Fishing Docks

[Prestonwk]

Hey guys and gals I am new to this Forum and pretty new to bass fishing. I love bass fishing and have been going a lot lately. I cant wait to get on here every day and learn a lot from all of you! My Question is: We are going to a lake tmro that has a bunch of docks and a little bit of some grass in some of the coves... My question is what should i concentrate on fishing the most? My thinking is to fish some of the grass and throw some top water early in the morning and then as the sun comes up and comes over the lake hit the docks where the fish are trying to stay in the shade.. Is this a good plan or should i maybe start off with the docks? 

 

Thanks, Preston

[slonezp]

Sounds good. I'll fish docks all day long but as soon as the sun is overhead, lots of times the fish will concentrate below them. Depending on how deep the water is,you'll want to throw maybe a senko or fluke to get the suspended fish AND a jig or t-rig or shakeyhead to get the fish on the bottom. And welcome to BR

[Sam]

Preston, a few dock rules.

 

1.  Bass like to hide and be under something to feel safe and wait in ambush for an easy meal. Docks allow this to occur.

2.  Bright sunny days are best for docks as the bass will be under them as stated above.

3.  Cloudy days allow the bass to roam so docks are just another target but maybe not the best target.

4.  Docks close to deep water are the best.

5.  Docks built close to the water are best.

6.  Docks with grass, brushpiles and fishing rods on them are the best.

7.  Skip plastics under the dock with a spinning rig to avoid backlashes.

8.  Throw plastics all around the dock, starting in the front and working back to the shoreline.

9.  Concentrate on any grasses next to the shoreline.

10. Concentrate on any lily pads around docks.

11. Concentrate on any wood (blow down trees) around docks.

12. Hit as many pilings as you can with your plastics before moving on. Hit them a number of times and from different angles.

13. Throw your crankbaits and spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits, etc. parallel to the sides, in front of the dock, and all around the dock.

14. Throw the moving baits many times before or after you throw your plastics.

15. Throw your plastics on a Texas rig, a Drop Shot and a Shaky Head.

16. Skip your Senkos or YUM Dingers rigged wacky under each dock. Throw them at least five times each.

17. Throw your Senkos or YUM Dingers all around the dock and hit all pilings.

18. Throw your moving baits in between the docks from the shoreline back to the boat when moving from dock to dock.

19.  Consider throwing your jigs and pigs under and all around the dock

20.  Approach a dock quietly and from the side.

21. Try to use your trolling motor as little as possible and be very quiet.

22. Have the net ready to roll without much movement on your part.

23. Fish each dock to the fullest before moving on.

24. On a day when you want to study the docks take your boat and troll all around them while you view your electronics to see if you can spot any underwater structure, holes, drop-offs and if there is any deep water nearby.

 

This information is just for starters. If you do catch a bass do the same thing over and over and over again and again and again as you have found the pattern for the day.

 

All the best.

[AK-Jax86]

All very good information that Sam provided for you that basically sums everything you need to know up

[Prestonwk]

Thanks guys that should help me out a lot. We are headed out in the morning and i will let you guys know how it went!

[Sam]

Preston, one last suggestion.

 

Buzz that buzzbait. Pop that topwater popper. Gurgle that frog. All around the docks in the AM and during the day.

 

Skip the poppers and frogs under the dock. Let them sit for about fifteen seconds. Start moving them and popping them. See what happens.

 

Be quiet. No noise. Have all rigs ready to go. Keep trolling motor off as much as possible. Anchor if necessary.

 

Let us know how you do.

[Hyrule Bass]

lol Sam is the King Of Lists. I think he about covered everything possible. he forgot one thing though that is usually on all of his fishing lists, "dont forget your pliers"

[BuckMaxx]

Wow! Even I was intrigued by that list!! great job!

Welcome to the forum!! You will learn a lot here. One word Senko. That's pretty much all I would fish. Do what I call "combat fishing". Stick in ever possible place a bass could live. You lay it on an old bigguns nose and he won't be able to stand it!

[Prestonwk]

Hey guys thanks for all the tips. We went out this morning but never had to much luck on the docks...we moved over to the dam side with some rock cliffs and rocky areas and used some deep diving crank baits and they were killing them....here is a little video we mad from this morning if you would like to check it out. Again thank you for all the tips and advice 

 

[GoneFishi'n]

Preston, a few dock rules.

1. Bass like to hide and be under something to feel safe and wait in ambush for an easy meal. Docks allow this to occur.

2. Bright sunny days are best for docks as the bass will be under them as stated above.

3. Cloudy days allow the bass to roam so docks are just another target but maybe not the best target.

4. Docks close to deep water are the best.

5. Docks built close to the water are best.

6. Docks with grass, brushpiles and fishing rods on them are the best.

7. Skip plastics under the dock with a spinning rig to avoid backlashes.

8. Throw plastics all around the dock, starting in the front and working back to the shoreline.

9. Concentrate on any grasses next to the shoreline.

10. Concentrate on any lily pads around docks.

11. Concentrate on any wood (blow down trees) around docks.

12. Hit as many pilings as you can with your plastics before moving on. Hit them a number of times and from different angles.

13. Throw your crankbaits and spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits, etc. parallel to the sides, in front of the dock, and all around the dock.

14. Throw the moving baits many times before or after you throw your plastics.

15. Throw your plastics on a Texas rig, a Drop Shot and a Shaky Head.

16. Skip your Senkos or YUM Dingers rigged wacky under each dock. Throw them at least five times each.

17. Throw your Senkos or YUM Dingers all around the dock and hit all pilings.

18. Throw your moving baits in between the docks from the shoreline back to the boat when moving from dock to dock.

19. Consider throwing your jigs and pigs under and all around the dock

20. Approach a dock quietly and from the side.

21. Try to use your trolling motor as little as possible and be very quiet.

22. Have the net ready to roll without much movement on your part.

23. Fish each dock to the fullest before moving on.

24. On a day when you want to study the docks take your boat and troll all around them while you view your electronics to see if you can spot any underwater structure, holes, drop-offs and if there is any deep water nearby.

This information is just for starters. If you do catch a bass do the same thing over and over and over again and again and again as you have found the pattern for the day.

All the best.

Geez, no need for me to post anything haha.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Docks are fish holders for sure so definitely fish those HARD. Atleast 20 casts IMO.

 

Here are some techniques:

 

1. If its a floating dock (no pilings) then use a t-rig or something similar and drop it down on one side and then maneuver around the dock while letting out line so that when you reel it in it goes under the floating parts of the dock. This is where the bass will hang out during the summer to be in the shade. Also, the bass will not always come out from under those docks to get a bait just outside of being directly under the floating parts, so this is a great strategy. Do this for each corner of the floating docks. Try putting your rod tip in the water if you are having trouble getting it to go directly under the docks.

 

2.  If it is a dock with pilings then drop your lure right next to them and jig it around for a few seconds and pause it occasionally. The bass may be suspended or right on the bottom, it varies.

 

3. Try casting up next to the dock, but parallel to it. (this is hard to explain lol) Try to bring lure all the way down the side of the dock. A good lure for this is a spinnerbait or just a jig or t-rig. I do these casts multiple times on each side of the dock.

 

For the lakes I fish here in Carolina, fishing the docks can be very effective if you fish them thoroughly. Remember that there can be 5+ bass on one dock (and even other species like catfish or crappie too). 

 

Oh and for choosing the docks too fish:

 

1. Look for docks in large coves or on the main lake.

2. Docks at the back of coves usually have shallow water so if its a hot summer day, there usually won't be bass there.

 

Hope this helps.

 

EDIT: I forgot another important technique- skipping.

If you can skip a bait then this is a great technique to use. Wacky rigs are great for getting your bait way back under the docks. Just remember to use a bait that fall pretty slowly so that your bait can stay in the strike zone for a long time to entice those bass that may not be as aggressive (usually the larger ones).

 

Also, Sam's post above is great so definitely read that.