Anyone else hear about a 19 pound bass taken this past Saturday from the shore at the lower? There are a lot of rumors flying around. The locals are all upset about the fish being killed. So I not taking what they are saying about the guy too serious at this time.

I'll chedk out if any one heard of this 19 lb. fish, some of the catch and release guys are not doing good also. I saw a bass about 14 lb. floting in the lower lake about 3 weeks ago it must have beeen dead about 3 or 4 days it looks like the birds had taken out its eyes.

That would explain the picture of the 19 lber in Gallions. I stopped by there yesterday evening and saw the pic. by the register. It did not have a date. I just assumed that it was from Castaic's heyday and did not ask anyone.

the lagoon has the biggest bass. too bad i cant catch any of them, they outsmart me every single time. it should be the other way around though! anyway, if he kept it, i hope its not the fish that took residence by the dock across from the lifegaurd station by the paddle boat rental place.

I think it came from the aera around the handicap dock.

The floating fish was a serious problem in San Diego. I came to know the rangers at lake Poway very well, and they told me that about 1/2 the ten plus pound fish in that lake end up dying after being released. This is mostly caused by anglers fighting them too long then not going to weigh in immediaetly. Those larger fish get traumatized very easily and cannot handle hanging on a stringer for an hour. to me I see it as a tradjedy to abuse a fish, release and have it floating the next day.

speaking of poway i was one of the very first tubers on that lake. they had opened it for tubes the first day of trout season there one year,we were on the news ,and even the anchorman stole my friends quote about its like fishing on your couch(he was refering to the comfort of the tube).I've seen some great bass there and caught a few here and there,but they are very smart in that lake due to the pressure it gets everyday.
tight lines y'all,
Brian

Yeah, Poway is a very tough place to catch Bass most of the bigger one come either during the spawn or the summer night fishing after they plant catfish. i managed my biggest Bass i have ever caught from that lake, but it was not without a lot of hard work.

yes its true 19.26 lbs.caught by Leo. There also was a 14 lb bass caught at the lower lake this week end. For any regulars that fish Castaic I was told that Bob the one that drove the silver pickup truck passed away, memorial will be in early june a bunch of guys are planing to get together to do something.
Lots of trout today at the upper lake but no striper showed I left about 6:30 my arm got tired

Yes it's sad. We all hnew him as "Old man Bob".He was one of the last old time striper guys.It was cool to listen to his stories about Pyramid back in the days.

Hey Guys, the word is the fish came from the dam,fished from shore, upper lake, on saturday...

The fish was caught at the lower lake about 100 yards north of the handicap fishing dock on a 6 inch Yamamoto clear with black flake. It took the grub down deep in the throat and it was landed just about belly up after a long fight. It is the record for the lower lake. I hope he makes it for the pay off for largest LMB for the year.
The trout bite remains good I limited out in about 40 min. only one striper was caught by Bernie about 10 lbs.my guess, but Bernie thinks its more like 14 lb., there should be more fisherman after the Outdoors section comes out in the Times.

As someone who fishes the lagoon for over 20 years, it's exciting to to see a new lake record. Ther really hasn't been an officially recognized record. A high 17 by Bob Crupi a few years ago has been mentioned as the record, but a few years before the upper lake produced her giants the lower lake did produce a few up to 19lbs around 1989-1990. As far as the locals being upset the fish was killed, I don't believe removing one fish that size will have any impact on the trophy fishery. But I do have a problem about Mr. Leo Castaneda, the angler who caught the fish. He is unofficially known as "Killer Castaneda" as he only shows up for the spawn, walks the banks up high searching for bed fish, and with deadly skill catches, kills, and fillets each and every fish, regardless of size!!! He and his brother have been doing this for many years and have put a serious dent in the trophy fishery. I have seen myself the remains of many 10lb+ bass in the trash can after he has left for the day.
It kills me to see someone who "meat fishes" during the spawn with no discretion.;(

dam that sucks. a couple of big fish is ok but that lake isnt big enough to sustain a trophy bass population with people regularly killing big fish.

The fact that the lagoon still produces trophies like the 19lbr is a testament to the resiliency of the bass and the "locals" who care and make every attempt to release them unharmed. The lake regularly endures poachers, those who fish in restricted areas like the spillway and/or floattube the spillway at night, the casual shore fisherman who every now and then gets lucky and gets one on a nightcrawler or power bait and doesn't consider catch and release, or the experienced shore fisherman who gets that fish of a lifetime but mishandles the catch and yes, even the trophy hunter with the livewell who does not take proper care of the fish and releases them only to see them "belly up" the next day! I have personally had this happen to me in 1996 when I was on a trophy bite in late July. I did not "chill" the livewell water and was merely recirculating warm surface water. I invested hundreds of $$$ since for state of the art livewell systems for both my boats. The same thing happened in August 97' with a professional guide (not Pat Buckly) who lost at least 15 pigs for the same reason. How such a small lake keeps producing I do not know. I had actually "lost faith" in the lakes potential to give up the beast in 03' and fished Casitas hard only to come back in April that year and get a 17.1! Probally the same fish that was caught a month earlier by a shore fisherman and was on the cover of Western Outdoors. (the reason I came back!) This fish was a young post spawn cinder block with fins! (see attachment) I have not seen the photo of the 19lbr yet and wonder if it might be the same fish two years later.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/3705.jpg

The lagoon over the years has had its ups and downs. After Troy had a good whack on them in the mid 90's, and Gary Harrison killed all of those fish, the lake started a "little" downswing and fell out of the spotlight. Casitas was on the rise so the Lagoon fish had time to adjust even though Pat and Butch continued to sore lip every bass in the pond. Now that Butch has let the word out on the amount of fish that he has caught over the last couple of years, the pond has seen more pressure. I imagine that once again the pressure will put the fish off and it will once again fall out of the spotlight if you will. With such a small lake and the fact that there are only about 5 or 6 "spots" on the lake, people will get tired of battling the locals with the commando style fishing and once again turn back to other lakes.

None of us want to see a 19+ killed but you need to realize that unless you are a true trophy hunter, killing a big fish isn't really that big of a deal. It's unfortunate but this is something that none of us are going to be able to change. The fish made a stupid mistake and it paid for it. I was hoping that the dirty water would stay through the spawn but that was too much to hope for I guess.

yeah but the thing is if you take a picture of its side and measure the length and girth, you can get an exact replica done of the fish and still release it.

I'm not trying to start any thing but I have seen the regulars that happen to be mentioned in this thread fishing back inside the spillway. Why is this not considered poaching? What I’m getting out of the whole lower lake thing is if you’re not in the tight little clique with Butch then you’re not wanted around. And if you do happen to get a trophy there they spread rumors that it was poached. Those guys always get pissed off When someone gets a nice fish and sends in a picture of the fish or reports it. But Butch went and let everyone know he got over 100 ten-pound fish last year out of the lower in a Bassmaster article.
I’m just letting everyone know that there is a double standard down there. This is all I have to say on the Subject.

sstoad...

You are exactly correct! Poaching does occur. I've seen many boats past the buoy line on more than one occassion. If a big one is caught, immediately it's said to have been taken in a "non-conventional" way. I was standing in the Mini-Mart back in the day and supposedly someone saw me catch a 15 on a live Sardine that I scooped from the beach. I did catch a 15 the day before.... at Casitas (not on a Sardine). Big fish cause rumors (lies) to fly. Just ask Mike Long. I'm glad that nobody knows who I am anymore and I get left alone.

As far as the "click" goes, once again, you are exactly correct. They feel that the Lagoon is "their" water and everything is done to keep you off of the spots. As I mentioned, there are only a few "spots" on the lake. In a conventional bass rig with one trolling motor, it may take 8 minutes to go from point "A" to point "B". As you are half way to point "B" Butch in his super machine zips over to cut you off of the spot. It's games like that that pushed me away from the Lagoon. I think Mike has a boat with multiple trolling motors (if I'm not mistaken). I'd love to get out there and give Butch a good run for his money on spot fishing. Anyhow, the Lagoon is what it is and the non-click guys are just going to have to deal with that type of situation if you want to fish the Lagoon.

what goes on at lower castaic is the same at any lake. Yes, Butch may have an advantage but I believe it is not "unfair". Anyone can build a speedy little boat just like his tiny 13'. And if you have the will to run a business, maintain a marriage/family, and still fish hard 6 to 7 days a week then you too might catch a 100 10lb'rs a year! Of course don't forget He has fished the lake for over 30 years and his skill as an trophy bass angler should be acknowledged. It is equal parts skill+knowledge+time+effort. That is his "advantage". I myself have been "victimized" by his speedy little boat but what's the difference if I'm on Casitas and some pro in his 70 mph Ranger beats me to the point! Thats bass fishing. I have "competed" against Butch for the same fish and I feel he has never crossed the line regarding fishing "etiquette". Perhaps there is a double stantard regarding reporting fish, but I think every accomplished trophy hunter struggles with this dilema. That is the nature of trophy bass fishing. One should not be intimidated by the local hot stick and just go fishing! Butch does not catch all the big fish! Despite being the odds on favorate to hold the lake record he doesn't even have a spot in the top 5! Unless of course, he has caught it and hasn't told anyone!

Just out of curiosity, what makes the spillway such a desirable place? Is it simply because it receives less pressure (since its off limits), or is there some great structure there?

There are 2 off limit areas. The main spillway which is used to move water from the big lake,thru the lower lake to the santa clarita river. The area would be difficult for a boater to fish as it is a large area in plain view of everyone. It is quite shallow at that end of the lake but I have been told that at the foot of the spillway there is a large, deep bowl type depression lined with huge rocks which along with the verticle cement walls makes prime big fish structure. This area is inacessable to bank fisherman and boaters. The other restricted area is the narrower overflow spillway seperated by a point adjacent to the main spillway. This area is partially obstructed from view. Likewise it has deep water (25'), vertical walls merging with rock rip rap banks. It is just beyond reach of a good long cast with a swimbait. This is the area referred to.

Mike I know you but you don't know me. My partner took that picture of you and your 17 at the lower. He said you’re a cool guy. Please take my advice don't be so quick to jump on Butch's side.I've heard some stuff that came out of his mouth that wasn't so nice about you. And I disagree with you on the lower lake being the same as most other lakes. I’ve fished all over the western lakes and because of Butch I've all but stopped fishing the lower. In his eyes it's his lake. By the way Mike good job on the big bass this year. You seen to have really been rippin them good.

Palmdale Shane,it's not that I'm taking Butch's side on this issue. In fact Butch's presence on the lagoon has probally put a crimp in my fishing more than most others. Countless times each season I have arrived at the lake with plan "A" in mind only to see Butch there, as if he read my mind! Yes he is seemingly always one step ahead of the competition! But I do not believe Butch is doing anything wrong by being there. He has every right to fish the lake! And he probally does believe it is "his" lake. In some ways it is! But Butch cannot be everywhere at once and his impact on other anglers is more psychological than anything else. I have learned to deal with it and adapted and I get my share. I am sure Butch and others have made negative comments about me from time to time. What trophy hunter is happy to see another on his turf. I have learned that in that regard we are all the same. We become very "selfish" about are bite. I never expect to be welcome with open arms when I arrive at a lake!
The locals want you to be intimidated and go home! One must overcome the sense of being unwelcome and learn to "rub elbows" with the big boys. The best you can do is be courteous and treat others the way you would like to be treated. Unfortunately big bass can bring out the ugly side of us all.

Well said Mike.
I just miss the good old days when I didn't know anyone and I just went "Fishing" It was a lot of fun.
As Mike said big bass seem to change a lot of people for the worst.

I talk to Butch form time to time and I know if any one else works the lake as hard as he did you would be able to say the same about catching all that fish, there are lots of times that he is on the lake for 9 hrs.at a time, he said that he will not take a trout rig or lite pole out there because when he does catch a big one he does not want any one to say that he got the fish illegally, like you said rumors fly when a large one is taken. He will have trout rigs on the boat but he will take out all the bassing rig of the boat, He is one of a few guys that I see with his kid fishing with him. Like you said Butch knows the lake I see him fish in areas that no one fishes and if other boats are around he doesn't fish it neither he always tells us where he got the big one and what he used. By the way when he gave the interview it was agreed that the lake not be disclosed because he did not want the lake to be over run. He told me that before the article came out. Would you tell everyone if you had a lake that produced trophy fish? If you that know Butch you will know what lake he fishes on but don't blame him, disclosing the name of the lake on a forum like this should bring more fisherman. Not that I care about Bass fishing because I never fish for bass. To me its like digging the best hole you can dig then filling it up just to tell every one about the hole, IMO.

I highly recommend fishing there at night - all of the people i've bumped into after all of the boats and sight fishermen are gone have been really cool. It's a bit freaky to be there at night (go with a friend) but it's cheaper than being at a bar.

The one thing i've always loved about fishing is that regardless of how much money you have, what kind of fishing set-up you have, and how old you are, EVERYONE has a shot at catching a big one as soon as the lines hit the water. I've seen kids with $19.99 setups outfish folks with loomis rods and stella reels. I especially love the fact that this 19lber was caught by a shore fisherman - would've been great if it was caught by someone fishing for the first time!

I'm starting to notice that there are now more and more snotty fisherman - everything about fishing is quickly becoming a competition (from the size of fish to the price of your setup). People don't even look me in the eye anymore - i can see the calculator in their brain figuring out what my setup cost. I now prefer to listen to my walkman rather than some guy trying to tell me how great he is. I'm just happy to be out there (regardless of the size or number of fish i catch, if any)

Quick Story: Several weeks ago i caught a Crappie (around 2lbs) at the lagoon (my first Crappie ever!). Some random guy passed by and immediately mentioned that there were bigger ones than the "little" Crappie i had caught and offered to show me how to catch "the bigger ones" in the lagoon. "Thanks", i said, "but i'm fishing for the small ones". His blank stare made my day.

Enjoy the weekend. Catch those little ones.

ive fished each side of the spillway that is accessible from shore. i dont see what the big deal is about not being able to fish there.

I have talk to a few guys that fish that area but mostly for carp or cat the only reason not to fish there it is off limit and the fine is 175.00 just like the main ramp at the upper lake or the spillway when its full. the police are nice about it and just tell you that you cant fish in those area unless you give them a hard time like Joe his citation cost him 175.00

rector15,
i know what you mean man. i do a lot of flyfishing and see quite a few people who are way to drawn up fishing. One example is my dad; he loves to flyfish when we're out for trout in the Sierras but most of the time he prefers to use a light spinnin' rod & a barbless lure. a lot of guys are nice but then again a lot give him some nasty stares and remarks. he's a great fisherman & often outfishes most of us "fancy" flyfisherman. And not to mention, when it come to C&R, he beats most them anyways. I think it's just a want attitude. People don't get to relax enough in life & when they get out the water they are greedy and forget all equiette. but remember, just because a couple guys are rude doesn't mean we all are. Tight lines.

My largest bass at the lagoon is 8lb. I caught it in August of 2004.

<a href="http://assalt.com/gallery.htm">Two pictures of my largest bass</a>


I'm famous, LOL...

Just a question...



Why is it that people get so worked up if a bass dies, but don't care when any other species dies?

bert, i was pointing him to another spot. its below the boueys so its legal. the dock is considered illegal to fish i guess but all they say is "how did you get in?" and "well, you cant fish here"

Sorry I misunderstood the location you were talking about I was talking about the spillway from the upper lake, I have reported people who fish the CSUN dock. And your right they don't do anything but to tell them to leave. I watch some guys catch fish after fish off that dock from across the lake and put it in a cooler or something the life guard only chases them off. some of the police will check for license and the fish and issue citations

i saw a guy keep a bass from that dock too but fortunatly, its the people who cant catch a lot of fish that usually keep them.