Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass:
The great Bass fishing continues for both numbers and size. With the lake continuing it’s drawdown to 150′ the best fishing is on the rocky points and bluffs. 5″ wacky-rigged Senkos in green pumpkin and watermelon, along with dropshot rigs, continue to put both quality and quantity in the net for my clients. The mornings have been best up until about 11:00. We are fishing the Senko right up on the rocks early, then switching over to the dropshot when the sun starts to get high and the fish pull off the bank. Topwater fishing is showing signs of life early with poppers and Zara Spooks getting some attention. Netting Shad for bait is available although most of it is too small to fish effectively at this time. I am expecting a great Fall fishing season once the lake level stabilizes.
Striped Bass:
Striper fishing remains solid with the Fly-coring technique. Yak flies, Shad flies and umbrella rigs in the fifteen to fifty foot depth zone are getting fish of all sizes. The entire Fish Arm, Center Point, and the area around the island in the Ski Arm are great places to start your search. The huge schools of 10″ Stripers are just about everywhere on the lake “boiling” on small baitfish, but no sign of the bigger models as the Shad remain deep with the falling water.
Castaic Afterbay:
Great Bass fishing continues despite high fishing pressure and recreational use. We’re still fishing the outer weed edge in 20′ to 25′ of water along the Eastern shore, from the fishing pier up towards the inlet area, as well as the rocky stretch along the dam on the South end. C3 Baits Shimmy’s in Neptune Shad is the only bait needed, so that’s what we’re fishing. Some topwater action available with frogs and buzzbaits around the inside weed edges early, but the deep weedbeds seem to be holding the bulk of the better fish.
Castaic Lake Conditions:
Water Temp Surface:
81°
Water Clarity:
5′ to 15′ visibility. clear to lightly stained.
Water Level:
Down 100′ and falling steadily
Jim – www.661Fishing.com
