Each canal is probably a little different, but I can speak for our old house. We had underwater lights in the canal so you could see each night if there were fish or not. I generally didn't cast a line unless I saw a decent amount of baitfish, but every once in a while there would be a good group of specs that would hit anything that moved just outside the lights. They were mostly just under keeper size, but it was fun. We were the canal farthest away from the inlet so other experiences may vary.