Tackle Express Castaic Fishing Reports

The smaller schools of fish are around yet sometimes hard to locate as they follow the Shad in and out of the bigger creek arms and coves. A few bigger fish are being caught on live Shad but remain elusive to most other techniques. Trolling with the fly-coring/Producer Fly technique is the best way to cover water and find the smaller one to two pound fish with the occasional bigger Striper showing up for those putting in the time. 

Good Bass and Bluegill fishing continues here with the tried and true finesse Carolina rig catching the most fish. C3 Baits and Senko’s will get consistent grabs. Use lighter line here as the water is clear, 5 pound mono or 6 pound flourocarbon. Bluegill are shallow and can be caught on mini jigs tipped with a meal worm or red worm.

A 3000lb plant of Trout slated for Lake Casitas was re-routed to Castaic for the holiday weekend. This included some bigger fish to four pounds and over. The marina area has been best despite the big crowds. Typical Trout baits and lures are working but the hot setup has been big red worms or baby nightcrawlers on a light line dropshot rig.

We are starting to see mainly smaller fish showing up as the Shad have continued their migration shallow bringing the Stripers with them. Trolling with the fly-coring/Producer Fly technique is getting a few fish early. Big KastMasters and 3″ swimbaits have also been effective on the troll. Look for this bite to improve as we approach the new moon next week.

Striper fishing was slow again this week but we are starting to see the smaller “Schoolie” size fish showing up on our Largemouth baits. The bulk of the Shad have continued their migration shallow bringing the smaller Stripers with them. 

The 5″ Senko and the Carolina rigged finesse plastics continue to be the hot presentations. Between the two we can target fish anywhere from 2′ – 25′ deep. The East-facing drop-offs and ledges are a good place to start as there are fish all throughout the depth range.