Flippin Docks In The Fall?

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Im thinking of checking out these boat docks at my local lake.. do you think the bass would be holdling there during the day or im i just wasting my time? im probably going to try it anyway. i was at a local farm pond its a faily big pond and i was flipping the 1/4 dockw that was there and caught a five pounder... i live in upsate ny and its been pretty chilly this fall..

thanks

chas

[rockchalk06]

I'm really curious about the same. This time of year most of the boats in my area are docked as the boaters are for fun and not fishing.

Also for what its worth, alot of videos I see on fishing docks, the guys are decked out in cold weather gear so I am guessing it works.

[ww2farmer]

Docks hold bass year round, even up here. BUT....if the water is gin clear and cold and the docks are in super shallow water, IMHO....look else where. If the water has got some color to it OR there is grass around the docks (reguardless of water clarity) they will be on or around them. I have caught dock fish in 45 degree water. They can really be good on warmer days. I have had some good days fishing them in november on days that are warmer than "normal" for that time of year. All you need this time of year is to fish docks effectivly are a 3/8's oz small compact jig, like a SK Bitsy flip, with a small trailer like a GYCB baby craw, or a 4" senko, and if they are there, they will bite those.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

yeah thats the only size jig i really use .. idk what the water temp is tho for the lake ill have to check it out im sure there are bass there im jusy hoping to find a lunker in the mix

[papajoe222]

The odds are against you, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a try. Keep in mind the same information about fishing docks holds true in the fall as it does in the summer. Docks closer to deep water, wood docks, docks closer to the water, older docks, etc. are still your best targets. Don't forget to try them at different times of the day now. The bass will be moving a lot and may not be using the dock the first time you try, but could return at another time.

One of the positive things about docks at this time of year is the fact that cover is disappearing and docks may be the only form of shallow cover available which can turn the odds in your favor.

[Sam]

Grizzn, it depends.

Docks, piers, moored boats and boat houses provide structure for the bass. Therefore, using the rule "structure may not hold bass but you will find bass on structure" you have to give the docks, piers, etc. a try.

You did not give us the water temperature which is a critical element to where the bass will be holding. In addition, the water clarity is an important factor as well.

I would like to suggest throwing the following at all structure you can find and remember that the bass holding to the structure may move to deeper water for safety or more oxygen during the day or move into shallow water to enjoy the warmer temperature.

1. Flip and pitch your wacky rigged Senkos and Trick Worms using colors to match the water clarity.

2. Flip and pitch a jig. Be it a big one or a small one give the jig and pig a try.

3. Throw crankbaits from all angles around the docks, piers, moored boats, etc.

4. Throw a Shad Rap matching the forage the bass are eating.

5. Throw a flat sided crankbait or a lipless crankbait.

6. Flip and pitch your lightly weighted Texas rigged worms.

7. Try a drop shot. You will be surprised at how many bass will hit a drop shot.

8. Throw a shaky head on a 1/16 to 1/8 jig head using a Trick Worm.

Your goal is to find the bass and create the pattern for the day.

If you have blue bird skies the bass will be holding close to structure. If you have cloudy conditions the bass will be roaming.

Try to locate a dock, etc, near deep water. Any dock, pier, etc, with brush piles or rip rap or rocks and grass will be good targets. Look for ones that have fishing equipment on them as the owners may have thrown some structure in the water around their property.

Remember to skip your bait under the dock, pier, boat house, etc. and then fish it from all angles as you do your moving baits. Cast each bait at least 20 times. Hit the pilings and rocks, etc, with your crankbaits.

If the bass are holding off the bank and along the drop offs they will run to shallow water to 1) enjoy the warmer temperature and 2) to grab an easy bite to eat and then return to their point of safety in deeper water.

And don't forget any wood you can find. Fish the wood like you do a dock or boat house.

Please purchase a swimming pool therometer and keep it with you to test the water temperature so you will have an idea of what the bass will be doing.

Good luck.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks alot for that great information^^^^^^^^^^^ i havnt try the cranks yet or raL trap around the docks i went yesterday and got a few bites with the black and blue chatterfbait and a few jigs as well.. the drop shot is also good i will try that.. But yesterday was my first time going to my local lake where they keep all of the boats.. i got there and they took them all out except for 8 of them.. the one big dock that is still there is about 10 feet off the shore, and its around 150 feet long.. along the shore there is cover but not to much on the other side where they normally keep the docks it drops off to about 15 feet maybe 20.. ill let you know how cold the water is i havnt checked it out which ive been meaning to do..ill check it out today or tomorrow.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

just looked at the website for the lake its 53 degrees

[deep]

Flipping, yes. But also skip under those docks. I learnt that from a fellow BR member.

I was reading an article earlier today since it popped up on my Facebook feed: might be useful

http://www.bassresou...ss_fishing.html

P.S. There always are some, maybe a few, but still some, bass up shallow. They might not be the biggest (they usually aren't), but shallow bass are very often catchable bass.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

yeah i skip the 2 i can skip under the others sit on the water on top of barrells.. so i cant skip them

[Grizzn N Bassin]

yesterday i spook a bass on the shore at this big farm pond the v's it made in the water were huge!!!!! i caught an 8 pounder the other day swiming a chatter bait close to the shore of this cove

[papajoe222]

yesterday i spook a bass on the shore at this big farm pond the v's it made in the water were huge!!!!! i caught an 8 pounder the other day swiming a chatter bait close to the shore of this cove

Man, that's a monster especially in your part of the country. The location of that fish is a good indication that the docks will still be producing fish. Not only that it directs you to the shallower part of the docks closer to shore. If I were going to target docks a day or two after catching that brute, that's where I'd start my search.

BTW, you can tune a crank to run under those floating docks. A slight bend in the line tie to the right or left will do the trick. Don't overdo it, or you'll ruin the action, but on a long cast you can get it pretty far under the dock casting parallel to it.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

^^^^ thanks i completly forgot about doing that ive been so caught up with jigs chatters and soft plasicts! my water temp is around 50 is that to cold to run a crank i mean i try it but i dont think those lunkers will be chasing like there were a month ago