Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Cape Cod Canal fishing report for March 16, 2025. Let me tell ya, the fishing's been heating up in the Big Ditch lately. We've got a high tide coming in at 3:44 AM today, peaking at about 3.28 feet, followed by a low tide at 10:52 AM dropping to just 0.07 feet. Sunrise was at 6:52 AM and we'll see the sun dip below the horizon at 6:50 PM.

Weather-wise, it's a bit blustery out there with winds around 10-15 mph and partly cloudy skies. Water temp's hovering around 45°F, so bundle up if you're heading out.

Now, onto the good stuff - the fish! We've been seeing some decent action with schoolie stripers in the 24-28 inch range, with a few keepers mixed in. Word is, a lucky fella landed a 38-incher near the Sagamore Bridge just yesterday. Bluefish have been scarce, but a few early birds have been spotted chasing bait near the east end.

For lures, you can't go wrong with white or chartreuse paddletails on a 3/4 oz jighead. The Magic Swimmer in mackerel pattern has also been producing, especially during the early morning hours. If you're looking to throw some topwater, the Canal Special pencil popper in bone color has been getting some nice blow-ups.

Bait-wise, fresh mackerel chunks or live eels are your best bet for the bigger stripers. Just remember, circle hooks are mandatory when using natural baits for stripers.

As for hot spots, the Herring Run area has been consistently productive, especially on the outgoing tide. The Scusset Beach jetty is another good bet, particularly for those targeting the early bluefish.

Remember folks, the tides wait for no one, so time your trips accordingly. Tight lines and see you on the riprap!