Gifts for Anglers In Search of Lobinas Grandes
[With Black Friday just a week away, it’s a good time to start thinking about gifts for anglers of all stripes. We’re putting together a set of recommendations and this is one installment in that series.]
Most serious bass anglers are pretty picky about their tackle, and if they’re headed to Lake El Salto or Lake Picachos they likely have a pretty good idea of what they’ll want or need. Nevertheless, even after 20 or so trips of our own we still find ourselves discovering new/better options and needing to replenish the staples. Obviously, the best gift you can give the angler in your life is a trip to “Bass Fishing Disneyland,” but if they’ve already got it booked here are some failsafe options that will ensure that they maximize their chances of success:
Abu Garcia Revo Rocket LP Casting Reel
MSRP: $329.95
Since Anglers Inn provides quality St. Croix Rods free of charge, guests only need to bring reels – just make sure they’re good because bass south of the border will make mincemeat of lesser drag systems. With a remarkable 10.1:1 gear ratio, the Rocket is ideal for topwaters, Texas Rigs and Carolina Rigs – by helping you get your lure back to the boat quickly once it hits dead water (or if you see a bass bust elsewhere) an angler can make more casts in a day, which should equal more opportunities at a PB.
Daiwa Tatula 300 Casting Reel
MSRP: $269.99
Again, anglers only need to bring reels, but that doesn’t mean any old reel will do. When casting a massive crankbait like a 10XD with the wind it’s possible to cast down to the spool knot, so I’ve taken to using a 300-sized reel for that purpose – and will also do so for my growing swimbait collection. It’s also a good choice for an Alabama Rig. I’ve really liked the Tatulas that I’ve used and the T-Wing system further enhances casting distance.
Seaguar Smackdown Braided Line
MSRP: $29.99-$54.99
In Mexico’s thick timber, and especially when flipping a big jig or creature bait, failure to use braid is asking for heartbreak. Normally I’d recommend that you get a 1,500 yard or 3,000 yard bulk spool, but that takes up too much space in your luggage. Instead, fill your braid-ready reels with 50-pound test well rope before you leave and then bring a filler spool in case you run into some unforgivable “professional overruns.”
10-Inch Berkley Power Worms
MSRP: $5.99
This is one lure that covers the entire water column, from ankle-deep to 30 or 40 feet, and you can use it any time of the year. It’s versatile, too – if the fish want a smaller worm bite off a bit of the head, and it can be used as a jig or Chatterbait trailer as well. Get as many packs of black with the blue tail as you can afford, but if you insist on variety you cannot go wrong with watermelon or __, too.
AFTCO Nukam Sun Mask
MSRP: $11.98-19.99
While it rarely gets painfully hot in Sinaloa – even during the warmest months there’s usually a breeze to make it tolerable – but except during the rainy season the sun rarely relents for long. If you want your gift recipient to exercise caution, but they’re hesitant to wear a solid “buff,” choose one that has vent holes so it’ll breathe and won’t fog up their sunglasses. I know that simple feature leads me to keep it on longer.
6-Inch Yamamoto Senkos
MSRP: $7.89
They’re not particularly durable, so anglers go through a lot of them, but don’t settle for the cheap substitutes. I don’t care what anyone says – nothing else is as good. When the bite gets hot, it’s nothing to go through 30 or 40 in a day, and while you can use an O-Ring when wacky rigging, when Texas rigging they’re going to get torn up. While the 5- and 7-inch versions have their days, the 6-inch model is the staple. I can’t really tell the difference between the various watermelons and various green pumpkins in terms of effectiveness, so get a bunch of any of them. Invariably someone else on the trip will run short and your gift recipient can be a hero.
As noted above, the best gift you can give the bass angler in your world is a trip to one of the Anglers Inn properties. If that’s not in the cards, and you’re hesitant to get them tackle or clothing, consider the following:
A night at the Grand Hyatt DFW inside the Dallas airport on the way there to ensure they won’t miss their connection.
Upgrade to business class, which comes with extra luggage allowances for more tackle.
Global Entry to speed up the return through customs into the United States.
