Shorefishing Castaic and Pyramid

[Sunwell]

Hi everyone,

 

New to the board and this is my first post. I've fished for LMB about 7 years but coming out of a long hiatus (about a year) and have caught the bug again after fishing diamond valley last weekend.

 

Castaic and Pyramid are the two closest lakes to me (I know Piru is in terrible shape right now) so I'd like to start fishing these lakes from shore regularly again. 

 

Which is a better option for shorefishing right now? How is accessibility? Anything I should know about (blue stoning, algae bloom, die offs, etc.).

 

Also, if there are any other local shorefisherman out there who would like some company while fishing, I'm up for making some friends. I'm an easy going friendly individual who really just loves to catch bass more than anything. 

 

Thanks in advance!

[akula]

Welcome!  

 

Good question - interested to know myself. 

[WRB]

Castiac was treated for algae with blue stone week ago, should be OK next week. Castaic is also nearly full pool with lots of newly flooded brush, however this reduces shoreline access. You are limited to the marina areas east and west side of the dam, the west side is usually a better area. Don't over look the Castaic lagoon!

Pyramide is also full pool with limited shore access near the marina and east shore areas.

Piru is also up about 50% with decent shore fishing acces around the marina and West side.

I don't shore fish very often and when I do it's not at the above lakes. Try using a slip shot rig ( finesse C-rig) with Roboworms in MMIII or Oxblood red flake, they work everywhere. If you are into swimbaits and have the proper tackle wake baits work good from shore.

Good luck.

Tom

[halochef]

i am going next week for sure.  at the lagoon can one fish were the rocks are to the left of the boat ramp?  facing the water. 

[WRB]

9 hours ago, halochef said:

i am going next week for sure.  at the lagoon can one fish were the rocks are to the left of the boat ramp?  facing the water. 

South end where the highway crosses the end of the lagoon is OK, usually under water. The north end where the water inlet from Castaic dam is a closed area.

Tom

[whiskeypete]

I have literally gotten skunked every time i go to Castaic. I mainly fish the lower lagoon late at night and it has never worked out for me yet..... However, i've seen people pull them out so they are in there. I've had better luck in the upper lack just by the loading dock, but did not set the hook in time and lost a fish. Let me know if you have any luck, I'm curious to see what everyone is doing/throwing.

[WRB]

5 hours ago, whiskeypete said:

I have literally gotten skunked every time i go to Castaic. I mainly fish the lower lagoon late at night and it has never worked out for me yet..... However, i've seen people pull them out so they are in there. I've had better luck in the upper lack just by the loading dock, but did not set the hook in time and lost a fish. Let me know if you have any luck, I'm curious to see what everyone is doing/throwing.

Tell me what you are using that you aren't catching bass at night with at the lagoon?

Tackle you use, line Etc.

Tom

[whiskeypete]

10 hours ago, WRB said:

Tell me what you are using that you aren't catching bass at night with at the lagoon?

Tackle you use, line Etc.

Tom

I always go at night but usually it was 20lb braid with 10lb mono leader and I've tried small keitech swim baits, chatterbaits, jigs, and texas/wacky rigged worms. However the water level is extremely high and I always try by the dock in the lower lagoon. Any suggestions on locations, technique, etc?

[WRB]

At night you are better off using a T-rigged 7" to 10" ribbon tail worm like Power worms in black w/blue flake, 3/16 oz sliding black bullet weight, black 8mm bead,  with Owner or Gamakatsu 4/0 worm hook.

During the day down size to 6 lb or 8 lb mono leader and try the slip shot rig; 1/8 oz mojo style cylinder weight, 6" straight or curl tail Roboworm in oxblood/red flake or baitball, MM111, #5133 size 1/0 hook, 8mm glass bead and Carolina keeper. 

Stay with those 2 rigs and fan cast the areas your fish at, slow down and keep in contact with the bottom.

Fish where you can from the shoreline. Marina areas are usually good, any points, walk the shore line and fan cast; 180 degrees about 10' apart. Keep in mind some bass are still in the spawn cycle, set the hook quickly.

Tom

PS, Action Tackle and Fish n Fools carry the above worms and terminal tackle.

Tom

[Sunwell]

Sorry for the late reply but thank you for the tips! I've been going out every weekend, initially the Lagoon and then upper lake this past weekend. I did ok at the lagoon last weekend and the weekend before that, picking up a couple two lbers and a dink. Today, fished from 7am to 2, picked up one dink that I worked HARD for. It was rainy and cold and seemed like the bass moved deep. You're right, the shoreline is very limited... I'll have to try the suggestions. Hopefully the blue stoning will completely wear off and the weather will be better next weekend.

I totally forgot the lagoon is open at night. How dark is it and is it usually safe?

[MTPanda]

I wrote up my recent report of Castaic here: Castaic Report.  I went yesterday and shore fished mainly the west side and had some luck.

[halochef]

cool, thanks