Bass fishing Lake Cajon de Pena in Jalisco, MX

Posted: February 13, 2009 by Nookslayer in Fish Reports


I was fortunate enough to get out and wet a line on my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta.  It wasn’t in Banderas Bay for Dorado as I had assumed but inland on Beautiful Lake Cajon de Pena for large-mouth Black Bass. 

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Lake Cajon de Pena is located 75 miles south of Puerto Vallarta. This 7000 acre lake is nestled into the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains and is still an “untouched” paradise. You can’t believe the beauty of the lush jungle forests which surround the lake. The lake has been stocked with Florida large mouth black bass. Average catches typically include several bass over 5 lbs. Largest bass on record is about 13 lbs. Plus, this lake is a bird watcher’s dreams with wild parrots, several species of cranes, several species of ducks, spanish dove, orioles, huge blue jays, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and many, many more birds all around.

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We weren’t as fortunate as some of the more recent anglers had been only catching 3 fish (I had two, photos to come).  I knew when our guide picked us up at our hotel and stated that the day before the two anglers he had taken had a stellar day landing more than 20 fish that our odds were not good. 

The fishing was lack luster but the experience was not.   We fished a good portion of the 7000 acres in all sorts of tree snags, cut banks and flooded fields in a 2004 Bass Tracker Bass Boat equipped with trolling motor, fish/depth finder and GPS.  All of these advantages should have paid off but….didn’t.  I was still very happy with the trip and the two fish I did catch were both of good size (3lbs, and 5 lbs respectfully).The experience was well worth the two hour drive and also afforded me the opportunity to try a long standing Mexican drink called Racilla which is now being promoted as the national drink instead of Tequilla. It is made the same way but with green agava as opposed to blue.  It is very smooth and doesn’t have the bite of its widely known couterpart.  It does carry a warning though due to its 102 proof punch.

Next time I think I’ll chase the bog boys in the big water.  All in all it was a fun trip.   Oh, I also saw this amazing mullet on the beach!

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Story by SR Nookslayer……

Comments
  1. Hellcat says:


    One of my favorite things in the world is when someone other than myself puts a post up on my website. Great job, Shawn! You guys must have really enjoyed the warmer weather….and catching fish too, of course….

    By the way, is that Garth in the bottom picture in his wig?

    Capt.

  2. Salmonid says:


    Shawn – that looks like an amazing place to get to go and do some bass fishing. Did you bring gear or did the guide provide it? What kind of stuff do they use down there? The fish look pretty healthy and the water looks great. Were there any other people on the water?

    That mullet looks like something that could be made into a fly for bass.

    Sal

  3. Debbie Smith says:


    This is my favorite place to bass fish! We fished there last March and my husband caught a 12lb’er:) We are returning this coming December to give it a try again….also, beautiful scenery.

    .

  4. Hellcat says:


    Thanks, Debbie…….where are you writing in from and how did you find our website? Just curious. Thanks for reading!

    Chris, Site Founder and Administrator
    .

  5. Bobby D. says:

    Man, you are blessed to fish such a lake. You needed some Die Hard Custom Baits though…..lol!

  6. Brad says:

    I live in Puerto Vallarta these days..”.we are going to try this lake out in about a week…fished the bay and caught 12 dorado over 36 inches long in about 5 hours…

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