Pepe

1/4 oz. $25 per dzn shipped

El Salto Report November 7, 2017 Today is our second, of six days of fishing here. This is my 7th trip here in the past 3 years. I am fishing with my favorite partner, my wife of 40 years (a country girl who got this city boy interested in the sport). We have bass fished in Mexico, almost exclusively in the winter months, for the past 20 years at Huites, Baccarac, Guerrero, Picachos and El Salto. This is the first time we have fished in November. One of the first things that is obvious is that it is warmer, but the topwater bite has been better than it usually is in Jan & Feb. The lake is at its fullest this time of year; the rainy season having just ended with little irrigation demand. The rains weren't extremely heavy this year so the lake is at 70% We are up at 4:45 am and on the water at civil twilight, around 5:30, after breakfast. We have been doing well on popper baits, worked with short pulls, until the sun becomes a factor. With cloud cover it lasted until 8:30 today with very few, if any, short fish. Best this morning was a 6.67 followed by multiple 5’s and many feisty 3 - 4’s. Texas rigged green & green red 8” lizards were most successful after the topwater bite ended, though I did catch some fish on a white mag fluke and 6” green/red senko. Another first-time group caught 48 fish on a lipless crankbait this morning, though many were small. This is a lake that rewards very much according to your skill level. The guides will quickly assess what level you are at and are very instructive, to the degree you are willing to accept guidance. For instance, we caught very few shorts because we are able to cast to targets, fish deep & shallow and detect light bites. It is a great place to hone technique because you know the fish are there. With respect to size and number of fish expectations - always a controversial subject, you will need to decide for yourself what stories/reports to give full credence to. My advice is that if you want to be absolutely sure to catch a double digit fish, leave your scale at home. Having said that, if your prime motive is to have (very) strong fish on the end of the line there are many legitimate 3.5-6’ bass that, in my opinion, are the best size for pure sport. Getting here is easy, as there are direct flights to Mazatlan from several USA hubs including Dallas & Phoenix. We leave STL at 6 AM and are on the lake fishing by 2:30 PM. We always feel safe and have not had any problems with stomach bugs.

Justin Bateman is the Producer and Star of the show and the screenplay was written by a guy who worked at a LOZ resort as a teenager decades ago. The show liberally applies negative ignorant Hillbilly stereotypes to offset the "much smarter and sophisticated" big city folks. There is a funny but powerful message that these are Hillbillies NOT Rednecks. The book and movie "Winters Bone" is set much closer to TR and portrays rural poverty, family oriented organized crime & despair in a very powerful way. If you have not read the book or seen the movie, I highly recommend it. "Winters Bone" & "Ozark", give us a look at how much of the country, and the world for that matter, view us. I find it, at once, interesting and instructional - in that it illustrates how I need to be deeply suspicious of, or outright reject, the other media stereotypes we are regularly exposed to. In other words, it reinforces how full of s**t much of our media programming is. I need to turn off the idiot box and go fishing.

If you liked Breaking Bad you may also enjoy this 10 episode series, but the depiction of LOZ is hilarious. They show it as a sleepy & calm body of water, even less traffic than TR, lol. Turns out they filmed it mostly in Georgia at Altoona & Lanier. Makes me want to go spend some time there.

Thank you, but I don't need someone to tie them. I made some for guys using them to catch smallmouth up north and just wondering if these, in different colors, might work here in colder water.

Does anyone use a jig like this - 1/4 oz bushy bucktail with Paca Chunk?

Thanks guys. I will try that

Cliff, who ran the tackle no liquor department at Country Fresh Market is opening a tackle store across the street in Bridgeport plaza, Shall Knob. Harder House bought Country Fresh and its rumored that they won't have a tackle section in that store anymore. The stuff in Jug n Plug looks ancient and Cliff is pretty well tuned in to what works best at TR. We wish him success.

We are planning to try our luck this weekend but may spend it cutting wood & moving floaters to the bank. I know folks like to treat all the ground up to the shoreline as their private property and keep it looking like their yard, but it seems it would be a good thing, overall to leave the grass grow and the driftwood in place for the critters - versus a month of smoking piles all around us.

We finally made it back after a long hiatus. We can now get to our dock but there is still so much debris in and around the area that getting out will be a hazard. We are right at the mouth of the Kings, across from Lost Island. The water is murky; not attractive for swimming, especially with all the crud in the water. That doesn't make the grandkids happy. The camp across the way is pulling kids around even though there are some barely submerged large logs still about. Hope God is watching over them. what is really a shame is the lack of fresh air. It smells like a forest fire with all the smoldering driftwood piles. I may have to put the boat on the trailer and find a new launch point. How is it elsewhere on the lake?

Darn, one more to try

Every year in April, usually during income-tax week, we have our extended family Bass fishing "tournament". It is the only competitive fishing event I ever participate in but everyone approaches it like the Classic. We had 22 boats this year and rented Lunker's Landing. We fished the 20th, 21st & 22nd enduring some very heavy rain at times. I am happy to report we 1.) Had a great time. 2.) caught a lot of fish. 3.) swore to the young guys that all the funny and outrageous old family stories were absolutely true. (Would fishermen exaggerate?) 4.) Won the event and the coveted trophy with almost 40 lbs. Nothing compared to the big boys but it was enough. I worked on an underspin bait this winter, tinkering with hooks, blade sizes, spacing, swivels, etc. The Smallies in particular really liked them when presented very slowly with a 3inch paddle tail.

Oh, Daryk, I am far from that. I'm just an old fool setting around the same fishing hole

Gentlemen, i have molds for the 3" and 5" GY grub and for the Kalin 3" and will be happy to make whatever colors you prefer. I'm struggling to get the store portion of the website working but check it out at http://whiteriverlures.com/ shoot me a message with what you are looking for.

I was having too much fun by that point - watching my 3 & 5 year old Grandsons. We played in the snow until we were all frozen. i had hoped she would call before weigh in if they had a good day - but, believe it or not, cell phone use is prohibited by tournament rules. Seems odd to me.

For years I have told people that the 3 things I am most afraid of are; 1.) My Wife. 2.) The IRS. 3.) Electricity Once again, I am reminded that I am married to a tough Wyoming Cowgirl. Under no circumstances was I going to be fishing today in the cold, rain, sleet & snow. But my wife, Lily, was up for it. A friend of ours needed a partner for the Joe Bass tournament out of Kimberling City today and was struggling to find someone willing. She just called on her way home and said they had a great time & took 3rd place with 19 lbs. She put 2 of the 5 in the well. They had a limit by 8:30 and culled several times. I am again reminded why she is #1 - on a lot more than the "most afraid of list"

For years I have told people that the 3 things I am most afraid of are; 1.) My Wife. 2.) The IRS. 3.) Electricity Once again, I am reminded that I am married to a tough Wyoming Cowgirl. Under no circumstances was I going to be fishing today in the cold, rain, sleet & snow. But my wife, Lily, was up for it. A friend of ours needed a partner for the Joe Bass tournament out of Kimberling City today and was struggling to find someone willing. She just called on her way home and said they had a great time & took 3rd place with 19 lbs. She put 2 of the 5 in the well. They had a limit by 8:30 and culled several times. I am again reminded why she is #1 - on a lot more than the "most afraid of list"

I made some baits to share but that kind of weather, for me at least, is for setting near the fire with a warm beverage. I won't be fishing unless that Canadian blast skips us.

Hello Gentelemen (& Donna ;), We don't expect to have the boat, our gear, or ourselves, ready to fish by Saturday but would love to come out and wish you all the best. It is great to be back home. Participating in this forum and getting ready to play at beautiful TRL again are some of the benefits of being back. We have had a winter full of adventures well south of the border; got to enjoy the company of old friends, and a beloved son we rarely see. We met and became fast friends with some like-minded folks, some of whom saved us from a substantial mechanical problem and who bravely stood their ground against some corrupt officials to prevent a Canadian doctor & his assistant from being severely taken advantage of. This world is full of truly amazing people that we have been blessed to know and some of them are on this forum. We only know many of y'all through this forum but look forward to at least putting some faces to names. I am reorganizing the shop but should have some time to make some baits to bring & inflict upon you. If you something particular you want, or any suggestions please let me know M. (Pepe) Knight

Pete Wenners has Motorguide version TM, whatever the wireless smart one is called, he is selling at a low price.

Feel better soon, QB. Those bass are waiting on you.

You have the right attitude, Sir. Congratulations on a great day.

Way to persevere. That time with family is irreplaceable.

Perfect

Great report. Thanks.