Lake Picachos Report - Nov 2025 – Duncan Maccubbin
Duncan Maccubbin has religiously visited Lake El Salto for well over a decade, but hadn’t been to Lake Picachos in years. He fixed that this year, with a November solo trips – he wouldn’t be distracted by a partner’s conversation, and could really figure out what was happening the water. He was super happy to share a little about him, but also provided the exact equipment he used, which should help you the next time you visit Picachos.
Contact me to book your next Anglers Inn fishing trip and heed Duncan’s no-B.S. advice on what to bring.
HPFC: Where are you from?
Duncan: Virginia.
HPFC: How many times have you been to Anglers Inn?
Duncan: Around 17 between El Salto and Picachos.
HPFC: Who was your guide on this trip?
Duncan: Trinty.
HPFC: What were your best lures on this trip for NUMBERS of fish?
Duncan:
Carolina rig with a ½ ounce weight for morning and 3/4oz in the afternoon -- with a Skinny Dipper in Dirty Sanchez (green pumpkin/chartreuse);
Football jig, ½ oz. weight for morning and ¾ oz. in the afternoon with a Rage Bug for a trailer in Black/Blue or Summer Craw;
In the morning, Super Fluke weightless on the bank in white. Once the sun got up a little I would use a Keitech Fat Swing impact 3.8 on a VMC Heavy Duty Weighted Willow Swimbait Hook (I mention this hook because I caught a lot of fish on it and it didn't fail). The Fat Swing Impacts were green pumpkin fire and green pumpkin magic
HPFC: Approximately how many fish did you average per day?
Duncan: It was just me and the days were all different, maybe 60 a day.
HPFC: What were your best lures on this trip for BIG fish?
Duncan: I caught a 7 pounder on the Carolina Rig setup described above and a 6lber on the Super Fluke. Bigger fish can show up at anytime. You can be on a spot catching a lot of 2 pound fish and a 6 shows up. I don't know there is a best way to target them there.
HPFC: What were your biggest fish?
Duncan: One seven, one six and a handful of fives.
HPFC: What is the lightest line you'll use at Anglers Inn?
Duncan: 50lb braid. It’s all I throw down there.
HPFC: Any tackle tips, rigging tips, or special retrieves that made a difference?
Duncan: I like to use Skinny Dippers for several applications as they hold up well. You can Carolina Rig them, use them on jigheads, use them as a trailer on a football jig, fish them shallow on a weedless hook.
HPFC: What are your favorite meals?
Duncan: Odd pull here, their potato salad is awesome and I like all their appetizers.
HPFC: What advice would you give to travelers coming to Anglers Inn Picachos in the next few weeks to maximize their success?
Duncan: Listen to the guides and be open to what they are suggesting you do.
HPFC: Anything else you’d like to mention about this trip?
Duncan: Bring a scale. These fish are super-dense. I had a fish I would swear by looking at it was 2 3/4, put it on the scale and it was 4 1/4. I really like the Boga Grip. It’s accurate and easy to use. Not good for exact measurements but the battery ones are a pain and tend to be fragile.
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