How to Fish the Cape Cod Canal: What's On My Belt & In My Bag!

Let's take a look at my Cape Cod Canal fishing gear. We'll explore the tools I carry on my surf belt, the lures in my surf bag and take a look at the items in my Canal cruiser bike basket.
One of the most frequent requests I've received is for a look at the items I carry on my belt and for a preview of the lures I carry with me to fish the Cape Cod Canal for big striped bass and monster bluefish!
In this view I'll review my gear:
- What's on my belt
- What's in my surf bag
- What's in my bike basket
Throughout the video I'll explain where I got the items, with recommendations of the items and brands that work for me. You'll also see pictures of fish I have caught during 2023 with many of the various lures I will be showing. This is not an exhaustive look at the lure I use for the Canal, this just happens to be what I had with me on September 10th, 2023 when I took sometime to record this video while I was at the Canal.
For more information on the "MUST HAVE" lures for the Canal, check out my prior video, "How to Fish the Cape Cod Canal: MUST HAVE Lures": • How to Fish the Cape C...

[@karlneumann6833]

Matt thanks for sharing. Always stoked to see people share their go to lures and set ups✌🏾

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Karl! Exactly why I made the video, I enjoy seeing what others favor too. I appreciate you watching! Tight lines! 🎣🐟

[@oskee007striperlife]

Great video and assortments.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Oskee! I appreciate that, and like we’ve discussed many times - you can never have enough! As long as you have a couple white left eyes! 🎣🐟 Thanks for the top notch boga holder and now lanyards!!

[@kenthomas1109]

Awesome! I’ve been on the Cape for six years now, and still haven’t fished the Canal - I’m intimidated, for some reason. This may be the video that does it for me!

[@nightshiftfishing]

Ken - I highly recommend you give it a shot. I think you’ll find you love it quick. Fishing the Canal is literally my favorite fishing. I recommend you start away from the crowds to learn the drift and watch some others for a bit to see how the rotation works. Pretty quickly you’ll get the hang out it. Feel free to reach out too, I’m happy to help you get started next Spring.

[@kenthomas1109]

@@nightshiftfishingWill do!!

[@heyjoejp]

Not a lot but just right. Invaluable information here. Thank you. If you don’t catch anything with the lure set up you have. It simply wasn’t your day.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Joe - That’s a great way to look at it. It’s not always my day that’s for sure. Either way I always try to go through my entire bag rotating lures so it can’t be said I don’t try! 😂

[@ReelOffishalAngling]

The treasure chest 😂

[@nightshiftfishing]

😂 Ha - treasure chest - I like that! 🎣🐟

[@garethvanniekerk4804]

Matt, thanks for sharing. Appreciate the information

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks for watching Gareth - stay warm up there in Canada! 🎣🐟

[@donmeola5862]

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing your equipment and plugs. It will help me “plug” a few holes with plugs I need to invest in. I enjoy watching you and your crew crushing the bass. I look forward to seeing more fun and informative videos in the future.

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Don - I always appreciate the feedback - good, bad or indifferent. I hope this helps, this is my bag as it’s been refined over the years. The keys is to have lures that will match a variety of bait (various profiles), have a variety of colors and have the ability to work the entire water column. When all else fails - throw a white popper. 😂 I’m lucky to fish with a great crew - a lot of excellent fisherman I get to share tides with regularly.

[@CPiso]

love your videos sir Thank you

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thank you for the feedback - glad you’re enjoying them!

[@bloodlinefishingadventuresllc]

Great video brother. Alot of goodies in that bag of yours. lol You definitely crushed it this year. 💪

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Jeff - the whole crew had a great year! I definitely always try to pack a lot of stuff in that bag! 🎣🐟

[@90milessouthmiami88]

Great selection Matt and great video as always thanks 4 sharing with us 👍👍🎣🎣👌👌

[@nightshiftfishing]

Thanks Andis - always appreciate you watching and commenting! 🎣🐟

[@MassCastFishing]

Do you like using a belt? I find it kind of difficult

[@nightshiftfishing]

I prefer the belt. I was back and forth on belts before. I used to just put a pair of pliers on my actual belt and keep a fish grip in a pocket. But I find it easier to have the pliers and boga on the belt with lanyards. Plus the convenience of having a selection of lures on me makes it easier when I’m way down in the rocks so that I don’t have to move around a lot if my bag isn’t right next to me. In cases when fish are blitzing it’s easier to change colors/profiles if the lures are right on my hip as opposed to a walk over seaweed covered rocks away… But really it comes down to what you’re comfortable with. I found when I switched from the ODM belt to the Zbelt it made a big difference.

[@MassCastFishing]

@@nightshiftfishing hm good take. I usually just put my backpack on the rock right behind me, pliers clipped to belt and in pocket, and I just scored fish grips, (ozark trail, might as well try them) but I’ll look for some belts

[@MassCastFishing]

@@nightshiftfishing I’ll pick one up and try it out

[@marcvaillancourtmv]

What's the bug spray you use

[@nightshiftfishing]

Hi Marc - I use Ben’s. Comes in an orange 6floz spray can. Works great at the Canal. I usually apply it to my shirt and hat (that’s why I wear it at night). I buy mine at the EMS on Cape.

[@marcvaillancourtmv]

@@nightshiftfishing thanks brother