Tackle Express Castaic Fishing Reports

Bass fishing was strong again this week despite smoky skies making it hard to stay on the water for very long. Bass continue to chase Shad early and late in the day in deeper water near the main lake. Topwaters, Flukes and small swimbaits are good choices around the shade lines. The middle Ski Arm and Elizabeth Canyon are good areas to try. Once the sun gets on the water the Bass go deeper and finesse plastics are pretty much the only option. We are one of the only boats still fishing live Shad every day and the bite is fast and furious.

The bite was decent this week as calm and hot conditions along with a full moon saw the fish boiling right up until the time everyone got launched and out on the water. Good areas are Center Point up to Kong Island with the fish spread out all over the middle Ski Arm. There are schools of Stripers boiling in the jet ski zone further adding to the frustrating bite. Fly-core trolling with olive over white Producer flies and white KastMasters put quality Stripers from five to seven pounds in the net. Most of the trolling action remains in 15 – 30 feet of water.

Both the upper and lower lakes remains closed as the numerous fire crews are using the swim beaches and parking lots as a base camp.

Bass fishing was good during the week until the “Lake” fire closed the lake for four days and counting. Big schools of Bass continue to chase Shad early and late in the day. Zoom Flukes and walking baits like the Luckycraft Sammy or IMA Skimmer are as good as any in tempting Largemouth averaging two to five pounds. We are still fishing live Shad every day and the bite continues to be excellent as well as exciting.

Bass fishing is consistent in the Summer pattern, with fish busting Shad early and late in the day. During the day the bite is tough as the fish go deep on main lake points or suspend over deeper water to avoid the sun. Flukes and topwater lures like the Luckycraft Gunfish are getting the attention of fish to five pounds. Live Shad fishing on light gear is putting fish in the net throughout the day for my clients.

The boils are diminishing rapidly making it hard to get a cast into them. We are picking up fish on the trolling fly, staying in the areas we find the quick boils. All signs point to an epic Fall bite on these saltwater transplants.