DUNE HOPPER wrote on 03/13/08 at 21:11:25:



I have also been to EL Salto 3 times, and have found that the fishing has declined a bit over the years. We managed quite a few fish last year, but they were the smallest that we have gotten ever, and the guides did say that it was the pressure on El Salto. The fish do fight harder, and it is a great trip. Will I go back to Mexico, probably, but not to El Salto. There are other up and coming lakes that will see large fish population explosions, and will have little pressure until all of the guides get established on the lake. There is the Delta, Lake Fork, and Clear Lake. Yes, all of those are getting hammered right now, but there are pretty good fish populations. There is a reason that the Mexico resorts carry automatic machine guns in the compounds, its because of the banditos....I will still go back though.....

Take a 4 hour trip bottom-fishing for Grouper & Redfish and trolling for Jack Crevalle and Roosterfish in a Panga boat instead.  It's a lot of fun and you can eat what you catch by taking it back to your h otel restuarant.  Very cool.

Smitty

Well thanks everyone. All wise advice. This is the very reason I asked. Some of the most fun fishing I've had was sneaking off during a family vacation for an hour to a local lake and tossing one from the bank. However I'll wait on this one until I can do it right.

Steve
 

I don't know how you can say that catching 40-50 LM bass a day between 3 and 5 lbs a day is "going down hill Brian.  Throw in the established fact that there are an average of 20 bass 7 lbs and over caught every week at El Salto and you have the reason I've gone twice, and will go again.  Forget the fact that those Florida strain LM's are stronger than any strain anywhere here in the states.  When I can catch a 3lb LMB that fights stronger and harder than a 6 lb river SMB caught in the reach, I'll take EL Salto or several other Mexican Lakes for that matter. I just won't try to fish from the bank for some of the reasons listed.
The only place that can come close to EL Salto is Lake Amistad in TX. and that fishery is already starting to get crowded.  It's just a matter of time until it becomes just like Toledo Bend, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Fork, or Sam Rayburn.  All of those used to kick out massive limits to everyone who fished them.  Even with catch & release programs they have sharply declined from what they once were.

Smitty

Been to Mexico a few times for Bass, and you would be much better off to stay stateside rather than go to El Salto. The fishing is going downhill there, and you do not want to be walking along the bank. There are a few potfields there that the guide pointed out, and even showed us the hose that went down into the water for irrigation. He said that there was " Mucho Marijuana" up on the rock hill....So, best to go with a guide if you do go.  I imagine freshwater lake is going to have fields around it.......

I'd agree with Smitmon. I had a co-worker who went down there (someplace in Mex.) and one day he and his wifey decided to take the rental car up into the hills, found a lake, and were wading and tossing pebbles or something   . Along come a dozen or so rebels, carrying AK-47's. He smiles and waves politely, and they keep going...thankfully. It happens that this guy is/was also a US Marine...but he knew he'd be in deep stuff if they'd decided to cause trouble, 'cause he hadn't yet dug his "fighting hole".

As for myself, there aren't enough big bass in Mexico to make me cross the border. I'd suggest that you either take the plunge and do it with a guide and let them arrange transport, or forget about bassing for this trip.  C&R, Steve

I just returned from my 2nd trip in two years down there and another club member is there for his 2nd time as I write this.  While it might be possible to access the shoreline of El Salto in a couple of limited places, I would very strongly recommend you not try it.  (It's a bandito and marijuana thing.)   Not only that it is about 70 miles north of Mazatlon and it's not all on a freeway.
There are numerous guides available through the hotels in town that can provide you with a one day trip,  Take heavy gear and BIG worms & lizards.

Smitty

Hello everyone. I'm new here, but I have an urgent question. We will be going to Mazatlan this Saturday and I may have the opportunity to break away to do some lake fishing. I know that El Salto is an hour from there. Has anyone ever been to the Mazatlan area for bass fishing? I'm wondering how practical it may be to do the quick visit to the shores and throw a line in some of the lakes or does it always require a guided trip. Unfortunately traveling with my family will probably preclude any guided fishing trips this time, but I would still like to explore the area if the lakes are accessible. Let me know.

Thank you,

Steve Hess