When there is an all-out blitz at the Cape Cod Canal, just about any Cape Cod Canal fishing spot can produce a fish.  On certain days things come together perfectly, and just about every Cape Cod Canal fishermen leaves with a bass in hand.

However it’s the slower days that really separate the ones “in the know” from the folks who are just learning how to fish the Cape Cod Canal.  One of the best ways to increase your chances of consistently catching fish at the Canal, is to be able to locate the best Cape Cod Canal fishing spots.

I’m sure a few guys reading this post right now are grinding their teeth, praying that I don’t start rambling off the pole numbers of some of the best fishing holes the Canal has to offer.  Don’t worry fellas!  No pole numbers will be revealed here – mostly because there is no need to.

There are hundreds of productive ledges, holes and rips scattered throughout the Canal.  I promise that if you put in just a little time and look for the right things, you’ll be able to find your own productive Cape Cod Canal fishing spots.

Certain clues such as whirlpools and disturbances give away the presence of significant bottom structure.  If you know what to look for you can find these areas.  Thing is that most folks just pedal or walk on by, without even noticing.

Cape Cod Canal Fishing | Working the Bottom

Unless bass are showing on top, I usually choose to work the bottom of the Ditch.  Bouncing an offering along the bottom is a sure-fire method to consistently putting a bend in the rod, even during the slow days.

If you need help deciding on a lure to use for working the bottom, then check out this post I wrote with help from Jeff Miller of Canal Bait and Tackle -  The 3 BEST Lures for Fishing the Cape Cod Canal

Once you have your gear squared away it’s time to zone in on a good area. The question then is, what makes one area better than another?

When working the bottom, I usually have my best luck focusing on fishing spots that feature some sort of dramatic bottom structure. The one thing all these Cape Cod Canal fishing spots have in common is that the bottom drops off and rises dramatically.  This creates underwater turbulence and current free “abodes” which attract marine life.

What you want to do is get your lure or bait right into the nitty-gritty of the structure.  Ideally you want to bounce your offering right along the bottom and let it plummet into the crevasses, holes and gulleys.  If your jig is slamming into boulders, ledges and rocks then you’re putting it into a good zone.

And if you follow the guidelines outlined in this post, then you should be able to effectively fish these often challenging Canal fishing spots without losing all your expensive gear.

Why Certain Cape Cod Canal Fishing Spots Fish Best During Certain Tides

Striped bass are still pretty mysterious creatures.  They show up in one spot one day during a tide, and then are completely gone the next.  Like most folks, striped bass often leave me scratching my head – wondering what the heck I’m doing wrong.

Yet there is no doubt that you can increase your chances of Cape Cod Canal fishing success by fishing certain areas during certain stages of the tide.

For example, bass will be more apt to settle into the below hole during the east tide, because the current is being blocked by the high ledge in the left hand side of the image.

The down-current side of a rip/hole is usually the most productive.

Other Cape Cod Canal fishing spots, rips and holes will fish better on the west tide, as depicted in the next image below.

You can actually “see” the disturbance caused by the current rushing over the ledges in this sonar image.

While other areas fish well on both tides, due to how the structure is formed.

 Of course there will be days when even the most well placed cast, at the most promising Cape Cod Canal fishing spot, will still fail to produce a bite.  If the bass aren’t around, even the best-looking Cape Cod Canal fishing spot will be vacant.

However if there is life in the Canal, you can drastically increase your odds of success by getting your bait or jig right into the depths of holes, gulleys and rips.  When the stripers aren’t showing on top, areas like those pictured above will often be your best bet at a nice fish.

Tight lines and take care,

Ryan

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