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Canal Fishing Advice

2,451 Views | 25 Replies | Last: 23 hrs ago by Aggieangler93
Shawdaddy
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1:33p, 6/19/25
AG
We recently bought down in Sargent on a canal, and went down to go fishing last weekend. M daughter caught her first fish! It was a little redfish about 12-13 inched long.

It was the only fish we caught that day, and the trip taught me that I don't really know jack about fishing. Never fished much growing up and haven't fished much since.

So I come seeking advice from the wise OB....

What kid of set up should we be using? Weights, bobbers, etc.?
What time of day is best?
How much do tides matter?
How much does other weather matter?
Should we fish near the bank, in the middle, by the dock?
What else should i be asking?

Goal isn't to catch any monsters, but to have some fun and get the kids (and me) something on the hook. Thanks!
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jetch17
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1:43p, 6/19/25
AG
shrimp under a popping cork is pretty failsafe
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tx4guns
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1:56p, 6/19/25
AG
Under lights at night is the only way to fish the canals down there.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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2:13p, 6/19/25
AG
Get some submerged green lights. Wait an hour of so after dark and fish the edges of the lights.

Until then, if you just want fish, get some single drop leaders, small hooks, small weights and sink some fresh dead shrimp on the bottom. You will catch something. Probably hardhead catfish, but it is something. Then graduate up to live shrimp on a popping cork. Then soft plastics on a jig head. Then hard plastics and swim baits. Then, if you are still having fun, and you really want to frustrate yourself, move up to fly fishing. This is the progression. Enjoy.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to Shawdaddy • 2:17p, 6/19/25
AG
In my experience in the canal fishing in the summer time is completely useless during the day. I have caught 1 flounder and maybe a hard head or two and that's it.

We hit the lights at night and throw popping cork with shrimp most of the time (for my kids). I'll occasionally throw some sort of minnow lure too depending on the time of year. We'll see a ton of glass minnows or menhaden, at certain times of the year, and have success when they're spawning or whatever they're doing.

This is all in West Galveston though so a little different. January February I have seen some big trout on the lights. I assume they come in during the winters and warm up in the canals but not positive. Neighbors to my in-laws have caught some really good 29-31" trout down here then.
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Tx95Ag
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2:28p, 6/19/25
AG
If you just want kids to catch fish, then use really small hooks with fresh dead shrimp on bottom. Croakers can't help themselves. Get a catfish flipper to remove hard heads.

As stated above, green lights at night. Live shrimp on a popping cork or small plastic lures (white/clear) on bottom along the edges of the lights.

H&H Lure Catfish Flipper | Academy
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Stat Monitor Repairman
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2:29p, 6/19/25
White/silver rooster tail under the lights.
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halfastros81
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4:08p, 6/19/25
AG
Live shrimp under cork on a moving tide under the lights probably your best shot. Daytime in hot weather and slack tide likely nothing but hardheads.
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Shawdaddy
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8:25p, 6/19/25
AG
Appreciate the responses! Sounds like we were fishing at the wrong time of day, so I guess we got lucky with the catch we got.

It was still a great time though - can't wait to do it again.

Next time we'll drop a light in the water and fish after sundown.
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Greeze06
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9:55p, 6/19/25
AG
Which canal are you on?
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Shawdaddy
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In reply to Greeze06 • 10:09p, 6/19/25
AG
Not sure what it's called, but it connects to Caney Creek in Sargent.
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MouthBQ98
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9:21a, 6/20/25
AG
Check the tide charts too. Tidal movement in the bay will tend to result in more active feeding.
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Tony Franklins Other Shoe
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7:57a, 6/21/25
AG
If your daughter is old enough to cast on her own, when you get the lights set up, get some different gulp baits. Plenty of repeated activity without losing your shrimp as fast. Cast past the light and bring through or along the edges.

Person Not Capable of Pregnancy
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RCR06
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8:36a, 6/21/25
AG
I dont have much experience fishing under lights, so I can't speak to that. Tide movement is a big deal in saltwater. You want some tide movement(incoming or outgoing), if there is no tide movement you probably aren't catching much in my experience. If you're fishing under lights I'm not sure if the tide movement matters as much. You can usually find tide charts for a spot relatively close to you, but understand it won't be the exact same times where you're at. It may be a couple hours or so later depending how far you are from that spot. You'll figure it out over time, just a heads up.
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chjoak
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9:07a, 6/21/25
AG
Here is a tide/solunar source for Sargent.... https://tides4fishing.com/us/texas/sargent-tcoon
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ttha_aggie_09
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9:15a, 6/21/25
AG
Everyone in Galveston is out of live shrimp right now. Not sure if that is just the island or it's just slow for shrimping all over. Just FYI that you may want to plan accordingly and get shrimp early
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Gator92
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10:00a, 6/21/25
AG
Get a crab pot. Also chicken necks tied to string and a crab net.
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IslandAg76
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12:08p, 6/21/25
AG
Bait ball with trout picking off the fringe


Well, that was supposed to be a video, but it's not
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Shawdaddy
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In reply to chjoak • 3:54p, 6/21/25
AG
Bookmarked this site - thanks!
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George08
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4:10p, 6/21/25
AG
Popping cork- a noisy one like a Cajun thunder or 4 horseman. 18" fluoro leader (20lb) to a 1/8 ounce jig head with a soft plastic (down south or gulp). Pop the cork. Give it a few seconds and reel just enough to get slack out and pop it again.
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ttha_aggie_09
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10:13p, 6/21/25
AG
https://imgur.com/a/2YmoGXW
WTF, when did Imgur posting/embedding picture link change?
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Shawdaddy
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9:00a, 9/18/25
AG
Thought it would be fun to post an update for yall!

Weve been down to fish a few times, and everyone is having a blast. On the recommendations of this board and advice from some locals, we have been fishing the bottom of the canal with shrimp. So far we've caught a few reds, lots of croaker, and tone of hardheads.

The kids are enjoying it even more than I hoped they would. Seeing how excited they get when they get a fish on the line is awesome. I haven't gotten to do much myself, because its pretty much a full time gig baiting lines and unhooking fish for the rest of the family - which is fine by me.

The crab/fish traps have been a big hit too. The kids have been handling those and have been netting blue crabs / small croaker / baby hardheads. Up next will be some night fishing under the green light we had installed.

Also - the recommended website above (tides4fishing.com) is awesome, and has been super helpful.

Appreciate the advice of this board! I'd post some pics, but i cant, lol.

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Tx95Ag
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10:40a, 9/18/25
AG
Glad to hear the kids are having a blast and making memories.
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Mega Lops
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11:20a, 9/18/25
AG
You're not catching any gar? Tons of gar down there too, giant alligator gar for sure.
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Shawdaddy
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In reply to Mega Lops • 11:59a, 9/18/25
AG
No gar yet. Kind of glad too is suppose. I should watch a youtube video on what to do if we catch one before i go down next! The neighbors have told us there is a big albino gar that lives in the canal. Asked us to release him if we catch it.
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Aggieangler93
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1:20p, 9/18/25
AG
Another fun way in the lights is a 1/8 Oz glow or clear DOA shrimp freelined. Just cast and reel slowly or give it a jerk or two. You can recharge the glow every few casts with a cheap battery headlamp. Gives the kids something else to mess with and you won't catch near as many trash fish. Also a speck rig will sometimes result in 2 at a time. smaller is generally better under the canal lights when it is calm.
Class of '93 - proud Dad of a '22 grad and a '26 student!
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