June 12, 2020
By Scott Bernarde
Game & Fish's annual Tackle Test reviews of new rods and reels took our team to Lake Picachos, Mexico, to battle big largemouth bass south of the border.
With Anglers Inn International as host, our team was treated to a bucket-list experience — superb service, great food and accommodations, and bass fishing few get to enjoy. If you start thinking 3-pounders are "little," you know you’re in a special place.
Game & Fish digital editor Scott Bernarde, who was on his second bass-fishing trip to Mexico (Lake El Salto , 2017), shares some of the images from the epic trip.
Tackle Test 2020 Reviews Postcards from Mexico Lake Picachos, located about an hour northeast of Mazatlán, was the testing site for 2020 Tackle Test . Based at Billy Chapman's Anglers Inn International at Picachos, our team enjoyed a bucket-list experience. (Photos by Scott Bernarde; OpenStreetMap) The Tackle Test Team Clockwise from top left: Tackle Test reviewers Josh Ward , Larry Larsen , Dr. Todd A. Kuhn and Todd Ceisner all hooked up on big largemouth bass at Lake Picachos. In four days of fishing, our anglers caught hundreds of bass. Link on their names for more info on each reviewer. (Photos by Scott Bernarde, Josh Ward, Todd Kuhn) Click here to read about the spinning winners in Tackle Test 2020 . (Photo by Scott Bernarde) More Big Bass Clockwise from top left: Ron Giudice, Scott Bernarde, Josh Ward and Larry Larsen pictured with big bass. Picachos bass hit deep-diving crankbaits, swimbaits and soft-plastics. Click here for more on gear we used . (Photos by Scott Bernarde, Todd Kuhn, Larry Larsen) Spectacular Sunrises Situated in the middle of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains, there is no lack of scenic views at Lake Picachos, Mexico. (Photos by Scott Bernarde) Click here to read about the baitcasting winners in Tackle Test 2020 . (Photo by Scott Bernarde) Playing with the Light The spectacular sunrises and sunsets at Lake Picachos created striking photographic elements. Here are some out-take shots from an early morning photo session depicting Tackle Team members Dr. Todd A. Kuhn and Josh Ward loading the boat for a day of big-bass chasing. (Photos by Scott Bernarde) Fun with Dr. Todd Great bass fishing promotes fun, even when the Tackle Test team got down to business. In these shots, Dr. Todd A. Kuhn hams it up while shooting videos featuring our Editors’ Choice and Great Buy winners. Learn more about the criteria used in Tackle Test 2020 . (Photos by Scott Bernarde) Behind the Scenes Clockwise from top left: Todd Ceisner and Ron Giudice show off the Berkley Dredger crankbaits, with which they caught dozens of deep bass; Dr. Todd A. Kuhn and Josh Ward find multiple casting angles; Giudice goofs around after catching a bass (he caught many more larger fish); Kuhn grimaces at the camera while the Tackle Test team discussed the merits of each rod and reel tested. (Photos by Scott Bernarde) Great Guides The Anglers Inn guides were exceptional in helping our six anglers stay on the fish. They’ve been to the lake’s bass-fishing hotspots thousands of times. If they tell you where to cast, you’d better listen. (Photos by Scott Bernarde) Exceptional Food OK, the bass fishing is phenomenal on Lake Picachos, but the don’t bite all the time. But the food and service at Anglers Inn was top-tier — for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Staff will know on your door with a cup of coffee to help you wake up and prepare for a day of fishing. (Photos by Scott Bernarde) Comfy Off the Water Accommodations are comfortable at Anglers Inn at Lake Picachos, an hour or so northeast of Mazatlán. Learn more about Anglers Inn . (Photos by Scott Bernarde)
