Castaic topwater stays hot for bass and shallow stripers

August’s triple-digit heat at Castaic gave way to cooler nights and high-80s days, and Tackle Express’s Sept. 6, 2026 report — via guide Jim Taibi of 661Fishing.com — says the lake flipped almost entirely to the surface. Largemouth are still chasing 3- to 4-inch shad and silversides in the main-lake shallows and the backs of the big coves. Dropshot and other bottom presentations are nearly dead; Taibi’s advice is not to waste time down there.

South wind around 10 a.m. is the day’s trigger. The shop’s box this week is Lucky Craft Gunfish 115, Fishus Espetit 95 and 70, and C3 Baits Flukenstein in the shallow grass — the soft plastic as a change-up when fish have seen too many walking baits.

The tight August striper boils have spread out. Taibi says you do not need a blow-up: blind-cast topwater on the grass flats and fish averaging 4–7 pounds are hitting in as little as three feet. The lake is at full pool, 75°F in the morning to 79°F in the afternoon, with 10–15 feet of clarity and no algae. West Ramp only; closed Monday and Tuesday; launch 6:30 a.m.; off the water by 7:30 p.m.

Photo: Tackle Express / Castaic report.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Tackle Express — Castaic Lake Fishing Report, September 6, 2026.