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El Salto, Mexico: What lies beneath

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On a recent trip with Billy Chapman at <a href=
On a recent trip with Billy Chapman at Anglers Inn International to Mexico’s famed Lake El Salto, arguably the world’s best big-bass factory, Bassmaster editors teamed up with the Humminbird and Minn Kota crew to get an “in-depth” look at what lies beneath the warm Mexican waters of El Salto. Here Jeff Kolodzinski, Fishing Brand Manager for Johnson Outdoors, preps a Gen3 Humminbird Helix 12 armed with the company’s famous Mega Side and Down Imaging.
One of the first spots we look at is a long, tapering point on one side, and it drops off into deep water on the lefthand side of the point.
One of the first spots we look at is a long, tapering point on one side, and it drops off into deep water on the lefthand side of the point.
Here's another look at the same point. Where the boat is positioned, it's in 56 feet, only a few feet from the shoreline.
Here’s another look at the same point. Where the boat is positioned, it’s in 56 feet, only a few feet from the shoreline.
The large rocky outcropping is an indication of what's beneath the boat on the deep side.
The large rocky outcropping is an indication of what’s beneath the boat on the deep side.
With attractive fish-holding structure unseen to the eyes, the Mega Imaging brings to life what makes this spot easy to miss, but so worth some time and effort in working several baits through it.
With attractive fish-holding structure unseen to the eyes, the Mega Imaging brings to life what makes this spot easy to miss, but so worth some time and effort in working several baits through it.
This is a multi-faced look at the ledge before it drops into deep water. It's valuable to compare the Side and Down Imaging to the regular 2D sonar. There are obvious needs for each, but a side-by-side comparison is educationial.
This is a multi-faced look at the ledge before it drops into deep water. It’s valuable to compare the Side and Down Imaging to the regular 2D sonar. There are obvious needs for each, but a side-by-side comparison is educationial.
As the boat moves into deeper water, you can see the boulders and rugged bottom.
As the boat moves into deeper water, you can see the boulders and rugged bottom.
You can faintly make out a thermocline, and the fish suspended above it.
You can faintly make out a thermocline, and the fish suspended above it.
As the technology dials in the substraight details, the thermocline becomes obvious, but the details below that point are impressive.
As the technology dials in the substraight details, the thermocline becomes obvious, but the details below that point are impressive.
We moved to a shallow, tapering point loaded with timber. The Down Imaging just popped with detail. Surely big bass would be nearby.
We moved to a shallow, tapering point loaded with timber. The Down Imaging just popped with detail. Surely big bass would be nearby.
Here's a look at the same stretch on Mega Down Imaging.
Here’s a look at the same stretch on Mega Down Imaging.
Returning that afternoon with Gunpowder's Ryan Chuckle, the case was made. Big El Salto largemouth bass were certainly nearby.
Returning that afternoon with Gunpowder’s Ryan Chuckle, the case was made. Big El Salto largemouth bass were certainly nearby.
Moving on to the next spot, another long, tapering point--very common at El Salto--looks to be worth some investigation and maybe a cast or two.
Moving on to the next spot, another long, tapering point–very common at El Salto–looks to be worth some investigation and maybe a cast or two.
On the deep-water, main-lake side, here's another look at the same stretch.
On the deep-water, main-lake side, here’s another look at the same stretch.
Here is a view of the subsurface structure on Mega Side and Down Imaging. Using both technologies at once offers a true representation of what's beneath.
Here is a view of the subsurface structure on Mega Side and Down Imaging. Using both technologies at once offers a true representation of what’s beneath.
The deep side of that stretch indicates lots of rocky structure. And you can see the thermocline and where the bulk of the baitfish are staged. Valuable information for those seeking biting fish. Don't go too deep!
The deep side of that stretch indicates lots of rocky structure. And you can see the thermocline and where the bulk of the baitfish are staged. Valuable information for those seeking biting fish. Don’t go too deep!
Kolodzinski proved that stretch of bank to be worth plying. Here he holds up a giant plucked from those very waters.
Kolodzinski proved that stretch of bank to be worth plying. Here he holds up a giant plucked from those very waters.
A stretch of lake shore started with a sharp, rocky point, then ended on a grassy, tapering point. About half a mile separated the elements.
A stretch of lake shore started with a sharp, rocky point, then ended on a grassy, tapering point. About half a mile separated the elements.
This is a look at the opposite end.
This is a look at the opposite end.
The stretch is full of timber, but also littered with tilapia beds.
The stretch is full of timber, but also littered with tilapia beds.
Here's a direct look at the extensive beds on Side Imaging. Tilapia are voracious spawners, performing the mating ritual multiple times per year. Since Mexico offers high-quality conditions, the fish are in some phase of the spawn around the entire calendar.
Here’s a direct look at the extensive beds on Side Imaging. Tilapia are voracious spawners, performing the mating ritual multiple times per year. Since Mexico offers high-quality conditions, the fish are in some phase of the spawn around the entire calendar.
You can even zoom in on the Side Imaging to get a better look. And you'll notice there are actually fish on some of these beds.
You can even zoom in on the Side Imaging to get a better look. And you’ll notice there are actually fish on some of these beds.
More detail on the same stretch.
More detail on the same stretch.
Tilapia are also very aggressive. They will often eat bass baits that intersect their strike zone while defending their beds.
Tilapia are also very aggressive. They will often eat bass baits that intersect their strike zone while defending their beds.
But the bass are also nearby looking for unguarded fry. Before the rapidly growing tilapia get too big, the bass feast on the young. A lipless crankbait, such as this Berkley War Pig make for a great presentation at El Salto all year long.
But the bass are also nearby looking for unguarded fry. Before the rapidly growing tilapia get too big, the bass feast on the young. A lipless crankbait, such as this Berkley War Pig make for a great presentation at El Salto all year long.
This point looks like many others, but it has some special features, such as the main river channel on along the outside edge (left). Naturally, traveling fish follow the channel, and often set up residence in adjacent structure.
This point looks like many others, but it has some special features, such as the main river channel on along the outside edge (left). Naturally, traveling fish follow the channel, and often set up residence in adjacent structure.
Here you can see the point break off into deeper water that eventually dumps into the existing river channel. The side-by-side view of the 2D and Mega Down Imaging show the same spot, but offer different details--both valuable to the bass hunter.
Here you can see the point break off into deeper water that eventually dumps into the existing river channel. The side-by-side view of the 2D and Mega Down Imaging show the same spot, but offer different details–both valuable to the bass hunter.
Another part of the same point has a sizable tree that is loaded with fish. Bass or tilapia? You'll also notice part of the screen offers AutoChart Live, a mapping feature that comes standard on most of the Helix and Solix units. El Salto has no mapping available, so making your own is a very handy ability on uncharted waters.
Another part of the same point has a sizable tree that is loaded with fish. Bass or tilapia? You’ll also notice part of the screen offers AutoChart Live, a mapping feature that comes standard on most of the Helix and Solix units. El Salto has no mapping available, so making your own is a very handy ability on uncharted waters.
Bass definitely live in this spot.
Bass definitely live in this spot.
Another spot that looks very visually appealing topside. But what's beneath? And is it worth making a cast?
Another spot that looks very visually appealing topside. But what’s beneath? And is it worth making a cast?
The Down Imaging shows staging fish, while AutoChart Live builds a highly detailed contour map.
The Down Imaging shows staging fish, while AutoChart Live builds a highly detailed contour map.
Kolodzinski caught a big one almost right away.
Kolodzinski caught a big one almost right away.
Here's another interesting spot that seems to have all the right ingredients.
Here’s another interesting spot that seems to have all the right ingredients.
With Side and Down Imaging reporting back information, there is a steep dropoff with suspended fish staging above the thermocline, but also near shore. It's clearly a spot worth fishing with the right approach.
With Side and Down Imaging reporting back information, there is a steep dropoff with suspended fish staging above the thermocline, but also near shore. It’s clearly a spot worth fishing with the right approach.
A big 10-inch Berkley PowerWorm worked along the bank before it drops into deep water does the trick. The Black-and-Blue combo is a traditional big bass catcher on El Salto.
A big 10-inch Berkley PowerWorm worked along the bank before it drops into deep water does the trick. The Black-and-Blue combo is a traditional big bass catcher on El Salto.
Here Kolodzinski points out a big ball of baitfish.
Here Kolodzinski points out a big ball of baitfish.
And they're not alone.
And they’re not alone.
Here's another look at a similar spot just up the lake. You can clearly see baitfish and larger marks, likely indicating bass in good numbers. A perfect spot to drag a big worm or crankbait.
Here’s another look at a similar spot just up the lake. You can clearly see baitfish and larger marks, likely indicating bass in good numbers. A perfect spot to drag a big worm or crankbait.
This is a very interesting spot. An abandoned village or ranch existed here before the lake was created. Although, at the time of this photo the lake was down, thus exposing the buildings. When at full pool, this location is completely under the water. Imagine what it would look like on the Mega Imaging technology?
This is a very interesting spot. An abandoned village or ranch existed here before the lake was created. Although, at the time of this photo the lake was down, thus exposing the buildings. When at full pool, this location is completely under the water. Imagine what it would look like on the Mega Imaging technology?
Here's another look at the same location.
Here’s another look at the same location.
On the same shoreline, there is ample fish-holding structure.
On the same shoreline, there is ample fish-holding structure.
Absolutely the kind of spot that needs to be fish thoroughly.
Absolutely the kind of spot that needs to be fish thoroughly.
Farther down the bank, you can see larger predator fish near smaller baitfish. Bass? Catfish? You'll have to make a cast with the right bait to find out for sure.
Farther down the bank, you can see larger predator fish near smaller baitfish. Bass? Catfish? You’ll have to make a cast with the right bait to find out for sure.

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