Anyone been to Lake El Salto?

[Hawkeye21]

I got asked to go on a fishing trip to Lake El Salto and I would absolutely love to go.  It would be a pretty expensive trip but it's planned out two years from now so we can all save up.  I've read some about the place but was curious if anyone here has been there before.  I'd like like to hear of your experience.

[gim]

El Salto is that in Mexico?

[Deeare]

i wouldn't go there if you paid me.  Too dangerous.  Go out to California.  Huge lg mouth.  Or Great Lakes or Canada for epic smallmouth.   Or if you want the battle of your life.  Go to cape cod and battle a bluefin tuna on light tackle!!!   Call Capt Dom.   You will never be the same.   Trust me on that. 

[Turkey sandwich]

4 hours ago, Deeare said:

i wouldn't go there if you paid me.  Too dangerous.  Go out to California.  Huge lg mouth.  Or Great Lakes or Canada for epic smallmouth.   Or if you want the battle of your life.  Go to cape cod and battle a bluefin tuna on light tackle!!!   Call Capt Dom.   You will never be the same.   Trust me on that. 

So, not a whole lot to do with the original post, but that's a great tuna. 

[frogflogger]

Not particularly dangerous if you don't get involved with drugs down there - do some research.

[Deeare]

11 hours ago, frogflogger said:

Not particularly dangerous if you don't get involved with drugs down there - do some research.

I'm going by what my friend from Texas told me.   

[12poundbass]

11 hours ago, Deeare said:

I'm going by what my friend from Texas told me.   

He's not making things up. There have been anglers murdered on I believe Falcon and Amistad. They weren't into drugs. If you're cruising around in a bass rig you could be a target. You can easily find these stories on line. It's not frequent but it has happened.

[frogflogger]

 Falcon and Amisted are border lakes (Falcon the one with the most issues) where smuggling is going on - El Salto is not a border lake and there are several articles and accounts of its safety.

[12poundbass]

19 minutes ago, frogflogger said:

 Falcon and Amisted are border lakes (Falcon the one with the most issues) where smuggling is going on - El Salto is not a border lake and there are several articles and accounts of its safety.

I'm not saying El Salto is unsafe I'm not even sure where in Mexico it is. What I'm saying is there have been incidents in Mexico with the cartel and anglers. The fact of the matter is Mexico is pretty much a lawless land where the cartel pays off police, judges, and politicians. It has gotten better over the years but there still is a problem. My whole point was for anyone going down there to do research before you go. I'm not saying I'd never go, I'd just research before I go.

[frogflogger]

I have several friends who retired to Mexico and love it and feel safe and comfortable - there are dangerous neighborhoods everywhere.

[A-Jay]

7 minutes ago, OkumaDave said:

I've been down to El Salto several times, and in fact, was down there last week doing some filming.  We had a an excellent trip with the guys from El Salto Lodge.  There are some great operations down there, and they all thrive on the tourism business, so they take good care of you.  As far as safety goes, it is very safe.  The issues you hear about aren't with tourists, but more of the locals getting into their own trouble.  Nothing to do with us.  You are far enough away from the Golden Zone of Mazatlan, that the regular tourist junk that goes on doesn't effect you.  I've stayed at a variety of lodges up there, and they all feel very safe.  At El Salto Lodge, you don't even lock your room door.  13 rooms, great food and beverage.  It is a great trip.  As I mentioned, we were there for some filming, so we were focused on that, but the in between "off time" fishing was excellent.  No huge fish, but I topped out at a weighed 8.5lb largemouth that was recently spawned out.  She would have went 10 as she was close to 27" long.  We were capturing cast to catch Savage Gear Suicide Duck footage.  Pretty incredible to see the blow ups. 

Overall, I love El Salto, and would go back in a heart beat.  I'll try to post a quick report of the trip as well. 

 

Who were you, or are you planning on fishing with down there? 

Good luck!

Dave Brown

Okuma/Savage Gear

 

Hey Dave ~ Any chance we could get a Sneak Peak ?

A-Jay

 

[A-Jay]

4 minutes ago, OkumaDave said:

Top secret!  Hope to have a little sizzle piece by early next week.  Still weeding through hours and hours of footage.  We were working with a show called Stoked on Fishing.  They are putting the piece together.  I'll post it up when he sends it over.  I did post a GoPro head cam vid of the duck getting attacked by an Osprey though. 

 

 

No Fair Teasing Dave ~

The aerial attack is cool - but you know we need to see that sub-surface assault !

Looking forward to it.

A-Jay

[roadwarrior]

14 hours ago, OkumaDave said:

I've been down to El Salto several times, and in fact, was down there last week doing some filming.  We had a an excellent trip with the guys from El Salto Lodge.  There are some great operations down there, and they all thrive on the tourism business, so they take good care of you.  As far as safety goes, it is very safe.  The issues you hear about aren't with tourists, but more of the locals getting into their own trouble.  Nothing to do with us.  You are far enough away from the Golden Zone of Mazatlan, that the regular tourist junk that goes on doesn't effect you.  I've stayed at a variety of lodges up there, and they all feel very safe.  At El Salto Lodge, you don't even lock your room door.  13 rooms, great food and beverage.  It is a great trip.  As I mentioned, we were there for some filming, so we were focused on that, but the in between "off time" fishing was excellent.  No huge fish, but I topped out at a weighed 8.5lb largemouth that was recently spawned out.  She would have went 10 as she was close to 27" long.  We were capturing cast to catch Savage Gear Suicide Duck footage.  Pretty incredible to see the blow ups. 

Overall, I love El Salto, and would go back in a heart beat.  I'll try to post a quick report of the trip as well. 

 

Who were you, or are you planning on fishing with down there? 

Good luck!

Dave Brown

Okuma/Savage Gear

 

Welcome aboard!

I think I would be throwing the Savage Floating Bluegill.

 

[Bluebasser86]

12 hours ago, OkumaDave said:

Hey guys,
Here is one of the edits of some of the footage. Turned out pretty good.

 

Sweet!

[Topwaterspook]

I've been to El Salto several times. Fished from Anglers Inn. Have never had any safety issues. Thoroughly enjoyable experience. Looking forward to my next trip.

[Redlinerobert]

On ‎1‎/‎26‎/‎2017 at 5:32 AM, 12poundbass said:

I'm not saying El Salto is unsafe I'm not even sure where in Mexico it is. What I'm saying is there have been incidents in Mexico with the cartel and anglers. The fact of the matter is Mexico is pretty much a lawless land where the cartel pays off police, judges, and politicians. It has gotten better over the years but there still is a problem. My whole point was for anyone going down there to do research before you go. I'm not saying I'd never go, I'd just research before I go.

 

Mexico is about as dangerous as any other country.  The fishing lodges are safe.  You watch too many movies.   

[12poundbass]

22 minutes ago, Redlinerobert said:

 

Mexico is about as dangerous as any other country.  The fishing lodges are safe.  You watch too many movies.   

Not much of a movie watcher. There's no denying that the police and government officials have or had been paid off. And there's no denying that fisherman and recreational boaters have been killed and robbed in Mexican waters. I'm not saying the lodges aren't safe and I'm not saying things like that don't happen in our country in not that dumb to think that. All I'm saying is like with everything research before committing to something. 

[Raul]

On 26/1/2017 at 7:32 AM, 12poundbass said:

I'm not saying El Salto is unsafe I'm not even sure where in Mexico it is. What I'm saying is there have been incidents in Mexico with the cartel and anglers. The fact of the matter is Mexico is pretty much a lawless land where the cartel pays off police, judges, and politicians. It has gotten better over the years but there still is a problem. My whole point was for anyone going down there to do research before you go. I'm not saying I'd never go, I'd just research before I go.

 

What a bunch of nonsense.

 

 

[sully420]

IV been to El salto and I go to Mexico twice a year I love it and would recommend it for anybody any I hope to retire there some day. I find it heartbreaking for people who haven't been to Mexico tell others not to go because drug nonsense. Safety of tourism is taken very seriously I'm Mexico and is very rare if one is not looking for trouble like anywhere in America if you look for trouble you will find it. Don't pass up a trip of a lifetime 

[ber6363]

On 1/23/2017 at 8:32 AM, Hawkeye21 said:

I got asked to go on a fishing trip to Lake El Salto and I would absolutely love to go.  It would be a pretty expensive trip but it's planned out two years from now so we can all save up.  I've read some about the place but was curious if anyone here has been there before.  I'd like like to hear of your experience.

 

[ber6363]

Yes I have been there many times.. A great  lake for big bass.. My largest is 7.8 pounds but my youngest son caught a 13.5 pounds.. Air fare is around $900.,, there is a transportation fee from airport and return. Fishing at one of the outfitters is around $500. per day plus you have to pay the guides and camp people about $30. per day..It is called tips........but it is mandatory at  Ron Speed according to the camp boss ...The fishing is great. Some days may be slow to usa lake standards but you will catch many fish.. There is another lake close, Comedaro.. great fishing too.. Search for Lake Comedaro Lodge .com.. These outfitters supply rods but American Air will let you carry your  own.. Take plenty of  magnum lizards  and wacky worms in watermelon red.  Citrus crankbaits..Top water  for morning and late. Braid works good because of many submerged trees. But I warn you, it will spoil you...............Good fishing  Tony

[Rodney Smith]

My wife sent me and our 17 year old son to Angler’s Inn on El Salto for my 50th birthday. I will never forget it. The fishing is unlike anything you have ever done. The fish are supposedly the fastest growing bass in the world. You will get a 5 pounder and think you have an 8-10 pounder. The fish are that strong. Watch the video on their website and hear Kevin Van Dam talk about it. You will catch large quantities of fish and big fish. My son caught an 11 pounder. The other thing is the scenery. It is spectacular. The whole lake is surrounded by big, lush mountains (almost like ones you would see in Jamaica). The staff at Angler’s Inn are incredible. I can’t stop thinking about El Salto. When I got back, I got a little jar, pasted a picture of the lake on it, and started an El Salto Fund (at first as a joke). I have sold some stuff, asked for contributions to the fund for Christmas, etc, and now my fund is up to close to $1,000.00. Some how, some way, I have get back down there. 80% of their customers are repeat customers. That should tell you something. As far as safety, I understand the concern, but I certainly wouldn’t let that stop me. Big cities (including Atlanta close to where I live) are dangerous. I’m not for taking foolish risks, but I don’t want to live life in fear either. As long as you stay with the Angler’s Inn people, I don’t think you will encounter any drug cartel stuff.  If I could go back tomorrow, I would. 

[bachelorpads]

I was there in January, Anglers inn.  I don't worry about the danger part of it as i have heard it all and seen things during the transportation that makes one wonder about how good of an idea it is.  But the actual camps seems quite safe the couple times i have been there.  

As for the fishing, i have caught my 4 biggest bass in my life out of anglers inn on 2 trips.  Heck, last trip down we pulled an 8.5, 8, 7, 6.5, and 6 in one day which = 36lbs and definitely is my best big fish day.  A lot of people go there chasing the infamous double digit and i am sure they are there but they don't just jump in the boat.  I would say catching an 8 should make a guy happy.  

Make sure when you go you have enough watermelon senkos with red flecks.  I prefer to avoid plastics fishing when i can but if you just want to put them in the boat....thats the bait.

 

Bring your own rods.....Don't take an untested weapon into battle.

 

 

[Stuart3092]

Hawkeye, I have been to Lake El Salto twice and lake Picachos once in the last 15 months.  It is safe and well worth the money.  I have guided with Ron Speed's camp and it is beyond belief the service and the fishing.  My lake fork guide of 15 years has been taking groups to these lakes and to comedero since the early 80's and has never had a problem.  Took me 15 years to say yes to the trip and wish I hadn't been so worried.  the thing is there are 3 industries in this area, Talapia fishing(commercial), The bass camps(4 on salto is all) and the drug cartels.  the Cartels need the town to be productive and so  leave the lake alone.  I am attaching some pictures of my last trip.  I am going again in January of 2019 and already can't wait.  Research utube and Ron Speed adventures and look at the videos and fishing reports.  3 full days of fishing, including tips, air fair runs(from your front door back to your front door) about 3 grand but it is all top flight.  This last time we had lobster and shrimp the first night and a huge steak the second.  Cuban cigars if you want one and all alcohol is included.  It is truly all inclusive at the camp.  If you are a bass fisherman then this is at the very least a "have to do bucket list" at least once.  I found that once was not near enough.   OK, no pictures because it is kicking my butt getting them down loaded.  Take my word for it , GO!!

[soflabasser]

On 1/24/2017 at 10:06 PM, Deeare said:

i wouldn't go there if you paid me.  Too dangerous.  Go out to California.  Huge lg mouth.  Or Great Lakes or Canada for epic smallmouth.   Or if you want the battle of your life.  Go to cape cod and battle a bluefin tuna on light tackle!!! 

Nice bluefin tunas, especially on light tackle. I have been to Mexico a couple times,it is a beautiful country but I prefer spending my vacations in the USA or other countries I have on my bucketlist. Central/Northern Florida has plenty of trophy bass(+10 pounds and up) so I don't need to go to Mexico to catch a couple big bass I can just stay in my home state for that.The saltwater fishing in Florida is world class so I don't need to travel to Mexico again for saltwater fishing since its not needed. Other states have good saltwater fishing and much safer to travel to.I agree that Mexico can be dangerous, especially if you travel outside the "tourist zones", this is something I and a friend learned. My friend convinced me to leave the tourist area( even though the employees in the hotel we where in warned us to not leave the tourist zone since the area after the tourist zone is a high crime area) and we almost got robbed by 2 men while being in the non tourist zone. These men where following us for a couple blocks after they asked for money and we told them no.These 2 men where very shady looking and we where very fortunate that nothing happened to us.We went to a restuarant in the area, told the staff about the men that where within sight of us, and they made those men go away by telling them they where going to call the local police. That's when I realized the hotel staff was right to not leave the tourist area and that was enough for me to know that what I have read about that place is correct. Life is too short to risk it for something that's not worth it, even if it's a little green fish that barely weighs 10 pounds.