Fishing for Morons (like me)

Question
Jim,
I currently live in Fort Lauderdale, FL and have recently moved to a house on an inland canal.  Everyday I hear fish jumping and can see schools of 2 foot long fish swimming by.  I think I may have the fishing bug, but have no idea what type of bait or lures I should be using.  Sometimes I think the fish are hanging around my dock because they know they're safe.  Can you offer some advice on how to catch some of these guys.  Thanks.  Have a great weekend.

Answer
I have done some Saltwater Canal Fishing, you will find that some of the canals in your area have both fresh and saltwater species.. some canals do not, depends on the salinity of the canal and sometimes the season. Rainy season you are more likely to have freshwater species intermingled.. depending on your location near the coast. The canals drain the interior of the state and several canals come from Okeechobee and the Stick Marsh Area into your area. Depending on lake levels they will open the gates and let water down the canals and with them some freshwater fish.
NOW .. what to use. Go to the local bait and tackle store. There is a minnow, and I can never remember the name of it that swims in coastal waters. The baitstores sell a ton of them for fishing. Try one hooked in the tail then one hooked through the lips. Freshwater fish hit the head, Saltwater fish hit the tail. CRABS if you fish the bottom can take some of your bait. (You might want to get a crab trap by the way.. stick chicken bones and skin in it and you have  Hoursedourve's (spelling?)for your fish dinners.
Try fishing them on the bottom or on a bobber.
Also if you have Redfish surface baits early and late will catch fish. Shrimp alive or dead will catch fish as well. A cast net comes in handy to toss and catch minnows for bait and those will be more readily taken since they are native to the canal.
Surface baits will work for Freshwater Bass, Redfish, Snook.
Snappers will hit live bait and crankbaits.
Bluegill and Oscars (the kind you find in some aquariums) will take crickets and other bluegill style baits. Oscars are delicious I am told. I know several folks who travel to Florida just to catch a cooler full of them. You may also run into an occasional Peacock Bass. I have been told that they are in the canals around Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. NOT all canals but some. Those are some MEAN sun of a guns. You want to use surface baits and near surface baits with big hooks and BIG baits.
Catfish in Florida are dangerous. DO not let one stick you with a fin. The sticks get infected some way and are really painful and require a doctors visit. I can show you how to take one off a hook fairly safely but I have to do it in person.. its just too tricky to try to describe.. I may try to do some pictures using a Freshwater Catfish. If I do it will be on one of my websites.
If you want more info let me know. I will tell you that the local tackle store most likely will be of great help. Just ask for some tips but do it when they are not busy. Your business is important to them and helping you to catch fish will bring you back for more bait.
Jim Dicken owner Fishing Guides Home Page
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