Fishing saltwater canals

Question
Hello,


I was wondering if you knew anything about fishing a saltwater canal. I have recently been fishing The Buzzards Bay (lower cape cod) Canal with no luck. What type of bait/lure should I use for shore fishing the canal.

Thanks

Shawn Slaney

Answer
I cannot speak for this exact canal and it may not be the same species of Fish but for canal fishing here in Florida we typically have a fish here in the winter months due to the warmer nature of the water. Even though we never get too cold it is still a warmer area in the winter. In the summer the water temp rises so much in the canals the fish seem to avoid our canals.
Canal Water can at times be brackish or even less salty and sometimes are very slow moving and very tidal in nature. This tidal movement provides a lot of movement and allows fish that are predatory in nature to hide in structure on outgoing tides and to forage in areas that are accessible only during High tides. We typically use a live bait fished near the shore if your fishing from a boat and if fishing from the shore we fish using baits that will float near structure or will swim into areas away from our each spot. Most canal fish will not hang out right in the middle part of the canal UNLESS it is a canal through a shallow bay or an extreme hole. Then they may hang out there on outgoing to catch bait as it flows past.
Most species will sit in structure on the sides of the canal waiting for bait to move by. Fishing from the shore can be rather slow since most fish will find an area make it theirs and defend it. Once a Fish is caught and removed it may be a while before another moves in to take over and if a fish is caught and released that fish may be spooky for a while after words. If you only have access to one section of a canal it will require changing baits and trying different things if a fish is caught in that area. As to the type of bait. Most will prefer baits that are local to the canal. Many baits that are caught in open water may seem out of place in a canal and a fish may not be attracted to it since it is not the normal food source it is used to. Matching baits found within the canal will be your best bet. Look for fish activity within your canal too and as your waiting on that bite observe the water near you and look at the different things going on in the canal if it seems there is a lot of activity along the one section of shoreline see if you can figure out what is attracting the fish to that area and try to make that same thing happen where you are fishing. If its a School of bait, match that bait and perhaps chum the area with baits that are similar. Hopefully this little bit will help but canal fishing is rather difficult but with a little study and trying different times you can learn alot ALSO pay attention to the time of year. Here in Florida our canals are the most active in the winter and almost DEAD in the summer.