Canal Issues

[LCpointerKILLA]

Hey brothers,

I am really angry because all this time I've spent here in Boca, I have not yet found a solid technique to catch canal bass. Any suggestions? Techniques?

Thanks in advance

[YNCBASSMAN]

i have lived in boynton for a year now and i have all but given up on canal fishing.  i've caught maybe 4 bass out of the canals.  i did hang a nice one on an xrap a couple weeks ago on boca rio.  no luck on any plastics at all though.  if you figure anything out, i'd like to know, lol!!  good luck!

[fivesixone]

This weather sure isn't helping. >

[George Welcome]

Look for any kind of inflow area. This can be something as small as a drainage pipe off someones property.

If there is vegetation look for areas where there is more than one type together.

If there is docks along the canal they are prime territory.

[SirSnookalot]

I have done little freshwater lately but the few times I have gone the fishing stunk.  I have spots where I'm always good for a few fish and over the last few weeks it's getting worse day by day, especially after the rains.

As George said water flow, the biggest bass I caught was in a canal with a large irrigation pipe dripping water into the canal, I couldn't get his head out of the water.( Lyons rd, just north of Clint Moore, east side of the street)

Fortunately being in Florida we have other options and that fishing is doing quite well now.

[XsnakeheadhunterX]

I've heard the bridges are good for peacocks as well and if your fishing off a boat you can hit the rocks/riprap up against the shore in a few canals.

[LCpointerKILLA]

I will definitely try this waterfall near me again, I'm sure that will be a prime area. Even though I fished it a couple times last year and caught nothing. I need to decide what to throw in that kind of current. Heard there are some snook there as well, but I need to catch me a bass out of the canals because I see some people having success, and I'm jealous--maybe I should just buy some shiners...  

[SirSnookalot]

I am not familiar with any waterfalls but I do know of a small spillway on a canal.  One side has lmb and peacocks, and the other holds snook, tarpon, lmb........have to go at high tide.

[Use ONLY Stren]

I have alot of luck in the canals around my town with Rat l traps and spinnerbaits, not much luck with plastics or jigs though.

[YNCBASSMAN]

i tried for some peacocks yesterday for about an hour in Boca on Military.  caught 4 bass!  they were small though, the biggest one was maybe 2 lbs, it broke the front hooks off of my xrap.  i just can't seem to catch peacocks!

[pondmaster32]

if there is any wood cover, docks, walls, or large weed edges, cast spinnerbaits, jigs and topwaters parallel to the cover and fish slow and fast. if there is little cover then fish near the bottom with spinnerbaits, all types of jigs and other craw imitations to rocks, steep ledges and to flats. if there is scattered weeds, then pitch all sorts of lures to the isolated cover. if the canal is filled with grass, lily pads, or other heavy weeds then fan cast a spinnerbait, buzzbait, and small swimbaits that are somewhat weedless. if your looking for big peacock bass fish near bridge pillings with zara spooks, large swimbaits, and huge spinnerbais. another good spot is flooded brush, grass and large timber. fish these areas with topwaters and swimbaits. then best time for peacock is after a flood and when there is a slight on and off drizzle. when this happens the top water action is amazing. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[SirSnookalot]

i tried for some peacocks yesterday for about an hour in Boca on Military. caught 4 bass!

Probably because they aren't there, big winter kill.  I live not far from there, I haven't seen a peacock in ages.  Last year at this time I was catching 3-1 peas to lmb at my home, none at all this year.

Go south, plenty of them in south broward or dade.

[SoFl-native]

if there is any wood cover, docks, walls, or large weed edges, cast spinnerbaits, jigs and topwaters parallel to the cover and fish slow and fast. if there is little cover then fish near the bottom with spinnerbaits, all types of jigs and other craw imitations to rocks, steep ledges and to flats. if there is scattered weeds, then pitch all sorts of lures to the isolated cover. if the canal is filled with grass, lily pads, or other heavy weeds then fan cast a spinnerbait, buzzbait, and small swimbaits that are somewhat weedless. if your looking for big peacock bass fish near bridge pillings with zara spooks, large swimbaits, and huge spinnerbais. another good spot is flooded brush, grass and large timber. fish these areas with topwaters and swimbaits. then best time for peacock is after a flood and when there is a slight on and off drizzle. when this happens the top water action is amazing. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Did you fish for peacocks in So FL or S America?

[LCpointerKILLA]

if there is any wood cover, docks, walls, or large weed edges, cast spinnerbaits, jigs and topwaters parallel to the cover and fish slow and fast. if there is little cover then fish near the bottom with spinnerbaits, all types of jigs and other craw imitations to rocks, steep ledges and to flats. if there is scattered weeds, then pitch all sorts of lures to the isolated cover. if the canal is filled with grass, lily pads, or other heavy weeds then fan cast a spinnerbait, buzzbait, and small swimbaits that are somewhat weedless. if your looking for big peacock bass fish near bridge pillings with zara spooks, large swimbaits, and huge spinnerbais. another good spot is flooded brush, grass and large timber. fish these areas with topwaters and swimbaits. then best time for peacock is after a flood and when there is a slight on and off drizzle. when this happens the top water action is amazing. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Did you fish for peacocks in So FL or S America?

I was wondering the same thing

[LCpointerKILLA]

Well earlier today I went out to my canal, and not to my surprise I pulled a couple juvie snooks out of the side the "waterfall" pours into. Caught a small lmb on the other side. All on a pointer. Are there no quality fish anymore in the canals? I think the peons of south florida are keeping everything... sure makes fishing a lot of fun.

[SirSnookalot]

I know that spot.

Spillways canals, the slobs are running now.

sr 84, palmaire and orange dr.

[bigbassinthakayak]

when i used to fish when i lived in broward i caught 7-8 fish in like 2 hours time

go with a green and silver rat l trap and or 5 inch water melon senkos

[LCpointerKILLA]

that must have been a while ago because haven't caught one canal bass on a senko this year... I  don't even know if there are that many bass in there anymore

[Steve P.]

Pondmaster, is there any other type of cover or lure you think he should try? ;D

How about trolling with some Hot n Tots? I heard they work real good in ILLINOIS. ;D

[Cracker]

if there is any wood cover, docks, walls, or large weed edges, cast spinnerbaits, jigs and topwaters parallel to the cover and fish slow and fast. if there is little cover then fish near the bottom with spinnerbaits, all types of jigs and other craw imitations to rocks, steep ledges and to flats. if there is scattered weeds, then pitch all sorts of lures to the isolated cover. if the canal is filled with grass, lily pads, or other heavy weeds then fan cast a spinnerbait, buzzbait, and small swimbaits that are somewhat weedless. if your looking for big peacock bass fish near bridge pillings with zara spooks, large swimbaits, and huge spinnerbais. another good spot is flooded brush, grass and large timber. fish these areas with topwaters and swimbaits. then best time for peacock is after a flood and when there is a slight on and off drizzle. when this happens the top water action is amazing. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Did you fish for peacocks in So FL or S America?

Both, there are peacocks in the miami/ft lauderdale area that the state introduced a few years ago.