On 3/23/2025 at 9:28 PM, A-Jay said:

Just got some news about our trip to Lake Baccarac.

It's off for this fall 2025.

There's a bit to it but most of it sadly revolves around one of the anglers

from the group we were going with has been diagnosed with multiple Myeloma. 

Can't blame the rest of his group from pulling out either.

Suddenly Bass fishing doesn't mean much.

Hope he can get on the other side of this.

Meantime, since the lodge is mostly booked for the remainder of this season,

Big Fish Jeff are planning our own deal

and looking to get on the docket for fall 2026.

A-Jay

 

 

 

My dad was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in September. A friend of mine whose dad is about the same age as my dad (80) was diagnosed in February. Never heard of it before September and now it seems to be everywhere. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! My dad is in the middle of it right now, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster.

I know I've questioned the safety of that trip but I gotta get there!

My wife is going back to school for her Masters so the funds won't be there for another couple/few years ☹️

@A-Jay so you had to cancel because the rest of the group did?

2 hours ago, SC53 said:

@A-Jay so you had to cancel because the rest of the group did?

We routinely charter private aircraft which Flys from TX straight to the lodge, stopping only for fuel and to clear Mexican customs.  IME, it's pretty much The Way to go,  however it's more costly.

8 seat aircraft costs the group 20k.

Not including the commercial flights and the cost of the trip itself. 

Split between everyone, charter runs $2,500 each.  Plus we arrive sooner so there's usually an oppurtunity to fish the day we arrive. Few trips back we boated 3 9's, 2 8's and several 7"s the day we arrived. 

With 6 cancelations, the private Air cost gets a little too rich for my blood.  Getting replacement anglers is crazy hard to do.

Better to reschedule and have it set with committed bassheads we can depend on.

Disappointing but nothing what the man and his young family are facing.

 Finally going totally commercial air and taking advantage of the included transpitation to and from the lodge is totally doable. I have done it a few times early on. Certainly less costly.  Just takes a little longer.  As an OG, I like the other option.

A-Jay

 

@A-Jay thanks for the explanation Andy.
Trying to fill that many spots or absorb 75% more cost is out of the question.

It would take some research on your part, but I'm sure you could find someone to fly you and a friend in a smaller plane, such as a Cessnal 206, for less than $5000 round trip.  You may even be able to find a bass head, with a plane that would do if for cost.  Another option would be to fly to the boarder, walk across and rent a car.  It would only take a day and a half to drive to Baccarac.  I have driven from San Diego to PV in less time than that.  You could also drive your own car, but that would be a long drive.  If you give me all of your waypoints and a personally guided fishing trip on Lake Menderchuck, I will drive to to Texas, pick you up take you to Baccarac, bring you back to the boarder, and take you salt water fishing out of PV. for a day.  I know you are very happy with the arrangements you have made in the past, I just wanted to make sure you know there are many other options available in your price range.  Time is the biggest factor, and if you don't have extra time, than options are limited.  A smaller plane private charter would be similar in time and price, but may take awhile to find.   One thing you could do is call flight schools in Texas.  Some of them may also use student planes for part 135 air taxi service.  They would also most likely have experience flying in to Mexico.

I'm quickly getting more serious about making a trip happen.

• What are your thoughts on El Salto vs Baccarac?
• Figure $100/day for tips?
• Check or carry on luggage with baits? Are hooks a problem?
• Do you even bother bringing rain gear (I'd like to go November - January)?
• Thoughts on trip length - 3 full days of fishing not enough? I listened to a podcast where a guy was there for 3 days and wore his ass out (the bite was unusually good while he was there). I guess my question is that if I can do the whole week (I can) do you highly recommend that I do?

 

@bacolmm Baccarac has traditionally been superior for trophy size 9lbs & up. El Salto has been producing some good fish recently. Yes on the tips maybe a little more for a PB DD. Do both checked bag & carry on for reels & enough clothes to get you through the week in case the airline looses your bag. You can get laundry done at the lodge for $5.00 a day. International travel usually will not allow hooks except for checked bags. Yes light weight rain gear if you don't want to get wet. It's cool in the mornings because of the elevation so pack a fleece or jacket. Go for 5 days minimum if you can fish 8hrs a day without problems. They have quality rods at the lodge to rent if you don't want to bother.

Angler’s Inn at El Salto is my favorite place on earth. Either there or Lake Baccarrac will create memories you will never forget. My son caught an 11.2 Lb trophy at El Salto. The service there is world class and the fishing is amazing. I have been twice and I would love to go back.

How far ahead of time do you typically need to reserve a spot? I'm ready to put a deposit down, but I'm struggling a bit to get my fishing buddies to start thinking about December. I'm planning on going with Bass Pro Adventures if that makes a differrence.

8 hours ago, bacolmm said:

How far ahead of time do you typically need to reserve a spot? I'm ready to put a deposit down, but I'm struggling a bit to get my fishing buddies to start thinking about December. I'm planning on going with Bass Pro Adventures if that makes a differrence.

I have never utilized the services of Bass Pro Adventures so I have no experience with them.

However, I will say that when attempting to plan a 'trip' to most any long distance fishing destination, (a first one in particular) from what I have experienced from other parties traveling to Mexico especially, locking up dependable anglers who can be counted on to follow through,

pay deposits on time and not CANCEL at The Last minute,

IS THE SINGLE HARDEST aspect of this entire evolution.

There so much time, money & effort invested in just the planning of one of these trips, until one has done it a few times, the 'unknown & the $$$' scare 95% of would be trip companions away at some point.   You will know when you find the right Men, as you'll not doubt their commitment.  

If you're totally serious and committed and your friends are not, there is very little you can do to change that.  Serious bassheads are out there but they are usually a very small percentage of 'the weekend angler' group. Everyone's situation is different, but you can always contact the outfitter yourself and tell them you want to plan a solo trip.  You may be the only one you can count on.  

Good Luck. 

A-Jay

On 4/23/2025 at 11:28 AM, Dwight Hottle said:

@bacolmm Baccarac has traditionally been superior for trophy size 9lbs & up. El Salto has been producing some good fish recently. Yes on the tips maybe a little more for a PB DD. Do both checked bag & carry on for reels & enough clothes to get you through the week in case the airline looses your bag. You can get laundry done at the lodge for $5.00 a day. International travel usually will not allow hooks except for checked bags. Yes light weight rain gear if you don't want to get wet. It's cool in the mornings because of the elevation so pack a fleece or jacket. Go for 5 days minimum if you can fish 8hrs a day without problems. They have quality rods at the lodge to rent if you don't want to bother.

I have to imagine your luggage getting lost is a nightmare! For flights, my choices are either a 40 minute layover in Dallas or an 18 hour layover. I think the 18 hour layover is likely the wise choice. I agree that carrying on bare minimum clothing and maximum tackle is a good strategy. I wonder if it’s worth removing hooks from crankbaits etc so they can be carried on? I’m thinking it might be easier to scare up hooks if needed than entire baits? Any go-to luggage for traveling with tackle?

@bacolmm I always carried my reels in my carry on so I could keep an eye on them. I always checked all my other tackle because of the hooks. I put my tackle bag in my checked suitcase. On international flights or when traveling with a checked rod tube we always allow for a minimum of an hour & a half between flights anything shorter is like playing Russian roulette.There is nothing worse than planning a trip of your lifetime & finding out your suitcase or rod case didn't arrive with you. I have seen it happen to others as well as experiencing it myself. When traveling with a friend I split up the important tackle so half goes in his suitcase & half goes in mine. I also pack enough clothes, hat & rain gear in my carry on so in case my checked luggage doesn't make it I can get through the week ok. I know it sounds anal but s*** happens so I try to even the odds of having a successful trip.    

You can put soft plastics in your carry on bag, but do not try and bring lures, or line in one.  You may get away with it, but you may not.  I have had friends have to throw lures and line away in order to get on the plane.  

 

Check an extra bag with nothing but tackle.  It will cost a few dollars, but nothing is better than having to much tackle.  Bass tackle is extremely difficult to get in Mexico, and if you will have zero problems selling what you don't want to take back home, but leaving the extra behind for free, is a sure way to get hero gringo status.  Remember the lake will take more than it's share, and the bass can tear up enough soft plastics that even the Bait Monkey gets nervous. 

 

When trying to decide between clothes, shaving kit, etc. and tackle.  Pick tackle every time.  You can dress well and look good at home, but the bass don't care if you wear the same shirt every day and grow a beard, but they will care what lure you throw, and they have a way of knowing which ones you left at home.  Your fellow anglers wont care what you look like either, but they will not like you begging them for tackle and if you are the only one with more than you need of the hot lure, you will surely get your dinner drinks for free.    

On 6/4/2025 at 1:45 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

@bacolmm I always carried my reels in my carry on so I could keep an eye on them. I always checked all my other tackle because of the hooks. I put my tackle bag in my checked suitcase. On international flights or when traveling with a checked rod tube we always allow for a minimum of an hour & a half between flights anything shorter is like playing Russian roulette.There is nothing worse than planning a trip of your lifetime & finding out your suitcase or rod case didn't arrive with you. I have seen it happen to others as well as experiencing it myself. When traveling with a friend I split up the important tackle so half goes in his suitcase & half goes in mine. I also pack enough clothes, hat & rain gear in my carry on so in case my checked luggage doesn't make it I can get through the week ok. I know it sounds anal but s*** happens so I try to even the odds of having a successful trip.    

This will be my first time flying internationally. I will fly from Pittsburgh to Dallas on the 8th. Dallas to Mazatlan on the 9th. I'm assuming I'll go through customs in Mazatlan. On my way home, I'll fly from Mazatlan to Dallas, and I'm assuming I'll need to go through customs in Dallas before catching my flight to Pittsburgh. My choice it to either have a 80 minute layover in Dallas or a 13 hour + layover in Dallas. I don't want to spend another night in Dallas if I don't have to, however is 80 minutes enough time to get through customs?

28 minutes ago, bacolmm said:

This will be my first time flying internationally. I will fly from Pittsburgh to Dallas on the 8th. Dallas to Mazatlan on the 9th. I'm assuming I'll go through customs in Mazatlan. On my way home, I'll fly from Mazatlan to Dallas, and I'm assuming I'll need to go through customs in Dallas before catching my flight to Pittsburgh. My choice it to either have a 80 minute layover in Dallas or a 13 hour + layover in Dallas. I don't want to spend another night in Dallas if I don't have to, however is 80 minutes enough time to get through customs?

You might make it but will your luggage ?

We ALWAYS stay over night in Dallas and fly out the next morning. 

This way our bags can catch up with us.

We do that both ways.

Adds a day, some $$$ for a hotel and we leave home a day earlier.

But at least we get to fish with our own tackle

and wear our own under pants while in Mexico. 

There's no Walmart in the Mexican mountains

Good Luck

A-Jay

@A-Jay under pants cracked me up. LOL

@bacolmm When you return to the US from an international flight you have to collect your checked luggage before going through customs then have to return it before going to your next connection. So a 80 minute layover is hardly adequate for you. I would not risk it personally.   

We use Pro Bass Adventures Josh has loaner rods available for free. Loomis and Dobyns. They have a big tackle store there where you can buy whatever you need. It is not much more. We are scheduled to go on November 16 we fly out of phoenix to culican with. 3 hour ride to the lake. Drink Pacifico ant talk 

On 6/26/2025 at 12:29 PM, A-Jay said:

You might make it but will your luggage ?

We ALWAYS stay over night in Dallas and fly out the next morning. 

This way our bags can catch up with us.

We do that both ways.

Adds a day, some $$$ for a hotel and we leave home a day earlier.

But at least we get to fish with our own tackle

and wear our own under pants while in Mexico. 

There's no Walmart in the Mexican mountains

Good Luck

A-Jay

Thanks, A-Jay, I’m following your lead and have booked my flights with overnight layovers in Dallas. I’m 94 days out and starting to think about getting gear/tackle together. The lodge I’m going to provides rods, so I only need to travel with reels. What’s the right number of reels to bring? Any issue with traveling to Mexico with line on the reels? I’m going to get a medium tackle bag that holds 8 X 3700 boxes. I plan to use the tackle bag as my carry-on and to put the 3700 boxes (with everything that has hooks) into my checked bag. I’ll have my reels, line, and all my plastics in my carry-on.

49 minutes ago, bacolmm said:

Thanks, A-Jay, I’m following your lead and have booked my flights with overnight layovers in Dallas. I’m 94 days out and starting to think about getting gear/tackle together. The lodge I’m going to provides rods, so I only need to travel with reels. What’s the right number of reels to bring? Any issue with traveling to Mexico with line on the reels? I’m going to get a medium tackle bag that holds 8 X 3700 boxes. I plan to use the tackle bag as my carry-on and to put the 3700 boxes (with everything that has hooks) into my checked bag. I’ll have my reels, line, and all my plastics in my carry-on.

You must be getting pretty pumped up.

I know I would be.

I've done it both ways—line on and no line on.

I have never encountered any issues either way, but I am aware of others who have.

But that was a while ago.

The safest deal is to go no line, pack a bulk spool in your checked luggage and 

Spin on the new line when you get to the lodge. 

These are the reels I use there.

4 Tranx 300's 1 Calcutta 300D and a couple of lighter 200-size Quantums are used for topwater baits and smaller 5-inch swimbaits. 

 

Most IMPORTANT thing to remember is you are fishing for fish the like of which you have never seen.

Please remember what I said, and when you return, let me know if you agree. 

Please believe me when I tell you not to fish Medium or medium-heavy sticks.

Go with HEAVY GEAR, including hooks and terminal tackle; you will eventually get your heart broken if you don't.  You may still get your heart broken, but at least you will have a decent chance of success. 

 Use a line that is at least 20 lb; 22 Tatsu is my favorite there. 20 mono works for topwater.

I am still working to get at least one more trip to Lake Baccarac lodge myself.

It's proving to be even hard than it used to be for me. 

Good Luck and Safe Travels. 

A-Jay

 

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

You must be getting pretty pumped up.

I know I would be.

I've done it both ways—line on and no line on.

I have never encountered any issues either way, but I am aware of others who have.

But that was a while ago.

The safest deal is to go no line, pack a bulk spool in your checked luggage and 

Spin on the new line when you get to the lodge. 

These are the reels I use there.

4 Tranx 300's 1 Calcutta 300D and a couple of lighter 200-size Quantums are used for topwater baits and smaller 5-inch swimbaits. 

 

Most IMPORTANT thing to remember is you are fishing for fish the like of which you have never seen.

Please remember what I said, and when you return, let me know if you agree. 

Please believe me when I tell you not to fish Medium or medium-heavy sticks.

Go with HEAVY GEAR, including hooks and terminal tackle; you will eventually get your heart broken if you don't.  You may still get your heart broken, but at least you will have a decent chance of success. 

 Use a line that is at least 20 lb; 22 Tatsu is my favorite there. 20 mono works for topwater.

I am still working to get at least one more trip to Lake Baccarac lodge myself.

It's proving to be even hard than it used to be for me. 

Good Luck and Safe Travels. 

A-Jay

 

I'm definitely looking forward to it! My first time, so lots of unknowns for me! I'm trying to temper my expectations a bit. I plan to bring 6 reels and pair them all with 7'6" heavy rods. I was contemplating throwing a bunch of 50 lb / 60 lb braid; however, based on your pic, I'm sure there's a reason you're throwing primarily flouro. I'm under the impression that the water in El Salto (and Baccarac, for that matter) typically has a decent amount of color, and I thought I might be able to get away with braid for most applications, but your pic has me thinking differently.

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

You must be getting pretty pumped up.

I know I would be.

I've done it both ways—line on and no line on.

I have never encountered any issues either way, but I am aware of others who have.

But that was a while ago.

The safest deal is to go no line, pack a bulk spool in your checked luggage and 

Spin on the new line when you get to the lodge. 

These are the reels I use there.

4 Tranx 300's 1 Calcutta 300D and a couple of lighter 200-size Quantums are used for topwater baits and smaller 5-inch swimbaits. 

 

Most IMPORTANT thing to remember is you are fishing for fish the like of which you have never seen.

Please remember what I said, and when you return, let me know if you agree. 

Please believe me when I tell you not to fish Medium or medium-heavy sticks.

Go with HEAVY GEAR, including hooks and terminal tackle; you will eventually get your heart broken if you don't.  You may still get your heart broken, but at least you will have a decent chance of success. 

 Use a line that is at least 20 lb; 22 Tatsu is my favorite there. 20 mono works for topwater.

I am still working to get at least one more trip to Lake Baccarac lodge myself.

It's proving to be even hard than it used to be for me. 

Good Luck and Safe Travels. 

A-Jay

 

Line in checked luggage to avoid any potential issues carrying it on the plane? 

15 minutes ago, bacolmm said:

I'm definitely looking forward to it! My first time, so lots of unknowns for me! I'm trying to temper my expectations a bit. I plan to bring 6 reels and pair them all with 7'6" heavy rods. I was contemplating throwing a bunch of 50 lb / 60 lb braid; however, based on your pic, I'm sure there's a reason you're throwing primarily flouro. I'm under the impression that the water in El Salto (and Baccarac, for that matter) typically has a decent amount of color, and I thought I might be able to get away with braid for most applications, but your pic has me thinking differently.

Line in checked luggage to avoid any potential issues carrying it on the plane? 

Perhaps,  but maybe to save some carry on space.

 I Understand the unknowns.

I have not been to the guide service you are going to but a good bit of advice I learned was show your guide what you have and let him pick your bait. And no matter how crazy you might think it is, fish it like your life depended on it until he tells you to change.  Then rinse and repeat.

Get all the sleep you can, booze will not help, and remember every morning is a new day. Doesn't matter if you got them

the day before or not.  Fish fresh every session.  The days can be long, especially in the heat, but MANY GIANTS bite the last hour of daylight, BE READY ! 

You lucky Dawg !

A-Jay

On 9/5/2025 at 11:35 AM, bacolmm said:

I'm definitely looking forward to it! My first time, so lots of unknowns for me! I'm trying to temper my expectations a bit. I plan to bring 6 reels and pair them all with 7'6" heavy rods. I was contemplating throwing a bunch of 50 lb / 60 lb braid; however, based on your pic, I'm sure there's a reason you're throwing primarily flouro. I'm under the impression that the water in El Salto (and Baccarac, for that matter) typically has a decent amount of color, and I thought I might be able to get away with braid for most applications, but your pic has me thinking differently.

I would bring line and rods that will best fish the lures you are fishing.  I know you don't want to be undergunned, but it doesn't do you any good to try and fish a popper or midsize crankbait with 20 lbs. test line and a broomstick rod.  If you fish 15 pound test line on a medium rod at home for a certain technique that is what you should fish with in Mexico.  The bass are bigger, they fight harder, and the brush can shred you line, but you can't fish a technique with to big of gear, because you are scared of losing a big bass.    Yes you need to bring heavy gear, but also bring some medium size line and rods, to  maximize your ability to fish more techniques.  I use a medium fast rod, with 15 pound test Fluorocarbon for squarebills here.  I landed my personal best on this setup along with many other DD bass.  I choose the size of my tackle by how well it will fish the bait I intend to fish, not the size of the fish.  You can catch a bass on a flippin stick with twenty pound line, throwing a 3/8 oz popper, or it is possible to work a jerkbait with a heavy rod, and 20 pound line, but you will hook and land more bass with these lures on gear that is designed for those techniques.  Don't leave you bass fishing common sense at the border.  A 3/8 oz bait casts best on a rod designed for a 3/8 oz bait, regardless of how big the bass are.  A crankbait will dive deeper on lighter line here in Mexico, the same as it will in the States.  You can't catch them if you don't hook them.  Many techniques such as spinnerbaits, can be fished on medium or heavy tackle.  Err on the side of heavy for those techniques.  A 3/4 oz spinnerbait will cast and fish well on a heavy rod and 25 pound test line.  Most of the time you will be power fishing, with lures that work well with heavy gear.  Bring the heavy gear for your main setups, but be prepared to downsize some, not much, but medium with 15 pound test will catch you some giant bass.  

Good luck with that.

A-Jay

On 9/6/2025 at 11:33 PM, king fisher said:

Don't leave you bass fishing common sense at the border.  A 3/8 oz bait casts best on a rod designed for a 3/8 oz bait, regardless of how big the bass are.  A crankbait will dive deeper on lighter line here in Mexico, the same as it will in the States.  You can't catch them if you don't hook them. 

 

Even though I'll likely never fish in Mexico (So far away and so much money!), I still like to hear the strategy and reasoning of an expert. Your humor and humility might keep you from conceding that you're an expert, but a lifetime of guiding, plus your ability to pull DDs out of barb wire-laced water from a little boat in 30 mph winds make my case.