Canal

[PaulS]

I don’t fish there as much as I use to. Too crowded for me. If I had to catch a 50 from shore, I would concentrate there. I think it makes people think they are better fisherman than they really are. If people only fish there they become somewhat 1 dimensional.

That said I was there Friday night into Sat. I fished around a bridge w/about 9 others. I was in the worse position bc I was closest to the bridge and so my drift was pretty short. I only saw 3 -4 crossed lines and no one complained when it happened. When I was up on the road talking to someone I know a guy was on a fish and reeled into his reel line from a guy up current of him. No one got upset. The guy’s whose line it was quickly cut his line and people worked to free the line. In my position the guys up current from me recognized I would have the shortest drift and when I was ready to cast would tell me it was ok to help me out. People also would let others know when someone was on to a fish. All were regulars and it was enjoyable fishing w/them.

Later went wetsuiting and had no fish

Sat morning bf false light set up next to a few friends on my left with a lot of room to my right (up current). 3 guys later set up to my right and they didn’t really know what they were doing and didn’t have the right gear – but they were nice, polite guys so there was no problem. They would not cast until after I did and knew where my plug was and when I told them they were casting in the wrong area they all adjusted. They listened to suggestions about their drag (or lack of drag) and equipment. When I suggested they put on a magic swimmer (after I had about 10 fish over 40” on it) they put the 1 on they had – even though it was a smaller one. They shared it and soon all had at least 1 fish caught – mostly smaller. I gave them 1 large one and they all soon had a 40” or so fish on the rocks to take home (I had mixed feelings about this). The guy next me soon lost the M. swimmer and they packed up to leave. Came over to say thank you for the help and offered $ for the lost swimmer which I did not take.

Long post but wanted to say that I think it is dependent who you fish with/next to.

I did catch 1 fish on a jig Saltheart gave me

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by PaulS

That said I was there Friday night into Sat. I fished around a bridge w/about 9 others. I was in the worse position bc I was closest to the bridge and so my drift was pretty short. I only saw 3 -4 crossed lines and no one complained when it happened. When I was up on the road talking to someone I know a guy was on a fish and reeled into his reel line from a guy up current of him. No one got upset. The guy’s whose line it was quickly cut his line and people worked to free the line. In my position the guys up current from me recognized I would have the shortest drift and when I was ready to cast would tell me it was ok to help me out. People also would let others know when someone was on to a fish. All were regulars and it was enjoyable fishing w/them.

sounds a lot like a spot I am very familiar with my whole career jigging the canal, we used to call it the bus stop because the fish usually showed up a certain stage of the tide. My friend and I had over 60 fish one night, had the place to ourselves, that was epic. I go once a year or so, too many people for me

[jettyjockey18]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

sounds a lot like a spot I am very familiar with my whole career jigging the canal, we used to call it the bus stop because the fish usually showed up a certain stage of the tide. My friend and I had over 60 fish one night, had the place to ourselves, that was epic. I go once a year or so, too many people for me

the bus stop...definitely had a few good nights there...

[bloocrab]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

.....sounds a lot like a spot I am very familiar with my whole career jigging the canal, we used to call it the bus stop ......

That's funny Bruce....I used to call it "Slip's Spot" because that's where I would normally run into you. I think the Specialist pulled his first 35 out of there many moons ago?
I still make a few trips a year, short of the crowd and disrespectful few, it's too easy not to fish...and think of how many people you've met throughout the years due to the Canal?
Internet helps as much as it hurts is what I've always said...

[bart]

I've actually enjoyed fishing the canal this year, especially since my surf spots are barren of anything over 27". I've stayed away from the major blitzes, fished at night, fished more of my style of fishing and it's paid off. Been an enjoyable and relaxing season, haven't been crowded out...never thought I'd say that about the canal lol

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

sounds a lot like a spot I am very familiar with my whole career jigging the canal, we used to call it the bus stop because the fish usually showed up a certain stage of the tide. My friend and I had over 60 fish one night, had the place to ourselves, that was epic. I go once a year or so, too many people for me

Is that monster snag still there? JP's "rope"?. Used to be as infamous as the legendary Bell Road "cable" back in the 1960s.