I agree with every observation you've made here. The water temp especially during those tides were cool. I usually stand in the water without boots on during early evening and morning hours during the summer. One night, after fishing for three hours, I got out of the water, which I was in up to my knees and couldn't feel anything. Like many people here the canal is close and I have been doing my best to really learn how to fish it this year (see gas prices), and not just go to the canal to fish any old time. I have had some good mornings and some great mornings. I love plugging there, and learning new places to jig in the ditch. I would have been there this morning, but I cut quite a bit of cordwood yesterday, and my body screamed a loud no at 3:30 a.m. Now I am pissed because I can't cut wood in the rain. Too much of a chance on slipping on the log pile, but I could have fished. Cause the fish don't know its raining. I use to think the canal was extremely difficult to fish. Its not extremely difficult, but it is challenging. Those fogging morning, top-water, pencil popper smashes are exhilarating and worth the trip.

how's the view
 

from way up there flap

you must have used binoculars to make those OB's :rotf3:

I havn't tried this myself but I saw it when the macks were in heavy, snag one on light tackle, live line it back in on the big stick, HOLD ON