Date: June 1st - June 15th, 2009
Name: Anglers Inn Lake El Salto
Air Temp: 71°/76°F early morning & late evening. Siesta Time 93°/ 97°F
Water Temp: 74°/ 77°F
Average number of bass per boat per day: 60-80
Largest bass caught: Many 10 pound + bass!
Productive Baits of Past Two Weeks:
Topwater Baits:
Lobina Lures Rio Rico poppers or Yellow Magics: white, white with sparkles and bleeding shad.
Heddon Zara Spook and Lucky Craft Sammy: shad, chrome with black top and white
Swimbaits:
Storm WildEye 4 -inch Swim Shads: shad, pearl & bunker are hot colors
Yum Money Minnows: 5-inch in foxy shad, hologram shad and herring with Owner "Beast" 6/0 in1/4-ounce weighted hook. Also with white Blade Runner ½-ounce Paddle Head jig with skirt.
Plastics:
Eight-inch Zoom Lizards: watermelon red flake & watermelon
Berkley Power Worms: 10-inch, black with blue tail and red shad
Yamamoto Senkos, Yum Dingers or Bass Pro Shops 5 and 6-inch Stinkos: watermelon red flake, watermelon and black with blue flake.
Crankbaits:
Rat-L-Traps: ½ & ¾-ounce in silver with blue back and silver with black back
Bomber Fat Free Shad deep diver in citrus shad
Lucky Craft CB D20 in Aurora Black and Green Apple
Spinnerbaits:
Booyah double willow blade: 1/2 and 3/4 ounce in white/chartreuse and white
Jigs:
Strike King Premium jig in 3/4 and 1 ounce in black/blue, green pumpkin and watermelon with chartreuse trailers
Comments:
The lake level remains low, which has proven really advantageous for all the anglers who have visited in recent weeks. With less water to cover, lots of huge bass are being caught during these hot summer months. We did receive our first big rain during the day at El Salto. A tropical depression hit Mazatlan on Friday, and we were expecting it to hit Lake El Salto Saturday. Fortunately, the storm broke up when it hit the mountains. We did receive some rain—not enough to turn the fishing off, but enough to stimulate a strong bass bite along the shoreline. Get ready for some great topwater fishing in the very near future.
There are a couple must-bring baits for your upcoming trip to El Salto. The first would be a heavy jig in the ¾-ounce range in black, black/blue and watermelon. Rigging these jigs with a big chunky trailer is a key, and fishing in the trees and along the cliffs has been producing some big bass, just like our friend Les Melton did in the last report. The next go-to baits are the 5-inch Yum Money Minnow and 6-inch Basstrix swimbaits. The best hook that long-time customer Joe Bullock told me about is the Owner Beast hook in the 6/0 size that weighs ¼-ounce. Also, Paddle Head jigheads made by Blade Runner Tackle company are deadly on these lures, especially the ½-ounce size in Shad and White/Chartreuse colors with a skirt. The skirt is very important and produces bigger bass.
These baits are a must to bring down if you are coming before July 18, 2009. But please don't forget about the other lures on the report as they are producing lots of bass, too. Now let's see how some of the guests did last week. Bruce Holt, executive director of G. Loomis Inc. was down and says he experienced some great fishing action. "Once again, El Salto and Anglers Inn prove the best fishing value on the continent," he said. "There just aren't that many choices in the world where anglers can expect a great fishing experience that can, at times, only be surpassed by the unbelievable attention to detail by you and your staff. You never fail to amaze me.
"We had the best jig bite I've ever experienced on El Salto," Bruce continued. "And the saltwater fishing off the coast was way better than I ever expected. This was one of those legendary trips that people talk about for years. "
Although some guests think the hot summer months might not be the best time to visit El Salto, Bruce, like many of our top fisherman, says, "Summertime is the best bet for consistent big-fish action. Lower water, less area to cover, more structure to see and work over, not to mention a bunch of feisty 5- to 7-pounders just waiting to tear up your equipment. I had my best hour of big-fish action ever, taking a 7-10, a 9-8 and a 10-0 in as many casts. Thanks for a great trip, great hospitality and exceptional service, as always."
George Tabone sent us a note to say he and friend Cris Gross had a great time on their most recent trip down to Angler's Inn. "This was my 14th trip overall and the second within the last month," George said. "Once again, the Anglers Inn staff catered to our every need and made our trip as memorable as each before. Jose, Sammy, Tony and all the rest of the team are friendly, courteous and truly strive to meet every guest's needs. The only downside to a visit to Billy Chapman, Jr.'s Anglers Inn is that I usually head back home a few pounds heavier than when I arrived! Probably has something to do with the fabulous food and readily available beer and margaritas."
As he was flying home, George said it occurred to him just how many new and interesting people he meets during meals and drinks at the lodge. "It seems that on every trip I have met and talked with some great people who just love the experience of being at Anglers Inn as much as I do," he told us. "You definitely attract not only avid fishermen, but successful and friendly people who love to share ideas and experiences with one another. And by the way, the fishing was great as usual. Unlike last month, the coveted 10-pounder eluded me, but I still boated some great fish. Of the 160+ bass I caught, there were three 8-pounders, five 7-pounders and many between 5 and 6 pounds. Hardly a bad fishing trip! The baits that worked best for me were black/blue and watermelon Power Worms as well as 4-inch swimbaits and 5-inch Money Minnows. Thanks again to for another fabulous trip. I can't wait to visit again." Keith "Catfish" Sutton who writes for ESPNOutdoors.com and a variety of outdoor magazines was just down for a visit with his son Zach who celebrated his 18th birthday the day they arrived. The trip was a graduation gift for Zach, and from what this honor student told us, it was a trip to remember. "At Billy Chapman, Jr.'s Anglers Inn, the service was excellent the entire time," Zach said. "Everyone there was very nice, the food was delicious, and the bass were huge. Between me and my dad, we caught bass weighing 10-8, 9-12, 9-8, 8-8 and 7-8! I've never seen bass so huge except on El Salto. Our guide Luis took us to all the good places on the lake." Catfish was down for his fifth trip to Anglers Inn, and the trip proved unforgettable for him as well.
"The most important thing for me was being able to spend time with my son at an incredible place I've come to love very dearly," he said. "But I realized another dream during my visit as well. Since I started bass fishing more than 40 years ago, I've always hoped I might someday catch a lunker over 10 pounds. And this time I did it! Fishing with Yum Money Minnows, Berkley 10-inch Power Worms, El Grande Lures Gila Monsters and Heddon Zara Spooks produced dozens of fish up to 9-3/4 pounds during the first three days we fished, but neither of us could manage to get over that 10-pound hump. A citrus-colored Bomber Fat Free Shad crankbait worked near cover on the old Elota River channel proved to be the ticket to success, however. Zach and I made a cast with these lures at the same time in the last hour of our last day and caught a double. And what a double it was! Zach landed a 7-1/2-pounder, his biggest bass ever, and I landed a 10-pound, 8-ounce beauty that's the trophy bass I've always dreamed about. The fact that my son and I both caught our heaviest largemouth ever on the same cast made it a special moment for sure.
"Zach quickly became friends with everyone on the superb Anglers Inn staff," Catfish continued. "Much to his surprise, they had a big birthday cake for him when we arrived, and both of us got stuffed every meal on the wonderful food. Zach really loved his afternoon massages, too. He had one every day we were there! If you have a son or daughter, I highly recommend you take advantage of Anglers Inn's father/son specials or another package and take them to El Salto with you as soon as you can. From the great fishing to the unexcelled service, food and accommodations, it's an experience neither of you will ever forget."
If you or anyone you know is interested in coming down before the end of our season which is July 18th, give us a call or send us an email and we'll get you all lined up. Good fishing!!
Contact Us Today to Catch Trophy Bass at Anglers Inn on Lake El Salto - Toll Free 888-479-2277
