Jim Taibi from 611 Fishing reports that bass fishing at Castaic slowed a bit this week after cold weather and rain temporarily stalled the spawn. Smallmouth are post-spawn and aggressive, willing to hit a variety of presentations. Largemouth actions is mostly one to two pound males guarding beds, but some three to five pound fish are showing up. Carolina rigs and dropshots are producing well, while wacky-rigged 5” Senkos in Green Pumpkin or Natural Shad have been getting the bigger bites. Jim notes using darker colors on cloudy days and natural shad tones when it’s sunny.

For striped bass, bait schools are moving into the backs of coves, which is a good thing, but the Stripers are still in pre-spawn mode, so the bite will have to wait a bit.

Water clarity remains excellent, with visibility up to 20 feet in some areas. Surface temps are running 62 to 66 degrees.

Guide Jim Taibi from 611 Fishing reports that bass action at Lake Castaic is still going strong. Largemouth and smallmouth are scattered across the lake in various stages of the spawn, with fish showing up on rocky points, main lake structure, and tucked into the brush in the backs of coves. Most largemouth are in the 1–2 lb range, with some bigger fish to 5 lbs. Water clarity is excellent overall, minus some stain deep in the coves. C3 Baits Shimmy’s in Neptune Shad on a Carolina rig or dropshot are doing most of the work, while wacky-rigged 5” Senkos in green pumpkin or natural shad are pulling the better bites. Jerkbaits and small cranks are starting to come into play too. As for stripers, not much pressure on them yet, but with baitfish moving shallow, it won’t be long before the big schools follow.