Hello My Fishing Cape Cod! Writing to you today is Richard Banks, MFCC member since March of 2013. The following is a report I have submitted as part of the Best Report category in the 2015 Derby.
Living in South Yarmouth I don't get to the Cape Cod Canal very often, but I do always try to get there a few times each year. Having never caught a striper of any size from the Canal, I am ever hopeful every time I go.
Last week I reached out to some members of the Nauset Newcomers Surf Casting Group and suggested that when the weather finally cleared a little, we head to the Canal.
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Looking at the forecast and tides we selected Monday October 5th as the day, and 2:00 pm as the time, to meet at the East End of the Canal near the visitor's center.
So with the temperature at the Canal at 60 degrees and winds racing in from the East, I headed out to once again try and catch my first Cape Cod Canal striper.
On the way over to the canal I mentioned to my wife how every time we go to the Canal I am always thinking that maybe today will be the day that we see birds diving on bait fish and stripers running like crazy. I think I heard her laugh when I said it for maybe the 15th time!
The Fish Are Here...
When we pulled into the parking lot you could see some gulls clustered above the water right where we normally fish. As I got over to the rocky bank some of the members of our group were already there and very excited about what they were seeing.
There was a lot of bait in the water and stripers swimming around in a frenzy. My friends were using metal lures and having lots of near misses, so I opted for a white swim shad.
Richard's setup, and his lucky lure of choice.
Since it was cloudy I figured the white color might offer better visibility.
The water was running fast from the West, from the direction of the Sagamore Bridge, and there were some large rollers coming in from Cape Cod Bay. I thought the weight of the rig would also be of benefit, because I could cast it easily into the wind.
I maneuvered down the rocks and secured my footing on a couple of stable boulders and rigged up. As I mentioned above I could see the bait and the fish all running around.
I cast out in front of me and let the rig drift a little and pulled back on the rod.
Fish on! First cast! Unbelievable!
Fish on!
The bass took some line and I had fun bringing it to shore.
It was a nice size fish...although not big enough to place in the Largest Striper category of the derby.
Richard's 1st ever Canal striper...caught on his 1st cast of the day!
In celebration of it being caught on my first cast, I released the fish back into the canal.
On my second cast I also got a very nice hit but it was an early release. Suffice it to say the others in the group were as excited as I was. We fished for a while longer but the bait and fish soon moved on.
So not only was this my first ever Canal striper, but it was caught on my first cast of the day!
What do you think? Let me know by commenting below.
Were you fishing with a 7/11 mgr. by chance ?
What does 7/11 mgr. stand for? I’m not familiar with it. Let me know. Thanks!
Thanks for the note Brian…I hope to see you there one day and catching a few more…
AWESOME! What a feeling huh! First of many I am sure!
Congrats!
Thanks Matt!!! Hope to see you there…
Congrats Rich, nothing like your first ditch bass. I remember catching my first keeper down about 10 years ago. That 30# fish got me addicted to fishing. The canal is all about putting in time. I’ve put in countless hours down the canal this year and landed 946 fish this year down there. Next time you go out try jigging the bottom, that’s where the big girls stay ??
946 fish … you are on fire Matt!
Can you save some for the rest of us, bud? 946 is a lot. I’d like to take 4 or 5 of those. You want me to get you a twelve pack or something for them?
Matt
hat is an awesome number and it shows that there are plenty of fish there. I look forward to catching a few more.
Best regards
Richard
Nice Rich as you experienced there is an on going learning cure for the canal. I try to learn each time I’m there. It took me 3 years to catch my first canal keeper. Congrats. Glenn
That is about the same amount of time for me. It is all about going and trying.
Thanks for the note…
Congrats Richard. Persistence pays off. You should be very proud that you caught ANY striper from “The Ditch”. Keep casting and be as persistent as you were on this day and you will catch a lot more memories. GLuck.