We show that high-angle Bessel beams may significantly reduce nonlinear pulse distortions due, for example, to nonlinear Kerr effects (self-phase-modulation and self-focusing) yet enhance ionization and plasma generation. Holographic reconstruction of Bessel beams in water show intensity clamping at increased intensities and evidence of nontrivial plasma dynamics as the input energy is increased. The solvated electron density increases significantly and the cavitation-induced bubbles are ejected from the focal region indicating a significant excess plasma heating in the Bessel-pulse wake.