By Sean McGuire

The locals know Lake El Salto, Spanish for “the jumping off point,” as a hot spot for trophy black bass. Located only 50 miles from the Mexican resort town of Matzlan on the Pacific Ocean in the Mexican state of Sinaloa and at the base of the Sierra Madre mountains, the scenic beauty of this lake is rivaled only by its giant lunkers. Lake El Salto was created in 1986 by the damming of the Elotar River. The lake’s 27,000 acres were then stocked with the aggressive Florida strain of bass.

Composed of sunken and standing timber, underwater cover and vegetation growth that closely resembles hydrilla, this structure holds El Salto's monsters. El Salto also has the reputation as one of the most fertile lakes for the predatory Florida bass strain on the planet. Feeding year-round on tilapia, shad, and crawfish and on each other, these are the quintessential Mexican bass. They grow fast and die young. The size of these fish can’t be disputed. Last year El Salto produced over 2,900 bass that weighed over 9 pounds, which dwarfed any of the lake’s Mexican competitors.

While the climate in much of Mexico ranges from very hot to unbearable, anglers who fish this lunker haven have an advantage. Lake El Salto mornings are similar to those in the rest of the country, but the afternoons remain different. The lake’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean blesses visiting anglers with cool afternoon breezes that make fishing a great treat.
Since Lake El Salto is gaining recognition around the world, outfitters are becoming numerous.

At Club El Salto, operated by Ron Speed’s Adventures, elegance and quality is the norm, not the exception. Air-condition rooms go hand-in-hand with five star meals and the extraordinary 20-foot indoor aquarium. This club is clearly in a league of its own. On any trophy-fishing excursion, the location of the camp remains key to allowing anglers those extra casts each day that could produce their lunker of a lifetime. Less than a minute from the water, Club El Salto positions itself for maximum fishing time each day. When this extra fishing time is coupled with outstanding guides and fully rigged bass boats, the chance of catching a trophy becomes outstanding.

Choosing the right outfitter for a vacation destination is important. With over 35 years of experience, Ron Speed encompasses the knowledge and experience to ensure all of his visiting anglers have a successful and relaxing trip. From the initial planning stages to the air fare and actual travel, Ron Speed guides and directs the trip, giving visiting anglers the all important peace of mind so they can relax and pound the lake for the giant largemouth that prowl beneath the surface.

Many of the lakes visitors have been touring professionals like Kicker Fish Bait Companies Cody Bird. Known for his love for deep-water fishing, Cody id perfectly in his element searching for El Salto deep-water bass. Using his newly styled Kicker Craw, Cody continually struck gold with numerous 9 plus largemouth’s.

With the proper equipment and tackle under your belt, the only decision that remains is when you should venture to this trophy lake. Big fish are pulled from El Salto’s waters year-round, even during May and June when the lake is at its lowest point. So the decision on when to travel to this fishing paradise really depends on your fishing style and preference on lake water levels. Whether the lake is low or high, both times have an advantage. A high lake allows for more fishing area and deeper structure under the water, and a lower lake level concentrates the fish in a smaller area, thus giving them less cover to group around.

Most trips to El Salto, or any of the other Mexican lakes, generally offer between three and seven full days of fishing. Anglers often average between 90 and 100 fish per day, per boat. The time of the year does influence these numbers. But when these numbers drop, most anglers get excited because the number of big fish caught will increase. When booking a trip to Lake El Salto, choose a guide who will get you there safely and home again with plenty of pictures of your trophy fish. Ron Speed’s Adventures does just that. To make a reservation, call the number below and ask for Charlie.

Ron Speed’s Adventures
(903) 489-16565
www.ronspeedadventures.com

Kicker Fish Bait Company
(281) 470-BASS
www.kickerfishbaitco.com