Meet "Mr. BIG" at Lake El Salto...
Some of our customers just returned from Anglers Inn at Lake El Salto with wonderful reports of trophy Largemouth Bass landed on the fly. They experienced excellent topwater action during the morning and late afternoon hours. The HOT topwater flies were patterns that have a distinct baitfish profile such as the Crease Fly or Bubble-Head. The best retrieve for these flies was two hard strips followed by a loooong pause of 5 - 10 seconds. Most of the trophy Bass exploded on the fly during the pause... be patient!
During the midday hours, anglers stay in the action by fishing subsurface with light sink-tips (clear-tip or type 3). The most productive subsurface fly was the #2 Gummy Minnow (brown or pearl).During the fall and winter months (pre-spawn), Lake El Salto has prime fly fishing opportunities for trophy Largemouth. The lake temperature is optimal in the top water column, causing the bait (Tilapia and shad) to reside in the shallow water environs. Prowling Bass will hold and ambush the bait along shoreline rip-rap and near-shore structure, such as submerged trees or brush. At times, it is quite a spectacular scene to see these jumbo Bass ripping up the bait, leaving the surface in a bubbly froth.
Here are a few more photos from last week's group at Lake El Salto!
Jon with a trophy Bass taken off the rock wall...
George with his "bucketmouth" along the rip-rap
Topwater Largemouth from submerged trees...
Another trophy Bass for George...
