Canal Fishing Veronica S Shoemaker Blvd Fort Myers

Veronica S Shoemaker Blvd Canal

Canal Fishing Fort Myers Don’t let the urban setting fool you. This canal, despite its location alongside a major thoroughfare, boasts a surprising amount of fish life. Here are some reasons why it’s worth casting a line:

Accessibility: Easily accessible from numerous points along Veronica S Shoemaker Blvd, making it a convenient location for a quick fishing trip. No need for a boat!

Variety of Fish: The canal is home to a diverse range of species, including snook, largemouth bass, tilapia, catfish, gar, turtles, pleco, and various panfish. You never know what you might hook!

• Largemouth Bass: A popular freshwater target, largemouth bass thrive in the weedy areas of the canal. Look for them near submerged vegetation and lily pads.
• Mayan Cichlid: An invasive species that has become quite common in Florida canals. Mayan Cichlid can be a fun and easy catch, especially for beginners.
• Tilapia: An invasive species that has become quite common in Florida canals. Tilapia can be a fun and easy catch, especially for beginners.
• Catfish: Several species of catfish inhabit the canal, including channel catfish. They’re bottom feeders and can be caught using natural baits.
• Panfish (Bluegill, Sunfish, etc.): These smaller fish are abundant and offer excellent opportunities for kids and casual anglers. They’re relatively easy to catch with simple tackle and small baits.

 Tips and techniques:

• Use the Right Bait: The best bait depends on the target species. For largemouth bass, consider live worms, plastic worms, crankbaits, or topwater lures. Catfish respond well to stinkbaits, worms, and cut bait. Tilapia can be caught with live worms, bread, corn, or small pieces of vegetation.
• Fish Near Structure: Fish are attracted to structures like culverts, shaded spots if it’s hot outside, and vegetation, as it provides cover and a source of food. Cast your bait or lure close to these areas.
• Consider the Time of Day: Early morning and late evening are often the most productive times to fish, as the water is cooler and the fish are more active.
• Use Appropriate Tackle: A medium-action rod and reel combo spooled with 10-15 pound test line is suitable for most species in the canal. For Snook, you might want to consider a slightly heavier setup.
• My Recommended Tackle: Depending on how much overgrowth is in the water A medium-Heavy Fast Action rod and reel combo spooled with 20-30 pound test line is what I’d go with because you could push through most of it without breaking off.
• Be Patient: Fishing requires patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t catch anything right away. Move around the canal; don’t stay in one spot. Keep an eye on movement in the water, and cast near any signs of action on the water. Live worms are great to get bait fish, like bluegill and cichlids, to fish for bass. I’ve caught plenty of bass on live worms.

During the rainy season around June that canal does have a spillway and the water does get deep During the dry season, like around January through May the water can be really low and likely be not the best to fish:

The address for this canal is located by 3971 Veronica S Shoemaker Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916