suggestions for first trip to the ditch

[nightfighter]

headed to the canal after work tonight. Gonna be shore bound and hitting a bottoming tide. Any suggestions as to where I might first start slinging line?

[Slipknot]

What are you throwing? Plugs, jigs or bait? I would try several spots, move around till you find them. Maybe the west end either MMA or Bell rd. They are spread out now so not just concentrated at the herring run area. I was planning on going down tonight also, if the Mid. run isn't a zoo I might try livelining otherwise I will be jigging and plugging. Send me an Email and maybe we can hook up down there.

Bruce

[East Tide]

Slipknot>Fire>Franklins, Slipknot the possibilities are endless, I'm sorry I can't resist I fished around the Sagamore for the end of the west and east turn. I had 2 dozen herring which were too many for today I had three fish and one keeper about 31" on my first trip to the ditch this year. Man, I didn't remember how heavy those glass lamis are !! They sure can throw a nice pattern on a herring though. I stayed from about 6 am until 10am. One guy jigging just west of me did and managed a mid-high thirty inch fish and a few others. A couple other guys were using dead ones from the out cropping and had a pair of rats as well. Next thurs and friday will be prime time in the am. Let me know if you have some time Bruce...

East Tide

[Saltheart]

If you can't get herring , throw jigs with 7 inch Fin S Fish. Alewife color works well (I wonder why? ) When the tide goes slack , try something on the surface like a danny swimmer or a pencil popper. If I were going toningt , I guess I'd head for the railroad bridge area.

If you can get herring , try around the run or try livelining them from the fishing pier.

If you are smart , you'll take up one of these guys on their offer to meet and fish with you. Its a complicated place so You can learn more in an hour fishing with someone who knows what they are doing than you might be able to figure out for yourself all season long.

Good Luck tonight.

Good Luck.

[Canalratt1]

I would stick down the west end, the fish have been showing up there. Herring is your best bet if you can't get any live ones buy some fresh dead ones NOT FROZEN! Macos had them and I'm sure the other bait stores do to. Drift them with 1/2 oz. rubber core weights in the eddies just bumping them along and hold on. Don't worry about getting them out far the bass are close. Swimmers and large rubber shads will work too.