The fishing at the Canal was very good this past weekend, and I'm happy to report that the bait and the bass are still here as of mid-week.
As always certain areas, techniques and times have been working better than others. We also have a tide cycle coming up that is worth getting excited about.
Read below for the full scoop.
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Early Mornings + Evenings Are Best
The best bite right now at the Canal is happening in the early mornings and again in the evenings. Most of the fish are between 20 and 30 inches, however there have been some 40 inch bass mixed in.
I have also received several different reports of guys being broken off by very, very large fish. These guys fought fish for a long time before losing the bass right at their feet.
According to Ryan, a member of this site (Mario Quijada) witnessed an angler fight and lose an absolutely enormous bass several days ago at the Herring Run. After losing the massive fish the angler was so heartbroken that he packed up all his equipment and went home.
So I don't doubt for one second that there are at least a few 45+ inch stripers swimming in the Cape Cod Canal right now.
Stories of lost big fish make sense, because boats fishing Cape Cod Bay and Buzzard's Bay are catching big fish.
For example, MFCC members Dennis Bartel (left) and Dennis Frawley (right) have both caught 40+ inch stripers while fishing from boats in this general area.
When we hear about big fish being caught in Buzzard's Bay or Cape Cod Bay, we know there is a good chance that some of those big fish will wander into the Canal.
It's often just a matter of time.
The Best Plugs + Lures
At this time of the year anything that resembles a mackerel can work well. Pencil poppers and various swimming plugs are good bets.
However this past weekend most of the nice fish I know about were taken using soft plastics. There are many soft plastics that would work well right now at the Canal.
However some seem to be working better than others, and MFCC members can click the buttons below to see the 2 which I would recommend.
Other good alternatives to the 2 soft plastics mentioned above include stick shads, magic swimmers and fresh chunks of mackerel.
Guppy pencil poppers, and in particular the new My Fishing Cape Cod Guppy pencil popper would also be good to have on hand. I have a few of these left at the shop if you'd like one.
Get Ready For "Breaking Tides"
If history repeats itself, the best time of the year for fishing the Canal is coming up quick. Large schools of very large bass typically show up in the Canal around the beginning of June.
So if you haven't wet a line yet in the Canal and knocked the rust off, then you better get a move on!
The morning "breaking tides" will be starting soon. Breaking tides often produce great fishing and very large fish.
This is the tide cycle when Ryan caught his 45.7 pounder.
Ryan caught that bass during a morning breaking tide in early June.
The fish came from out of nowhere and engulfed a pencil popper right off the surface. This sort of thing can happen often during June breaking tides.
Myself and a lot of guys around the shop will be eagerly awaiting this upcoming tide cycle.
If I can help get you rigged up for the breaking tides, then just swing by the shop and introduce yourself. I will be there in the afternoons.
What do you think? Let me know by commenting below.
I love those Gag lures. One of my go to lures for surfcasting was a Gag’s Grabbers – 7″ Mambo Minnow in Blood Yellow…a custom color. I loved them so much I actually talked to Al Gag and ordered a dozen of them like 12+ years ago. I think I have a few still lying around up at the Cape. Heading up to the Cape on Wednesday….cannot wait.
what section of the canal is best to fish during a breaking Tide? what lures work best?
Join mfcc and Ryan will be more than happy to tell you everything.remember it’s one bass per person at 28″ or greater.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHY THERE SHOULD BE A SLOT SIZE LIMIT ON STRIPED BASS. THIS HAS BEEN USED IN SOUTHERN WATERS WITH RED FISH FOR YEARS, AND HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. IF THE ONLY FISH THAT COULD BE KEPT WERE, SAY, BETWEEN 28″ and 36″ THEN ALL THE LARGER BREEDERS WOULD BE AROUND TO BREED. THESE LARGER FISH ARE THE KEY TO ANY SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN THIS, OR ANY, FISHERY
SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS LONG OVERDUE IS TO CLASSIFY STRIPED BASS AS A GAME FISH. THIS WOULD PUT A TOTAL BAN ON ANY COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR STRIPED BASS. AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT IS LONG OVERDUE TO PROTECT THIS MAGNIFICENT SPECIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Remember to catch and release the large breeders so we won’t see ANOTHER crash like in the 80’s and 90’s. It was not fun. 🙁
Yeah that is super important, especially with all the fish that are hooked each season at the Canal.
This is a problem guys are keeping the big fish it really upsets me
Great post, exactly what we need. thanks
Awesome…catch ’em up!
I know right
Awesome post and very helpful, Jeff!
It seems there is an error in the date and weekday you say is the start of the breaking tide under the download button. Month XX is not a XXday.
Thanks for the heads up on the date Jim!
I just fixed the typo.
Lost something big this morning using 50 lb gear. Ripped the 50 lb. leader in half.. Then caught a 31 incher. Good dinner tonight.. Thanks MFCC
Wow! I know the feeling John!
I’m glad you’re having some good success down there.
Please release those big fish! They are most likely females and breeders! And they taste lousey at that size. Keep a 28-30 incher if you have to!
Yeah throw them back please.
Take your picture and throw them back so they can spawn.
Ryan did his part now please do yours to help preserve our fishery.