Largemouth Bass:
Fishing for Largemouth and Smallmouth with Glass Minnows has been fairly consistent. The Shad are gone but the Bass are reacting to the big Silverside Minnows just fine, often with explosive surface strikes. We are “flylining” the 3″-5″ minnows using light line and dropshot style rods. There is a decent bite on medium running crankbaits early in the day for those wanting to go the traditional route, as well as an improving bite on the finesse plastics. C3 Baits Ice Picks and Shimmy’s are proven Castaic fish catchers whether on a dropshot or a splitshot rig, fished in the 20′ range. There are only two colors you need when the water is clear, Neptune Shad and Neptune Shad.
Striped Bass:
The big schools of Stripers are still in deep water from 80′ to 120′. Vertical jigging with 1 oz. to 1-1/2 oz. Krocodiles and KastMasters as well as deep-water trolling are our best approach right now. The first trout plant of the year was last week and the lake conditions are setting up for a Winter and Spring showdown with the lake’s trophy class Stripers. We will be trolling the big swimbaits as this bite develops in the coming weeks and months.
Castaic Afterbay:
No report.
Castaic Lake Conditions:
Water Temp Surface:
62° – 65°
Water Temp Bottom:
N/A
Water Clarity:
20′ visibility. Clear
Light algae bloom. Dissipating.
Water Level:
20′ down and falling
Jim – 661 Fishing
