Anglers Inn guests experience a surreal phenomenon each morning on Lake Picachos. As the dawning hours envelope the lake the air is still and the flat water expels a slight fog. The only sounds are an occasional croak of a blue heron and the infrequent clanging of a cowbell in the distance, with the exception of continuous explosions made by largemouth bass breaking the surface chasing baby tilapia in mere inches deep water along the shoreline. An on-target cast of the white Choppo topwater lure results in an even larger explosion as the irritated bass attacks the fluttering bait, exciting both the angler and his guide.  

Anon.

March in Mexico and Florida are somewhat of a transition time. The Florida Bass in Lake Picachos are no longer in spawning mode and are hungrier and more aggressive than ever. One of the best techniques in March and continuing into April is the swimbait. This may be a pre-rigged shad, white swimbait or a multiple rigged umbrella rig tipped with the same swimbait.  

Florida too is changing in March and April. While interpreted by locals as winter, most regard March as a full-fledged spring month in Crystal River. Disregarding the occasional “cool” snap, guests at the Anglers Inn Floating Suites docked at Pete's Pier in Kings Bay enjoy sunny mild days and comfortable evenings, just right for taking in a colorful sunset on the Floating Suite’s upper decks. During the day our guests enjoy the manatees and the excellent snook and redfish angling. Keep in mind, the July 1 opening of scallop season will be on us before you know it. Reserve your Floating Suite and scallop guide as soon as possible. 

Although the Anglers Inn season for peacock bass fishing in Brazil has come to a close on a very successful January and February, no one is taking a break as plans for the next year are in full swing and smart anglers are making their reservations for 2026.

Quite the norm, a Picachos double on a “Rig”  

Before you finalize your Mexico tackle decisions consider the Umbrella Rig (aka Alabama Rig or A-Rig). Here’s exactly what you will need:  

•Umbrella Rig, with three or five arms. Like every bait, you’ll want at least one backup, probably more. Lake Picachos bass can be rough on all of these rigs.  

Round out each Umbrella Rig with the following:  

•Three to five 1/8-ounce jig heads built on a strong 2/0 hook, like Berkley Fusion19 swimbait jig heads (number of jig heads depends on rig chosen). These can be purchased at your favorite tackle outlet and online.  

•Three to five white, pearl or shad colored 3- or 3 ¼-inch swimbaits for the jig heads, like the Berkley PowerBait The Champ Swimbait. These can be purchased at your favorite tackle outlet and online.

The best rod for this, available for free to use at Anglers Inn lodges, is a St. Croix Bass X MH or H rod paired with an Abu Garcia Winch, STX or similar reel. Most anglers opt for braid, like 50- to 65-pound Spiderwire braid.  

Anglers Inn guides are well versed in all the most productive techniques and their guidance produces more big catches. For best results, cast to the water pointed out by your guide and retrieve at the speed he recommends as this will vary. Casts might be targeted to rocky shores that have about a 45-degree slope, to the big flats or towards a submerged point plus so many other options. Again, listen to your guide and catch more and bigger fish, often two at a time.    

How your trip begins once you leave the airport  

What to expect during the short, comfortable drive from Manaus International Airport to the lake in our personal vans:  

1.     The beautiful Mexican scenery

2.     Great camaraderie with fellow van passengers

3.     A variety of beverages to enhance the enjoyment of the ride

Lake Picachos March Reports from our guests

Ron Lara returned to Anglers Inn and brought a group of four to Lake Picachos and caught most of their bass off points and along the shoreline. Favorite baits included Senkos (green pumpkin), 10" PowerWorm (black/blue), crankbaits (crawdad color) and white swimbaits.

Pete Gray and his assembly of 16 anglers returned to Anglers Inn and enjoyed fishing, fun and food. Says Pete: “Anglers Inn is the best. Fantastic accommodations, service, food, guides and boats.” The gang fished every nook and cranny, point and channel using their entire tackle box as they explored and took advantage of the hungry bass. Favorite of their baits was the 8XD crankbait in chartreuse/white. Big fish was just shy of eight pounds.

Amazon Peacock Bass March Report  

We’re already booking for the 2026 season. Call 1-800-GOTA-FISH now to reserve your trip date for January or February. Coming soon is news on our new Amazon Eco Safaris.  

We produced some excellent short videos while on the Amazon Lord, our luxurious 4-story yacht. Watch Billy Chapman as he explains how to protect yourself from the sun and Larry Larsen giving a tutorial on where to cast for peacock bass.

Crystal River  

Snook fishing remains solid and the warmer months ahead make for even better angling. Redfish and seatrout remain steady as ever. Largemouth bass enthusiasts were treated to a winter bonanza with many nearby lakes producing pre-spawn fish.  

We’ve introduced trophy bass fishing to our Floating Suite guests. Orange Lake, a little over an hour east of Crystal River, has been rated the third best trophy bass lake in the country by Bassmaster Magazine. This is no small feat given all the wonderful lakes across the United States. Less than half an hour from the Floating Suite is Lake Rousseau, one of the deepest lakes in Florida, and the Withlachoochie River. Joe Thomas filmed one of his Stihl Reel in the Outdoors television shows last year at this lake which aired on the Outdoor Channel. 

Pictured is Shawn Mitchell, one of the guides Anglers Inn uses for north Florida bass fishing, with an Orange Lake monster.

Here is Gail Chapman with a nice Withlachoochie bass.

Anglers Inn University 

Industry expert George Large will take you through any of the six Anglers Inn University courses offered at our campus at Pete’s Pier. Go to Anglers Inn University Crystal River Campus to learn how to take your fishing experience to the next level. It’s a great way to introduce fishing to a friend, child or significant other.

Our sponsors  

Anglers Inn is proud to be associated with the following manufacturers: Abu Garcia,Berkley, Fishing Tackle Retailer, Gray Taxidermy, Huk, Humminbird, MinnKota, Mossy Oak Fishing, Old Town, Penn, Plano and St. Croix Rods.

Social Media  

Make it your routine to check Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updated posts on the happenings at the various Anglers Inn destinations and services. We typically post on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  

On Fridays, we feature a Friday Flicks video or Friday 5s with things you need to know. Check the anglersinn.com Stories section of our News tab for our archives of Friday 5s and Friday Flicks.