I recently took an opportunity to look through the Zoom lineup with an eye toward packing for Mexico. I reencountered several lures that’ll do double-duty on your next trip, and which therefore you should consider.

While most of us are rigorous about packing high-quality, laser-sharp hooks for our single hook presentations at El Salto and Picachos, it’s easy to slack on replacement trebles. If you’re going for just three days of fishing you may be able to get away without bringing any but any more than that and I’d recommend that you bring a small stash.

I am a classic overpreparer and also a tad disorganized when I’m in the midst of a hot bite, so my m.o. is to take a belt and suspenders approach. That means that even though I have a huge supply of tackle stored at Anglers Inn there are additional small items that I restock every time without actually knowing whether they need to be supplemented. The good news is that they’re all inexpensive, take up little space and don’t weigh much.

Restaurants may sometimes have a strict “No Substitutions” policy, but here at Half Past First Cast we’re not that rigid. If you need to save a few bucks on your trip to El Salto or Picachos, we have some ways to shave down your tackle-buying bill.

The Citrus Shad Fat Free Shad is a long term staple for Mexican largemouths, still producing long after it was introduced to the world by Bassmaster Classic winner in 1995. There’s just something about that color that makes ‘em mad. I’m not sure, then, why I’ve largely restricted its use to crankbaits that dive over 10 feet deep. Is there some science behind it, or is it just that I’m hidebound to tradition?

The number one question Hanna and I get before and after every trip to Anglers Inn in Mexico is “what are they biting on?” Everyone wants to know the hot bait or secret bait to squeeze in on that last express-mailed Tackle Warehouse order. Because we have no real sponsors or advertisers, we’re able to tell it like it is.

The spoon wasn’t the only lure that got some game-time action in November, but it was the one that showed the most promise. Nevertheless, there are at least three more that have me excited – all were either left in my stored tackle down there, or will get a coveted spot in my luggage on American Airlines.

If you elect to bring rods to Mexico, bring a dedicated crankbait combo, not talking about something specifically tailored to squarebills or lipless baits, but rather a rod and reel setup aimed at big deep divers. Up until a decade or so ago, you could get away with something more generalized for throwing what were then the deepest-diving plugs – like the Fat Free Shad – but with the addition of behemoths like the Strike King 10XD you’re going to need something that makes the job easier and more efficient. The wrong gear will wear you out. 

Toward the latter half of the trip I started experimenting with the SPRO Rat. The first night that I threw it I substantially outfished Hanna, who was alternating between our normal one-two punch of a Whopper Plopper and a Rio Rico – and this was despite the fact that she got first crack at every target. In fact, several times she made multiple casts down a key alley without eliciting a strike and then the first shot at the rat produced a massive explosion.

When it’s “on,” the topwater bite at Mexico’s Lake El Salto is just about the most fun you can have with your clothes on. No, it’s not quite as violent as Brazilian peacock bass blasting big prop baits, or South Pacific Giant Trevally plucking birds off the surface, but in terms of largemouths I’ve yet to see anything that compares. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy.

When picking line for Mexican bass fishing, as far as I’m concerned you should go with what you’re comfortable with, and err on the side of keeping it heavier rather than lighter. On the latter point, I don’t use anything under 17-pound test.

In the retelling of your Mexican bass fishing trip, topwaters may get the love, crankbaits may get the glory, and soft plastics may catch the numbers – but if you forget about spinnerbaits you’re ignoring a highly-productive tool. Sure, spinnerbaits have lost some of their market share in recent years due to vibrating jigs, swim jigs and swimbaits, but they never stopped working. Be sure to have some in your El Salto or Picachos tackle selection.