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.