The numbers were staggering, but not surprising and too be honest not that unusual. An estimated 600 bass in four days of fishing. Put it another way, about 1,800 pounds of fish were lifted into the boat, and it was not a two-man effort every day.

That was the result of a trip to Lake Picachos in April. There is no doubt Picachos is currently Mexico’s go-to hotspot for catching huge numbers of bass. Having only been fished for three years the lake is still a baby, and while there have been some good fish caught (the current lake record is a 12-14) it is all about the numbers.

Tyler Paper Outdoors and texasalloutdoors.com are booking reservations for a four-day group trip to fish Picachos April 10-15, 2017. There are 10 slots available for the trip. Cost is $1,895 and includes lodging and meals at the lake. Not included are roundtrip airfare to and from Mazatlan, ground transportation, a night’s stay in Mazatlan and gratuities.

For those interested in trying to catch big bass, a four-day trip to Lake El Salto is being organized for Jan. 16-21, 2017. There are 15 spots available for the trip. Cost for fishing with lodging and meals on Salto is $1,795. Like the Picachos trip, not included are roundtrip airfare to and from Mazatlan, ground transportation, a night’s stay in Mazatlan and gratuities.

Both trips are being planned in conjunction with Ron Speed Jr., Adventures. Speed, along with his father, were some of the early pioneers into fishing in Mexico. RSJA was the first to have a lodge located Picachos.

Located just about 45 miles east of Mazatlan, Picachos is in the Sierra Madre Occidentals mountain range. The 14,000-acre reservoir is used for farming irrigation and a water source for Mazatlan.

The trip to the lake has been timed to catch the gizzard shad spawn, and hopefully the bigger bass that move up to feed on them.

“Your best months on Picachos to catch a 7-pound bass are usually March, April, May and June because the shad are spawning and it pulls those big fish in there, especially the gizzard shad. In May and June they settle up on summer patterns and you can isolate the fish then,” Speed said.

And if that fails, there is still the numbers game. Starting with a morning topwater bite then working a variety of lures ranging from spinners to soft plastics and crankbaits, Speed said 100 to 200 fish per two-man boat is not out of the question.

Since the lake opened to sportfishing, Speed said quality has steadily improved.

“Over the course of these three years we are getting close to 3 pounds, 2ﾽ and 2 ﾾ. This week we have actually exceeded that 3-pound average,” he said after the mid-April trip. Along with all those 3s, there were also some weighing from 5 to 8-pounds caught, but nothing close to the 12-14 lake record.

Working with pro fishermen and guides from the United States, Speed’s group has discovered patterns that should fish just about any angler’s style.

“When I started fishing Picachos I remember all we did was fish spinnerbaits all the time, of course, after the morning topwater bite was over and in the evenings. Now we have learned the patterns on this lake and at different times of the year what the best lures are,” Speed said.

However, with somewhat limited fishing pressure compared to Texas public waters, the fish are still pretty nave to artificial lures.

“Of course when you get on these schools of fish, it doesn’t matter what you throw in there. The bass are going to bite it. The shad are just spawning, and these bass are really schooled up on them,” Speed explained.

Lodging at Picachos is in a newly-constructed camp built by the local community for Speed’s fishermen. Each casita sleeps two fishermen and includes private bathrooms. Fishermen are provided three meals daily. Fishing is two fishermen per guide from aluminum bass boats.

El Salto is a more mature lake. Located about an hour and a half from the Mazatlan airport, the lake can still produce numbers, but offers fishermen a better chance at quality fish 7 pounds and larger.

The January trip is scheduled at the beginning of the spawn, which in western Mexico typically runs January through March.

Similar to Picachos, Speed has a comfortable camp lakeside. Rooms sleep two. Fishermen will also be provided three meals daily. Fishing is also two fishermen per boat in modern aluminum boats.

Both trips will include four days of fishing surrounded by a day for travel on the front and back ends. There is a non-stop flight to and from Mazatlan from DFW International Airport. Flight arrangements and a final night’s stay in Mazatlan can be booked along with the trip.

To make reservations or for more information, call 903-596-6277 or email outdoor@tylerpaper.com.

Have a comment or opinion on this story? Contact outdoor writer Steve Knight by email at outdoor@tylerpaper.com. Follow Steve Knight on Facebook at Texas All Outdoors and on Twitter @txalloutdoors.