Castaic Lake Fishing Report

Guide Jim Taibi reports that bass are now schooling and actively chasing shad in packs. Largemouth and smallmouth in the 1–2 lb range are still the average, but fish up to 5 lbs haven't been uncommon. Live shad and surface/reaction baits are key right now... poppers, Flukes, and Lucky Craft Pointers. Soft plastic finesse baits are also working, but the surface reaction action is really where it's at.

Stripers are starting to show up on top, although the surface activity is not in full swing yet. If you find a boil, Taibi reports topwater baits like Gunfish, Espetit’s, and 007 Risers will get you fish. Large schools of 6 lb stripers are around, pointing to a potentially excellent upcoming topwater bite shortly.

Jim Taibi reports a productive post-spawn bass bite at Castaic Lake, with both largemouth and smallmouth hitting well, although most are only in the 1–2 lb range. Right now, they are holding tight to steep rock banks, walls, and secondary points in 10–20 feet of water. Dropshots, small paddletail swimbaits, and wacky Senkos are all working well. A light topwater window is opening up at dawn and dusk, drawing out some higher-quality female bass that are starting to shake off their post-spawn sluggishness.

Stripers are wrapping up their spawn and moving into more predictable feeding patterns. Some are tracking bait into the coves around 20–30 feet deep, where 3” swimbaits, spoons, and Alabama rigs are getting fish. There are signs of the trolling bite starting to take off as schools tighten up.

The lake’s full, water clarity is improving at 5–15 feet, and surface temps are hovering between 71–76°F. Launching is at West Ramp only.

Bass action is wide open. Jim Taibi reports consistent action for both Largemouth and Smallmouth, with catch counts hitting 15–20 a day. Dropshot rigs are doing the most damage, but any finesse plastics or small 3″ swimbaits are working well. Bigger bites are coming on wacky-rigged Senkos fished along rocky slopes and secondary points. The bite’s active but scattered… folks are doing best moving spots frequently.

Stripers are in transition. Bait is moving into coves like Elizabeth Canyon, and while a few fish are feeding, most surface activity is tied to spawning. They’re not chasing—just going through the motions. Unlike bass that guard nests, Stripers release everything into open water and let the wind do the mixing. During this phase, they’re tough to fool. A couple might swipe, but the real action should return post-spawn.