How shady is the Canal? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

luds · 07-09-2008, 11:06 AM

Just curious. I've fished it once with someone but I've been doing alot of work in that area lately and have been thinking about giving it a whirl again. I've heard some horror stories from this year as far as stolen gear and I could see some shady stuff going down at night.

Do those of you that fish there feel comfortable fishing alone at night?

Anyone have any good tales to share or is it all in my imagination?

Back Beach · 07-09-2008, 11:27 AM

Mike,

I fish it pretty frequently. Due to its proximity there is ample opportunity for the riff raff of the world to easily access the place and steal. I've had gear taken in the daytime from the back of my pickup years ago. Actually it was a pogie cast net. As for personal safety I've never had an incident that wasn't self induced,

but always keep an eye out in certain areas just in case. Also, I only carry what I need. Sounds worse than it is due to the internet and relative speed at which news travels. It’s always been about the same. I'm more worried about drunken kids than anything else because I fish the graveyard shift a lot. Just about the time I'm getting out they're on the way in and we cross paths quite often in some locales.
As for the shade factor, I would give it a 6 out of 10 for night fishing and a 2 out of 10 for day fishing.......
with a 1 being a nursing home and a 10 being a combat zone.

BrianS · 07-09-2008, 11:28 AM

There is nothing better than fishing the canal on a misty night with a light breeze and fog.... Natures air conditioner

Granted.. you can spook yourself into oblivion, but I feel safe when I am there.

Rockport24 · 07-09-2008, 11:43 AM

there was a thread on SOL I think a while back with a lot of ghost stories about the canal... like people have seen ghosts!!!

macojoe · 07-09-2008, 11:45 AM

I haven't fed the canal any gear in a few years, But I always felt safe and never had any problems night or day!
I see a lot of people leave stuff up by the road, and you down in the rocks is going to make it hard to save anything if even you see someone take it!!
Do as stated above, bring only what you need and keep it near and you will be fine.

BrianS · 07-09-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockport24

there was a thread on SOL I think a while back with a lot of ghost stories about the canal... like people have seen ghosts!!!

more skunks than ghosts... (both the animal and the virtual)

Rockport24 · 07-09-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianS

more skunks than ghosts... (both the animal and the virtual)

who ya gonna call!

ok sorry for the hijack...

Joe · 07-09-2008, 11:50 AM

Show me someone who believes in ghosts and I'll show you someone who never dug graves for a living.

Rockport24 · 07-09-2008, 11:56 AM

ok I do feel bad about hijacking, but I would take a ghost over a group of drunken punks any night!
Joe, are you saying digging graves proves ghosts don't exist?

whiplash · 07-09-2008, 12:05 PM

I've fished the canal for over 35 years and have never had a problem . Then again I'm not a small guy. Like anywhere else you leave something laying around and somebody will snag it, go light and keep your stuff with you. Small incidents tend to get blown out of proportion on the internet. Like walking anywhere else -act like a victim and you will become one.

striperchaser02 · 07-09-2008, 12:10 PM

ive fisshed it for years, no problems!!! relax enjoy it and catch the big one!!! i fished it last nite and caught a 20 lber!
Peace
Henry

Joe · 07-09-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockport24

ok I do feel bad about hijacking, but I would take a ghost over a group of drunken punks any night!
Joe, are you saying digging graves proves ghosts don't exist?

Yup. Two years of digging, sometimes with a lantern at night in the fog - scene settings straight out of a John Carpenter flick - and all quiet in the boneyard. Baby graves, kids from car wrecks, untimely deaths - no customer complaints to speak of.

EarnedStripes44 · 07-09-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiplash

I've fished the canal for over 35 years and have never had a problem . Then again I'm not a small guy. Like anywhere else you leave something laying around and somebody will snag it, go light and keep your stuff with you. Small incidents tend to get blown out of proportion on the internet. Like walking anywhere else -act like a victim and you will become one.

Could not have said it better...

I did an internship in NY with a film production company a couple summers ago and I found a honey hole near the confluence of the East & Harlem River. Caught lots of nice fish, Bass, Blues, even a small Jack one night on the graveyard shift. The spot, however, was as shadetree as it gets, but I was there to catch fish. Lots of bums, addicts & reifer smoking bandana wearing teenagers (some pretty hot spanish girls too), but I never had a problem. I was there to fish and was left alone. In fact, a few of those kids were amazed to see that one could catch 30 inch (I know thats not big for some of you guys) stripers 100 yards from their public housing courtyards. You can't be affraid, for there is tons of structure within casting distance on the East River in some tough neighborhoods.

Mike P · 07-09-2008, 01:27 PM

Nobody is going to screw with you unless they're carrying or certifiably insane--would you try to bum rush a guy holding a 10' weapon in his hands, even if you had a knife? Any idea what a 4 oz jig on 2' of line dangling from the tip of a 10' rod will do to anyone trying to get close? Or a swimmer with 3 sets of trebles after you swing it and it catches on the guy's face, and you "cross his eyes" with a hookset

If a guy draws a gun on you--he just wants your money. Give it to him without an argument. It's just as likely to happen in any convenience store parking lot--in fact, more likely.

Bear in mind that anyone who wants to eff with you has to scramble down a steep bank and slippery rocks to do it, giving you all the time in the wrold to reel in and get that 4 oz lead projectile clipped onto your line. And, you are going to be way more comfortable and steady on those rocks than any junkie or crackhead.

I have yet to hear about anyone being personally hassled while fishing. In the summer there are people walking the service road at all hours--they are just easier targets than the guy standing 50' down on rocks holding a fishing rod.

You are much more likely to have problems with your vehicle. Don't leave anything of value behind, and if there's nothing worth stealing in your vehicle, don't lock it up. That saves your windows. And if you have a bike, park in a well traveled area, like the Herring Run lot or Bell Road on the Cape side, and bike to your spot. People--including the Canal rangers, and the Bourne and State Police, are in and out of those two lots all night. Thieves will prefer to hit cars parked in more remote areas.

Crime is up all over the Cape, and the Canal may not be as safe as it was in 1970, but it's still a very safe place to fish. Just use common sense.

luds · 07-09-2008, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the responses. Makes me a little more comfortable with the idea of venturing out alone. I guess you see some wierd stuff on the night shift regardless of where you are. For me at least that is part of the fun. Now to figure out the fishing part.

Circlehook · 07-09-2008, 02:28 PM

I have never had a problem at the canal. Just mind your own business and move on if someone enroaches. It seems the PD has stepped up patrols this year at all hours.

The coyotes crying can pick up your pulse on those foggy nights though.

Circlehook · 07-09-2008, 02:37 PM

The ghost comment actually got me thinking. A few weeks ago, about 2 am, I was fishing alone, capeside, and I kept getting the feeling someone was behind me. It was low tide and a little foggy and I kept turning around and looking toward the woods. I kept feeling a "presense" all night behind me, but noone was there. very spooky.

Bronko · 07-09-2008, 02:46 PM

I usually look like the nut in all dark clothing hat pulled down tight to thwart the pterodactyl sized mosquitos... muttering to myself after a missed hit on a jig...or letting out a tourettes type scream as I hang another pogie soaked ron-z on the structure at my favorite rip.

aaaaah the canal.

Tagger · 07-09-2008, 03:30 PM

Not that shady Mike .. I've never had a problem ever .. I've heard drunks making a racket before once or twice but thats about it .. I park in shady spots I probably shouldn't .. unlit .. dirt lots.. You can get mugged anywhere.. I can almost 100% guarantee you will have no problem .. A couple of guys get robbed and internett blab and mass paranoia ... I'll be your guide .. show you all.. All you have to do is puke your honey hole ..

P.S. I carry a big knife ... insurance

hyefisherman2 · 07-09-2008, 05:28 PM

i wouldnt fish their alone at night...but then again im still a youngen

Rob Rockcrawler · 07-09-2008, 05:40 PM

I dont think it is shady at all. YEah a few drunks wander around and there might be a bit of a domestic dispute on occasion but i have never been hastled. The last few years i have been fishing exclusively weekends, when there are a lot of people of all sorts around. I dont talk to anyone when im out there. Im there to fish. If i get moved in on at a spot i move. Instead of informing them of what they are doing is cramping my drift, i no longer drift into their chunks to snag their lines as a statement. Im always at the waters edge so its pretty quiet. Fish it, enjoy it.

BigFish · 07-09-2008, 06:34 PM

I was fishing down there with Slingah a few weeks ago and a bunch of "Canal Toughs" riding girls bikes...errrr.....sorry...step thru frame bikes, came thundering down the path on the mainland side.....scary looking bunch! They tried to shake me down for some wood but we struck a deal and I gave one of them a canal pencil and he hauled our fish to our truck on his bike! Just like trading beads to the indians for land......find common ground and carry some extra wood!

Saltheart · 07-10-2008, 08:25 AM

I almost always go with someone. Fishing from sunset into the night I think its a good idea to have a partner. If I'm going alone , its in the morning (Like 4 AM to dawn , the drunks have passed out by then).

I was once in a very remote area of the canal and a guy comes all the way down the hill under the bushes and asks me if I was alone. Not "Hows the fishing?" or "getting any?" he aks "are you alone?". he was not dressed for fishing.

Fortunately I was not alone and I think it was TimS starts yelling at me like what the heck was I doing talking to the bushes. The guy heard Tim and turned and ran (yes ran) away.

There is no doubt in my mind that the guy was packing and that he was there to rob me if I had been alone.

beaver · 07-10-2008, 08:43 AM

It always helps to fish with someone, but thats not always possible. When I do fish the canal at night I like to stay near high traffic parking areas, ones that the rangers and police frequent. I have seen some pretty shady things, but have never been bothered. I do find myself looking behind me pretty often. Not a shade over 5'5" I would be an easy target for someone looking for trouble. Come to think of it maybe I should start packing.... I also like to park at a place where I could hear my car alarm go off, ie the herring run or bell rd, but thats not always the case. The more you think something bad will happen, the more scared/less fun you will have and when your catching, it always seems less shady.

chris L · 07-10-2008, 02:36 PM

they cut down the trees along the service road so no shade .

In the years I have fished there I have never had an issue with anyone wanting to mess with me or my stuff .

hyefisherman2 · 07-21-2008, 06:53 PM

a few guys i was fishing with on sunday brought up the idea that yes, when your fishing there is nothing to worry about....but what about when biking/walking to a spot? i worry...

ive been safe so far this year, but then again i'm not fishing REAL late at night nor real early in the morning like you guys......yet

BrianS · 07-21-2008, 07:05 PM

MAC · 07-21-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyefisherman2

a few guys i was fishing with on sunday brought up the idea that yes, when your fishing there is nothing to worry about....but what about when biking/walking to a spot? i worry...

ive been safe so far this year, but then again i'm not fishing REAL late at night nor real early in the morning like you guys......yet

If you want to get spooked park at 100 steps and walk down on a foggy night by yourself.