Super User A-Jay Posted September 14, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted September 14, 2019 On 9/13/2019 at 8:18 PM, Tim Kelly said: OK, under a month, you can officially start getting over excited. Not sleeping for the last week of the countdown is also allowed. El Bassfiesta 19 is soon ON! Getting closer for sure @Tim Kelly and you know what it's like. I'm usually poring over my gear making sure I have what I need. We also contact our guide a week or so out to check lake water levels (which are high now after the rainy season). Water level determines techniques, presentations, tackle and baits. However I left most of my 'Mexico Gear' (baits, terminal tackle & rods) at the lodge last trip (knowing I'd be back). So all I can do at this point is stare at the list of what I left and hope it's accurate. Reels are all cleaned, lubed & spooled with fresh line. My bag has been packed since Christmas I think . . . . .  A-Jay 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 I know that feeling. You're spoiling some of the fun by removing the angst caused by fretting whether your rod tube will arrive with you on the aeroplane. ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted September 15, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted September 15, 2019 After the first trip where I took that monster Bazooka tube (thing actually has wheels) I switched to travel rods and take them as carry on. Helps me breath during the flight A-Jay 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User NYWayfarer Posted September 15, 2019 Super User Share Posted September 15, 2019 Have a safe trip and great luck. Can’t wait to see the vids.  It’s not in the cards for me and my crew this year. Hopefully soon enough where our bodies are in good enough shape we can actually enjoy the experience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyju Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 On 9/14/2019 at 9:37 PM, A-Jay said: After the first trip where I took that monster Bazooka tube (thing actually has wheels) I switched to travel rods and take them as carry on. Helps me breath during the flight A-Jay What travel rods would you recommend? Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted September 16, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted September 16, 2019 I have tried several - it's all casting gear used here and it needs to be stout. These fish are serious mutants. Started with the St Croix Tidemaster line - no good. The ferrule design is the weak link - every one failed. Still like St Croix & fish several of their rods - just not a fan of that travel rod.  Currently fishing G Loomis Escape Series - HM & H sticks - a little short at only 6'9" but after several trips they all remain intact. My favorite travel rod but these sticks are unfortunately hard to find.  Also fish Fenwick "Methods" travel rods. Bought these a few years ago; also sort of hard to find. Much less $$$ than the G Loomis, a little longer and every bit as good. Again MH & H action casting rods.   Another option to consider is the lodge rents some quality gear - all new quality this year. It's the right tackle for job and the $$ is less than what you'd pay purchasing it. Beyond that it's a whole lot more convenient to travel without rods - even travel rods.  You can PM me when you get serious and are looking for more details. I can put you in touch with the human who works for the lodge and will have the answers to every question & concern you may have regarding every aspect of this most awesome experience.  A-Jay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted September 21, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted September 21, 2019 Â 20 Days and a Wake Up ~ Â A-Jay 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted September 27, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted September 27, 2019 14 Days & a Wake Up ~  A-Jay  1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted September 28, 2019 Global Moderator Share Posted September 28, 2019 I was just thinking about that today, wondering how few days you had left before take off. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Fingers crossed for you. Our Dutch trip this spring was really compromised by high winds. Very little more frustrating than hanging around peering through the window for 3 days hoping the wind will ease. We ended up with only one day fishing, but at least we got that day. Â 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted September 29, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted September 29, 2019 Thank you Lake is sitting low right now at a bit over 50%, but late season upcoming rains have us excited for more water for Lake Baccarac. Storm Narda is tracking up the coast and should provide an early season boost. Generally speaking, we love these storms as it triggers big bite windows as well as keeping temps down. Historically, in season rains always prove a good omen as  best seasons have come with rains while the lodge is open. A-Jay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J._Bricker Posted September 30, 2019 Super User Share Posted September 30, 2019 I think I hear Bruce Buffer clearing his throat in the background in anticipation of an important announcement..... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted October 1, 2019 Global Moderator Share Posted October 1, 2019 Good news for sure. Those are some unreal numbers! Can’t wait to see how things turn out this year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 2, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted October 2, 2019  If things go according to plan, one week for right about now, I hope to be boarding flight 4121. This first day of travel includes a brief layover in Chicago and then it's on to Dallas Fort Worth where I'll meet up with the other 3 guys I'm fishing with this trip.  Sharing my same addiction, they are coming for TN, AZ, & NM, and are Lake Baccarac Vets as well. After catching up and busting chops, we'll spend a mostly sleepless night expecting to meet up with our private Air pilot early the next morning. This last leg of the trip is something I really do look forward to. Flying in the small twin prop over & through some of the Sierra Madre Mountain system in Mexico en route to the Lodge includes some breath taking views.   The intense anticipation of arriving at this most special Big Bass destination, is always capped of by our first look at Lake Baccarac  #TheRac    A-Jay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Downie Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 A-Jay, I am new to this forum, but feel I know you from watching your Youtube videos on Baccarac. I will be there on 10/15/19 for four days and hopefully will get to meet you.This will be my first Baccarac adventure, but I have fished El Salto 14, or 15 times and will be fishing Comodero in March. The main question I have from the videos is, "Where did you get those under spin jig heads," I want to buy some if possible for my trip, but cannot find them anywhere. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 3, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted October 3, 2019 Hello John and Welcome to Bass Resource ~  I will be there and you are in for a very special bass fishing experience. The underspins we use are made up by Tim Saylor at Ledgehead Lures in TN.  We use the 1/2 & 3/4 oz model with the 8/0 hook. https://ledgehead.com/collections/tennessee-river-bling  The hook seems too big at first glance - but as you may be able to tell from the videos - it most certainly is not. We also used War Baits underspin -   We use rigs that have enough space between the mounted swimbait trailer & the blade so not to impede the spinning blade.  And must have a gaff for a hook.  Six more days & a Wake up . . .   A-Jay     1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Downie Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Thanks for your kindness A-Jay. I will get some of those underspins and look forward to meeting you over there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User NHBull Posted October 5, 2019 Super User Share Posted October 5, 2019 If all works as I expect, I get to check this off my bucket list next year. A-Jay, if you don’t mind, I will reach out to you on your return? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 5, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted October 5, 2019 Nice and please do - the earlier the better. It was a member of this site that turned me on to this magic place. Once I took the leap - I had a chance to experience fishing I would have only ever dreamed of. I could never even come close to thanking him enough for sharing his experiences and helping me prepare &Â get down there. (and we'll be fishing together for the 10th time here in 4 days) So I'm all about paying that forward. A-Jay 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Downie Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 How many rods are you fishing A-Jay? My stuff is already packed, but just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 8, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted October 8, 2019 Well, it's down to the last day before I start this trip. First flight departs tomorrow morning. The local Forecast which had up to now, included more rain than we'd like to see, has improved some by predicting less. As this date approached, the days were long but the weeks went fast. Always seems to be the case I guess. Expect today will drag on a bit.  A-Jay  4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Good luck trying to sleep tonight. ?  Looking forward to your daily reports. ?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 8, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted October 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Tim Kelly said: Good luck trying to sleep tonight. ?  Looking forward to your daily reports. ?? Spoken like a man who's been there @Tim Kelly. There's often poor service of any type at the lodge, but If we can get something, you'll see it somewhere. A-Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 1 minute ago, A-Jay said: Spoken like a man who's been there @Tim Kelly. There's often poor service of any type at the lodge, but If we can get something, you'll see it somewhere. A-Jay I don't sleep before going out on a normal day fishing, if it's a trip it's a week of non sleeping building up. Like a 52 year old 5 year old waiting for Christmas. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted October 8, 2019 Author Super User Share Posted October 8, 2019 53 minutes ago, Tim Kelly said: I don't sleep before going out on a normal day fishing, if it's a trip it's a week of non sleeping building up. Like a 52 year old 5 year old waiting for Christmas. LOL I've been staring at my kitchen clock now for 5 straight minutes. Completely fixated on the minute hand - almost hypnotized. And when I blinked, I could have sworn the darn thing actually went Backwards a couple of times !!! Gonna be a long night . . . A-Jay  2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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