Comedero Commandos |
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Comedero Commandos
Comedero Commandos
After a four-hour flight delay in Houston, after a bumpier-than-expected bus ride into the Sierra Madres, after narrowly eluding an inhospitable dog that chased me from the dining hall to my sleeping quarters, and after tripping over a monster toad the size of a cantaloupe. I was wondering why I had made the trip to Lake Comedero Lodge. A couple of days later, after photographing nearly 100 largemouth bass, with a quartet over seven pounds – including my personal best 8 ½-pounder – I was wondering why I hadn’t visited this Mexican marvel sooner. With several factors working in their favor – not the least of which is a lack of feeding and spawning impediments – Comedero bass have flourished throughout the lake’s 23-year history. There have been highs and lows, as with all water bodies; but today’s lake presents a dependable blend of quality and quantity. “For overall averages and numbers of big fish, Comedero is the best lake in Mexico right now,” said Charlie Jock, of Ron Speed’s Adventures, which operates the lodge. “The fish just have very little pressure, plus there are no hybrids (striped and white bass mix), crappie or panfish competing for forage. The resident largemouth bass are very healthy because there’s nothing to bother them.” Fabulous Features:Located at the eastern edge of Mexico’s Sinaloa state, Comedero sits about 90 miles northeast of the central Pacific coast tourist town of Mazatlan. Modern trappings really aren’t too far away, but ascending into the western Sierra Madres, you quickly transition from resort to remote. Primitive, yet promising, the winding mountain road bordered by frightfully steep drop-offs seems to rattle away all pretense and preconceived ideas. Optimism rises with each passing kilometer.
Stemming the San Lorenzo River in 1985 formed this 28,500-acre impoundment named for the village of Comedero that once thrived where bass now swim. The Presidente Jose’ Lopez Portillo Dam generates power for surrounding areas and water released during January and February provides irrigation for farms thick with corn, tomato, onion, jalapeño and sugar cane crops. At full pool, Comedero averages about 80 feet deep. Draw-downs can reduce the lake a foot a day, but the change is negligible when spread across such a vast area. Not long after the dam’s completion, the staff of Ron Speed’s Adventures worked with Mexican officials to establish a sport-fishing base by stocking Comedero with Florida-strain largemouth bass. The aggressive gamefish quickly established a burgeoning population, thanks in part to a steady diet of tilapia – stocked by the Mexican government as much for the bass as for local industry. Fine mesh nets marked with soda bottle buoys bear constant reminder of Comedero’s commercial tilapia fishery. We passed several netters each day and our guides frequently pointed out unmarked nets strung near shoreline pockets off the main travel lanes. Nevertheless, few fish reproduce as efficiently as tilapia, so there’s plenty of chow for hungry bass. “The tilapia is such a good source of protein that the bass just grow faster in this system,” Jock said. Moreover, Comedero’s no easy reach – you have to want to be there to get there. The course from Mazatlan passes Lake El Salto – another highly productive bass spot with a Ron Speed’s Adventures facility. Many bass fans stop at El Salto, so Comedero gets far less attention (a plus for those who make the trip). Currently, just two outfitters operate on the Comedero, so the fish just don’t see a lot of lures. The bass get a rest during the summer months, as extreme temperatures – often topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit – make fishing unbearable. Moderate warmth spanning fall through spring presents pleasant conditions for anglers, while bass simply adjust their depth for temperature preference. Quick review of the facts: You have a desolate location with light fishing pressure, an abundant food source and lots of room to grow and propagate. Sound like paradise for fish and fishermen? It is. Astounding Action:Lake Comedero Lodge sits about three miles from a dirt ramp at the foot of the dam. A five-minute bus ride took us to the waterfront where guides placed cardboard flats on the muddy bank to keep us from slipping on our way to the 18-foot aluminum bass boats. On the first of three fishing days, a predawn sprinkle turned into a steady light rain. That was kind of a bummer, but low light and surface chatter brought the blessing of extended topwater conditions. A bass has to be feeling feisty to run topside, and Comedero quickly showed its potential as my firetiger chugger brought 20 to the boat by lunchtime. During my topwater campaign, boat mate Larry Thornhill scored a few times with a ½-ounce spinnerbait. He also drew a couple of heavy hits on his Tru-Tungsten Tru Life swimbait. A dead ringer for local tilapia, the big lure has removable tungsten belly weights that allow you to vary the presentation depth – a handy feature in Comedero, where you may work six- to eight-foot pockets in brush stands and then move to steep banks with 30-foot drops a meter from the edge.
After lunch, the rain stopped and we caught several fish on Texas-rigged lizards and topwaters later in the day. Comparing notes back at the lodge, we found similar reports – lots of action with mostly two- to four-pound fish. Day two brought drama personified as I paired with Fish Harder president Tim Gregory. A thick fog enshrouded the lake, but guide Manuel Pudilla knows the waters well, so we punched through the cotton swirl. As the rising sun strengthened, we could spot the peaks of this ancient landscape awash with gilded beams and matchless mystique. “This place looks like something out of a movie,” Gregory muttered. “You’d expect to see a pterodactyl flying over one of these mountains.” Of course, no dinosaurs appeared but we both came face-to-face with Comedero beasts slinging T-rex attitudes. Gregory’s glory moment came not 10 minutes into our day, as we slung topwater plugs around the perimeter of a brush-strewn point. He had just stated his plan to try various retrieves – walking, chugging, stop-and-go – when it looked as if a small boulder had tumbled down the hill and dropped into the water. Many poetic descriptions befit such strikes, but try this one: In three days of fishing, I saw our guides and those in other boats plant themselves comfortably on bow seats, rising only to free snagged lures and drive to new spots. Well, when Gregory’s fish sucked a basketball sized hole in the water, Pudilla leapt to the back deck and grabbed the landing net in about two seconds. Gargantuan thrashings ensued and Gregory’s deft rod work showed this wasn’t his first rodeo. Nevertheless, 10-plus-pounders are crafty critters – even in desolate lakes with little pressure. We got a good look at the big gal just before she shook the plug three inches from the net. It took the better part of an hour to talk Gregory down from the ledge, but once we got him back on track, several quality fish on plugs, spinnerbaits and plastic lizards eased the pain. After lunch, we sought shade at the base of high cliffs. In the deep water, I fared well with a Texas-rigged lizard, while Gregory fooled a couple of fish by casting a Tru Life swimbait parallel to the rock face and retrieving along the hard edge. As the afternoon cooled, we worked square bill crankbaits in flooded timber. Bumping cleanly through the wooded mangles, the crankbaits fooled a few fish, but breezy conditions convinced us it was time to try our spinnerbaits on downwind shorelines. At one point, talk turned to probability. “In most places, you just don’t see two big fish in one day,” Gregory said. “I had my shot, but if we get another chance, I think it’s gonna be yours.” I appreciated that prophecy and did my best to ensure its fruition. On a picturesque point brimming with heavy brush, we both threw ½-ounce Picasso spinnerbaits. Gregory advised me to aim for the narrow channels within the structure, as big bass typically stake out these sweet spots. When a miraculously precise cast dropped dead center into one of these breaks, I turned to comment on Gregory’s helpful instruction. Before I could utter the first syllable, a savage strike nearly yanked the rod from my grip. Again, Pudilla sprang into action and after red-lining all cardiovascular functions for 60 stressful seconds, I somehow convinced my trembling hands to guide an 8 ½-pound beauty into the net. Our day ended with a classic Mexican mountain sunset, a period Gregory termed “The witching hour.” Thirty minutes before the Sierra Madres tucked the big orange ball into its celestial blanket we slid into a gnarly stretch of shoreline timber with lots of pockets, breaks and other “throw here” spots. Pudilla had not even dropped the trolling motor before Gregory’s chrome/blue chugger found a taker. Seconds later, a neighboring bass missed but knocked my trusty firetiger skyward, returned for a second failed swat and eventually lost interest as the bow drew closer. Take Your Pick:As Jock points out, Comedero may specialize in a single flavor fishery, but it’s far from one dimensional. “This lake has several different types of habitat. Anything you like to fish is there. Flats, points, brush, creeks – it’s a bass fisherman’s dream.” Considering the undulating mountain landscape Comedero covers, a feature-rich contour welcomes anglers. Creeks such as Rojo Colorado, San Jose, Agua Caliente and Los Liones beckon exploration, particularly during the January-March spawning period. My December trip found many big fish positioned outside these arteries. “Have you noticed that as we move into the creeks, our fish are getting smaller?” Gregory observed. “Right now, only the little males are back in here. The big females are staging on the main lake points, but they’ll move back into the creeks when it’s time for them to spawn.”
Flooded timber, which sprouted during a past drought, offers consistent productivity with lots of different approaches and angles. From tight patches on main lake points to sprawling ranges of football field dimensions, “madera seca” (dead wood) merits much focus. This habitat produced big time for Texas bass pro angler Kelly Jones. Around 10:30 a.m. on our second day, Jones intercepted Gregory and me as we worked a big line of timber. Reaching into the livewell, he hoisted a plump 7 ½-pounder he had recently wrestled from the wood. After a few photos, we split up to resume fishing. Ten minutes later, Jones’ “Whoo-hoo!” told he had connected again. This one bested his earlier fish by a couple of pounds. We made this one famous and parted a second time. Again, the jubilant shouts of a hooked-up angler shattered the morning quiet. Another big fish, easily eight-plus pounds completed a pre-lunch trifecta. Slow-rolling a Stanley spinnerbait through pockets in the brush delivered Jones’ big trio, along with several three- to five-pounders’ and an estimated 12-pound stud that wrapped a stump and boiled the water until it found the escape angle. During the bus ride back to Mazatlan, Jones displayed his abraded thumb and lamented: “I’m telling you, those fish have some serious teeth. It feels like 80-grit sandpaper.” Indeed, Comedero bass have developed more pronounced dental equipment than their Floridian relatives. Nothing like a piranha, mind you, but their stout little spikes are well evolved for catching hefty tilapia. Wrapping up:Our day three travel schedule allowed only a few parting hours on the lake, so most took it easy and just enjoyed the foggy morning’s topwater bite and then transitioned to deeper patterns as the mist yielded to sunny conditions. The relaxed pace allowed time for reflection on a couple of Comedero lessons. First, assume big fish. Twenty- to 30-pound braided line provides the muscle for turning heavy bass in dense cover without sacrificing castability. If you bring your own gear, you’ll appreciate rods with plenty of backbone, but pack at least one with a “soft” tip to facilitate topwater hook-ups. Inescapable was the importance of communicating with guides. I observed marginal comprehension of fishing tactics, but reasonable knowledge of lure selections and an openness to requests and instructions. At times, fishing and sightseeing may seem conjoined objectives, so don’t hesitate to ask your guide to slow down, change angles or reposition.
Tips of $20 are standard, but exceptional service may merit more. Trips with high numbers and/or trophy fish should also sweeten the gratuity – a common bonus for Comedero guides. David A. Brown, a resident of Tampa, Florida, tours the world in pursuit of angling adventures to infuse personal experiences with his writing. His articles appear in numerous national magazines and major daily newspapers. In addition to journalism, he operates Tight Line Communications, a marketing communications agency specializing in the outdoors industry. Where To Toss The BagsMost trips to Lake Comedero start in Mazatlan, a progressive city that sits east of Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s central Pacific coast. Major airlines including Continental, U.S. Air, Delta, and Northwest fly into Mazatlan’s General Rafael Buelna International Airport (valid passports are required for entering and exiting Mexico). From the city, passenger vans transport fishermen on the 3 1/2-hour ride to Lake Comedero Lodge. Mazatlan offers a wide array of hotel, dining, shopping and entertainment options, so many choose to spend a day or two here before or after the drive to Comedero. Ron Speed’s Lake Comedero Lodge sleeps 26 guests in comfortable, air conditioned, multi-room cottages originally built for the Japanese engineers who oversaw construction of the Presidente Jose’ Lopez Portillo Dam in the early to mid-80s. The shower/bathrooms are a little tight, but clean and functional with bottled water for teeth brushing. Located in the 200-year-old village of Higueras, the lodge includes a separate dining hall complete with ample seating and hardy meals. Photos of giant bass illustrate Comedero’s history, while satellite television indulges guests with American programs in English. Meals are served buffet style with a blend of American and Mexican cuisine ranging from bacon-wrapped shrimp rolls to ribeye steaks. Breakfasts include pancakes, bacon, eggs, cereal, juice and coffee. After each day of fishing, a fresh plate of bean and cheese nachos and a pitcher of frozen margaritas were placed in the common area of our cottages. Lake Comedero Lodge hires local police officers armed with automatic weapons to oversee group travel and guard the premises. My trip’s uneventful conclusion was the norm, but Mexico’s rural regions can get a little rough, so the security allows guests to enjoy their trips with looking over their shoulder. For details about Mexican bass fishing, visit www.ronspeedadventures.com
Bring Your CameraBetween bass strikes, the majestic mountainscapes embracing Lake Comedero constantly compete for your attention. Evidence of harsh geological events contrast the subtlety of arduous layering displayed in the nearly vertical faces. Each stratum exudes all the intrigue of historical drama witnessed through eons of formation. Follow a creek to its conclusion and you may find nearly artistic scatterings of immense boulders, weather-worn tree trunks posted like scarecrows, or the persistent carving of a hillside drain. Foggy mornings see hazy specters dancing across these backwater reaches like benevolent spirits welcoming adventurous anglers. On forested hillsides, brilliant pink amapa blossoms seem to burst from the greens and browns like delicate lava spouting from volcanic vents. Peek through a telephoto lens to see the long tail feathers of a Mexican blue jay, the crimson red plumage of a scarlet tanager or the head twitching displays of a crested caracara. Survey the cliffs and hillsides and you may spot an iguana sunbathing on a ledge. Whitetail deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, and the playful coatimundi complement the natural photo subjects. You’ll find a particularly photogenic view atop the road descending to Lake Comedero’s boat ramp. Here, a tall white monument to the dam project overlooks the lake on the dam’s upstream side. Also, declining lake levels reveal Native American Indian petroglyphs on rock walls near the boat ramp. Likewise, low water uncovers stone walls and other remains of pre-lake rancheros. On the way to and from Comedero, you’ll pass through the bold white archway of Cosala. This charming little town bustles with daily duties and emanates provincial pleasantries. Decades ago, gold and silver mining provided steady employment to sustain a population of 500,000. Today, Cosala is home to about 25,000, with farming and copper mining the main occupations. The town’s museum herald’s its mining history. Cosala features a classic colonial center with a wonderfully ornate Catholic church and a shady park dressed with lush foliage surrounding a wooden gazebo used for weddings and other special events. Vendor carts offer light meals and snacks while merchants tend shop in a vibrant business center sporting traditional bright pastels. Points of InterestAbout Mexico
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