I am planning to take my son to Lake Picachos and possibly El Salto in either Late November or Mid-March. What would be the best time of the year to fish these lakes? He is only 12 so his skills are limited. I am thinking a topwater or a Senko bite would be best for him.

Senkos and lizards will work very well..

Trust me, if you go to Pichachos he will be an excellent soft plastic fisherman before you get back..

He will not be limited by his skill set at Picachos, he will be so spoiled fishing stateside might not entertain him any longer but he will catch his fair share of fish on that lake.

Texas rigged 8 inch lizards. Let him rare back on them for a few days!

My last trip I took 100 Watermelon/Pearl Yum Dingers and ran out the second day. You couldn't keep the fish off of them. Next trip I'm taking 200.

Any method of rigging senko will work. Topwater has a small window at first light we had to put the bait close to timber, chug bug worked better than pop r, spooks or buzzbaits.

December is a good time

Mid March is awesome. Do a Ron Speed combo of Salto and Picachos, but He’ll have more fun on Picachos.

I highly recommend using Zman products because they are very tough. Three years ago, I caught 85 fish on the same shakey head and worm on El Salto. Probably could have caught more, but my shakey head weight started to get loose and I replaced it when I retied. As mentioned above, you may very well ruin him on either lake. I know it has made me really rethink going/not going alot, lol. I catch more fish in my annual 4 day trip to Salto than I do combined on my local lakes for the rest of the year.

I have been to Anglers Inn on El Salto but have never been to Picachos. Do you guys have a lodge recommendation on Picachos? Anglers Inn or Ron Speed?

I've only been to Anglers Inn, so I can't compare them, but pretty hard to beat that overall experience and level of service.

My wife and I have put together over 100 articles about fishing in Mexico: El Salto and Picachos Guide

Happy to answer any questions either here or in a private message.

For the past 10 years I have fished Picachos and/or Salto twice a year and I agree with much of what has already been stated but it is worth repeating the advice about ZMan products. In my experience they get bit just as well as other options and you don't have to pack 43 pounds of your favorite plastic baits. I can't explain why the topwater isn't better at Picachos (and I've been there several different times of the year) but it is definitely limited. You are on the right track to focus on stick baits and a wide variety of different Texas rigged options. As others have stated...he's going to get spoiled.

here's a link to a story/pictures i did of trip my son and i went on to Picachos and El Salto with ron speed back in march......

https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...s-unbelievable-el-salto-too#Post14315617

below is a link to story/pictures I did on El Salto......I've been down there each year for past 5-6 years with ron speed and every year it has been a great experience....
my advise is buy a couple of those 50 packs of senko type baits...watermelon red or blue/black....about 50 4/0 hooks and 1/4 ounce sinkers and 20 lb flouro....carry three reels each and they furnish rods-get the heavy duty 7ft rods...set of scales to weigh those 7-11 lb fish..
https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...l-salto-on-your-bucket-list#Post14315680

Only been once to Picachos with Ron Speeds so nothing to compare to but i can say Speeds was top notch. We ate well, were cared for beyond what I would have thought possible, caught at least 80 fish per day between the two of us and just had a fantastic adventure. Top water was great early and then plastics deep, mostly Texas rigged senkos with at least a 3/8oz weight. We also caught a ton fishing spinnerbaits shallow up to about 6lbs. We did not catch anything over about 6lbs but the action was constant. Have a great time with your son!

Late-November is my favorite time to fish Picachos. Spinnerbaits shallow and around log jams, senkos/craws on rock bluffs are safe choices. I’ve been close to 20 times. You and your son will have a great time and make memories you’ll never forget!