How to Fish the Cape Cod Canal: MUST HAVE Lures

One key element of fishing success at the Cape Cod Canal is the right collection of lures. Lure brands, profiles, colors, etc... are personal preferences and everyone has their own favorites and go-to's. In this video I'll walk you through the BIG 3 of my Canal bag. With each lure I explain why I like this specific lure, what the purpose of the lure is and how and when to use it. I also included some footage of a catch I made with each lure from this past season.
Again, these are my go-to striper lures and they're probably different than another fisherman's. We'll discuss the top, middle and bottom of the water column; techniques for using these lures, lure colors and some helpful tips and tricks for targeting striped bass at the Canal. I actually went into a few extras here too, so check it out! Again, others may have their own favorites or recommendations but remember the key thing is to have a diverse collection of lures that allow you to change it up as needed.

[@garethvanniekerk4804]

Matt. Thanks for this video. This helped me a lot in preparation for my first trip to the canal. My wife had a good laugh when she saw me taking written notes from this video. Appreciate you sharing.

[@nightshiftfishing]

That’s awesome, and a funny story! I’m glad you enjoyed it and I hope it helped. When are you planning to come down next season? It would be great to share a tide again! Let me know. 🎣🐟

[@michaelozella4514]

Spilling the family secret with the kastmaster recommendation lol!!!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Very true Mike, it’s a family go-to for sure!! 🎣🐟🐟

[@maikp5505]

Finally a decent canal fishing video. Thank you for your effort.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you, I appreciate that!! 🎣🐟🐟

[@scottharris9957]

Thanks for the pointers. I hope to meet you at the canal sometime

[@nightshiftfishing]

Glad you found the lure recommendations helpful! Definitely say hi if you run into me! 🎣🐟

[@armandooliveira4217]

I love the magic swimmers

[@nightshiftfishing]

Definitely a great lure at the Canal. The blue mackerel and ghost are my go-to colors.

[@stevegiblin270]

Thanks for a beginner like me us navy vet age 70😊 you keep it simple with no BS!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you for your service Steve. I appreciate the feedback - go get ‘em!! 🎣🐟

[@jarekowczarczyk9141]

Excellent video

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you for that! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🎣🐟

[@johnsmithth3318]

I like the ol rebel

[@nightshiftfishing]

Another great option! 🎣🐟

[@CrazyAlbertoKnee]

NJ, NYC ,Long Island beat the fish up so badly by the time they get to the CCC

[@keithbaker944]

Excellent video. I'm going to try your advice. I only ever catch a few blues in tge canal. I don't know what Im doing in the canal. Lol

[@nightshiftfishing]

Good luck!! Try an OutCast or Left Eye Lure in white and watch what others are doing so you see how it’s working. You can pick up a lot just by watching what others do that’s effective! Tight lines! 🎣🐟

[@oskee007striperlife]

Awesome video and not cause you mentioned me but pretty cool video. This video is gonna do great. You said it best jigs and best Topwater pencil right there and can’t forget the magic swimmer 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks buddy! I appreciate the footage you contributed and you have to admit your voice in 8x-speed sounds hilarious in a good way. Thanks for the feedback buddy. We’ll be back at it soon proving these recommendations true! 🎣🎣🐟🐟

[@wayne8276]

I really enjoyed that . Thank you for sharing what works for you . I've never fished the canal, but I hope to one day . Good luck with your future outings.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks for the feedback Wayne - I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Best of luck in your fishery and I hope you make it to the ditch some day! 🎣🐟 Tight lines!

[@joeyeufrazio7871]

Very informative..thank you

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Joey - one of my next videos will be about casting in sequence. I feel like you’ll be a star in that one… 😂

[@MrPoseidonSays]

This is an awesome video of your going fishing at the cape cod canal. Excellent knowledge on some of the best lures out there. Canal style 😊

[@oskee007striperlife]

Yea Mr P waiting for you to come down again so we can triple up 🎣

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Mr. P! Appreciate all of your tips to help me get to where I am so far. Looking forward to your visits this year. Oskee and I will be ready for the triple up he mentioned!

[@ChetZingg]

Couldn’t agree more with these recommendations.. can’t wait to put my newly acquired Left Eyes to work this summer!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Chet! Those Left Eye Lures you got look awesome and I can’t wait to be there to record the big stripers you land with them this season!! 🎣🎣🐟🐟

[@omarsheriffkaptan]

Where are they sold?

[@GrumpyandCricket]

Great info, thanks for sharing, our daughter found some of those same lures while beach combing that you mentioned! All they need are some new hooks! Bang! Fish On! Tight Lines!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Awesome - have to love the lure finds, that’s a whole side hobby for me in addition to actually fishing. Glad you enjoyed the video! 🎣🐟🐟 Fish on!!!

[@GrumpyandCricket]

@@nightshiftfishing Tight Lines!

[@JohnCox-oz5km]

Canal bait and tackle should consider being a sponsor of Night Shift fishing

[@nightshiftfishing]

That is an excellent idea!! 🎣🐟 Their Magic Swimmer is definitely a quality lure and the prices are not outrageous compared to many comparable swimming lures.

[@nickz9012]

Matt. Awesome video man. Great tips and very helpful on what to fish the canal with or just to alway have in your bag.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Nick!! I’m glad you found it helpful. Looking forward to sharing a tide this season at the Canal! 🎣🎣🐟🐟

[@Roberthood1234]

Great video-always learning from you ! Thx man

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Rob, feeling is mutual - I’m always intrigued by your lure modifications. Looking forward to a fun season this summer!! 🎣🎣🐟🐟

[@janetann3249]

Great video! Very informative- impressive!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Mom!! 🎣🐟🐟

[@geneodato6240]

very good video. one of the best. hope to get into them the first week of june

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Gene!! Best of luck during June. It’s been 🔥🔥🔥 recently!! 🎣🐟

[@rpesa100]

Excellent info, well done video.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you, I appreciate that. 🎣🐟

[@emilyelia]

Best video yet, love the useful info.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you wifey!! I appreciate your preview feedback and spell checking before the video dropped! 🎣🐟

[@victorkurylovich3600]

Great video, Matt. Can't wait for the next season to start

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you Victor - I appreciate that!! Yes, I’m itching to get out there and get going!! 🎣🐟🐟🐟 The migration can’t come soon enough.

[@oceanstatebassfishing]

Great content Matt!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks man, much appreciated!! 🎣🐟🐟🐟 I hope we can share a tide at the Canal this year!

[@YeeZus001]

Always wanted to come fish this canal ever since I started fishing striper but lived in Cali so never thought i would ever make that trip. But I live in NC now so I plan on making a trip this year. Thanks for tips!!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Awesome!! I hope you get a chance to make it up. The Canal is an incredible fishery in itself. If you make it up shoot me a message, would be happy to share a tide with you!

[@AsianAnglingAddict]

Very informative video! You are a natural in front of the camera.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you, really appreciate that!! Looking forward to a great season this year! I’m sure I’ll see you on the rocks! 🎣🐟🐟🐟

[@MyRifleMyGun]

Awesome video Matt. Can't wait for my next opportunity to fish the canal with you guys. Gotta get a long island fish on my left eye this season!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks so much Chris! I’m sure it’ll be no time at all once the migration starts before you’re hooking up non-stop with your Left Eye Lure on Long Island! Can’t wait to share a tide or two at the Canal with you this season, it’s going to be a good one! 🎣🎣🐟🐟🐟

[@RyanIzfishing]

Great video bro! Miss the Canal🤘🔥

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Ryan, I really appreciate your feedback! I miss it too - Spring can’t come soon enough!! Any plans to head back up this way during 2023??

[@wish2fish37]

I have watched this acouple times now.What is the difference between the Gibbs Pro Series canal pencil I have in Mackrel color and the left eye other than the one eye? Both have a flat bottom and look pretty similar to me.I havent used the Gibbs much and no luck on it yet.Your right there are so many lures that catch bass there.Whatablut those canal flyers I see?They remind me of a bowling pin.Seem popular there.Whatablut a lure to imitate those Choggies in the canal.Good luck and tight lines

[@nightshiftfishing]

If you put in the time with the Gibbs I’m sure it’ll produce. Those have been around for quite a while! I think there is a subtle difference in profile and weighting that make the Left Eyes so successful. I’m also a big fan of the Outcast Hybrid popper which is similar to the bowling pin shape. They cast miles!! My favorite is the all white…

[@rdwalks]

Great video buddy, couldn't agreed with u more. U show up with those 3 ur good to go 🤙

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Rich, appreciate it!! Looking forward sharing more tides this season!! 🎣🐟🐟🐟

[@jacobelia8597]

100% true for all these, kast master especially - you can launch them a mile and fish almost the full water collumn. Not to mention they’re cheap and if you snap off its not breaking the bank

[@nightshiftfishing]

Great points Jake, the Kastmaster is a timeless classic! 🎣🎣🐟🐟

[@lefteyelures7513]

Thanks NightShiftFishing for all the love for the Lefteyelures ahí está fish on .

[@nightshiftfishing]

Anytime Aurelio! I appreciate the craftsmanship in all the Left Eye Lures - thank you for making the ultimate Canal top water lure!! 🎣🎣🎣🐟🐟🐟 Can’t wait to be back out there catching with you this season!!

[@staytight6340]

Lol a piece of unpainted wood with a hook on it works at the ccc😂

[@analogalbacore7166]

I prefer the "no equal" rather then castmaster. But yea.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Can’t go wrong with the metal, Hopkins are quality, good choice as well.

[@Peter-zg3em]

pretty sure the closest thing to the pattern on that sebile that they're currently producing is the wonderbread with the black tiger stripes. very similar look to what you're holding, but less blue and more plearl and purple. still, if you like that pattern you probably aren't too far off, and if you wanted to paint the top it would basically be identical.

[@nightshiftfishing]

I think you’re right about the wonderbread, I might pick one up to start it into the rotation, looks fishy!

[@Native20559]

Terrific video, very informative! A couple more “reliable” baits you might want to give a shot. For my money, the 21st Century Swimbait in 10”, 12”, and 14” can’t be beat, especially when targeting specific trophy sizes; preferably in bone, white, and mackerel. The Spro 6” saltwater in both the green and blue mackerel versions are money also.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Tim - thank you for the kind words and for the tip! I appreciate the feedback and I freely admit I’m always learning more about fishing and I know there’s a lot I don’t know - so I’ll definitely check out the lures you mentioned!! 🎣🐟🐟

[@mikee8368]

Great video, very informative. What size Saragosa you're using with your set up.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Mike! I use a 14K Saragosa paired with an 11’ ODM Jigster rated 4-10oz. This is my go to set up for the Canal, it’s primarily my jigging combo but on days when I only bring one rod this is it.

[@vsonic86]

where do you buy that white jigg with paddle tail?

[@nightshiftfishing]

You can pick up the East End Lure Co jigs at Red Top Sporting Goods near the Canal, M&D Tackle in Wareham or look up @eastendlureco on Instagram to order direct.

[@gkhin1990]

What size line do you use for jigging and for topwater? I was leaning towards 40lb braid for topwater and 50lb braid for jigging. Needed you input for a future trip

[@nightshiftfishing]

Hi Gary - great question! I usually use 65lb for jigging and 50lb for top water. Previously I used 50lb for both but I upgraded to 65lb last fall and have stayed with that.

[@gkhin1990]

@nightshiftfishing how about leader for both? Mono or fluro and what sizes for each technique of fishing?

[@nightshiftfishing]

@@gkhin1990 Hi Gary, I typically use 60lb floro for leaders with swivels and clips rated around 125lb. I make the leaders about 3-4’ long. The only challenge is the leader length impacts casting ability due to the slope of the rocks at the Canal. A long leader makes it more likely to get caught in the rocks during the backcast and snagging a rock on the back cast is a quick way to cut your casting finger, snap a line or ruin a rod real quick…

[@thegoods2240]

No bucktails? I prefer them over shads, more durable.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Bucktails definitely have their place. I usually keep a couple in my bag and mix them in throughout the season. I have found that the new small batch soft plastics like East End are more durable than many mass-produced competitors. I find my confidence in the soft plastics is much higher than with bucktails so that is why I prefer the soft plastics. But I would never say a bad thing about bucktails…

[@thegoods2240]

@@nightshiftfishing Confidence is everything. In all honesty I don't give soft plastics a fair go, if I want to dredge the bottom, I grab a bucktail. I use what I know I guess.

[@striperhunter-ic2wt]

I'm not sure if C B&T uses the same hooks on their magic swimmer knockoffs that they've used in the past but they need to be changed. They will fail if left stock.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Great point Mike! I didn’t mention this at all, maybe I need a separate video to go over changing out hooks on new lures, when to change out mid-season and Canal rigging… In any event, yes, I completely agree, often times new lures come with hooks that aren’t as strong as necessary and they can potentially fail. The CBT Magic Swimmer falls into this category IMO. Alternatively, the Left Eye Lures come with rock solid VMC hooks so no need to change those out… Another key point is to sharpen the hooks frequently…

[@staytight6340]

Ahh,the ccc Where a horrible fisherman can look like a good one. Great job with the video

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks for the feedback on the video!! Much appreciated.

[@draco2482]

How do you purchase a left eye lure

[@nightshiftfishing]

Reach out to Aurelio on Instagram (@lefteyelures) - tell him I sent you, he’ll customize any color scheme you want.

[@draco2482]

@@nightshiftfishing thanks for the help will definitely check them out

[@nightshiftfishing]

@@draco2482 you won’t be disappointed!! 🎣🐟

[@jarekowczarczyk9141]

What the best time in spring?

[@nightshiftfishing]

As we move into May the fish become more consistent in the Canal as the bulk of the migrators start to move up the coast. It won’t be long now until they are more filled in.

[@stevegiblin270]

Great education?😊

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks!

[@haddonfieldslasher7932]

Can you use clames at the Canal?

[@nightshiftfishing]

You could you clams though I have never seen that done. If bait fishing, I recommend chunk mackerel or squid.

[@haddonfieldslasher7932]

@nightshiftfishing ya I went to plum island yesterday me and some friends with clams stripers love them got 4 of the yesterday just wondering if people ever fish the canal with clams

[@Peter-zg3em]

at this point i'd like to see the words cape cod canal blocked from youtube. i cannot imagine being a local and having to deal with the poaching, littering, lack of etiquette. don't blow up spots by name. just don't do it. it's 2023, it does way more harm than you need to be doing. the guys who fish there every day are the people you should care about, not the googans who show up on the weekend and fish 15 lb mono and leave half a spool of line and six empty beer cans in the water every time they fish.