Residential Trout texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout Now more than ever, coastal waterfront property is at a premium. In fact, there is such a demand for waterfront property along the Texas coast that there simply isn't enough waterfront to accommodate everyone. Over the past few decades, developers, in an effort to solve this problem, have resorted to creating more waterfront by digging canal systems on which to build homes. Along the way, these developers also created a new venue for coastal fishermen. Although residential canals don't fall into the typical “habitat creation” category, which typically refers to mitigated wetlands creation, they do, nonetheless, provide an essential habitat element, particularly in the winter. As the water along the coast chills, most inshore fish species seek the insulation of deeper water. In many parts of the Texas coast, these residential canals are the most secure place for fish to escape the grips of winter. The end result is a boon for anglers will to try a few new techniques and brave the winter wind. ANATOMY OF A RESIDENTIAL CANAL Without fail, residential canals along the Texas coast connect to a bay, river or other inshore water body. This opening allows for fish to pass freely and also allows for tidal currents to push into the canal. The areas of the canal closest to this opening are usually the deepest, but are also typically see heavier boat traffic. So, while their depth may attract concentrations of fish during severe cold spells, the increased traffic may prevent them from being the most productive area day in and day out. Traveling deeper into the canal from the bay, anglers can typically expect to find shallower water, but more irregular bottom features. Usually, the upper reaches of the canals still have sufficient depth to be attractive to fish in all but the harshest of conditions. Additionally, any irregularity, such as a hump, secondary channel, ledge or broken shard of bulkhead, will serve to concentrate the fish more than the surrounding area. The most productive canals are usually lined with a bulkhead or retaining wall, which allows the canal to retain its depth. Unimproved canals can also be productive, but may take a little more exploration in order to find the deeper “holes” and drop-offs. In addition to the bulkheads, most residential canals are filled with other fish-holding structure. Docks, boat slips, bridges, and pilings are a few examples of structure types that either line are extend into residential canals and serve to attract and concentrate fish. WHERE TO FIND THE FISH In general, fish in residential canals will be found in one of three places - the deepest depth, suspended on vertical structure, or hovering on the shallower shelf lining the channel. The location of the fish on any given day will be based on prevailing weather conditions. During periods of extreme low temperatures, expect the fish to find the deepest water available and hunch down on the bottom. During periods of warmer weather, they will typically cruise and feed along the shallow shelf on either side of the channel. The balance of the days will find them suspended at various depths on vertical structure such as pilings. Of course one of the easiest and most popular ways to locate fish in canals is utilizing lights at night. Whether it's an overhead lamp, underwater light, or just an old lantern, pretty much any device that illuminates the water on a winter night will draw in fish. The drawback to fishing under the lights, obviously, is they are only effective at night. And, you never know what time of night the fish will show. TACKLE & TECHNIQUE Winter fishing in canals is one of the few times Texas coastal anglers find themselves in a true quandary when choosing a rod and reel. Winter fish, trout in particular, are notoriously subtle biters. Therefore, it is essential to use a light, sensitive rod. However, these fish are often within a short swim of line-snapping structure, so a stick with a bit of backbone is also required. Most often, a medium action, high modulus graphite casting or spinning rod is a good all-around choice. During periods of extreme cold, when fish are in the middle of the canal, further away from structure and biting even softer, a medium-light action rod is a better choice. During those “cold snaps,” the most effective technique for taking specks is one seldom utilized by Texas inshore anglers - vertical jigging. By using a trolling motor - or anchor where allowed - it is possible to keep a boat positioned directly above a school of fish huddled in 8 feet or more. Usually, these fish will be right on the bottom, so it is most effective to drop a jig or spoon all the way down, crank once or twice to lift it off the canal floor, then slowly jiggle it up and down with the rod tip. Again, cold water fish bite extremely softly. And, when vertical fishing, it is common to not feel even so much as a slight tap. Instead, it is often the drag of “dead weight” or a slight change in the angle of the line entering the water that indicates the presence of a fish on the other end. When a stretch of two or three warm days occurs and the fish begin cruising the shallow shelf, more traditional techniques will tempt them. Under these conditions, it is even possible to get a topwater bite. However, suspending and slow sinking plugs and jigs will account for most of the fish. The remainder of winter days, the majority of fish will be taken by working suspending jerkbaits, slow-sinking plugs and jigs around docks and pilings. The key to producing fish at these times is determining what depth the fish are suspended at along the structure. If the fish are within a few feet of the surface, suspending and slow-sinking plugs or lightly weighted jigs are the best bet. When the fish are suspended lower in the water column, it is important to get the bait down in an almost straight-line descent so that it remains close to the structure, even at depth. In this scenario, heavier jigs or baits will a smaller, less resistant body profiles are the ticket. Although pitching and flipping baits will allow anglers to cover the exposed face of structures such as boat slips and docks, it is sometimes necessary to reach further back under the structure. In this instance, “skipping” a plug or lightly-weighted jig is necessary. Though it is not a common technique for salt water anglers, skipping is effective and can be employed with a minimal amount of practice. To perform this maneuver, simply make a sidearm cast with the rod tip low to the water's surface. This low release point allows the bait to skip across the surface upon impact rather than plunging beneath it. To gain maximum distance while skipping, it is best to use spinning gear, which offers no resistance as the line is pulled from the spool. ETIQUETTE Residential canals are usually productive all winter long. And, they can be effectively fish from shore or boat. Unfortunately, whether fishing from land or water, anglers in these close-quarter environments will sometimes cause each other aggravation. Of course, in order to fish a canal without a boat, it is necessary to own - or at least have permission to use - land adjacent to the canal. However, just because you have a right to be on the land or dock you are fishing from, doesn't mean you can cast at will in any direction. Often times adjacent land and docks will also have fishermen on them. As with pier or jetty fishing, these situations require at least a minimal amount of cooperation between neighboring anglers in order to avoid tangled lines and misunderstandings. The same goes for boating anglers. Although these waterways are public, many shoreside landowners aren't exactly happy to watch fishermen pepper their property with casts. This is particularly true if said property owner is also fishing at the time. It is always best to ask permission to approach from any property owner who happens to be outside when you are fishing down the length of residential canal. In most instances, sensitivity levels seem to be elevated when lights are involved. Many property owners leave their lights on nightly - regardless of whether they plan to fish that evening. Often these folks don't mind if anglers on adjacent property or in a boat take a few fish from under their lights. But, sometimes they do. If someone happens to be within hailing distance, it is well-advised to ask permission. Although these simple courtesies are certainly not required, they can make for a more pleasant day - or night - on the water. texas saltwater fishing, texas fishing, wadefishing, wading, bay fishing, speckled trout, redfish, snook, tarpon, texas redfish, texas speckled trout