I decided to hit the lagoon this morning with my friend swimbait101 and another friend. Ffejrobins30 showed up too about 10 minutes after we got there. I started fishing for a little while, when Butch Brown came over and asked if me and swimbait101 wanted to fish with him for a little while. Butch said he has seen my posts and wants me to catch some bigger fish and he also knew swimbait101 previously. So we hopped in his boat and hit a spot loaded with bass. Butch is an awesome guy and thanks to him, I caught a few personal best bass today!! Me and swimbait101 caught about 15 bass each in about 1 or 2 hours! Thanks Butch, it was really awesome! When I got back on shore, I didn't manage to catch any more fish, neither did swimbait101, but my other friend caught a 13" bass. Fishing from shore was tough today. I don't think Ffejrobins30 managed to catch any fish either. Butch is an awesome guy!

ALL FISH RELEASED

My 2nd bass of the day.


My 3rd bass of the day.


My 4th bass of the day.


We put a bunch in the livewell for a picture. WE RELEASED THEM ALL AFTER!

i caught the biggest

I measured them out in the picture and ours are just about the same! Mine has a cooler pattern on it though! We both caught lots of nice fish!

it doesnt matter the length, mine was ALOT FATTER than yours.
mine had more shad in its belly.

I measured out the width too and they look just about the same. Yours might have been a little fatter because the belly was pretty round, lol.

Awesome..they are great...what did you use to catch these? If you would like to share.

Awesome..they are great...what did you use to catch these? If you would like to share.

A secret lure...

we cant say anything, sorry

Looks like you two had a great time with Butch! And yes, he is a great guy... and thats hard to find these days so make sure to pay it forward!!!

At least you had a great time and yes I know all about secret lures...

Hey guys... nice stringer! Must have been a really great day on the water. I'm sure everyone is glad to hear that you released all of those bass back into the Lagoon...

BC

of course we did
this one couple was staring at us when we were sticking them on it...

I think they thought that we were going to keep them, lol. The one guy was amazed and took some pictures. It was pretty funny.

Wow.... you guys really lucked out. Fishing with a bassman's legend like Butch must be pretty awesome. You are right, he is a great guy.

Good job, and congrats on all the nice bass and PB.

yeah hes cool

hey geo look on FNN and look at this report on page 5
look at the comment by greenstinkyfeet
WTF is he talking about

You guys must of had blast that day!
I was the guy that walked up & took some pictures with my phone.
I've never had a catch like that in my life.

I started watching the YouTube videos on butch & it seems he knows what he doing.
I'd love to one day get a chance to learn from a guy like him..

I just got back into fishing after about a 25 year break from it..
& I'm loving it...

Oh! You are that guy! Cool. It was really awesome. We had even more than the ones in the pictures that we released without putting in the livewell too! Did you catch anything that day? Shore fishing was really tough on Sunday.

Also, did you think we were going to keep all those bass? Haha. I release all of the largemouth that I catch.

Naw... I didn't even get any nibbles...
& actually I didn't give any thought to you keeping them or not.
But, I figured you'd be eating some for dinner.
I remember thinking if you release them there I might have a chance to catch one myself.
If in was still in a biting mood after being handled by humans.. LOL!

swimbait101 they are a bunch of jealous bozoos. Don't pay attention to the haters.

I've known Butch for a long time and there are a lot of guys who resent him because he always shows them up at the Lagoon. There is nobody who can even come close to what he does on that lake.

He is a great guy, extremely friendly and humble. He has taught me a lot and I can fully understand not wanting to talk about a particular lure on a given day. Especially considering that Butch is sponsored!!!

That's awesome...It is nice to see a great guy like Butch with that much knowledge sharing it with the younger anglers...

It's always great to give back to the younger anglers and teach them the right ways...catch and release, etc....

I still am in contact with my mentor after 30 years

They were release out where they were caught after the pictures. What were you using? I might be able to help you out with shore fishing.

Got a link?

It's about some junky comment that Butch Brown was giving some guys heat for crowding him at the Lagoon. He'd tell people in other boats to back off if they got within 100 ft. of him supposedly.

Not surprising too if you've ever had the chance to watch him cast one of those Huds out there. Plus it must be a real pain to have people hound doggin' ya all the time and marking off the spots you stop at and fish the most.

There is a price to be paid for being famous. Even if it is a relatively small one in his case. We all know what Butch is after and there are others who would like to cash in on it first by not putting in the time he does doing the work themselves.

Frankly, I won't be surprised at all to hear the news when he catches the next legit world record LMB at the Lagoon.

yeah he worked alot

hey guys, butch verified that the lake limit is 5 bass over 12 inches. he called the dfg

the source for CA fishing regulations

upper and lower Castaic are considered one body of water as far as the rules go by the California DFG

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/

See page 16


INDIVIDUAL BODIES OF WATER WITH SPECIAL BLACK BASS REGULATIONS
Area or Body of Water
Open Season
Size (total length
Bag
Limit
(8) Barrett Lake (San Diego County). (Also see Section 2.08)
All year.
No black bass shall be possessed.
0
(9) Big Lake (Shasta County) (see also Section 7.00(b)(4).
Last Saturday in April through Nov. 15.
12-inch minimum
5
Nov. 16 through last Friday in April.
No black bass shall be possessed.
0
(10) Casitas Lake (Ventura County).
All year.
12-inch minimum. No more than one over 22 inches.
5
(11) Castaic Lake (Los Angeles County).
All year.
18-inch minimum.
2
(12) Cuyamaca Lake (San Diego County).
All year.
No size limit. No smallmouth bass shall be possessed.
5
(13) Diamond Valley Lake, (Riverside County)
All year.
Largemouth bass 15-inch minimum. No smallmouth bass shall be possessed
5
(14) Eastman Lake (Madera and Mariposa Cos.) (Note: See Section 7.50(b)(62) for special area closures).
All year.
22-inch minimum.
1


The Trophy Black Bass program was adopted by the Fish and Game Commission in February 1993 under the Black Bass Conservation and Management Act of 1980.
The purpose of the Program is to provide a reasonable opportunity for an angler to catch a trophy-sized black bass at designated waters. As part of the Trophy Black Bass program, the Department of Fish and Game maintains records of anglers who catch a trophy size bass and submit a recognition application form to the Department.
Verified catches are entered into Department databases and provide information on trophy fish catches to managers. Anglers will receive a frameable certificate documenting their catch and if the fish is released back to the water, an attractive California Trophy Black Bass Program Catch and Release hat/lapel pin.
Trophy Bass
In the Trophy Black Bass Program policy, trophy-sized black bass are recognized by the following minimum weight standards:
largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) 10 lb.
smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) 6 lb.
spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) 6 lb.

More information is located on the DFG web site at
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Fishing/Recognition/TBB/index.asp#

you know butch, he has talked to you.
he called the office and they both had different regulations

I believe you swimbait101, you can do whatever you like. I'm not the fishing police.

But in the past I have had several conversations with the fishing police (DFG) at Castaic and they have told me that the rules are the same for both lakes because they are considered one body of water. Also, the Castaic Lake Recreation Area has one admission for both areas and the rules are the same.

You can't go up to the upper lake and keep two and then go down to the Lagoon and keep two on the same day.

The only rules about the Lagoon that is different as far as I know are the fact that swimming is allowed in some areas and also gas and diesel powered boat are only allowed restricted basis for special events and Cal State ski team practice. Also, camping is only allowed in some parts of the Lower Area and the Lagoon is open to fishing at night.

As far as I know the limit is 2 18" or larger. It has been that way for some time now. I would advise not to get caught with five on a stringer by the DFG. They will not be calling Butch Brown to find out what the regulations are.

http://www.castaiclake.com/rules_and_regs.html

Fishing
All California Fish and Game regulations are strictly enforced.

butch has talked the leitenant of the department in long beach
marty wall

Hi Geobass,
I am sorry to inform you that you are mistaken on the legal limit at Castaic Lagoon. The Castaic Lake and Lagoon are two different bodies of water. The Lagoon limit is 5 bass 12" minimum. Would somebody please call Fish and Game in Long Beach to varify what I am trying to tell you? I have called. Please ask the bass limits between the two lakes. You will find I am right. The number is (909)484-0167. Would somebody on the East or West coast please call and post your fininds.

Thank You,
Butch Brown

Hi Butch, its been a while, how are ya!!

That's cool if you say so.. I will call to clarify because I've been told by DFG officials at the lake that the rules apply to both lakes as one body of water.

Tell me then, as far as the limits go if both lakes are considered separate, can you go to the Lagoon in the morning and bag two, then go up to the Upper Castaic and bag two, and then go down to the Lagoon and bag three more on the same day?

Making the limit at Castaic Recreation Area seven Black Bass in one day?

I don't think so.

I will be starting another thread on "Black Bass Fishing Regulations at Castaic."

After all this post was about Fire Ball's experience fishing with you and has become side tracked on this technical stuff.

NO geobass it's only technical becouse you made it that way you may not have 7 bass in your limit the state limit is 5 bass only as stated dfg regulation 2009 artical 4 page 15 code 5.00.read it and check by calling your self (909-484-0167) if you want to go to the top ask for the big chef down there his name is marty wall p.s.DISTRICTS AND COUNTIES WITH SPECIAL BLACK BASS REGULATIONS ON PAGE 15 LIKE ON YOUR POST DOES NOT NAME CASTAIC LAGOON ONLY CASTAIC LAKE BOTH LAKES ARE OVER A MILE APART AT THE BASE OF THE DAM ONE HAS STRIPERS ONE DOES NOT NEWS FLASH (909-484-0167)CALL (909-484-0167)MAYBY YOU CAN USE THIS PHONE NUMBER IN THE FUTURE BEFORE POSTING ON YOUR "NEW" BLACK BASS REGULATIONS AT CASTAIC" SO YOU CAN MAKE CORRECT STATEMENTS.909-484-0167 ALL IT TAKES IS A PHONE CALL BY ANY ONE 909-484-0167 LONG BEACH D.F.G.SERVING LOS ANGLES CO.temp.dfg officers don't no everything in the castaic area.(909-484-0167)ALSO WHY TWIST THINGS AROUND BY SAYING SEVEN BASS IN A LIMIT WHEN YOU NO IT'S NO MORE THAN FIVE BASS IN YOUR POSSESSION AT ANY TIME BUT YOU CAN HAVE 3 BASS FROM THE LAGOON AND TWO FROM CASTAIC LAKE WERE THE LIMIT IS TWO BASS 18"((((909-484-0167))))and 12"or longer from the lagoon*****909-484-0167*****ONCE THIS MISPRINT IS CLEARED UP I'LL FEEL BETTER SHOWING SWIMBAIT 101 AND FIRE BALL THE ART OF CATCHING 50, 60,AND 70 POUND 5 BASS LIMITS ON SWIMBAITS TO PHOTO AND RELEASE LIKE I HAVE OVER THE YEARS.WITHOUT GETTING TICKETS FOR OVER TAKE OF BASS D.F.G.((((((((909484-0167))))))) I'LL STILL WAVE TO YOU BUT YOU NEED TO COME UP MORE THAN ONCE EVERY THREE MOUTHS REMEMBER I FISH 300 DAYS A YEAR AT THE CASTAIC LAGOON SO MOST OF THE TIME I NO WHOS BEEN THERE YOU MIST MY 18 1/2 IN AUG.AND MY 19 PLUS ON OCT 30, 2009 WHITNESS BY LIFEGUARD JOHNNY V.ALL ON LIVE VIDIO THEY MIGHT BE THE TWO LARGEST BASS IN THE NATION THIS YEAR.(909-484-0167)OR (909-484-0167 DO YOUR HOMEWORK AS I HAVE IT'S EASY (909-484-0167 THANKS AND TAKE CARE BUTCH BROWN

Thanks for giving me the phone number thirteen times in you last two posts.

It was not me who brought up the subject of fishing regs, it was Swimbait101.

But you could do us all a favor by making your next call the the Castaic Lake Recreation Area website admin and telling them that the information posted on the website does not agree with you either.

http://www.castaiclake.com/rules_and_regs.html#fishing

The website refers to the two connected bodies of water as Upper Lake and Lower Lake... ie. Castaic Upper part of the lake and Castaic Lower part of the lake.

In the meantime, untill I see it posted otherwise I think it best to err on the side of caution. Since as you point out, DFG officers don't always know what's going on.

And by the way Butch I've always considered you a friend. Earlier in this thread I was defending you over some %*^#@ garbage that was being said about you somewhere else.

As always we appreciate it when members can offer information/advice, especially when it comes to rules and regs for fishing, since they vary across the country. There seems to be some debate here, so I decided to do some research into the the rules and regs for Castaic Lagoon/Lake.
I researched both the link that was provided earlier in the thread http://www.castaiclake.com/rules_and_regs.html#fishing
and the DFG - http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/index.html.

It would appear that Castaic Lake is broken into 2 counties, (Mind that it says Castias for Ventura) Ventura County and LA County, each with their own set of rules and regs. I can definitely see how this could confuse people if they are not aware.

Los Angeles - 18-inch minimum. 2 bag limit
Ventura - 12-inch minimum. No more than one over 22 inches.
5 bag Limit

To help out and make sure that you have all the details here are the rules and regs in a pdf. file. If you go to page 16, toward the lower part of the page you will see the break out.
2009-2010 CA Fishing Rules and Regs

I hope his helps. I myself live in NY and have never fished this Lake, however, if I ever make it to CA, I definitely would like to check it out, with all the great fishing stories we have heard here.

Thanks

Bassinwg6,
Castaic Lake and Castaic Lagoon are in Los Angeles County.

There is a lake in the general area called Lake Casitas which is in Ventura County.

It's to bad that you guys can't drop a dime for a phone call like I did this morning to let DFG no they will have some phone calls today on this matter. They said thanks for the heads up Butch it's disturbing that some of you guys can't do your home work when you are wrong. If a flyer from the lake is printed incorrectly like it is from the lagoon, I'll go today to talk to the supervisor her name is Lorie and get it posted on there website 5 bass 12" from the misprinted flyer. If you guys need money to call DFG let me no I'll send you some quarters. You really watch each others backs when your wrong to bad for this sites credibility. If your are an editor you need to not let your readers do your home work. I WON'T EXPECT AN APOLOGY WHEN YOU FIND OUT YOUR WRONG, I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE IT IN YOU! I only hope that the boys call DFG (909)484-0167 to find out for themselves what this editior can't do on his own. Castaic Lake phone number (661)257-4050 please call in a couple of days and ask for Lorie, and she will have called DGF and will give you the answer that you really don't want to hear. 5 bass 12" Lagoon LIMIT!

Thanks for nothing, sincerely BUTCH BROWN, 35 years on the Lagoon and living it! "How about you?"

P.S. Geo I get followed around the lake on a regular basis and sometimes they catch me on a bad day and I will say something to them that's not sugar coded.

Geo, check the Castaic website. They updated it and now it says what the limit for the Lagoon is. Glad this is settled.

Butch, I sent you a message, so read it and reply if you have a chance. I have a couple swimbait questions.

BUTCH BROWN JUST GOT BACK FROM THE MAIN OFFICE AT CASTAIC LAKE TO TALK TO OFFICIALS ABOUT UPPER AND LOWER LIMIT ITS GOING TO BE POSTED ON THEIR WEBSITE TOMORROW 5 BASS 12 INCH LIMIT FOR THE LAGOON AND I BELIEVE FISH AND GAME WILL BE POSTING ON THIS WEBSITE ON MY BEHALF AND ON FNN FISHING WEBSITE IF YOU WANT TO CALL THE LAKE OFFICIAL ASK FOR LORIE, SHE WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR. NOW YOU CAN TAKE YOUR FOOT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH AND ACCEPT WHAT AN EXPIERENCED BASS FISHERMAN REALLY KNOWS.

P.S. GEOBASS/EDITOR NOW YOU CAN POST " FISH AND GAME REGULATIONS AT CASTAIC AND BE ACCURATE " ALSO PLEASE ASK IF THE LAKES ARE CONSIDERED ONE BODY OR TWO BODIES OF WATER AND YOU'LL SEE IT IS TWO. I HOPE YOUR TOES TASTE GOOD.

ALWAYS TRUTHFUL YOUR FRIEND, BUTCH BROWN
CASTAICLAKE.COM PHONE NUMBER: 661-527-4050

I saw it. That's good, at least its there for all to see now.

Clarification is good. And to think I wasted all those phone calls to that number and all I got was an answering machine or no answer at all.

We probably fried their answering machine today.

Butch, up until today it was the Lake Website that disagreed with you not me.

Looking at toes in shoes, not in mouth. Discussion is good. I think I've been dissed enough for questioning the rules as posted on the Lake Website.

Funny how it stood up there wrong for so long confusing the heck out of so many unknowns like myself. I'm really surprised because it used to be listed as the 5 over 12" for both. How were we to know when it changed on the website it only changed for the Upper Castaic.

My other post was put up as a QUESTION, like hey Butch says this... the Lake websites says this, what's going on here.

Thanks, you've answered that for us now. Butch was right and as it turns out I was wrong. Sorry if what I said offended you... I meant no offense by what I said.

Now go catch a world record bass at the Lagoon alright already and make all of my past predictions about you come true after all.

Good luck with that, sincerely.

Your friend, geobass.