Castaic Lake Report 09-16-2023
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
Slight uptick in the size and quantity this week with the cooler temps. The Shad and Silverside minnows have all but disapeared from the marina, West ramp docks and the back of Dry Gulch. Consensus is they’re following the sinking algae bloom as the water cools. The bite on artificial lures and finesse plastics is good for small fish with the occasional three pounder in the mix. Smallmouth have been more active than the Largemouth. Dropshot rigs and wacky worms are getting bit in the five to fifteen foot zone on main-lake points and cuts. A 2.8 Keitech Fat Swing Impact or EZ Shiner is a good dropshot bait that will also get the attention of Striped Bass that are passing thru.
Striped Bass:
Striper boils continue with two to three pound schoolies hitting topwater lures in the mornings and afternoons. The Lucky Craft Sammy 100 in the Ghost Minnow pattern with a feathered treble on the rear hook is as good as any lure you can throw. The Sammy will get you blind strikes in between boils when other lures fail. Trolling with Alabama Rigs and a small swimbait while using lead core line in the twenty foot zone is improving and is a good way to locate schools of fish that may eventually boil. Try a 3.3 or 3.8 Keitech Fat Swing Impact in the Electric Shad pattern.
Lake Conditions:
Water Clarity – 5′ to 10′ in most areas – Medium Algae Bloom, main lake
Surface Temp – 76 a.m. – 79 p.m.
Lake Hours Starting this Sunday 9/17: Open @ 6:45 – Close @ 7:00
Jim – www.661Fishing.com
