Six Goals for our June 2021 Trip to El Salto

I don’t need motivation to want to go to El Salto. Hanna and I refer to the Anglers Inn facility there as our second home, and I’ve been fortunate to go enough times that I’ve lost count. Every time I buy my plane tickets the countdown to the next trip starts. 

As I’ve detailed before, our annual trip in the May/June timeframe is our favorite time to go. The first time we went at that time of year, in 2013, the lake was super-low and we had a ridiculously good trip. Not only were the cranking numbers insane, but at some point during the week we stopped taking pictures of any fish under 7 pounds. We were spoiled and didn’t know how good we had it. The next year, under very similar conditions, fishing was quite tough. Overall, though, our subsequent trips at that time of year have been very good to very-very-good. It’s pretty consistent, and that’s because the fish have no choice but to gang up. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it’s usually pretty damn good. I’m told that this year the water is already exceptionally low, which I’m taking as a sign to be cautiously optimistic.

So I could go there like a normal person – eat, drink, be merry, catch fish. But what would be fun about that? I need some purpose to drive me. I need goals. Not necessarily a specific number of fish, or a specific weight, but rather things to work on and enhance my experience. Here are six I’ve established for our trip in mid-June. 

See it through a Newcomer’s Eyes

We have a number of people coming in our group who’ve never been to El Salto before. Several of them are not even serious bass anglers. In the past, I was so driven on more-more-more, that I would have quietly tolerated them as they took it all in for the first time. Now, I’m going to not just notice them, but try to see the experience through their eyes. Like any relationship, you’ve got to keep it fresh to keep it good. I’m also going to work to make sure that they’re on top of their game and that they consistently have the proper baits – allowing them to avoid wasting time or making mistakes I made on my earlier trips.

Dial in the Flutter Spoon Bite

Back in November, Hanna and I got on an epic flutter spoon bite near the lodge, at a time of year when the fish were spread out from 6 inches deep to 30 feet deep. Historically, most of them spend most of the time deep in the summer, which should set up even better for that technique, unless the bass are in heavy stands of timber. I don’t think I had the right rod, and I’ve researched some spoon mods from outlets like Tactical Bassin’ since them. If the bite is on, I want to improve my efficiency.

Go Big-Baiting for Big Bass

In November I committed to spending a substantial amount of time throwing glide baits and wake baits, with a modicum of success, but not the level that I expected. If the conditions set up for that type of bite, I hope I can force myself to push it harder this time, even if it means leaving the more conventional lures on the bank. Maybe it’s a Quixotic quest, but I truly feel that someone who could unlock the secrets of the big stuff down there could do epic things.

Use a Spinning Rod in Power Fishing Heaven

At the opposite of the big bait spectrum, I’ve realized that I’ve never used a spinning rod at El Salto – not in 12 years of visits, not once. I mean, maybe when helping a non-angling friend I made a cast or two with their gear to get it set up, but I’ve never tried anything more than that. I’m not talking 6- and 8-pound fluorocarbon, but rather 17 or 20 pound test, but I feel like not only will this allow me to use techniques like dropshotting more effectively on vertical cover, but it will improve my overall spinning game at home.

Try Not to Eat All of the Desserts

I’ve struggled with my weight my whole life. I have no discipline. When we got home after two weeks at the lake in November, I’d reached sumo-level proportions. I’ve worked it all off, but our recent trip to Panama revealed that I’m not in the shape I’d like to be. Between chips, queso, cerveza and dessert, a week down there has the potential to be ugly. I can’t take that step back.

Be Present

After all of these trips down to bass fishing wonderland, a place that many anglers will go once or not at all, I have to remind myself not to take it for granted. I have worked to put myself in a position to go so regularly, but there’s also an element of good fortune. It could all be taken away tomorrow. Every morning I have to remind myself to be thankful, and to leave any troubles at the dock.