Lake Huites: bassin bonanza south of the border - Gary Laden

LAKE HUITES: BASSIN BONANZA SOUTH OF THE BORDER Gary Laden *






From daybreak to mid-morning, we had been casting shallow running crankbaits and flashy spinnerbaits to steep banks, targeting every piece of potential fish-holding cover and structure we could identify. Our strategy was to saturate the best looking areas with a variety of baits to trigger strikes from aggressive shallow water oriented largemouth bass. And the fish were coming at an astonishing rate, literally one in every eight to 10 casts. Our savvy Mexican bass fishing guide's pattern was working to perfection, as my good friend and long-time fishing buddy Henri Gauthier and I had landed an incredible amount of 1-1/2 to 3 pound bass in just a few hours of fishing. "You've caught plenty of little fish," said our personable third-generation fishing guide, "now it's time to move offshore and see if we can get a trophy or two." I fired off a long cast using an 11-inch plastic worm towards an underwater ledge that ran across a gap between two canyon walls in the middle of the lake. After making about 10 casts and probing the deep water ledge with this plastic offering, Henri and I began questioning our guide's decision to leave the shallow biting fish. Any further speculation on our behalf that our guide's deep-water worm pattern would produce was answered rather abruptly a moment later, when a fish took my bait with such fury that it literally tore the rod from my grasp. There was little doubt that this was a bass of large proportions, as my seven-foot, stout casting rod arched as if it was a 4-weight fly rod after I set the hook. My casting reel's drag screamed in protest as the fish made two strong runs for the protective confines of the nearby flooded timber. After a three-minute duel, angler bested bass that day and the "pescado grande" (Spanish for big fish) was lead to the guide's outstretched net. Although I have fished for largemouth bass for the better part of 25 years, I had never actually landed a double-digit bass. Within a half hour of fishing our guide's deep-water worm pattern during a February 2006 trip to Mexico's Lake Huites, I was elated when my spunky largemouth tipped the scales at 10-1/2 pounds (see Gary Laden with his trophy Lake Huites bass above). "We can leave now and head back to Atlanta," I joked to my partner, as the sweat ran down my forehead and fought hard to catch my breath from all the excitement. However, Henri and I still yearned to catch more trophy bass during the remaining two days of fishing on Mexico's Lake Huites, considered by many angling authorities and reputable publications to be the hottest bass lake in the world. I'm skeptical when I hear claims of 50 fish days and trophy bass as the norm rather than the exception, but in only a half day or so of fishing, you don't have to convince me any longer. I'd be happy if I didn't catch another fish on this trip. Our fishing success on Huites is not an isolated incident. Since the lake first opened to American anglers in 1997, most have reported astonishing catches of bass on Huites, a 30,000- acre reservoir (at full pool) located in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Madre mountain range of northwestern Mexico in the state of Sinaloa. Lake Huites was constructed in 1993 for the purpose of providing a means of irrigation to neighboring farmlands and to generate hydroelectric power. But the damming of the Chinipas and Fuertes rivers also created a world-class bass fishery. I must admit, I had some doubts about our fishing success during this February 13-15, 2006 visit to Lake Huites. I had heard reports that the lake had suffered an unexpected massive draw-down a few years ago which resulted in a fish kill and that the fishing was no where near what it was four or five years ago when I had first visited the lake. I am happy to report that Lake Huites is flourishing. Perhaps there was a brief lull in the bass fishing action after the draw-down, but it seems that Huites' spunky largemouths have bounced back in a big way. After Henri and I landed over 600 fish in those three days of fishing, I cannot imagine any better fishing success Back to the Glory Years Mexico has had a storied past for yielding high quality largemouth bass fisheries. Unfortunately, due to a variety of circumstances, many of these fabled lakes have become just a shadow of their former selves. Not understanding the concept of fishery conservation, or simply ignoring it, meat-hunting American anglers had once hauled countless coolers full of bass filets back to the states. Fishing publications often revealed what now would be considered sickening images of anglers holding up stringers of 100 trophy bass or more. Several years of severe drought conditions at many of these former bass factories caused problems with water quality and poor oxygen concentrations, resulting in a dramatic decline in both the numbers and size of baitfish species, as well as bass that they once produced. "Since the drawdown and over exaggerated fish kill of a few years ago, Huites has emerged as a true bass fishing factory that might restore the glamour days of Mexican bass fishing and Lake Huites might just be the very best," said Wild Bill Skinner (photo at left), a long-time Mexican bass fishing promoter and co-owner of Trophy Bass Lodge, acknowledged by most visitors to Huites as the nicest lodge on the lake. "Although countless tales of virgin bass fisheries abound, few anglers have actually experienced a body of water where aggressive fish have not yet grown wary of artificial lures or flies. These are those rare destinations where active fish literally devour a plug, plastic worm or spinnerbait on just about any well-placed cast. I would say that Huites is the closest thing to the mythical virgin fishery that I have ever encountered." According to Skinner, who is a world class angler himself and one with 40 years of experience plying the waters of Mexico for bass, it was in the early 1970's that Lake Vincente Guerrero of northeastern Mexico was a true virgin bass fishery, one that set the standard by which all future Mexican bass fishing lakes would be judged. Skinner believes it was the first bass lake in Mexico that would consistently yield 100 plus fish days, with the average fish exceeding three pounds. He, as well as many other veteran anglers of bass excursions to Mexico, believes that Lake Huites is as good, or better, than any Mexican bass lake they have ever fished, including Guerrero, and Skinner visited them all in the past 40 years or so. For those that missed out on the glory days of lakes like Guerrero and Hidalgo in their prime, Skinner truly believes that they've been given a second chance to experience a fishery that has not yet reached its peak at Huites. One of the primary reasons for the success of Huites lies in the fact that it was initially stocked with a reported 80,000 Florida strain largemouth bass fingerlings that have matured at a rapid rate and visiting anglers have been astounded by their success. According to Skinner, when you combine fast growing, aggressive Florida strain largemouth bass, optimal water quality, relatively light fishing pressure and an abundant supply of shad and tilapia, you have the ingredients to allow those bass to grow faster and larger than they would in the states. "I have never encountered such a population of healthy largemouth bass in all my years of fishing," said Henri Gauthier (pictured at left with a nine pound largemouth bass), after our trip to Trophy Bass Lodge, a very comfortable facility nestled on the shores of this deep, clear mountain reservoir. "Not only is the average size of the fish I caught quite impressive, but the fish were extremely aggressive as well. I'd often observe two or three fish trying to take a lure or plastic worm from a hooked fish. In some cases you'd catch two fish on the same plug and this is a common occurrence. They basically devoured every lure I through at them." Fishing Patterns According to Wild Bill Skinner, there are two distinct patterns that exist on Huites. You can fish for large numbers of two to four pound bass (in excess of 50 a day in many instances) fishing visible targets and structure along the steep banks or hunt for larger fish, ranging from four to 12 pounds, by fishing deeper, less obvious offshore structure. "If you really want some fast and furious action, I would fish a crankbait, such as a chrome Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap, shad or chartreuse colored Bill Dance Fat Free Shad crankbaits, plastic worm, soft plastic jerkbait or a spinnerbait at the bank," advises Skinner. "These are nice, stout fish, but not the trophies many have come to Mexico to catch. The banks on Huites are steep and you won't find many flats in this lake. For lots of fish, you need to cast at shallow bushes, trees, points and bluff banks." Skinner and his very capable staff of experienced guides target trophy bass on Lake Huites, those in excess of four points, on main lake deep structure, in water ranging from 8 to 25 feet deep. They seek out abundant ledges, islands, humps, points and flooded timber and advise visiting anglers to fish 10-inch or longer plastic worms, Storm Swim Baits and deep diving Bill Dance Fat Free shad crankbaits for best results. When fishing plastic worms and the Swim Baits for deep Lake Huites largemouths, it is advisable to use a stout casting or spinning rod, 20-pound monofilament, 3/8 to 1/2-ounce slip sinkers and strong offset shank worm hooks. "These fish have a tendency to head for cover, like trees or stump roots, when hooked, points out Skinner, "so you need some heavy duty equipment to horse these fish out of deep water." For deep diving crankbaits, consider 6-1/2 to seven-foot long rods and 12-14 pound test to insure maximum diving capabilities of the plugs, yet be strong enough to pry fish away from submerged cover... At times, the fish will be schooling on these structures and it is not unusual to catch numerous trophy bass on consecutive casts. In some instances a 3/4-ounce jigging spoon fished vertically beneath the boat will trigger strikes from these deep oriented fish as well Big fish can also be taken on topwater baits fished over standing timber, brush, within pockets along the bank and across points. Prime baits include the Rebel Pop-R or similar popping plug, Hedden Zara Spook and Gilmore Jumper. A half-ounce buzzbait is also a must lure to bring along for topwater action. Getting There Anglers can reach the lodge by flying commercially (via Tucson or through Mexico City) to the international airport at Los Mochis, Mexico, or they may elect to fly to Dallas or other city not far from the Mexican border and take a twin-engine charter flight to the town of El Fuerte. This is more economical if a group of anglers elects to take the charter flight option. They are then transferred via air conditioned vans some 3 hours to Trophy Bass Lodge, one of only two or three of lodges that is actually located on the lake. The last hour of this ride is on an unpaved bumpy road, but while this is sometimes a curse to the traveling angler, it helps keep out those that would consider towing a boat to Huites.



Trophy Bass Lodge Your room beckons after a hard day of Trophy Bass Fishing. You will be surprised just how nice and comfortable these rooms are. We have suites that can accommodate 2, 3, or 4 depending on the group size. Trophy Bass Adventures offers spacious bedrooms, each of which has a private shower and toilet facility with fine American fixtures. Each suite has electricity, air-conditioning, bottled spring water, large vanity area, hot showers, soap, shampoo, and nice soft towels. You also have maid service twice daily and laundry service upon request. The weather is dependent upon the season you visit Huites. The evening and morning hours are cool because of the cool crisp mountain air of the Sierra Madre Mountains. A jacket is a necessity during these times. As the day progresses, it typically heats up to between 70 and 90 degrees (depending on what month you visit the lake). Occasional showers do occur, so a rain-suit is a must. After a comfortable nights sleep, you will be greeted by the smell of hot coffee. Sizzling bacon and fresh farm eggs or pancakes are enjoyed as a hint of sun turns the sky into indigo blue. After breakfast, a short walk or ride will take you to your boat and guide. Now, it's time to get with the program of catching the plentiful bass on Lake Huites and enjoying the unparalleled scenery this beautiful lake offers. After a great morning of fishing and exploring the lake you will be taken to the lodge for a hot lunch or continue fishing and enjoy sandwiches prepared for you that morning. In addition, there will be at least one shore lunch provided by the lodge cook and staff, featuring fresh bass filets, French fries, homemade salsa and tortillas. For those of you who opt to return to the lodge for a terrific lunch, expect fresh cooked meals consisting of wonderful home made soups, fried chicken, enchiladas, fajitas or the catch of the day, fried fish, complete with condiments. Enjoy your lunch with frosty cold margaritas, beer, juices, soft drinks or iced tea. After lunch you can take a short siesta if you like or simply head out on the lake to start the afternoon action. You're the boss at Trophy Bass Adventures! Returning at sundown, the Lodge is a welcome site after enjoying the warm weather and hot fishing action. You will be greeted by the lodge staff with tasty margaritas or beer and some great conversation with your fellow fishermen. After a nice warm shower in your large private bathroom and some appetizers, it's time for some delicious food! Enjoy a fantastic dinner overlooking the Lake. The bar is always open at this fine restaurant - beer, margaritas, soft drinks, juices and bottled spring water is included in the package. If you desire other beverages (e.g. bourbon, scotch, etc.) please bring your own from the states. The menu will feature impressive entrees consisting of Authentic Mexican dishes, stuffed jumbo shrimp and grilled Angus beef imported from Hermisillo and all the fixing’s!