If you're into largemouth bass fishing, then there is a destination south of the border that has a well-founded reputation for producing quality largemouth bass in large numbers. Lake Baccarac is a huge fishery not only for bass, but is a Tilapia hatchery. The bass fishery is catch and release only but the Tilapia are commercially sold.
Dave Young is an avid bass fishing angler. He comes from a family background of note. His father was none other, than Robert Young, the founder of American Bass Association. Dave has also been a regular on the late Ronny Kovack TV fishing shows. He was a salt/freshwater instructor for the Ronny Kovack Fishing Shows and many have known him for his charitable work as a volunteer to Irvine Lake Berkley Pro Team. He currently is a Berkley Fishing Ambassador.
Several anglers have visited Baccarac Fishing Federation many times, to which has given this resort a much desired reputation for producing a record amount of bass. Many anglers have broken their personal best bass catches at this destination. Dave has visited the Bass Federation a total of four times and intends future visits.
His trip starts with contacting the Bass Federation Lodge and making reservations for a visit. Usually, the better months to go, correspond to the spawning cycle of largemouth bass, which generally occurs around the months of February to early April when temps are on the cooler side. The temperature ranges south of the border can be considerably much hotter during the summer months so early in the year and in the fall months are prime times to fish Lake Baccarac.
To get to their location requires some logistical juggling since they are not located next to any close commercial airport. Their location in the Sinaloa providence on mainland Mexico and can be reached by air from the Tijuana International airport to the town of Los Mochis.
Driving to San Diego a day prior to your departure is generally a good rule of thumb since flights can occur in the early morning hours. Fishing equipment is not provided at the resort so having rod tubes suitable for airplane transport are needed along with terminal tackle bags/boxes and reel bags. Tackle can also be transported in personal luggage along with reels to conserve space. Reels must be in a checked bag. There a minimal tackle shop at the resort.
Arriving at Los Mochis airport and clearing customs, a representative from the Baccarac Bass Federation Lodge is present to transport you and your luggage by shuttle bus. The trip from Los Mochis to the resort can vary in length, so it depends on traffic conditions to the resort. Typical travelling time is approx. 2 + hours from the airport to Lake Baccarac. Once you have arrived, the friendly staff will greet you with ice cold Margaritas, chips and salsa, and other varieties of appetizers with a friendly smile.
After some refreshments and settling in you’ll need to assemble your fishing gear for the next day. Staff members will transport your gear to your assigned boat where it will stay for your entire trip at the resort. There are personnel at all times of the day, both at the marina and throughout the premises.
The following morning you are greeted by a knock on your door and a friendly staff member will offer you a cup of coffee to start your day. You then go to the main dining hall for a hardy breakfast which varies daily. Anglers are then valeted from the resort, down to the marina. Boat captains greet their assigned anglers. Each boat usually has two anglers. Skippers know the parts of this massive lake to start fishing at. Small burritos are provided as a snack by the lodge before going out in the morning. Bringing your own personnel snacks is recommended and may not be available at the resort.
The mornings are the prime time to have a topwater bite. Popper lures like Berkley Choppos were commonly used with much success. Bass attacked these offerings making the calm waters explode when they were bitten. As the morning progressed, we switched to rattletraps, crankbaits and swimbaits along shorelines and across points. The lake’s shoreline is similar to fishing Lake Mead in that there is little vegetation growing along shorelines. Depths range from shallow to deep with every turn into a new cove. It’s a common sight to see largemouth floating on the lake’s surface that have inhaled Tilapia. Skippers will stop and relieve the bass of its prey, setting both free unharmed. After the crankbait bite slows switching to plastic worms is often tried next.
As the morning passes, you return to the marina for lunch and perhaps a much-needed siesta. After lunch, you're shuttled back to the marina for the late afternoon bite. Anglers often use both crankbaits and plastic worms in late afternoon hours. The bass tend to hug the shorelines and poppers are often used in late evening hours. Fishing till beyond dusk is the norm.
Typical catches of largemouth bass can range to a hundred fish or more caught daily. This is not an uncommon occurrence. Fish sizes can range from small bass into the double digits. Trophy fish often school together when fishing this lake. Baccarac Bass Federation lodge has a large fellowship of returning anglers.
Lake Baccurac is one of the best bass angling locations in the Northern hemisphere but for those of you that just can't get enough bass fishing then you might consider running for the border.
