Mexico is the perfect testing ground for new stuff that I might take all around the globe: There are great shallow water, deep water and mid-depth bites; the fish grow big and mean; and there are times when you happen onto massive schools and get put the hardware to the test. That’s why I look to ICAST “reveals” for new stuff I could test out South of the Border.

As we’ve written before, we keep a hefty stash of tackle at Anglers Inn for our return visits to the lake, but after each trip we undergo a semi-methodical restocking. Our June 2022 trip amplified the need to order some more hard baits and swimbaits, and fortunately Tackle Warehouse started a sale just a few days after our June 25 return. Check out what I bought and why.

The brief window of opportunity to throw my SPRO size 50 rat paid off with three brutal strikes and three above-average bass. If you’re headed to El Salto or any Mexican lake, bring some rodents.

I might never get the chance to walk the red carpet but I am going to do everything I can to look darn good riding down the lake. Academy Sports has a lot of quality products at reasonable prices and I wish we had one near home. During a trip to Lake El Salto I tried out some of their gear to see if it met my standards for being both fashionable and functional.

A tow vehicle is a very personal decision and highly dependent on what you’ll be pulling and where you’re headed. I’ve stuck with SUVs my whole fishing life, but I’m planning to make a change down the road.

On our just-completed trip to Anglers Inn Lake El Salto, numbers were down but average size was up. Overall, that meant the bite windows were short and it paid to have a “proven winner” in your hands when they opened up. Since we have no sponsors, we can give you the unvarnished truth about what worked for us. Below is a list of the lures that we used successfully between June 18 and June 24 of this year.

There were plenty of goodies brought to light at the Bassmaster Classic, and we’ll see many more from ICAST. There may be another surge closer to Christmas. That does not mean that the designers and manufacturers can take intermittent breaks of several weeks or months. Here are some products that might be of use whether you’re headed to Mexico or Brazil or anywhere that requires travel-friendly gear.

Yeti makes nearly-indestructible products that pro anglers rely upon and we’ve become converts to their quality. Check out what some pro anglers (both freshwater and saltwater) said are their “ride or die” Yetis.

Even if you live hundreds of miles from the ocean, you’ve probably seen signs of Salt Life on the backs of various vehicles. If you’ve always wondered what that meant, you should know that this “lifestyle brand” makes lots of women’s fishing clothing that is breathable, UV protective and flattering – something that is not always easy to find in one package.

When people who don’t fish or don’t pay careful attention to such things see my new boats, some of them occasionally remark that it “looks just like the last one.” Nevertheless, every one is different. I just took delivery of a 2022 Bass Cat Puma STS, the company’s newest 20’ model, and I’m pretty thrilled with the way it turned out. Here’s a video outlining some of the accessories that differ from those that I’ve used in the past.

On our recent trip to Islamorada, Florida, we tested out Gill’s new XPEL Tec line of shirts. The various tops in this lineup feature Gill’s plant-based XPEL finish and high UV (50+) protection. The shirts are lightweight, wick moisture away from the skin and have flat locked seams for comfort. The XPEL finish consists of water repellency, stain resistance and odor control.

I joined a bass club in late 1995, but did not buy my first used bass boat until November of 1996, and continued to fish tournaments as a non-boater through 1997. That gave me opportunities to fish with many anglers — any time we were on the Potomac you could be sure that they had at least three of these six lures tied on.

I know that I recently wrote that I’m going to go back to basics on our upcoming trip to El Salto, and I meant it, but it wouldn’t be a Pete Robbins production if I didn’t have some other options at least in the on-deck circle. Here are some lures that aren’t quite new, but that I haven’t given a fair shake in Mexico.

Whether you hit a home run on Mother’s Day or struck out, there’s a good way to remain in your parents’ will – come through in a big way on Father’s Day. It’s a sign that you care. Here are some gift ideas that won’t break the bank, and will make him quite happy. We’ve tailored them to some of our favorite destinations.

Like anything else, fishing lures go in and out of style. Here are a handful that I used to fish frequently, that I still own in abundance, yet for some reason don’t get a lot of my love. I hereby resolve to work them back into the rotation.

Hanna recently penned a column about her plans to go back to basics on our upcoming trip to Lake El Salto. It made me think that I’ve overcomplicated the process of fishing down there, to the point that I’m wasting casts and wasting time by retying or through indecision. With that in mind, here are three lures that are likely to be in heavy rotation on our upcoming trip.

Bass boat prices are rising and the available options seem to be growing exponentially — but there are plenty of add-ons for under $100 that’ll make your experience safer and better.

OK, Mother’s Day is just about here, and if you’re like most of the other forgetful and occasionally ungrateful anglers out there you’ve probably forgotten to get her something. Big mistake, Junior. Assuming she likes to travel and fish, here are some gift ideas that are tailored to some of our favorite destinations.

While we’ve enjoyed fly fishing in Alaska and Montana, and we’ve considered trying it on Guatemalan sailfish, we’re not experts by any means. However, we know enough to know that the shallow, fertile waters of Lake Picachos are perfect for the long rod. Here are tips for fly fishing success on Mexican bass.

It’s abundantly clear that largemouth bass in Mexico (and some parts of Texas and Florida) grow fat largely by eating tilapia. Accordingly, many anglers heading South of the Border look for custom paint jobs to “match the hatch.” I’m happy to feed the addiction, because new tilapia baits keep popping up.