Tackle Express Castaic Fishing Reports

The lake is unindated with mud and floating debris. The good news is the lake level has risen close to forty feet in recent weeks, far exceeding expectations and prospects for having a full lake this year. Better days ahead!

A tough week weather-wise for anglers. Heavy rain and winds on most days limited opportunities. The lake was closed over the weekend due to heavy surface debris. They did allow launching on Sunday but it was electric motors only which made most boats turn around and head home.

Bass fishing slowed this week for both numbers and size. A National Bass West tournament with 33 teams was won with a meager 12 pounds last Saturday. Fish will bite a slow presentation like the C3 Baits Shimmy on the finesse Carolina rig in the twenty to thirty foot zone.

Swimbait fish are showing after a mid-week Trout plant with fish from five to twenty pounds being landed by patient anglers. 8″ Huddleston swimbaits and Glide baits like the Baitsanity Antidote and River 2 Sea S-Waiver are getting attention. Smaller Stripers are still hitting trolled Alabama rigs and Yak Flies on lead core line. Most of the action is within view of the marina.

Lots of wind lately as the Fall transition begins. Cooling water temps have the fish scattered anywhere from the shoreline to thirty feet deep. Senko’s, dropshot rigs and Carolina rigs continue to excel with just about any finesse plastic bait getting the job done. There has been a pretty good jig bite along the rocky dropoffs and a few swimbait fish for those putting in the time.

Good to excellent bite on fish averaging two pounds. Fewer dinks in the mix this week. Wacky rigged Senko’s, dropshot rigs and light-line Carolina rigs are all getting bit. The topwater bite is ok with small walking baits, poppers and flukes the best bet. Netting Shad is very inconsistent, they are there one day and then gone for a week or more, but there is a developing algae bloom which could keep them shallow this Fall.