Went to Castaic today. Was planning on Pyramid but my ride was late and we were towing my boat, really bad traffic when you leave at 5. Well we launched and ran straight for elizabeth to see if there were fish bustin in the morning. The wind started blowing and only small largemouth were up shallow. Didn't see and stripers feeding all day. We decided to make bait, it took us almost 2 hours but the bait was really nice 3-5 inchers. While I was motoring around lookin for bait I noticed huge schools of 1-8lb fish workin the bait in the coves. We backed off. I handed my girlfriend a rod and "insto-bite", for the next 3 (very hot) hours it was wide open on fish to 8lbs. We must have released 75 fish between the 3 of us. At 2, the small stripers moved in and we were getting some of them in the mix. The biggest was only 5lbs but it gave us a fish to take home for dinner. Its frying right now in the beer batter. You guys really have to try eating the med schoolie size stripers. I don't even like eating fish but these taste really good. I only keep the schoolie sized fish and let the bigger ones go. The big ones are mushy....Get out there and enjoy it while you can. Almost no boat pressure, only saw 4 ski boats all day and they were cool and let us fish. One of the funnest fishing days I have ever had. My girlfriend can't wait to get back out there......Warren

I thought the upper lake was closed. right on on the report

Where did you hear that the lake is closed? It doesn't matter if it was "supposed" to be closing down, it never did, and it never will. Right now it has a new lease on life until January 31st, and we're fighting to keep it open for good, which I know will happen. Go on out there and go fishin and have a great time.
Terry Kratzer,
Friends of Castaic Lake,
Castaic Bass Club

Terry Kratzer

Where did you have the most luck with the largemouths? I took my first guided trip to Castaic last Sat. and we did great just off the shoreline where the main beach is and also just before Cove #1 but also had a hard time making bait. I've caught stripers on cut anchovies out by the dam but want to do more largemouth fishing. Unfortunately, I don't have the equipment to dip for and keep shad on my boat. What do you recommend in terms of artificial baits? Or a relatively easy way to get and store shad? Heck, I'd pay good money to buy them from other fishermen.

Thanks!

Jimmo, the next time your out there fishing. Don't be afraid to pull up to someone that is making bait. Help them by chasing the schools toward there boat and i'm sure they'll have no problem hooking you up, last year we made bait for that aaron martins guy, his boat and truck combo is crazy. I don't mind cruising up to shore and sharing some as long as they don't keep Largemouth. Also, as long as you hold your rod and watch your line you'll hook em in the corner everytime. I have a 12 foot western aluminum boat that is set up with a saltwater bait tank with a thru hull pick up and a rule pump. It keeps anchovies, sardines and squid alive all day so shads not a problem. Post next time your going to be out there and maybe we can buddy boat. I can get you a good deal on a net but its still pretty steep......Warren

Thanks, Warren. Can you clarify what you meant by "you'll hook the in the corner everytime"? Does the corner refer to a specific spot?

As for buddy-boating, I'm going out this Saturday with my son and a friend. I have an 18' Sea Ray bowrider that I rigged with a trolling motor. I have room for a pretty good-size round bucket with an aerator. Would that keep shad alive reasonably well? If you're going to be out there this Saturday, It would be great to hook up with you and "steal" some bait.

Thanks again.

Jimmo

im pretty sure he was talking about hooking the bass in the corner of the mouth instead of gut hooking them like some do that are unexperienced...
-patrick

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http://www.assalt.com
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Catch and Release!

I thought he meant catch 'em in some secret corner of Castaic. Oops.
Don't worry, I've been fishing most of my life and do my best to avoid the gut hook. When it occasionally happens, I'm pretty good at going in through the gill with needlenose and pulling the hook with minimal damage. Only happened once on Saturday and I probably landed 10 largemouth. Of course I released 'em all. The stripers, however, ended up on the table!

Thanks, and if anyone is going to be at Castaic on Saturday, call my cell at 213-610-5158 -- I WILL PAY FOR SHAD!

Yes Jimmo, I did mean in the corner of the mouth or lip hooked. A lot of people who use bait (nightcrawlers also) cast out there rod and put it down. This almost always ends up with a gut hook. I'm not sure how the fish does after this happens but IMO the fish will die. Please hold your rod and watch your line while bait fishing. I'll be back out there tomorrow with a buddy, and fishing in a Spotted Bay tourney on Sat.....Good Luck...Warren