Had a little free time last night after dinner, so I went out for a spontaneous trip to the Ship Canal. I fished up and down the Fremont side using a joined floating minnow in the rip rap, and a drop shot, spinner and crankbaits in the deeper hole by the retaining wall. Caught the smallmouth in the photo on a drop shot with a roboworm shad. I kept fishing after sunset, and was surprised when I started catching rock bass in the rip rap. I've never caught a rock bass at the canal before, but I caught three in rapid succession. Maybe they come out after dark looking for crawfish in the rocks? Caught 6 bass total, before it got dark enough that it was tough to remove the trebles from the fish without hooking myself. It was a pleasant, relaxing way to spend my evening. As I tell my wife when I am spending money on tackle, "It's cheaper than therapy."

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