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

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 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

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