Outdoors : Big Largemouth Bass Finally Bite at Castaic

The big largemouth bass that had been so reluctant to strike the artificial lures bass fishermen prefer at Castaic Lake are finally doing so at the Los Angeles County reservoir.

Castaic resident Ralph Wells used a plastic worm to catch a 15-pound 8-ounce largemouth in the upper lake, and Brendan Bailie, also of Castaic, used one to catch a 12-12 bass in the lower lake.

LAKE MEAD--Striped bass picking up in lower basin, most under three pounds, biting at 50-60 feet on anchovies. Largemouth bass moving into coves to spawn. Live bait still the best bet. Catfish fair, mostly in coves.

LAKE HAVASU--Striped bass picking up, biting lures and anchovies at 25 feet. Largemouth bass fair in the shallows, biting on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Catfish actively taking anchovies fished on bottom.

SALTON SEA--Orangemouth corvina fair, best at Bombay Beach and Red Hill, most being caught on tilapia minnows and mudsuckers. Channel catfish biting in irrigation ditches and Alamo River.

LAKE CACHUMA--Most species active. Largemouth bass in shallow water, biting on crawfish, nightcrawlers and plastic worms. Bobbie Wayne, Santa Maria, seven-pound bass. Ed Stafford, Torrance, 6 5/8-pound largemouth. Dann Deegan, Lompoc, two largemouth, largest 6 3/4 pounds. Catfish biting at five feet, averaging seven to 12 pounds. Mackerel best bet. Trout biting at 20 feet on Power bait. LAKE CASITAS--Big largemouth bass active. Ed Lerille, Hacienda Heights, 13-pound bass, released. Tom Ashley, Culver City, 11-pound bass. Troy Folkstad, Huntington Beach, nine-pound bass caught on plastic worm. Trout very good. Catfish fair.

PYRAMID LAKE--Largemouth bass fair but generally small. Striped bass active in marina and channel. Catfish picking up, some going over 10 pounds.

LAKE PIRU--Largemouth bass picking up, most between 1 1/2-1 3/4 pounds. Judy Basrrick, Castaic, 8 1/2-pound bass. Kirk McCay, Canoga Park, eight- and 6 1/2-pound bass. Trout biting at 18-20 feet on small spinners. Catfish showing in shallows at north end, averaging three-six pounds. Mackerel best bet.

LAKE CASTAIC--Largemouth bass finally moving into shallows to spawn and hitting artificials. Catfish fair.

KERN RIVER/LAKE ISABELLA--Good for planted rainbow trout in lake and from dam to French Gulch. Largemouth bass fair but small. Catfish fair.

IRVINE LAKE--Trout providing most action. Brian Teraisha, Monterey Park, 7-8 trout. Dave Brennan, Laguna Niguel, 5-12 trout. Irvine Lake will be the site of a trout fishing seminar Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.

PUDDINGSTONE RESERVOIR--Water 64 degrees. Largemouth bass biting on several artificial lures. Cinnamon and purple colors working best. Bill Walters, Brea, six-pound bass, caught on nightcrawler, released. Trout planted Monday, some fish over two pounds. Jim Roundtree, South Gate, 3 3/4-pound trout, caught on yellow Power Bait at east shore. Bluegills and red ear perch to one pound active on meal worms at east shore.

PERRIS LAKE--Largemouth and spotted bass fishing is excellent. It’s still a wide-open bite, especially for smaller bass. Spotted bass in the morning, largemouth better in the evening. The trout fishing is fair following last week’s DFG plant. Some fair catfish and bluegill also. Perris now on summer hours. The park is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

LAKE SKINNER--Largemouth bass continue to set the pace. Kit Snider, Cerritos, six-pound bass on a spinnerbait at the dam. Good catfish and trout action reported throughout lake, and crappie to 2-4 pounds being caught at dam.

BIG BEAR--Good trout fishing throughout lake. Theodore Moore, Alta Loma, seven-pound trout at the dam. Al Kirylo, La Habra, four-pound trout. Surface temperature 50 degrees, and the trout are spread out across the lake down to 20 feet.

LAKE SILVERWOOD--Striped bass active on bait and artificials. Cleghorn Canyon best location, with fish reported at 21 and 19 pounds. Miller Canyon yielded a 26-4 striper to Cliff Gilbert of Riverside, who was fishing for catfish with shrimp. Largemouth bass good in the main channel on plastics. Greg Silks will hold a striper and largemouth bass fishing techniques seminar at the marina Saturday at 1 p.m.