Hanna Robbins Anglers Inn El Salto bass on a Rico

On my most recent trip to El Salto I experienced a handful of “a-ha” moments where it really felt like I knew what I was doing. After 16 years of fishing you might think I would have learned enough to be walking across the stage at the Bassmaster Classic, but I still have plenty of moments where I’m not one hundred percent confident.

Getting back to this last trip, on one afternoon Pete and I were fishing offshore, facing toward the structure, when I heard bass blow up in another direction.

I reacted quickly, putting down my rod, grabbing a different one, and throwing accurately to the ring to the ring of water. BAM! It was as if the fish was waiting for my bait with its mouth open. Bonus fish!

Megabass Vision 110 M Shad reflective jerkbait El Salto Mexico

I would have drummed this up to a fluke (no pun intended) but this happened at least five more times during the last few days of our trip. Each time, I instinctively picked up a rod that had a topwater or some other appropriate bait, threw to the blow up and immediately caught the fish.

What I’m really proud of is that not only was I aware enough to do this, but that over the years I’ve learned to have the proper tackle and the proper lure at the ready for these sorts of situations. That’s important, because even when they’re chasing bait, they won’t eat just anything you put in front of them. I was sure to have the right lure for the right conditions.

Strike King KVD 1.5 for big bass at Lake El Salto Mexico

Here’s what I had on the deck:

When we were in clearer, shallower water, I chose a jerkbait. It has multiple treble hooks and because it suspends in place you can keep it in the strike zone for a long time.
When we were throwing 10XDs offshore, I used a squarebill as my “bird dogging” lure. I figured they would want something that looked similar to the deep-diver they were eating but swims shallower.
Towards sunset, I always a Rico and/or Whopper Plopper tied on “just in case.” The popper is better when fish are feeding on small baitfish or when you want to keep it in the strike zone longer. The Plopper is better when you want to call aggressive feeders from a distance.

Blind bass ate a Whopper Plopper at Anglers Inn El Salto Mexico

I know we are on vacation, supposed to be having a good time, relaxing, shooting the shit and if we catch a few fish then great. The problem is that when Pete and I are fishing we are out to dominate. We want to come in with the most and the biggest and we will do what it takes to make it happen.

Make sure that your longest-casting rod is ready for these types of scenarios, not tangled up with several others. Don’t overpower the cast – as that can lead to untimely backlashes – but if you act quickly and decisively all of those “bonus fish” will add up over the course of a trip.