El Salto could produce next world record bass

By John N. Felsher
Contributing writer

Lake El SaltoLocated about 70 miles northeast of Mazatlan, Mexico, Lake El Salto covers just 24,000 acres at pool stage, but looms large in the bass fishing world. This lake could produce the next world record bass.

Anglers commonly catch bass exceeding 10 pounds, with 6- to 9-pounders barely causing a stir. On one trip, Tony Encinas, head guide for Anglers Inn El Salto, caught two 11-pounders, a 10- and a 9-pounder from the same spot with the same swim bait in 20 minutes.

 

APPROACHING 20 POUNDS

“In May 2001, an angler landed and released an 18.5-pounder,” said Billy Chapman, Jr., owner and founder of Anglers Inn International and a 2009 inductee into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. “We’ve had a few 16-pounders and a load of 14- and 15-pounders. One day, we found a dead 16-pounder with a tilapia stuck in its mouth. We can’t even keep track of the number of 5- to 9-pound bass we catch.”

In 1985, Chapman stocked pure Florida-strain largemouth's and protein-rich tilapia into the new lake. With deep holes, abundant forage, consistent water coming down from the 8,000-foot Sierra Madre Mountains ringing the lake and a long growing season, fish grow rapidly. Now, Lake El Salto ranks as one of the foremost trophy bass lakes in the world with Anglers Inn as the premier lodge on the lake.

Opened in 1989, Anglers Inn El Salto can accommodate guests in air-conditioned hotel-style rooms complete with private baths. Chefs prepare three full meals a day and offer refreshments all day. The Anglers Inn team even provides laundry service with items picked up and delivered to guest rooms.

 

BEST SERVICE ANYWHEREBilly

I’ve stayed in many outstanding resorts and lodges during my travels over the years, but I’ve never seen better service than at Anglers Inn. Upon arrival, inn staff interview people about their tastes and preferences. For one thing, they ask how each guest likes his or her coffee. When they woke me up to go fishing each morning, a staffer handed me a steaming cup of coffee just the way I liked it. I didn’t even need to get out of bed to enjoy my first sip.

Besides running Anglers Inn at Lake El Salto, Chapman runs another bass lodge at Lake Mateo, a lake that can produce 150 bass a day on topwater baits, bluewater and light tackle saltwater operations out of Mazatlan, a wing shooting operation and arranges expeditions to the Amazon for peacock bass and other species. Offering many combination packages, Chapman can also arrange vacations at the renowned Pueblo Bonito Resorts, a Five-Star chain with seven resorts in western Mexico.

For booking trips, call 800-GOTA-FISH, (468-2347). On the Internet, see www.anglersinn.com.