Are you kidding? Me at bass paradise Lake El Salto

I've fished freshy bass maybe a half dozen times, so I'm simply stunned to have just returned from Mexico's Lake El Salto. This isn't  your average kayak spot. For those who don't know it, its a storied bass lake a couple hours out of Mazatlan where fish are both incredibly numerous and large. The story goes they spawn three times a year.

Mark Pierpont of Wilderness Systems is looking to run guided trips here, out of a new property (for anglers anyway) - Cardon Resort is a cool little surfer's hang-out with great amenities just 30 minutes from the lake. Along for the ride was Mark Olson of Ocean Kayak and yours truly to 'test' out the concept and iron out any bugs in the system.

Anyhow here's a quick photo report covering the 3-day trip. More details later in Western Outdoor News. 

Day 1 - I managed 'just' 25 bass including a PB 9-lb'er weighed, and farmed at least as many. Fish on the bank and in brush, hitting poppers and killing senkos.

Day 2  - I spent the day shooting video and stills, riding overwatch to get shots in the can. By the time I was free it was a pick. Just a dozen today, nothing over 3. To give you an idea of the possibilities, the lower circuit bass pro here had two 10s on day 2 and an 11, 10, 9 the first day.

Day 3 was just a half-day. Something changed, but it wasn't obvious. The bite was very slow in the morning, but Pierpont and Olson were able to stay a bit longer - it turned on in the late afternoon. The group nailed a few 7s. What a place! Enjoy the photos:

The lake:


Hitching a ride


Pierpont with a nice one


The weapons


The post-fishing view from Cardon Resort. It was a 30 minute drive from the lake. This is the way to go in mid-summer when its 110 in the shade up at the lake and never really cools off. Of course that's also prime time! 



In case you hadn't heard, there are a few big fish in El Salto



Ranchero! (he farmed it in the weeds)


More livestock


What happens when a senko flies off the hook mid-cast


My 9. Unlikely anywhere but here... Non-kayak, but I'm saving that for next time's 10.

Wow...that sounds like a great trip.  Definitely a big bass producing lake!

WTG on the hog!

Bryan

Aye papi! Nice little trip, there.

Freaking nice man.  I've read a few articles about that place, I'm jealous!  Maybe one of these years....

Thanks for the pics and report looks like an epic trip!!!...Andy

Cool report of some uniquely hot action, Paul.  Nice to put a face to the persona too, PAL.   

Thanks for sharing your Mexico trip and taking some awesome pictures. Talk about
Largemouth Bass.

Jedmo

You boys like Mexico?! YEEHA!

I was wondering when someone was going to hit El Salto via kayak and post a report.  Paul, thanks and congrats for being the first (that I know of) to do it.

If you've watch the celebrity bass fishing shows on the Outdoor or Versus channel, then you probably already know about Lake El Salto.

Looks like a super cool getaway.  Nice fish...and no beard????  MLPA tactic?

nice report, i have been trying to get a "work" trip going the last couple of years.

I was lucky to tag along on Mark Pierpont's show. He was actually the first to make the trip, sometime this past August. Mark said the weather was ridiculously hot, something like 115 or so, but the fishing was better.

Because the water level at El Salto fluctuates constantly, there's a lot of submerged brush when the water's high. Most of the area's rains come in the summer, making this an excellent time to access some cool skinny water kayak-only structure. But as I'm sure the avid bassers here at NCKA will attest, its no easy game to pull bigger fish out of that minefield.

I already mentioned the place we stayed, Cardon Resort, but I'm going to do it again because they're the ones who opened the lake to kayak fishing. Those guys are surfers, very water oriented - they 'get' it. Cardon is a cool property right on the beach, with a terrific, funky palapa for post-fishing relaxation. The salt is an option too, there are roosters and jacks off the the beach, but only for advanced surf launchers. It gets BIG. 

I already mentioned the place we stayed, Cardon Resort, but I'm going to do it again because they're the ones who opened the lake to kayak fishing. Those guys are surfers, very water oriented - they 'get' it. Cardon is a cool property right on the beach, with a terrific, funky palapa for post-fishing relaxation. The salt is an option too, there are roosters and jacks off the the beach, but only for advanced surf launchers. It gets BIG. 

Doood!  that is the MotherOfAll Bass Lakes!!(so they say) That must have been a SAH-WEET trip!!  and there is SURF to be had too?!
When you say "test" did it work out? cuz that sounds like pure FUN in the HotSun!
Thanks for the pics Paul, and Congrats' on that 9lber...way to save that DD-Day for the Yak!
i'mSAVINGmineTOO!

Nice!

Thanks for the excellent report and pics.  I have always wanted to head down there......perhaps a NCKA group trip to the seaside spot you mentioned next year some time would be in order......sign me up!