
is from mid September through the end of July, and the rainy season actually
starts in August and goes through September. Lake El Salto fishing reports shows
there is top water action from October 1st through April 30th, with the best
being November 1st through February 15th.
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Brian
(front) the Shimano Service Manager works a crankbait from atop one of the
Angler's Inn Tracker boats |
The pre spawn on Lake El Salto occurs in December and January with the spawn
taking place in February and March. Fishing reports indicate the best time to
catch the big post-spawn females is April, May and June. As a rule of thumb
December through June is best for large fish while the fall is best for numbers
of fish.
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The resort
in the evening |
How to book your trip?:
Ready to cross El Salto off that “must fish” list? The Angler’s Inn fills up
quickly every season and the best way to secure a trip is to use the lodge’s
preferred travel agency, Hook Adventure Travel (just ask for Bear at
800-583-8133) or visit their
website.
Packages vary in price but there are a number of different tailored packages
with varying levels of accommodations. We checked out the entire premises and
there isn’t a bad room at the lodge, but there are some actually some very nice
ones.
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The food
here is excellent, there's no roughing it at all |
An example of a package: The Deluxe Package at the Anglers Inn is a great
opportunity to experience the incredible fishing during the second part of
September, 2007. The 1st person pays $2,015.00 for a 4 Night /3 Day fishing
package and the 2nd person will only pay $1,007.50. Included: 4 Night/3 Day
fishing package, deluxe lakeside lodge (based on double occupancy), all meals at
lodge, Tracker boats, 48 hp Yamaha engines, trolling motor and guide, open bar,
soft drinks and purified bottled water, laundry service, ground transportation
to and from lodge and airport. Not included: Airfare to Mazatlan, gratuities for
guides and staff, taxis, meals and drinks during your stay in Mazatlan, fishing
tackle and any other items of a personal nature.
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The bar and
dining area serve as home base during your visit |
There are slightly cheaper options as well, like the Mobile Suite Package for
$1,765.00 for the first person and $882.50 for the second person, or the Father
and Son package, the best thing to do would be to contact Hook Adventure Travel,
outline your dream fishing vacation and have the experts there set you up. They
certainly took care of us.
Angler's Inn is frequented by many
anglers from overseas, including those from as far away as Japan
Hook Adventure Travel’s Last Minute Checklist:
Hook Adventure Travel’s checklist of what to bring with you when heading to the
El Salto.
Fishing Licenses:
Provided at the Resort and included in the package.
Immigration:
You will need a passport or a certified copy of your Birth Certificate and a
valid photo I.D., in order to obtain your tourist visa from the Mexican
officials or your airline before entering Mexico. If you are traveling with your
minor child, you will need a notarized authorization from your spouse in
addition to the above.
Climate:
From October through March the mornings are cool (low 60s) requiring a jacket or
sweatshirt. By mid-day the temperature rises to the high 70s to low 80s. After
March the mid-day temperature will rise to the high 80s through mid 90s. It is
still cool on the lake in the mornings and evenings requiring a light jacket.
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Hogs and
hogs? When the Angler's Inn is not serving anglers it also runs "Steel
Thunder Outfitters" offering motorcycle adventures deep into the Sierra
Madres. They even offer "Bass and Bikes" packages |
Insect Repellent & Sun Screen:
Keep it on at all times when outdoors as from time to time we have a little
fellow called a "No-See-Um!" We recommend an Avon product called Skin-So-Soft (3
in 1). It has skin moisturizer, #15 sun block, insect repellent and it smells
good! Deep Woods Off and others work as well.
Water & Ice:
Anyone ever tell you not to drink the tapwater in Mexico? Well no worries here,
as purified ice and bottled water is provided in boats and all Resort
facilities.
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Zander
releases a lunker back into El Salto |
Boats & Equipment:
All anglers will be fishing out of Super 17' V Bottom Tracker Boats with live
wells (some boats), 48hp Yamaha's, trolling motors front and rear, Coast Guard
approved life jackets and First Aid Kits.
Suggested Tipping Guidelines (Paid at Departure):
Average tip for one guide/one boat (2 days of fishing) = $60
Average tip for one guide/one boat (3 days of fishing) = $90
Average tip for lodge tip for personnel = $15/day/angler
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Sunsets on
El Salto are almost as beautiful as the fish you catch here ....almost |
Conclusion:
El Salto may be a great lake, and while it is the most well known there are
other lakes that may be worth checking out now or in the near future as well.
Lake
El Salto is just one of the region’s angling destinations. Angler’s Inn will
soon have operations at two more of Mexico’s top bass fishing lakes. They are
Lake Mateos and Lake Aguamilpa.
Perhaps in time
these lakes will also garner the same attention and mystique that surrounds El
Salto. We haven’t experienced them yet, but we can attest that the allure of El
Salto is well deserved. Why did we have such a good time at El Salto? Sure the
fishing was great, but it was the total experience that will forever cement the
trip as one of my favorite fishing trips of all time. Would I go back?
Absolutely. Would I choose Angler’s Inn as my lodge of choice? Definitely. As
with tackle, you often get what you pay for, and while the Angler’s Inn may not
be the cheapest lodge on the lake it certainly is the nicest of all that we
surveyed, and when it comes to a once in a lifetime trip why take any chances?
Need more information? Contact
Hook Adventure Travel
(Ask for Bear at
800-583-8133)
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