Pack a Mexican Feast in Your Tackle Bag
I absolutely love Mexican food. I mean, I could eat it every night of the week – except perhaps for the one night I’d have to indulge in Brazilian Churrascaria and the one night for Thai food. Of course I’d be 400 pounds and unable to operate the trolling motor, but I’d die fat and happy. Accordingly, I have to regulate how often I convince Hanna to head out for my favorites.
However, when we go to Mexico, I’m anxious to eat the local food. The steaks at Anglers Inn are exceptional, but I look forward to the carne asada, chicken fajitas and other Mexican staples more than things I can get at home. It helps put me in the mood to fish down there (as if I needed an excuse).
As a fun exercise, I tried to see if it would be possible put together a tackle setup that would include all Mexican food related gear. After all, those of you old enough to recall the origins of the shakey head may recall that it was Alabama pro Fred “Taco” Bland who first popularized it on tour. Since that time, the Andre Moore Reaction Innovations juggernaut led to increasingly clever names for baits and bait colors. With that in mind, here are some of the ones that’ll put you on fish while reflecting your love for Mexican food (and you won’t need to name your first child Chalupa Batman to get away with it). After all, I’ve never seen a PB&J sandwich South of the Border.
A “garage” legend now widely available.
Reaction Innovations -- Taco Truck color
The more-than-innovative company also has Hot Tamale and Dirty Sanchez
6th Sense – Mexican Spice Color
Available in several soft plastic configurations
Zoom – Avocado Color
Available in several patterns, was also a staple in the old Mann’s Stingray Grub
Talon Fishing – Jalapeño Candy pattern
Quality jigs from Texas
Googan Baits – Sprayed Lettuce color
If you need to have a vegetable on your plate to feel OK
Roboworm – Margarita Mutilator Color
Made famous by the late Aaron Martens
BOSS Skirts – Dirty Salsa
If you just need to change a jig skirt
13 Fishing – Day Old Guac
Might be my favorite name ever.
If those aren’t enough, here are some other options:
Santone Lures out of Texas has colors called “Fiesta Perch” and “Mexican Heather”;
Zorro likewise has a spinnerbait pattern called “Fiesta”;
Azuma hard baits features “Aztec”; and
Just about every soft plastics company worth their salt (or garlic, or craw scent, as the case may be), has “Tequila Sunrise” in their lineup.
Did I miss any?
