Castaic Lake Fishing Report 9/08/24
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
Bass fishing was decent to excellent depending on whether you were able to find the schooling “wolf packs” of fish roaming the lake and chasing the baitfish. The best pattern is to keep moving until you locate the schools. The Fall transition into the coves is underway and good places to search are secondary points and rocky banks near the cove entrances. The early morning and afternoon topwater bite is fairly consistent with the usual array of Flukes, Sammy’s, Riser Baits and poppers cast parallel to shade lines and windy banks getting the attention of some of the better sized Bass of both species. The dropshot bite remains consistent during the day in the ten to twenty foot depth range with mostly smaller Largemouth and Smallmouth making up the bulk of the catches. Finesse worms and light line will get you bit with any of the usual baits. C3 Baits Shimmys in the Neptune Shad color pattern and straight tail Aaron’s Magic RoboWorms in the 4-1/2″ size have been the dominant baits, as they have been for years.
Striped Bass:
Surface “boils” continue on the main lake with most of the schools spread out in both arms of the lake. The boils don’t last very long, maybe twenty to thirty seconds at most and some boats are charging the schools making it difficult for other anglers. There has even been some collisions reported by over-zealous anglers. I find it better to sit in a good area and wait for them to pop up within casting range. If you have to move your boat very far you will most likely miss them. The Lucky Craft Sammy 100 in the Ghost Minnow pattern along with Ghost C3 Baits Flukensteins, white Riser Baits and Z Man HellRaizers in the bone or shad pattern continue to be the dominant lures.
Bluegill:
Bluegills continue to bite red worms and meal worms in the shallow ends of coves like Dry Gulch, Utopia and Old SS around submerged brushpiles and shade trees. Keep the bobbers, hooks and worms on the small size.
Lake Conditions:
Surface Temp 78 a.m. – 81 p.m.
Water Clarity – 5′ to 10′
Lake Level: Down five feet from full
Minimal Algae Bloom
Lake Hours as of September 9th:
Open @ 6:30 am
Off Water @ 7:00 pm
Park Closes @ 7:30 pm
* There is mandatory possesion of a CA Boaters Card upon entry for anyone 60 or younger towing a boat.
YOU WILL NOT GET IN WITHOUT IT!
Jim – www.661Fishing.com
