Canal Rats Gearing Up for the Spring Run
First schoolie stripers spotted in the Canal this week. Bait is starting to stack up and regulars are lining the banks.
Current Conditions
- Water temp
- 48°F
- Moon
- Waning Crescent
- Tide / flow
- West end outgoing producing best
- Weather
- Cool and breezy, NW winds 12-18 mph, highs 52°F
New to these readings? What do water temp, cfs, tide, and moon phase actually mean for fishing?
What's Biting
Striped Bass
SP Minnows and soft plastics
Bluefish
Not yet arrived
What's Next
Still early but the advance guard of stripers is here. Expect a slow build over the next two weeks. When water hits 52-53°F, the bite should break open.
Context
The Canal typically fires in late April. Last year's first 30-inch fish came on April 22nd.
This report is synthesized by Hooked Fisherman from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Source names are cited inline where they appear. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.