September 18, 2026

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October 10th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing

November 14th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing

December 12th, 2026 - 12 Hour Charter w/Black Pearl Sportfishing

Anglers reported another solid week of fishing in the southern aqueduct, with all species cooperating. Largemouth bass inhaled poppers, Whopper Ploppers, and soft jerkbaits during the mornings and evenings, while midday bass were better targeted with Senkos and Roboworms. Striped bass boiled at first light and even more consistently in the evenings, with poppers, walking baits, and jerkbaits all taking fish. During the middle of the day, cut sardines were hard to beat when soaked below check gates. Catfishing was excellent for anglers using chicken liver, dip bait, and cut anchovies.

Castaic held at 95 percent of storage capacity, and water temperatures were close to 80 degrees. Fishing was excellent last week, with both bass and striped bass cooperating. Most anglers focused on fish pushing bait against the shoreline in coves and flats, with Sharon’s Rest producing well throughout the day. Largemouth and smallmouth bass took white Espetites and other walking baits, while poppers also produced bites. Flukes, spoons, and A-rigs accounted for plenty of fish as well. Striped bass fed in the same areas and took many of the same lures, although they had become more difficult to target. Catfish anglers did very well using fresh dead shad and chicken liver.

Pyramid fluctuated between 90 and 95 percent of its storage capacity, and angling was very good. The bite picked up again for both bass and striped bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass took finesse baits along bluff walls, points, and in the grass, while jigs and small swimbaits also accounted for plenty of catches. Topwater was effective until about 8:30 a.m., with walking baits and poppers both producing well. Striped bass took topwater during the same timeframe and in the same areas. Cut sardines were the best way to fool linesides after the sun climbed higher in the sky, with fish holding in 30 to 90 feet of water. Some monster catfish weighing up to 15 pounds were also reported by striped bass anglers.

Pyramid fluctuated between 90 and 95 percent of its storage capacity, and angling was very good. The bite picked up again for both bass and striped bass. Largemouth and smallmouth bass took finesse baits along bluff walls, points, and in the grass, while jigs and small swimbaits also accounted for plenty of catches. Topwater was effective until about 8:30 a.m., with walking baits and poppers both producing well. Striped bass took topwater during the same timeframe and in the same areas. Cut sardines were the best way to fool linesides after the sun climbed higher in the sky, with fish holding in 30 to 90 feet of water. Some monster catfish weighing up to 15 pounds were also reported by striped bass anglers.

Here in the Upper Kern, CDFW has a trout plant scheduled this week for sections 5 and 6. Trout fishing along the 20-mile stretch of river has remained steady, with anglers finding good action around eddies, river bends, and other easy-access areas. Salmon eggs, trout jigs, and black/gold Panther Martins have all been producing, while fly anglers are scoring on attractor patterns. In the Lower Kern, trout are being caught throughout the canyon and up toward Keysville on spinners and trout jigs. Bass fishing in the canyon and around Democrat continues to be very good, with solid action on Z-Man and Crush City Ned rigs, small crankbaits, and Roboworms fished on the drop shot. Catfish are also showing in good numbers on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, and cut bait, while bluegill remain active throughout the Lower Kern and are easy to catch with worms fished on drop-shot rigs. At the time of this report, flows were measured at 174 CFS in the Upper Kern at Kernville and 554 CFS in the Lower Kern.

Kaweah Lake fell several feet to 12 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was fair. Anglers focused on the morning topwater and crankbait bite, with poppers and Strike King KVD Sexy Dawgs taking bass. Drop-shotting 3- and 4-inch plastics in 10 to 30 feet of water along main and secondary points was also a steady producer. One angler reported that walking the dog with weightless, nose-hooked Senkos created some impressive evening blowups on the flats. Crappie went for small live minnows over rock piles in 10 to 20 feet of water.

Lake Success dropped slightly to 17 percent of its storage capacity, and fishing was decent. Bass took Whopper Ploppers and white buzzbaits along shallow rocky shorelines at first light and again in the evenings. Texas-rigged 6- and 8-inch worms in green pumpkin, purple, and Aaron’s Magic produced bass around submerged trees. Deep-diving crankbaits also worked in the trees and along the dam. Catfishing was excellent for anglers using SSS dip bait. Crappie reports indicated a steady bite for anglers who located the fish, with submerged trees and underwater humps in about 15 feet of water holding panfish willing to eat small live minnows and mini jigs.

Bass fishing at both lakes has been very good, with cooler weather this week bringing out more anglers and helping to increase activity. The best action has been during the early morning and late afternoon hours, with Ned rigs and shad-imitating plastics on the drop shot producing consistently, along with green pumpkin Senkos and small flukes. Bluegill fishing remains excellent, with plenty of fish being caught on live worms fished under a bobber or on the drop shot. Small crappie are also showing in good numbers and are being picked up on live worms and small jigs around structure.

Bass fishing improved this week with the cooler weather, with the best action coming early and late in the day. Anglers are finding success on Giro flukes, small creature baits, and Ned rigs worked around the grass with slightly heavier heads. Green pumpkin worms in the 4- to 5-inch range and Strike King Rage Bugs have also been producing consistently. Bluegill fishing remains excellent during the cooler parts of the day on wax worms, mealworms, and red worms. Crappie activity has also started to improve, particularly later in the day, with 2-inch Keitechs and live shiners drawing plenty of bites. Carp are showing more often and taking dough baits, while catfish continue to provide steady action on dip baits and cut bait.

Fishing was good for all species at Buena Vista Lakes, with catfish and panfish providing the best action. Largemouth bass fell for Senko-style baits in shad, dark green, and black. They also picked up Texas rigs and creature baits tossed into holes and pockets in the cattails. One angler cranked out a nice 5-pounder from the riprap in Lake Evans. Bluegill ate live worms under a bobber, while crappie went for mini jigs and small live minnows. Catfish took dip bait, large nightcrawlers, and fresh shrimp on Carolina rigs and float rig.

Fishing was good at Hart Park with bass and bluegill biting well. Largemouth fell for finesse baits, creature baits, Senkos, and topwater lures. Drop shot and Texas rigs worked well with green pumpkin and brown 8” worms fooling fish. Senko style baits and creature baits pulled bigger bass from the floating lily pads, and weedless frogs worked well in the mornings and evenings. Bluegill ate redworms under a bobber, and catfish anglers used SSS dip bait and chicken liver to catch one to three pound fish.

The lake level dropped to 37 percent of its storage capacity, and anglers reported another solid week of bass fishing. The topwater bite remained in play, with both spotted bass and white bass taking Whopper Ploppers, poppers, and walking baits. Tail spinners also produced plenty of white bass during the boils. Spotted bass went after Ned rigs, Senkos, and split-shot rigs in deeper water, while crankbaits and jerkbaits also produced fish. Crappie took 1.75- to 2-inch swimbaits, mini jigs, and small live minnows in about 15 feet of water near submerged stumps. Catfish anglers found success using cut baits, dip bait, and nightcrawlers.

Fishing from Dana Point through San Pedro and Long Beach has heated up considerably, with yellowfin tuna joining an already strong yellowtail and bonito bite. Dana Wharf boats put together 170 yellowfin, 24 yellowtail, 4 dorado, and 148 bonito for 143 anglers on Monday, while Sunday produced another 193 yellowfin and 75 yellowtail. Around San Pedro, the Pursuit has been consistently scoring yellowtail and bonito, including 18 yellowtail, 1 dorado, and 130 bonito for 38 anglers on Tuesday. The Native Sun also got into the offshore mix Wednesday with 31 yellowfin, 7 yellowtail, 33 barracuda, and 29 bonito for 31 anglers. Calico bass continue to fill out the catch closer to the islands and coast, while dorado, skipjack, and yellowfin are giving anglers more offshore opportunities than we have seen in recent weeks.

The Channel Islands have been producing a very strong mixed bite, with yellowtail becoming one of the biggest stories this week. Channel Islands Sportfishing boats reported 561 yellowtail from September 10 through 16, including 137 on Wednesday and 105 on Tuesday. Calico bass, bonito, rockfish, and whitefish are also biting well, with nearly 1,000 calicos and 1,000 rockfish reported during the same period. Yellowfin have even worked their way into the counts, with 51 reported this week along with a couple of dorado and white seabass. Ventura boats have been finding a mix of rockfish, whitefish, calico bass, bonito, and yellowtail, while the deeper island trips continue to offer opportunities for lingcod and halibut.

Rockfish continue to dominate the action along the Central Coast, with both Port San Luis and Morro Bay producing excellent numbers. Morro Bay Landing boats reported 1,408 rockfish, 202 reds, 199 bocaccio, 95 copper rockfish, and 42 lingcod during the seven-day period through September 17. Bonito have also been showing, and the offshore possibilities got a little more interesting when a bluefin tuna hit the counts on September 16. At Port San Luis, anglers continue to enjoy near-limit to limit-style rockfish fishing, with the Patriot putting up 248 rockfish, 5 whitefish, and 2 bocaccio for 25 anglers on one recent trip, while two boats combined for 275 rockcod for just 29 anglers the following day. Rockfish remain the most dependable option, with lingcod, bocaccio, copper rockfish, and whitefish mixed in.