Sounds like a grrrrrreat trip.

You will be just as impressed with Mr. Chapman. He has been in this business longer than all of them and on almost all the lakes in Mexico. His guides are seasoned and know exactly what to do.

Although I book directly through, www.picachosbasslodge.com in my signature. Mrs. Mendoza who seems to be the land owner and works very closely with all the outfitters on the lake. This is a way to save lots of money on your bookings, stay in the same facilities and eat the same food.

Mr Harper...Once again you are MISINFORMED. First.... Ron Speed has been entertaining clients in Mexico for 44yrs and I am pretty sure no one else has been there that long. Seconded.....Only clients of Ron Speed Jr stay in our Lodge and eat the food prepared for Ron Speed Jrs clients.You should really do your homework before spreading false information on these threads. Third we were the 1st on the lake and have been in operation for over a year and training guides on this lake since before that time so..... not sure how SEASONED any guides are in the short time others have been in operaton.

Not trying to step on anyone's toes here BFF. Trying to agree with everyone and I know all of Mr. Speed's history. He is also a great person to deal with. He has the best website and is at the top of everyone's list to book with. You are a representative the same as I and we must get along as not to turn away not even one customer.

Everyone needs to know all their options on every lake. One of those options is, no one has an exclusive there. Almost all of the facilities are shared by other outfitters. I know your operation has a section of the facility; for lack of a better term, roped off. Having a different food menu does not make the kitchen unshaped. If a customer wants to go at a cheaper rate, as one of their options, I can make that happen. The experience will be just as great and the facilities just as nice.

Let me make myself perfectly clear on your issue. I do not make a dime on booking fly in trips to the lake. I am giving customers a contact to save them some cash, by booking through the website in my signature. I only do drive in trips to Lake El Salto and share the facilities there on split days of fishing on both lakes. Again I do not make any money. I want to fish the same as everyone that goes with me and do this as often as possible. I have no gains by not telling the truth about shared facilities, dining hall, and guides on the lake.

I might also mention or ask if your price includes transportation, or if the clients have to spend a night in Mazatlan at additional cost, or how much is the cab ride to the airport (over $30) and the additional meals? My booking does not charge for these things and that is a great savings.

I would like to jump in on the deal of having to stay the last night of the trip at El CID. This seems a bit much to me..I have been told this is done in order to maximize occupancy at the lodge and that may well be true- I have also been told the "co-op" has some input/ rules on this. On our trip we were able to stay the last night at the lodge, but had to pay another $130 per person for the rooms and meals, which was okay we us because the cost of El CID is about 130 for 2/per night and then the cost of taxi to the airport, and then the hassle of coming in after a afternoon of fishing then have to pack everything up, drive to Mazatlan, get a room, unpack, have dinner, and then pack up again in the morning ahead to the airport..I do appreciate the fact that we were able to stay at the lodge the last night, have an enjoyable breakfast and then head to the airport. Ron Speed's staff really does make every effort to make your stay as comfortable/successful as possible

If you paid $130 for 2 you got ripped off. Our cost for 2 ,total after taxes, is $90 for a pool side room. Our flight out is 2:00 PM, so we will have a nice breakfast, a swim and a casual morning before heading to the airport. Is the taxi $30 per person or that much to split?

Mr. Speed's Website has all their prices for the taxi, which is $70 per person based on 4 fisherman; from the lake. It is not clear what it cost for less than 4. I am thinking it would cost $280, so 2 fisherman would have to split that cost. Then Taxi from the motel to air port is less, but I am assuming that is another charge.

Always ask questions and plan or look at all your added expenses. My booking agent in my signature charges $1,095 for 3 days of fishing and that is it, except for tips of course. You will be transported both ways and if the place is full; causing a nights stay in town then that is absorbed. They feel like if everything is that full they can afford $130 for the motel. You would have to pay for a cab from the motel to the airport.

Maybe we should get back on the topic the post is about and not bashing the competition.
Looking so forward to my January trip with Ron Speed Jr.

I agree. Doing a bit of homework before heading down in Dec. Going to a different lake (El Salto) and wanted to know more about what each person took in the way of reels (#'s), line (pound test, fleuro or mono), terminal tackle, plastics (what kinds and sizes and #'s), and lures. And did you really need and use out of all that stuff you took.

We are doing 2 days on El Salto and 3 on Picachos. Leave 1/7 return 1/13. I'll post afterwards. Only been to Huites in the past, but took only what was recommended by the lodge and was fine. Let us know how your trip goes. Taking 4 reels, 3 spooled with 20# Invizex and one with 15# Mono for topwater. Magnum Zoom lizards, big Senkos in watermelon green and watermelon red. Magnum flukes in same colors. 5.0 extra wide gap hooks and 1/4-3/8 oz tungsten weights.

Fork take the big fluke in pearl when you go to Salto. Last winter that was by far the best big bass bait.

Make sure you take 6 inch lizards and 5 inch Senkos. You don't always need the big stuff. The exception is throwing bigger spinnerbaits. I will throw 3/4 and 1 oz with large #5, #6, #7 blades. I think a 2/3 trip is the way to go to experience two great lakes.

Thanks, I'll do that. How about swim baits?

Will do. I have a bunch of these already,especially for Picachos.
That's what we thought,since none of us has been to either.

Yes, bring swim baits. Bring bone, shad, shad/chart crankbaits in various depth ranges. Probably most of your fishing will be in 6 to 15 foot of water. The bigger females begin to move up starting mid december and the spawn usually starts full moon January.

Be sure to take:
- 10 pack. of the Mag. Lizards in Zoom Watermelon/Red
- Chart. marker pin and tip the tails on all baits
- 10 packs of Brush Hogs same color and tip the tails.
- 10 packs of Senkos
- 10 packs of Pearl Mag. Flukes. The Scrounger Head has been working great with them.
- Five 3/4 oz. Spinner Baits. I prefer the ones I build.
- Last resort box of Cranks as mentioned above. I don't like dealing with all the hooks, just to many opportunities to get one in the hand with all the catching.
- Same thing on the topwater action with the Bone Super Spook. Lots of hooks to deal with.