As you step out of the van at Anglers Inn El Salto, the next steps are to collect your first of many secret recipe margaritas, follow your bags to your room, and quickly rig up some rods. You only get one first cast, and one first fish so I asked the members of our June group what they used to break the ice.

Despite the fact that I could probably rely on the proven winners that have helped me in my past trips to Lake El Salto and Lake Picachos, I’m always looking for new options. Here are some big baits and new terminal tackle items from Tackle Warehouse worth checking out.

You may have your favorites, and even some double-secret-probation killers, but I truly believe that the "Keep it Simple, Stupid" methodology is best. Build around proven winners and go from there. If you have an ample supply of the following six plastics, I guarantee you that you'll be able to catch big bass just about every day of the year.

I am definitely not a swimbait expert, but nevertheless I’ve accumulated more than my share of big baits. My first sweep of the boat, office and tackle cave produced a pretty heavy supply of lures. Then I found a bunch more and documented them as well. For better or for worse, the inventory didn’t stop there. Here is a set of soft lures that that deserve a bit more on-the-water testing.