Spent the last 2 mornings at 4:45 at the Canal. New Moon is today. Almost elbow-to-elbow this AM. Not so much yesterday with potential rain and an earlier low-tide. We were on the mainland side near the RR bridge.
We got a whole single bite in 4 or so hours fishing across 2 mornings. Oh well. Saw some BIG fish come back up the bike path. Guys huffing-and-puffing carrying a 20-30lb striper just by gripping it's gills. Sweat pouring off of them but beaming with pride.
This AM saw 2 guys hook in around me. Not very hot. Not like on Youtube where 4-5 guys in a row hook up. But still good. I think TOMORROW is the day. (And it's Saturday - I'll pass. It was sorta crowded today. PACKED tomorrow.) Getting up at 4am and then doing a "normal" day afterwards is for the birds. My stomach is all confused.
We saw some cool stuff today. Nothing SUPER out of the ordinary, but enjoyable all the same.
- Heron flying down-stream in the middle of the canal.
- Saw an Osprey fishing. Not just flying, but DIVEBOMB fishing. As J said, "He's better at it than us." "Well, we have a grocery store if we strike out, J."
- Saved a squid. I never knew we HAD squid in this AO. For some reason, I always assumed they were warmer-water "fish." The "beach" on the canal was littered with them. At first I thought it was some guy getting rid of his bait. But they were salmon/orange/pink/whatever colored. ????
Finally found one barely in the water. Sorta shoved it in deeper. It happily took off. There was something I've never done or seen in 49 years.
- Had this guy across the canal keep us in stitches. "RUSSELL!! GET OUT OF THE CANAL!!!! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?? GET OUT. ARE YOU INSNAE! WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?" littered with F-bombs. After a minute of yelling, we realized Russell was a dog. Another minute, realized Russell was his FRIEND'S dog. Another minute - realized he's just always this loud and his friend was selectively ignoring him because all he does is yell.
I SWEAR it was the BABY FREAKIN WHEEL, JAY guy. Me and J (not Jay - no relation, guy, not even at teh Aqueeeeerrrriummm) were DYING laughing for about 5 min. Probably missed a fish because of it. LOL
All in all, I'm all done. 4am sucks ass. If we had caught a fish or two - even schoolies, I'd have considered going ever again.
I was glad to have the experience. Everyone was super friendly. I was pleasantly surprised at that. People tell "horror" stories of the Canal. Didn't experience that at all. Good bunch of guys (and a couple, very few, gals).