Four Products that Survived an El Salto Beatdown

When I go on a fishing trip, it’s about more than catching fish. It’s about finding products that work for me and for my readers. To quote Bryan Adams: “Everything I do, I do it for you.” Prior to our recent trip to El Salto, I wrote about a few items I planned to torture test. Now I’m reporting back, on those and some others that also passed with flying colors.

Remember, we don’t have advertisers here at Half Past First Cast, so everything I’m reporting about is based on a retail experience.

5.11 Layla Tactical Shorts

My search for the perfect shorts is over. Shortly after purchasing them off the sale rack, I wrote that the 5.11 Layla Tactical Shorts seemed to fit well but until I could wear them out in the heat fishing and see myself in pictures (key factor in my book) I couldn't give a full review. Been there, worn them, pictures taken. Here’s the proof that I loved them: as soon as we got back on US soil I headed to the website to see if there were more colors in my size. They are super-comfortable, roomy in all the right places, the material breathed in the Mexican heat. They’re not inexpensive at regular prices, but they’ll last longer and wear better than your bargain shorts.

Megabass Uoze Swimmer

The water at El Salto was at a record low level, which meant that the fish were bunched up on offshore structure. One of the best tools for giving them a different swimbait presentation is to fish one on the back of a heavy swim jig. Pete gave me a ¾ ounce Megabass Uoze Swimmer in Reaction Chartreuse -- remember I'm only starting to get into the tackle part of fishing. I tipped it with a 4.8-inch Keitech, pro blue red pearl, and when I wanted a change (or didn’t bring enough Keitechs in the boat) I replaced it with a 5-inch Yum Money Minnow in Hologram Shad. I had tremendous success with both trailers. I will mention that the underspin blade came off of the jig at some point. I didn’t notice and kept catching fish so it must not have made a difference to the Mexican bass either. That leaves me unsure whether the flash makes a difference, but it can’t hurt.

I would also like to point out that I used the same jig head for the entire week and it’s still in great shape. That's pretty impressive because I fished it through some heavy cover and caught lots of quality bass with that single lure. Whatever paint they use on the head is pretty amazing because it still looks like new.

Lew’s Mag Bass Rod

I graduated this trip -- It’s the first year I didn't have any yellow rods on the boat. Pete got me eight Wright & McGill Skeet Reese rods over a decade ago and they’ve served me well. I’ve caught a lot of 8- and 9-pound fish with them on all sorts of different lures, but this time we brought down enough new rods that I decided to try some different actions and manufacturers. One of first rods that caught my attention was a really nice-looking Lew’s Mag Bass Rod SGMBR1. I was not only surprised that Pete encouraged me to test it out, but I was also incredibly shocked at how light it was. I wasn't sure how the Winn Grips Dri-Tac handle would feel when fishing in the hot and humid weather of Mexico, but no matter how sweaty I got I never lost my grip or contact. It handled beautifully. It has a medium-heavy ranking (12-25 lb. line, 3/8 – 1 oz. baits), but that doesn’t tell the whole story of its incredible versatility. I used it effectively with a jerkbait, Rat-l-Trap, Senko and even a spinnerbait. Each time we hit a new spot I hoped we were someplace where I could use my new rod. I really like it and highly recommend you try one out at $149.99 to $179.99. Unfortunately, a lot of other people have figured out what a tremendous bargain it is, too, because it’s out of stock a lot of places.

Pelican TrekPak 1510

My new, “can't leave home without it” piece of luggage is the Pelican TrekPak 1510 case. I realized I didn't have to choose which of my camera items or electronics I wanted to bring because I could bring it all. It's carry-on appropriate and includes durable wheels and a retractable handle. I further customized the inside with TrekPak I designed the inside to fit my camera equipment.

On this trip the case was put to the test. Here’s how our trip started out: Pete waited curbside with all the luggage while I parked the car in the airport garage. While gathering all of our belongings, Pete picked up the tackle bag and the rod tube. I simultaneously went in for my rolling suitcase and Pelican case. He turned and thought I had my hand on the Pelican case and it crashed down to the concrete.

We hadn't even stepped into the airport, hadn’t really started our trip, and I was convinced that all of my expensive gear was cracked and broken. I couldn't bear to look, but I also knew that nothing could be done at this point – so we opened it and I was pleasantly shocked (bordering on surprised) that nothing had broken. Nevertheless, the torture test wasn’t over. Because the lake is currently so low we needed to ride down to the lake in the Anglers Inn vans to get in the boats. The staff would place our gear in the back luggage compartment for the bumpy ride. Well, on the first morning out they must’ve placed it too close to the doors or it might have shifted. When the van doors opened, the case fell to the ground from 3 feet high. The exterior was covered with dust and dirt but I was most worried about what I’d find inside. Not again! I was lucky the first time around. I couldn’t get that lucky again, could I? I mean, how could everything have stayed intact? Fortunately, just like their ad states, “Pelican products are designed and built to last a lifetime,” and that is no joke: EVERYTHING inside was as good as new.

One additional note: For the first time in all of our May/June trips to Mexico, it rained while we were out on the water, because apparently somebody upstairs wanted to give me a heart attack or Pelican wanted me to do an ad campaign for them (I think you know the answer). Water tight, they stand by their word. It’s also definitely dust proof on the inside because the inside, despite the beating it took. There’s plenty of dust, dents and memories on the outside. I will never purchase a better piece of luggage in my lifetime, I'm sure of it.

These products get my seal of approval. If you have any additional questions about any of them, or ideas for categories of gear you’d like me to test, drop me a note at fishmore@halfpastfirstcast.com.