Submitted by Brett Graham (ip 208.188.175.238)

Date Fished: 1/1/2006
Water Clarity: 0

Lake Huites: October, November and Early December

When we closed the Lodge after the first half of the 2005 season in June we did so with a very high expectancy of what the fall fishing season would bring. The spring “bite” had grown better with every passing day and when we closed Trophy Bass Lodge for the summer in early June the fishing was excellent. The numbers were very stable and the bigger fish were starting to show up with regularity. We learned that the better fish were aggressively pursuing the “swimbaits” in 20’ to 35’ of water on points, humps and saddles.

We received reports all summer long from our head guide Luis and our general manager George that the fishing remained excellent throughout the summer. Our eager anticipation of the fall season would not prove to be disappointing. October kicked off with a BANG. Guest Frank Walker had several fish over 10# with a 12# giant. By the way, Frank stands as the current leader in the Big Bass Challenge… more about that later. Our guests this fall have reported astonishing numbers of fish in the 6 – 8 pound range. That fact alone makes me wonder what the numbers of 10# fish will be like as the “Big Girls” prepare for the spawn.

The numbers of fish caught per boat have been nothing short of incredible. Boat after boat; have reported over 150 fish per day and some as high as over 250. I’m not even going to go there with this report, but I will tell you that one of our corporate groups caught an absolutely astounding number of fish for their 3 day extravaganza. We hope to have their report posted soon. Sure, there were lots and lots of 1 – 3 pound fish caught, but there were also hundreds upon hundred of 4 -6 pound fish caught. Mark it in you book my friends, barring any unforeseen weather phenomena or any dramatic and unusual lake conditions, Huites is positioned to explode with huge numbers of 8 – 10 pound bass. And, there will be increasing numbers of 11-12 pound fish reported with the super heavyweight “teenagers” coming as well. The forage base in Huites is in excellent shape and the fish that are being caught are all fat and healthy.

This is the same track Lake Huites was on from its beginning through early 2003 and before the disastrous “drawdown” in November of 03. But, that is Mexico bass fishing. It is cyclical, not just with Huites, but with all of the Mexican lakes. We will long remember that Huites came alive in 2005! And if everything holds together…this is just the beginning.

October opened with a strong topwater bite and as I write this report all indications is that it has continued on right into early December. I fished the lake in November when we filmed with our friend Kip Pollay from Azod’s Sportsman’s Heritage television show. Kip and I have some outstanding top water action on film. You don’t want to miss the 2006 Sportsman’s Heritage and Bassin’ Mexico shows featuring this explosive top water action from Lake Huites. In fact, check out this picture of a Huites “topwater double”. These two 5 pound pigs exploded on a Magnum Storm Chug Bug… then fought each other all the way to the boat. Whew, I felt like I was just along for the ride with these two brutes!

All of the chugger and popper style topwater baits have worked well, however, the sleeper this year was the age old propeller baits. In fact, our good friend Gary Fisher of Great Fish Reproductions had three great days of topwater action on the High Roller 3.25” Rip Roller. If you haven’t tied on a topwater prop bait in awhile, you’ll miss out, if you come to Huites without one. Zarra Spooks and other walking baits worked well also as did buzzbaits in white and white and chartreuse.

As usual, the plastics have worked well all fall and will continue to produce as we move into the pre spawn and spawn. Lizards, creature baits, soft jerk baits, tubes and worms all produce well in watermelon, watermelon seed, red shad, tequila sunrise and junebug. Add a little chartreuse Spike It in Garlic flavor on the tails and tips.

The time tested medium and deep running crankbaits in the Norman DD 22 and Fat Free Shad series have produced some of the larger fish this fall and will continue to be the crankbait of choice as the season progresses. Shad, citrus shad and other combinations with green sparkles continue to be the colors of choice for the “Huites kids”.

This past fall the swimbait bite never really developed for the majority of anglers. But, I think simply because most anglers chose to stay with the top water and shallow patterns. There were numerous fish caught on swimbaits for those who were willing to focus on the deeper water. Most anglers however chose to stay with the action.

The surprise bait this fall has been the jig. Frank Walker got it all started in early October with his 12# monster and then the word got out. The jig bite was on at Huites…Big Time! The watermelon, green and amber combinations were the ticket with some type of large bulky plastic trailer. The bait for me in November was a ½ ounce Strike Works Jig with a brown pumpkin & watermelon rind skirt and a small Zoom Brushog trailer in green pumpkin. This combination worked extremely well and accounted for 90% of the fish I caught over 7#. Given the current water level and conditions, I expect the jig bite to continue right on through the spawn and into the spring.

For those of you who enjoy spinner bait fishing, this fall was the time. Bill Curtis, the Sportsman’s Heritage cameraman wore out two over three days…fishing part time! Spinner baits in 3/8 and ½ ounce with white and white and chartreuse skirts were the combination of choice this fall. As we move into pre-spawn and spawn, the spinner bait will continue to produce. The heavier 1-11/4 ounce baits are deadly when slow rolled. Our head guide Luis, is the Maestro when it comes to the technique of slow rolling the spinner bait. Ask Luis for a few tips the next time you are at the lodge.

At the end of this report I’ve added some of the comments we have received this fall from our guests. These comments are taken directly from the Trophy Bass Lodge questionnaires that are completed by each guest prior to their departure. Trophy Bass Lodge is quickly becoming a “top shelf” lodging facility. Affirmative marks for our cook and the dining experience is at an all time high. And so it is as well with our overall lodge approval rating. I’m proud to tell you that staff hospitality and cordiality is as well. Our equipment is in first class shape. We will have a new van at the lodge very shortly for your trips to and from the lodge to the airport in Los Mochis.

The fishing has rebounded dramatically just as the Ole’ Hands of Mexican bass fishing and the International Game Fish Association said it would. Remember the quote from the IGFA’s International Angler Newsletter about Huites? It was, “in direct relation to documented largemouth bass weight, the best bass lakes in Mexico are: #1 Lake Huites…it is considered the most productive bass fishing lake in Mexico”. Please understand, I’m not saying you will catch a 10# bass every time you come to Huites. I am saying, based on present conditions, that you will catch the numbers. That’s what the IGFA’s reference to “the most productive” means. Fish of 7-9 pounds are becoming much more common. And, you certainly have the opportunity to catch some real giants as has been evidenced with our Big Bass Challenge. Mr. Walkers 12# fish for October is the current overall leader. In the next few weeks we will be posting the Leaderboard for the Trophy Bass Lodge Big Bass Challenge so check back often. To read more about the Big Bass Challenge and how you could win a free trip to Brazil for some Peacock Bass fishing, return to the Home page.

We are ready for you to join us at Trophy Bass Lodge for some of the best bass fishing on the planet. Check with your family and friends and pick some dates. Then give us a call to confirm availability. We’ll work hard to get you the dates you request and we can direct you to our designated reservation specialist to help you with arranging flight reservations.

Thank You and Best Wishes for a Prosperous and Happy New Year.

David Fields www.trophybasslodge.com

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